Paula: My Story So Far

by Paula Radcliffe

Book Overview

Paula Radcliffe has managed to be both very successful in her field and incredibly popular with the Great British Public. She was the underdog for so long -- narrowly missing out on medals in the 1999... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 074347869X
• ISBN13: 9780743478694
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Pocket Books
• Length: 393 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Inspiring book

This book starts off a little slow in that Paula's initial thoughts seem to jump around a bit in the first chapter. She seems compelled to defend herself right off the bat regarding her 2004 Olympics performance, which is a shame, because she is truly the world's best female marathoner. Once past the introduction, the book progresses in a more organized fashion that is easier to follow. I loved reading Paula's insights into her performances. She lays it all out there and her determination and grit are pure and uncensored. Paula is an incredible athlete and her talent and will to win are amazing. I was very inspired as a runner myself and admire Paula all the more after reading her story. Looking forward to more from her in the future.

Inspiring - and honest

Being a runner, I love reading about runners, and their stories. Paula Radcliffe comes across in this book with frank honesty. She doesn't sugarcoat it, and tells it straight. She comes across confident, but human, like just another person. Granted, she is an elite athlete that has accomplished much in her life, but unlike some autobiographies, she doesn't sit there and tell you how great she is. I learned a lot about Radcliffe herself in the book, along with a lot of interesting things about running, injuries, dealing with injuries, the triumph of her victories, the agony of her defeats, her drive to always give it her all, and that she is quite funny at times throughout the book. Also, for those of you that don't know, she is asthmatic and if you know someone that has asthma and struggles with it, get them a copy of this book. It will inspire them.

The Real Experience of Running

This book really starts in Chapter 4 for the running enthusiast. The first three chapters provide an insight into Paula Radcliffe's childhood. The final 17 chapters provide indepth descriptions of the motivation, injury, pain, perseverance and acheivement of a deicated runner. I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the emotional, psychological and physical characteristics of a serious and successful athlete.