Book Review: Keep On Running by Phil Hewitt

I didn't start this blog as a place to marry two of my favourite things - running and reading - however that's the way it's naturally going as I'm learning about running in my typical way of reading everything about a subject.

I keep thinking about sub-categories of running books.  I gravitate towards the ones written by women about their experiences of starting from non-runner and building up to serious running.  I have a stack of books about technique and ones about hardcore/professional runners.  I'm on my second reading of the fab The End of the World Running Club which is fiction.  Phil Hewitt probably slots into the first category but the book provides a different experience because, obviously, he's male.  Different issues (bleeding nipples, eeek) but also a different approach to running.  A manly approach maybe. 

Phil's is a tale of tenacity, determination and ambition. As he goes from marathon to marathon he is constantly searching for that perfect run where all the elements come together and the outcome is a PB.  This is no different from most runners, even if we say we're just in it to run there's no doubting we love a PB and there's always a hint of disappointment if we don't achieve it.  Phil's approach to achieving it is what struck me as different.  It's the numbers game, working out those statistics and analysing the numbers like a Mathematical wizard.  I couldn't get my head around it but maybe I'm not obsessed enough yet.  When I ran a 10k at the weekend I looked at my watch at the halfway point and knew I was reasonably on track for my goal of 1:05 because I'd been going for just over 30 minutes.  A paltry goal perhaps but it was mine.  I knew I could push harder in the last few km because I felt strong so I had a good feeling I was going to hit my goal.  (I did, in just short of 1:03.  Chuffed).  But I had no thoughts about pace and how fast I was going for each km and what that meant for my potential PB.  This number crunching that Phil does was beyond me but intriguing and maybe a sign of a real addict.

Phil is inspirational but the hero of this book is his father-in-law, Michael.  Looking to complete his first marathon in his 70th year and going on to run many more.  What a star! That's determination right there.  In the last marathon in this book Michael finished two hours behind Phil but by Phil's own admission, running for five and a half hours non-stop is incredible!

A great book for runners or anyone with absolute passion for an interest.  I've stored up more advice and knowledge :)