Another inspiring book from Vassos Alexander. I preferred the first half, full of interviews with the greats from marathon running. The second half is designed to help you to run that marathon, with sections on nutrition, stretching etc. I would imagine this section would be useful for anyone thinking of entering their first marathon. Overall, another good read that makes me realise that with the right attitude, I too could do this!

Vassos Alexander’s helpful and highly readable book is mainly aimed at first time marathoners, which I’m not - I’ve done a few in the past, but am pretty rusty and unmotivated of late, so I was hoping both for some top tips and inspiration to get running again.

There’s lots here to relate to, right from the beginning. (I can totally relate to Vassos’s feelings on the morning of his very first marathon (he’s run a heck of a lot since) - especially the unreasonable number of toilet visits required. Glad it’s not just me.)

While Vassos is a far faster runner than I’ll ever be (an “easy” marathon for him is one where he finishes in just over three hours), the book is very inclusive, featuring interviews with the likes of Lisa Jackson (who has finished last in multiple events, and whose fantastic book Running Made Easy first got me started, around 12 years ago, in my early 40s) and iconic women’s marathon pioneer Kathrine Switzer.

It doesn’t really feel like a how to guide, although there is lots of good advice herein - it’s more a miscellany of interviews, tips, race stories and general thoughts about all things running.

There are many inspiring stories here, from the Skid Row running club for homeless runners to the bloke who, when his planned 2020 London Marathon was cancelled due to You Know What, instead ran 200 laps of his garden dressed as a rhinoceros.

It was good to see a section addressing particular issues for women runners, although a little disappointing that there was no mention of the menopause. Older women run, too!

I definitely related to the litany of race day mistakes committed by the author, and laughed out loud at this: “I once trained hard for the London Marathon, early January to late April, only to discover that I had, in fact, clean forgotten to enter.” I can so imagine that happening to me, albeit probably not with the hard-to-get-into London Marathon. (I’ve never actually turned up to a race without my trainers, although I have had pre-marathon anxiety dreams about forgetting all my kit and having to run in my nightie and slippers.)

The final section of the book contains three 16-week training plans (divided into beginner, improver and advanced) which actually look pretty good. There’s no shortage of marathon training plans out there, obviously, but these definitely look approachable and doable. There’s also a roundup of marathons in the UK and abroad to help you decide where to focus your efforts ... at least, once mass-participation events again become a thing that happens. For what it’s worth, my favourite is the beautiful and well-organised Loch Ness, which I’ve done several times now, and I have little desire to attempt what is the holy grail for many, the London Marathon (looks way too crowded for my liking). It depends what suits your tastes and personality and there’s sure to be something here for everyone.

A really enjoyable, honest, and - yes - inspiring read. I’ll get my trainers back on.... maybe even today.