March 2, 2002
Women Runners: Stories of Transformation
A book review by Sue M. Sefscik
I live on a mountain, and I run. I used to tell people I jogged, but I read a book that said "jogging" is a wimpy word and as powerful women, we should use the word "running." It doesn't matter that I lope along, not really pushing myself at any given time. So, I run.
The writings contained in "Women Runners: Stories of Transformation" edited by Irene Reti and Betttianne Shoney Sien, tell the same story. Running is a powerful word. Most of the stories are essays, although there are a few poems. As with any book which contains a multitude of writers and a multitude of essays, the writing is inconsistent. Some of the stories are excellent, some are very good, while others are not so good. Naturally, what I find excellent, another individual may not find as good; so it goes. But I think there's something here for everyone.
Mostly I found the essays empowering. I have been running on a fairly regular basis for over six years now. I started in my mid-40s, with rapid walking to the corner and back again. I have progressed to 5 miles about 3 or 4 times a week, including the first 2 miles of each 5 miles trek being up a 75% percent incline. I live on a mountain.
Its also the kind of book you can pick up and easily read an essay. Then you can think about that essay for awhile, and forget about the book. Then, you may find another essay when the time permits. Like Sarah Ban Breathnach's "Simple Abundance," one can put it in the bathroom and read while meditating.
A common theme running through most of the essays is how running changes your life. Every change appeares to be positive. Many of the writers had an "ah-ha" moment, as Oprah would say. The lightbulb went off, and clarity arrived after the first mile.
All of the women love. Some love women. Some love men. Some love their children. Some love their parents, but all of them love running. It's difficult to explain this "natural high" to someone who has never felt the endorphin and adrenalin rushing after a run, no matter how "easily" one runs. I keep telling my two overweight friends to get going, get moving, just down to the mailbox and back again. Funny how they always find excuses!
If you already run on a regular basis, this book just confirms what you already know. If there are times you just don't feel like running, and believe me, we all have that happen, the right pick-me-up essay is in the book waiting for you.
The essays were all written by women who have been published in other arenas. Some have published books, others have published articles. Some of the women are marathon competitors, some of them run for mental health, others run every day, some ran in the past, stopped for years, and then started again. There is a wide variety of runners from all walks of life. Yet all are Transformed Women Runners!
My favorite is the story which discusses running with dogs. Ironically, one of the dogs is named "Gordo," which was the name of one of my hounds, who I had to put to sleep last year. He, his sister, and other littermates ran competitively for many years. The author, Rebecca Davis, writes about a Doberman named "Red". My Pharaoh Hounds have been mistaken for Dobes many times, and they are red. Ms. Davis is the author of a book titled Aya. Coincidentally, my running partner is named Ayla. Personally, Ayla is one of the reasons I get out there as often as I do.
I would have liked to have read a story about the spirituality of running and being one with Mother Earth. A majority of the pieces did discuss how the wind felt, how the sea smelled or described the feeling you get in your legs or lungs. Many discussed human relationships in their lives and how running connected with those relationships.
All in all, Women Runners: Stories of Transformation, is a very enjoyable quick read. I'm sure you will find something entertaining or enlightening in it. If you don't run, this book just may get you to wondering what you are missing!
Order this book from Powell's!
