Feet in the Clouds: A Tale of Fell-Running and Obsession by Richard Askwith

Kevin Sangster
Reviewed: 27 January 2012

50/50 Some interesting bits and some not so interesting.

A real eye opener into the world of fell running.

Too many paragraphs that seem to assume that you are part of the fell running community and just list random results from races several years ago. A little hint might be to just skip any paragraph which is entirtled, "Scenes from a fell running year" and then the month.

Although I did finish it, it was too easy to put down.

The Book Fairy
Reviewed: 24 January 2012

Well Written and Inspiring

An Inspiring and fabulously written account of one mans dedication and obsession with fell running. An absolutely gripping read. I loved his style - very modest considering his achievements - he writes from the refreshing point of view of someone who loves running, but who isn't an elite athlete. You come away thinking 'What a nice chap!'.
(I also Bought Dean Karnazes' Ultra-Marathoner book 'Run' - its ok, but he just seems so full of himself after reading Richard Askwith).

I feel lost now I've finished it. Maybe I'll start it again...

Highly recommended, whether you are a fell runner or not. Although I do think it probably helps if you know the Lake District - the magnitude of what these people achieve has more meaning if you've climbed some of these giants first!
I requested this for Christmas (2011), and couldn't put it down. Wonderful descriptions of his own experiences on the fells, focused mainly on his 4 attempts at the Bob Graham Round (74 miles, 42 peaks, 24 hours) But also a great potted history of some of the greats of the fell running world over the years. When I started this book, the riveting opening chapter had me vowing never to be tempted by this crazy sport. But somehow I seem to be entering my first fell race this Easter...

Petit Pigeon
Reviewed: 22 January 2012

I could not engage with this book - did not finish it and gave it to a mate

It reveals how little fell running is noted by the media - fair point.

pursuedbyangrybees
Reviewed: 09 January 2012

I like it. A lot.

For all that it scares the bejeezus out of me with talk of injuries and such, it's so beguiling as to make me want to get out in the hills with only me shoes and a handful of dried fruit to keep me going.

Can't think of any, to be honest...

Look, I never liked running, I hated it at school and hated the idea of it ever since. By a peculiar coincidence I happened to have "The Begining Runner's Handbook" and a pair of shoes at the same time, so I thought I'd try it.

I like running. However, having also picked up some trail shoes in the sale and wound around local country park, I like off road much more.

I asked for (and got) this book for Christmas - and now I want to run up and down hills. I get that I'm likely to die in the process, and that I'd be mad to even try, but it's written in such a fantastic manner that I feel I'd be somehow un-British not to give it a go.

Adam Buckeridge 2
Reviewed: 04 January 2012

There are far better running books out there.

It is about runnning.

There are far better written runnning books out there. On the first page the author found an excuse to brag 'I am a big strong man' and that'London is full of successful journalists who consider me or have considered me their boss'. It is supposed to show that even he can be humbled by the fells, however just came across arrogant. I love running books and this is the first I found so dull that I could not finish.

If you want to read it you can have my copy.