Book Review: Running for my Life by Rachel Ann Cullen

There are many reasons to exercise but one that I've been reading up on a lot lately is mental health.  It resonates with me because running definitely helps my mental health.  It's about a year since I was on a stress management course after self-referring myself to IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) on my GPs recommendation.  I thought I had asthma, it turns out I was having panic attacks.  My mind was under so much stress that my body couldn't take the pressure.  I couldn't do a spin class without feeling like I was dying because my body couldn't cope with the added stress.  My GP banned me from spin classes, offered me anti-anxiety medication and I trotted off to the stress course.  It was all helpful but I truly believe that running, although it provides me with moments of despair, is one of the things that keeps me sane.

So that's why Rachel's book appealed to me.  With a strapline of 'How I built a better me one step at a time' how could this not be inspirational.  I just kept seeing this book pop up everywhere, so many recommendations.  The book sees Rachel go from overweight teen with crashing insecurities, a dependency on food and struggling to cope with life through to new mum finding herself through her journey to the London Marathon (without medication).

At times I have been held back by my own insecurities so I could relate to Rachel's searing honesty.  It takes a lot of bravery and perseverance to tackle the root of mental illness and to then talk about it openly.  I loved the layout of the book, nice short chapters mingled with real diary entries from Rachel as a teenager and an adult. 

The buzz around this book is justified as it is such a contemporary issue and Rachel humanises it.  Wonderful stuff.

Hades the Cat enjoyed it too :)

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