Book Review: Running Like A Girl by Alexandra Heminsley

Publish Date: October 8th, 2013
Publisher: Scribner
ISBN: 9781451697124
Pages: 224
Series: None
Source: From publisher for honest review

Goodreads Synopsis:
In her twenties, Alexandra Heminsley spent more time at the bar than she did in pursuit of athletic excellence. When she decided to take up running in her thirties, she had grand hopes for a blissful runner’s high and immediate physical transformation. After eating three slices of toast with honey and spending ninety minutes on iTunes creating the perfect playlist, she hit the streets—and failed miserably. The stories of her first runs turn the common notion that we are all “born to run” on its head—and expose the truth about starting to run: it can be brutal.
Running Like a Girl tells the story of how Alexandra gets beyond the brutal part, makes running a part of her life, and reaps the rewards: not just the obvious things, like weight loss, health, and glowing skin, but self-confidence and immeasurable daily pleasure, along with a new closeness to her father—a marathon runner—and her brother, with whom she ultimately runs her first marathon.
But before that, she has to figure out the logistics of running: the intimidating questions from a young and arrogant sales assistant when she goes to buy her first running shoes, where to get decent bras for the larger bust, how not to freeze or get sunstroke, and what (and when) to eat before a run. She’s figured out what’s important (pockets) and what isn’t (appearance), and more.
For any woman who has ever run, wanted to run, tried to run, or failed to run (even if just around the block), Heminsley’s funny, warm, and motivational personal journey from nonathlete extraordinaire to someone who has completed five marathons is inspiring, entertaining, practical, and fun.

My Review:
I was excited to get this book! My sister and I have been running here and there for a few years, not a lot to be honest, we've tried though! So I thought that maybe this would be just the thing to get me motivated to keep on running and run some more. 
In Running Like A Girl, Alexandra talks about the ups and downs of running and what to do in any sort of situation. She'll talk about the ups and downs of a runners emotion. She tells you what it's like when you have to use the bathroom during a run, and what it's like to walk into a shoe store and feel intimidated.  And she tells it in a way that will get you laughing. 
I thought the book was going to focus more on actual tips on running, and how to get and stay motivated but the majority of the book is about Alexandra and her own journey into running. The last little bit does give you advice and helpful tips though. Alexandra's father is a big runner, and I feel that growing up with running in your family gives you a little more of a drive to run yourself. My own mother swears that she has two left feet so running was never something we would see on a regular basis, and so it never crossed my mind to "run a marathon like my mother".
Alexandra Heminsley tells you as it is, and it was a quick, easy but fun book to read. If you're looking to start running, or need a little pick-me-up during a running slum, Running Like A Girl may be the book for you! 
Good luck!