Running With Joy by Ryan Hall reviewed by tips4running.com

Running with Joy: My Daily Journey to the Marathondetails Ryan Hall’s training for the Boston Marathon in 2010. This is more than just a running log. Yes, you could purchase it out of curiosity to see what a world-class marathon runner puts himself through to prep for a marathon, but Ryan shares much more than that. Although the book flows chronologically from when he first started running to the Boston Marathon of 2010, it really has three different themes. The main focus is Ryan’s relationship with God and Running. The second aspect is the training he does leading up to the big race. The last part includes over 25 different tips on various running topics like cross training, weekly mileage, and energy food.

Ryan has always been very outspoken about his Christian faith. He is not afraid to share his beliefs, and “Running With Joy” is actually a celebration of his faith and relationship with God. Ryan wasn’t that happy with his running early in his career, but as he continued on his path, he tries to “run with joy” no matter what the outcome of a race or his training might be.

He talks about how God is such a large influence on his running even from the beginning of his running career. Saying God is a “large influence” might actually be understating Ryan’s beliefs. His first ever serious training run was at the age of 13. He ran 15 miles around Big Bear Lake in California. Ryan states, “I was suddenly overwhelmed with a crazy urge to run around the lake. The feeling is hard to describe – it was a vision from God, an unveiling, a seed He planted in me.”

The first chapter sets the stage for his training for the Boston Marathon in 2010. The next fourteen chapters are broken up week by week, starting with 14 weeks to Boston. As Ryan trains, he discusses how God is a big part of his training process. “I still want to win Boston, but I know that I have something much sweeter than that in Jesus.”

The book doesn’t gloss over the fact that training can be very tough. Ryan does struggle with running. One part that stood out is when Ryan was having a bad day. He simply states, “I hate my job.” Ryan then feels guilty about this and goes about his day, but he does struggle with his running and faith at times.

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