Friend of Fast Running Charlie Massey is an avid reader, runner, and coffee enthusiast. We can imagine him combining all three when reviewing a book about running.
I have read many books about running.
Looking at my small library, it seems like the first one I read was the iconic “The Complete Book of Running” by James E. Fixx in 1984, around the time I started taking my own running seriously.
Defining what makes a good running book is hard when you are a runner yourself. Personally, I appreciate books that connect the world of everyday runners to the world of extraordinary, world-class performances, making the seemingly superhuman more relatable.
It’s even better if the books are well-written and offer unexpected perspectives. Running can be a self-absorbing activity where numbers and medals often define “success,” so books that offer a broader view and literary quality are not as common as those written by climbers and mountaineers (the other genre well-represented in my library).
Thankfully, Damian’s book is one of those rare gems.
First impressions
From the start, it’s clear that Damian is a writer describing his journey to becoming a world-class runner, rather than a runner just telling his story on paper.
Before the last few years, avid readers of running magazines may have come across many of Damian’s articles without knowing the origins of his running journey.
In the UK today, Damian has become a symbol of the trail running boom, with its focus on setting ambitious personal goals and running longer distances on wilder terrain than we ever thought possible in the 1980s.
Unlike most of us who dabble in running by buying the gear and exploring some trails or national parks, Damian has committed himself in his middle age to be the best he can be. He has made sacrifices and taken risks with his career to pursue his passion.
Photo: Summit Fever Media
From humble beginnings
In his book, Damian explores the development of his running form, mental preparation, equipment, and the valuable lessons he has learned from renowned coaches.
Early on, he shares insight into the period of his life when he was a restless wanderer and globetrotter, a part of his story that the Damian of 2021, a responsible father and environmental activist, seems slightly ashamed of. The interplay between these two versions of Damian adds a fascinating element to his narrative.
I first noticed Damian as a runner in 2016 when he embarked on an incredibly audacious challenge to run the entire 630-mile South West Coast Path, clockwise, in less than 11 days.
Thanks to GPS trackers and social media platforms like Strava, we can now get a glimpse of these types of experiences from the comfort of our armchairs. Starting with that successful endeavor five years ago, Damian has offered a lot of excitement for us, his virtual followers.
In 2020, he completed his magnum opus by breaking Mike Hartley’s 1989 record for the non-stop north-to-south run of the Pennine Way. While Hartley’s achievement might be considered a “you had to be there” event, Damian had thousands of us virtually following his progress through his “dot” and frequent social media updates in real-time.
Credit: Andy Jackson
Fastest Known Author
The book primarily focuses on Damian’s pursuit of setting records or Fastest Known Times (FKTs) on UK trails and mountain routes. This is where Damian’s skills as a writer shine, as he takes us inside his mind during the long, grueling days of suffering, always accompanied by a touch of self-deprecating humor.
Besides his interest in breaking records, Damian, like many of us who dream of conquering high peaks, has been captivated by the self-proclaimed “World Championship” of ultra trail running: the 105-mile lap around the Mont Blanc massif, known as the Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc.
His successive attempts led to an impressive 5th place finish two years ago. We can sense his eagerness to improve himself and witness his calculated deployment of mental strategies to achieve audacious goals.
Still more to come
I’m fairly confident that Damian is far from finished with the “long form” of running, and I eagerly await his further exploration of environmental concerns in his future work. He touches on this topic eloquently in his book, but it’s clear that his ideas need time to develop (much like his beloved tea!).
Sponsored athletes have an obligation to promote consumption, and I’m particularly interested in seeing how Damian balances this in the long run. Publishing this book as a carbon-negative print is a commendable start.
I received Damian’s book while I was in the middle of reading Nirmal Purjah’s account of summiting all the world’s 8000m peaks in 7 months. I had followed Nirmal’s incredible journey through social media and was eager to read his personal account. However, I made the mistake of deciding to read Damian’s book first while Nirmal’s team was descending K2 in the Karakoram. “In it for the Long Run” flowed so seamlessly and was so engaging that Damian reached Edale before Nirmal reached his next peak!
Engaging, easy to read, humorous, occasionally surprising, and, yes, sometimes inspiring. Definitely worth a read.
If you’re interested in ordering the book, why not go straight to the publisher?
https://www.v-publishing.co.uk/books/books-new-and-coming-soon/books-new-and-coming-soon-in-it-for-the-long-run/