• A Beautiful Work in Progress

  • By: Mirna Valerio
  • Narrated by: Mirna Valerio
  • Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (399 ratings)

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A Beautiful Work in Progress  By  cover art

A Beautiful Work in Progress

By: Mirna Valerio
Narrated by: Mirna Valerio
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Publisher's summary

Runners' vocabulary is full of acronyms like DNS for "Did Not Start" and DNF for "Did Not Finish," but when Mirna Valerio stepped up to the starting line, she needed a new one: DNQ for "Did Not Quit."

Valerio has tied on her running shoes all across the country, from the dusty back roads of central New Jersey to the busy Route 222 corridor in Pennsylvania to the sweltering deserts of Arizona. When you meet her on the trail, you might be surprised to see she doesn't quite fit the typical image of a long-distance runner. She's neither skinny nor white, and she's here to show just how misguided these stereotypes can be.

In this prejudice-busting, body-positive memoir told with raw honesty, an adventurous spirit, and a sharp sense of humor, Valerio takes listeners along on her journey from first-time racer to ultramarathoner and proves that anyone can become a successful athlete.

©2017 Mirna Andrea Valerio (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

What listeners say about A Beautiful Work in Progress

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

It’s a great book. I totally want to run trails now!!

I knew she was an ultra runner and that she wasn’t a tiny girl. She a great writer and such a badass!! And so many more talents!! No limits Mirna!!

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

thank you for writing this

I'd not heard of Mirna before reading this book. I did google her extensively once I'd started it - and was further impressed by her achievements, and her public persona. I loved the diversity of voices and accents Mirna used to characterize the people in her story. Except for the British accent... sheesh no-one has spoken like that (received pronunciation) since the 1940's, except The Queen. The rest were fabulous, and added depth to her story-telling.

Mirna is quite simply a lovely person - she's doing what she's doing, in her own way, and being fabulous at it. I also run. I am not 240lbs, nor am I black, but I am a woman. I too run at about 14 miles an hour. I started running during lockdown, and am only 4 runs away from having run 100 times. I'm only running 6 miles. I relate to her very slow starts, and her persistence. Unlike Mirna (who is incredible in this regard) I have no desire or aspiration to run marathons, half-marathons, or ultra-marathons.

I enjoyed this book very much. I got a lot from it. I thought about her, and her story, as I was out on my trail run today. I am proud of her as a person, and also for her writing skills. Plus she comes across as a lovely woman in her blog and interviews. May she continue to be exactly who she is.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

motivational

related to so many struggles and mantra.

Wanted her to finish all her races and related deeply when she didn't

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Inspiring & Enjoyable

As a 50-something year old, overweight woman that has always wanted to run (and when I say run, I mean jog) a 5K, but never been able to get past CouchTo5K 10 minutes, I am inspired to try again. The audiobook was an enjoyable listen. One caution...the story bounces back and forth a bit. So, if you don’t like that, you might not like this book. Other than that, the author/narrator does an excellent job of telling her story. Thank you for sharing Mirna!

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2 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Horrible

Narration was fine. Book was uninspiring. Don't buy. Plenty of good women's running books elsewhere.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Story more a collection of blogs

Although inspiring, this story is a bit all over the place. I would get into one of Myrna's stories/memories and she will flip to another. Sometimes she will return to that story, someone she wouldn't.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good read

I felt like it wasn't in order and she hopped around on topics but I like the overall message about being an athlete and embracing one's body type.

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1 person found this helpful

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  • V
  • 01-11-22

prefer the audio book

the writing is very conversational. I started with the ebook, but it was even better as an audio book!!!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Couldn’t stop listening

I really loved this book! I feel like Mirna is my new friend! This book is motivating and I found myself unable to stop listening to it! God bless this lady she’s amazing!

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1 person found this helpful

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Mirna is such an inspiration.

I've admired Mirna and her accomplishments for several years now. Finally got the book and now I adore her and when I grow up I want to be her. the book is funny, inspiring and thoughtful.

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1 person found this helpful