Feet in the Clouds Reviews - General running

30/11/2005 at 10:32

Isn't it strange to get such a variety of views?

In particular, some people thought the conflict between amateur and professional bodies was fascinating, when it sent me to sleep.

Redhead

30/11/2005 at 10:35

Quite! I made myself read it all the way through but it was quite tedious in parts. One good thing was that it made me realise I'll never be a fell runner ;-))))

DavidB

30/11/2005 at 10:40

I enjoyed that part because I have never held the corinthian belief that amateurism in sport is something to be applauded - it was simply a way of keeping the oiks out.

Minks

30/11/2005 at 10:41

I confess I still haven't finished it. The conflict between amateur and professional bodies wasn't especially fascinating, just more interesting than some of the anecdotes from past fell-running heroes waxing lyrical about the 'good old days when I were a lad'.

I was disappointed that there wasn't a lot of focus on the author's own fell-running story. I asked for the book last Christmas after reading a great excerpt from it in Runner's World - but it seems that the part RW chose to print was the only interesting part of the whole book.

Still ploughing through it - determined to finish. Bit like a fell race really!

Broadsword Calling Danny Boy

30/11/2005 at 10:42

Afraid I didn't make it to the end - I got about 50 pages from the finish, and just ran out of steam.

Mind you, not the first book I'd started and not finished!

And I absolutely agree - I'm glad I read the book (well, some of it ;-) ) because I was going to give fell-running a go at some stage, not now though!

lardass

30/11/2005 at 10:48

anyone want my copy?

DavidB

30/11/2005 at 10:49

I read it from cover to cover - mind you I don't get out much and have to turn Question Time off when it gets too exciting.

popsider

30/11/2005 at 11:01

I want to read this but it looks like I might be wasting my money. Anyone fancy swopping it for a copy of that Joe Simpson mountain climbing book everyone raves about ?

EdinburghKev

30/11/2005 at 11:29

I thought the book was excellent. I love the Lake District and I love running.

The people described in the book are real and many are still alive. If these people had taken part in any other sport and achieved the equivalent in that sport they would be absolute heroes and we would all know there names.

Well worth reading if you love running.

Barnsley Runner

30/11/2005 at 12:07

Conversely I found the `in my day lad' stories interesting, but the author's own story tedious. I wouldn't expect anyone to find my pursuit of a 2:37 marathon particularly interesting either.

Just re-read Bill Adcock's book. Now there's an interesting and inspiring book!

Avalaf

30/11/2005 at 12:09

Found it really dull, still not finished it and will struggle to finish it.

Think it was the writing style more than the content for me, and the author came across as a bit of a complainer/whiner.

Danny T

30/11/2005 at 12:15

Yes, Lardass.

Yog-Sothoth

30/11/2005 at 13:24

Eeee there's nowt so queer as Larry Grayson, as Granny used to say...

I thought it was a damn good read - fair enough, Askwith's a bit of a soft southern shandy drinkin' puff himself (which he freely confesses), but the people he's writing about (Billy Bland, Kenny Stuart, Joss Naylor etc.) aren't. Their stories kept me turning the pages, and I read all 340 at one sitting.

Take that, naysayers!

stephen365

30/11/2005 at 13:41

Loved it, but it encouraged me to ensure I never to enter a fell race!

Fell Running

30/11/2005 at 13:46

Well each to his own. Got it from Mrs last Christmas and read it cover to cover by the fire that evening.

But its about a particular branch of the sport which I wouldn't necessarily expect others to enthuse about. However it enthuses me.

Had a similar experience when reading the respective accounts of their captivity in the lebanon by Brian Keenan and Terry Waite. Keenan's account was engaging humorous and colourful, whilst I never finished Waites's, as I found it self indulgent and lugubrious

HalfManHalfSponge

30/11/2005 at 14:02

Am I sad! I have read it twice and taken up fell running in part because of the book. Didn't find any of it boring, even his struggles, which I could relate to, being a middle of the pack runner (back of the pack Fell Runner).

By the same token found Paula Radcliffe's book extremely tedious, especially the parts about her relationship with Gary Lough.

Fell Running

30/11/2005 at 14:12

I was going to say that - but thought I'd get burnt at the stake for heresey.

But you've said it first - so I can get away with it now......

lardass

30/11/2005 at 14:21

Danny - email me your address and it's yours!

lardass

30/11/2005 at 14:24

It would be sooooooooo boring if we all had the same views and opinions. I found 'The looniness of a long distance runner' much more fun and inspiring to read. 'It's not about the bike' by Lance Armstrong was a very inspiring read while his next one 'Every second counts' was okay but nowhere near as good.

Broadsword Calling Danny Boy

30/11/2005 at 14:31

Check out RC's review of that looniness book!

Lance's first was a top read, I'd heard his second wasn't as good (how could it be?) so I haven't bothered.

I've done more than enough academic reading in my time, so much so that now when I pick up a book, I expect to be entertained, and I refuse to have to work at a book all the way through. If I have to work at it, then I'm obviously not interested. Although, you do get ones where you're interested but you can get bogged down in it, but you still persevere.

Reading a book on Jack Dempsey and the Roaring 'Twenties at the mo, and the pages are turning like nobody's business.