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26.2 Miles to Happiness
- A Comedian’s Tale of Running, Red Wine and Redemption
- Narrated by: Paul Tonkinson
- Length: 6 hrs and 22 mins
- Categories: Sports & Outdoors, Running & Jogging
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Publisher's Summary
The hilarious trials and tribulations of stand-up comedian Paul Tonkinson as he attempts to beat the much lauded three-hour mark at the London Marathon. With a supporting cast of fellow comedians, this is a warmly written and wonderfully honest adventure-through-sport that will both entertain and inspire.
Along the way, we are introduced to the characters helping Paul with his quest. Celebrity names such as Bryony Gordon, Russell Howard, Roisin Conaty and Vassos Alexander pop up with wit and wisdom, alongside an alpine adventure to the Mayr Clinic with Michael McIntyre that pushes Paul to the limit. And not forgetting the ‘words of wisdom’ and derision from Paul’s anti-running friend, Richard.
Critic Reviews
"I couldn't put it down....insightful, inspiring and laugh-out-loud funny!" (Michael McIntyre)
"This book is that rare thing - something that actually makes me want to run another marathon. Utterly joyous!" (Bryony Gordon)
"The funniest book about running I have ever read. In fact it is the only book about running I have ever read, but it is hilarious!" (David Walliams)
What listeners say about 26.2 Miles to Happiness
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Zach
- 07-11-20
Recommended
As a middle aged avid runner this book was easy to relate to and an amazing story. Training guides are one thing, but hearing how and why a 47 year old, sub 3 hour marathon runner, fits marathon training into life and hearing the author's passing thoughts that give some logic and inspiration to running marathons make this book a worthy read.
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- EH
- 05-10-20
Kept me company on the Virtual London Marathon
I decided this book would accompany me on the Virtual London Marathon- as part of my training plan I was going to have to go pretty slowly for 26.2 miles and I predicted it would take around 6 hours.
This epic book kept me going, kept me motivated , kept me laughing like a maniac going past strangers and took me through the entire marathon , (each chapter happened to coincide with each mile I ran) completely entertained.
If you’ve ever done a marathon, or just starting out, this is a great book to take you through all of the “am I going mad” thoughts that you absolutely WILL have at some point and then inspire you to keep the dream alive, whether that’s finishing your first marathon or training for a specific time.
Well read, and thoroughly entertaining, it will inspire you to keep putting one foot int front of the other.
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- Anonymous User
- 04-09-20
Funny, motivating, epic.
What a great read. Training for a marathon myself which made it extra special. Even if not a runner, provides more context for all those crazy people that do it. A fantastic journey.
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- Miles
- 12-05-20
Relatable, Never Slow, Fun and Satisfying
I'm probably biased because I love listening to Paul Tonkinson and his fellow comedian Rob Deering every week and their running podcast "Running Commentary". Both are comedians. But having watched a few clips of both, I don't think I ever laugh so hard as the conversations they have spur of the moment running.
Paul is a northerner who doesn't seem the type to be really introspective. But he has an interesting history and life and I enjoyed hearing how that led into his cracks at running as a young person and again as he got older. I loved all the characters in his life like his friends and coaches. I'd already followed the specifics of his training in real time through the podcast but still enjoyed all the stories and anecdotes. I think most runners will identify with most of the ups and downs. But overall, even when it gets serious the book keeps a very positive and optimistic tone. And it's not about some amazing world class runner that no one can identify with either. Would absolutely recommend if you want one man's funny account of trying to hit a marathon goal. You might find plenty of parallels to your own life and your own running.
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- Dan B
- 11-02-20
inspiring.
I discovered the Running Commentary a few months ago, training for my first marathon. learning that Paul Tonkinson was releasing a book on running sub 3 (my own personal goal) I knew I had to listen.
it was surprisingly touching, very personal in places and really revealing. it both explains Paul's need for running, and how he became a stand up comedian. I've been listening to this whilst training, and as I'm doing 55 miles per week at the moment have finished it in less than a week. I got quite emotional when he described his wife's face, and felt the euphoric high of the last chapter during a 6km recovery run. this is definitely a book I'll be revisiting. Fantastic.
4 people found this helpful
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- Mr B Roberts
- 14-03-20
Amazing read!
Not only is this the best running book I've ever listened to (and there have been a lot), this is one of the best books of any type I've listened to. Paul's narration is fantastic, taking you on a journey of discovery and self fulfillment that is both inspiring and makes me want to run more. Highly recommended!
2 people found this helpful
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- C. J. Lane
- 09-11-20
Don’t Judge a Book (Audio) by its Cover
For some reason the cover of this audiobook put me off downloading it for a long time?! No idea why. However, a fantastic audiobook. Great story telling, humorous, cleverly written. Not a runner myself (prefer being on two wheels) however this shouldn’t put you off listening!
1 person found this helpful
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- james
- 11-03-20
More please
Great book. Well written, funny, informative but certainly not self indulgent. Balance between amusing stories of his life, running talk and an overall smooth fluidity throughout.
Thanks PT.
1 person found this helpful
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- Allen Burridge
- 09-03-20
Just awesome
I loved this book and can't recommend it enough. I love the honesty and grit Paul possesses.
1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 09-02-20
Great listen for both runners and none runners
Loved this book. Perfectly captured a man's personal journey to getting into the right headspace to run a marathon. Funny, touching and relatable to both runners and none runners. Highly recommend.
1 person found this helpful
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- Mr dave
- 24-02-21
Fantastic
Great book, funny whist being serious but also motivating! Enjoyed from start to finish! Fantastic
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- Anonymous User
- 24-02-21
Brilliant
Such a fascinating listen, it’s been getting me out of bed for my 5am run just so I could listen more brilliant!
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- S. Phillips
- 18-02-21
Hilarious
Absolutely love this book. Paul has a great way of talking about running and had me chuckling through my long runs. One of the best running books I’ve read.
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- Robin Yates
- 12-02-21
A fantastic book!
I’d recommend this book to runners or non runners alike. So many parts of the story resonated with me. A true, honest, funny and well written book.
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- Amazon Customer
- 27-02-21
Brought me to tears
Loved this, from the humorous way it was narrated to the emotional triumphant parts that actually made me feel the sheer emotion.... fantastic, inspiring and cleverly written.