Your Pace or Mine?: What Running Taught Me About Life, Laughter and Coming Last

I’d logged onto Amazon to purchase a book on running that someone had mentioned, but when Amazon suggested Your Pace Or Mine?, I knew immediately that any title that could make me laugh out loud was worth looking at further. Whoever said you can’t judge a book by its cover has clearly never read this book. I read through a few reviews, didn’t hesitate to click ‘add to basket’, received the book the next day, and within every available moment over the next couple of days devoured every single word. It has been such a long time since I’ve read a book (fiction or non-fiction) that has impacted me so strongly. At the time of writing, I’ve only been running three weeks. I’m doing the Couch to 5k programme. What I can say, with absolute certainty, is that I am SO grateful that this is the first book I’ve read about running. It’s so deeply inspiring, encouraging, positive, powerful, engaging, funny, and—you should be warned—you’ll probably cry, too. I certainly did, and at one point had to stop reading for a bit to recover. Personal and profound, each page is rich with inspiration and insights. There isn’t a price you can put on a book like this because the impact is lifelong. I can give you a long list of reasons why I’m not a runner, not designed to be a runner, and probably shouldn’t be a runner (health & injury related). But this book has shown me that none of those reasons are a good-enough excuse (even the medical advice I received a couple of years back which recommended I don’t exercise). The stories of those who had far greater challenges than I do/have will spur me on. About 27 years ago, I went firewalking (twice). An experience like that is life-changing, as you realise how many boundaries and restrictions we have in this life are actually in our head, and the impact this book has had on me is in the same realm. I was well overdue for such a revelation. Your Pace Or Mine? is brimming with stories that will leave you gasping, smiling, shaking your head, and itching to get off the sofa. In fact, my eighteen-year-old daughter who has just begun C25k was sitting beside me whilst I was reading, and said “I’m going for a run!” Now, given I’d already run that day, and walked for 3 miles with some friends, and done a one-hour gym session, I shouldn’t have responded so enthusiastically with “I’ll come with you!” I blame Lisa Jackson’s book! She has set my soul on fire, as well as my body, and opened my heart to a new life. I’m about to become a grandmother any day now, and I fully intend to be a fabulous role model and inspiration to the next generation in our family. This book has passed me the permission slip. If I ruled the world, every teenager would be required to read this book so that they had real-life examples of people who pushed the boundaries. Because, at heart, even though this is a book about running, it’s about so much more. It’s about more than the physical body, and our shape or style or history. It’s that we’re born with a brain that is infinitely powerful, and we can push boundaries, and keep pushing, and truly create an amazing life. THAT is why I am going to be buying copies for friends (runners and non-runners) for Christmas and birthdays and just because. Why? Because I want them to feel alive! There is no greater gift I could share. This book gives you permission to live fully. If the author is anything like in real life how she comes across in the book—warm, friendly, chatty, engaging, honest, interesting, funny, brave, courageous, not scared to look like an idiot, and determined—you’ll want her to be your ‘bestie’. Her words will stay with you long after you put your running shoes on. As I flail around Amazon looking for a 10-star button to adequately put with this review, I am receiving great joy from listening to the emotional responses of my ‘non-running’ husband reading the book. He can’t put it down. He’s 68 this month, and within reading only a quarter of the book is already incorporating some running into his daily 3-mile walk. Recommended without reservation.

Helps you realise that it's the journey, not the destination that matters. Accessible, easy to read, funny, real and has a feel good factor.

I absolutely love this book and have read it at least three times. I find Lisa incredibly encouraging. She inspired me to run the Brighton Marathon back in 2012 and has now motivated me to lace up my running shoes again, with my sights set on London 2027. Lisa’s genuine warmth and love of running shine through every page, alongside her honesty about the struggles she has faced. That combination makes this book truly inspiring. I cannot recommend it enough. The only warning is that it may tempt you into running, even if you do not currently see yourself as a runner. You have been warned.

Until recently I had run exactly twice as many marathons as I had read books. At just 5 marathons that makes me a novice runner and borderline illiterate. Despite this I was recommended this book by my girlfriend who said it might help with my backward moving motivation (former runner turned couch spud and TV soap aficionado) with the hope of getting me back on the road and out of the house. When the book landed on my doorstep, I was worried I would never complete this challenge: there are a lot of pages for someone with limited reading experience. But, to my surprise, each page is full of a joy that makes reading and turning to the next a real delight. This book is not solely about running, that is just the landscape where this story is set. It is simply a celebration of life in running shoes. It is the author's story but you are invited to run with her, to share the fun and life lessons running has given her. It may only be 26 miles by her side but during this time you will run/walk/hydrate/run/walk while feeling love and laughter, sadness, loss and deep pain. You will finish sweaty, utterly exhausted but with an inner glow that will warm your still beating heart. It might only be six hours on your feet but there is something special in her writing that will last a lifetime. I have learnt a lot from this self-proclaimed speed shuffler. A book with a serious message, but always served with a large dollop of humour. A journey full of laughs that may bring a tear to your eye and a stitch to your side before you've run a single step. This book may convince you to put your toe on the start line for the first time or return to training after an absence (thereby giving your partner some respite from your company and sole control of the TV remote). I am sure it will make you think about your life and maybe give you the courage to grab new opportunities and live them fully, at your own pace and without worrying about what others will think of you. So if your struggle with any of that, lean on Lisa, she may be the friend you need, the strength and the smile to get you to your finish line.

Started it, read about half of it, put it down and haven't bothered to pick it back up. The author's stories are interesting but it feels like most of the book was written by other people sharing their anecdotes. I preferred Born to Run.

Bought for a friend to convince her that she can run. She’s since talked me into joining a running club so assume it did the job!

As a fellow fat and slow runner I really enjoyed this book. It's great fun along the way and inspired me that no matter what your pace you can love running and get a lot from it.

WOW – I’ve just finished your book Your Pace or Mine and fell energised and ready for my own running challenge ahead. As a 43 year old overweight gent I never thought I would be considering running another marathon but this year I decided to push myself and take on the challenge of the world marathon majors starting with NYC in November (covid permitting). I’m very happy with the fact I will not be able to run all of it, I’m very happy that I have the determination to finish it but I do struggle with beating myself up sometimes that I could do better, that I could push myself more and through your book it has actually calmed me down and told me – hey stop, your doing this for YOU, no one else so be easy on yourself and calm down! – I ran a half a few weeks ago and was really punishing myself for not going faster, so your book has come at the perfect time. My own journey has been a strange one having run London in 2006, collapsed on tower bridge but carried on to get the medal only to have two knee operations and stop running for 15 years! Now back at it in my 40’s madness.

A fabulous read to inspire anyone to run and have fun at the same time. I laughed until I had tears at some of her anecdotes, and immediately gave it a second read. So many wonderful stories - it makes you want to get out there and give it your best!

I really enjoyed her writing. She's very down to earth and makes you want to run with her. I also appreciated that while she takes her running seriously, she doesn't take herself too seriously. I'd love to run in some of her costumes err fancy dress. I actually got tripped up by some of her words - I'm not sure if it was British English or her South African upbringing, but I was very grateful for the Kindle's dictionary. Twitchers aka bird watchers was one that has definitely stuck with me. I think what I enjoyed the most about this book was the layout. She's introduce each chapter's theme with her own experiences, stories and advice and then it would close with the experiences of other runners. Throughout the course of the book I felt as if I got to know some of these runners and began to recognize their stories even before I saw the anecdote's "byline". While I have no desire to run some of these -- Beachy and Beauty and the Beast for two, she also made me want to make more of a running bucket list. Very similar to Phil Hewitt's book in that respect. I don't think I could physically do an Ultra, but Comrades plus South Africa being on my bucket list... Oh so tempting. While this book is a no brainer for beginning runners, I'd actually recommend it to any runner.

Suverän bok, skriven med humor och värme. Massor av inspiration och oerhört mitt i prick. Jag har sprungit tre maraton och ett ultra rekommenderas för att hitta tillbaka till det roliga!

Great motivation for runners or starters. It’s jam-packed with examples or people over-coming adversity. Anyone can run, this book tells this story. I found often books are written by athletes or people at the top of their game, although can be inspiring they also deter from even trying. This book remains very relatable and it celebrates the joy of running. Love it. I picked up just in the right moment after hitting a plateau, it was a reminder of why I started in the first place. And it tells us that we can do hard things!

I'm a beginning runner who gets into running funks more often than I care to admit. While running a marathon isn't on my radar, I found Lisa to be inspiring and encouraging!