The Incomplete Book of Running

By: Peter Sagal

Narrated by: Peter Sagal

Peter Sagal, the host of NPR’s Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me! and a popular columnist for Runner’s World, shares lessons, stories, advice, and warnings gleaned from running the equivalent of once around the Earth.

At the verge of turning 40, Peter Sagal - brainiac Harvard grad, short, bald Jew with a disposition toward heft, and a sedentary star of public radio - started running seriously. And much to his own surprise, he kept going, faster and further, running 14 marathons and logging tens of thousands of miles on roads, sidewalks, paths, and trails all over the US and the world, including the 2013 Boston Marathon, where he crossed the finish line moments before the bombings.

In this new audiobook, Sagal reflects on the trails, tracks, and routes he’s traveled, from the humorous absurdity of running charity races in his underwear - in St. Louis, in February - or attempting to “quiet his colon” on runs around his neighborhood - to the experience of running as a guide to visually impaired runners and the triumphant post-bombing running of the Boston Marathon in 2014. With humor and humanity, Sagal also writes about the emotional experience of running, body image, the similarities between endurance sports and sadomasochism, the legacy of running as passed down from parent to child, and the odd but extraordinary bonds created between strangers and friends. The result is a funny, wise, and powerful meditation about running and life that will appeal to listeners everywhere.

©2018 Peter Sagal (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

Generally a good story with a few marathons

Book was a nice listen/read. You can tell Peter is a wonderful writer.

Near the middle, the book feels a little inconsiderate in its voice. For example, he a comment about being stupid if one believes in intelligent design, which seemed thrown in there as a general aside and unrelated to the general story.

Overall an interesting story and worth the listen.

Great book for running bigginers.

I started running and doing long distance races at 40,, like the author. I feel very identified with his experien'

Great Book!!!!!

Funny but real... I love that he tells how it is running a marathon.. Definitely, worth listening to.

Full disclosure: I love running

Peter Sagal's Incomplete Book of Running made me long for my favorite form of exercise but can no longer participate in, and only dream about, because of ruined knees. I laughed, I cried. Peter's narration was witty and wonderful, as only he could tell it. This book is for anyone who slavishly posted to Jim Fixx's Complete Book of Running workbook to get through their first marathon.

Such a great story.

I loved his manner of telling his story. I listened while running or cycling and it made me feel a bit connected to the author. It was easy to get lost in his words and there were moments that took my breath away. The story felt real and honest, and while he is certainly a great athlete his ability to describe his struggle made him very relatable. I loved the book.

Best book I have read in a long time.

Being a runner that started in my 40's I totally identify with this book. His story telling ability is awesome and having him read the book feels like I am listening to a 5 hour wait wait don't tell.me episode.

Awesome book, Awesome topic.

Fun and Inspirational!

This book is encouraging for multiple aspects of life. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Peter Sagal present his funny and insightful overview of life, marriage, divorce, and the ongoing personal adventure of becoming who we are. Oh yeah, and there's stuff about running.

Running and then some

Outstanding book by an honest and reflective man! I was in tears by the end; I laughed out loud often, and I can’t wait to share this tale with other runners! What running teaches us for managing and growing in life is the gift given in this book! Thank you!

The longest episode of Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me.

Loves the story and learned a lot about the author, less about running. I eagerly returned to the story after each forced break I had to take. Until with only two chapters left I wanted to hear the ending but didn’t want it to be over.
Listening to Peter for just short of 6 hours, what you couldn’t find another 10 pages Haha I found very relaxing and wonderful and thought, this is the best Wait Wait I’ve ever heard!

i enjoyed this book very much.

i enjoyed this book very much I've started exercising not by running but by biking 15 miles everyday.