Life Is a Marathon

A Memoir of Love and Endurance

By: Matt Fitzgerald

Narrated by: Jamie Renell

An endurance athlete and coach reveals how the marathon transforms the lives of everyone who attempts it--and how it has helped his own family cope with serious adversity

Step after step for 26.2 miles, hundreds of thousands of people run marathons. But why--what compels people past pain, lost toenails, 5.30 am start times, The Wall? Sports writer Matt Fitzgerald set out to run eight marathons in eight weeks across the country to answer that question. At each race, he meets an array of runners, from first timers, to dad-daughter teams and spouses, to people who'd been running for decades, and asks them what keeps them running. But there is another deeply personal part to Matt's journey: his own relationship to the sport--and how it helped him overcome his own struggles and cope with his wife Nataki's severe bipolar disorder.

A combination of Matt's own How Bad Do You Want It? and What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, Life Is a Marathon captures the magic of those 26.2 miles. At the end of the day--and at the end of the race--the pursuit of a marathon finish line is not unlike the pursuit of happiness. You will pick up the book for a powerful personal story about what running does for the people for whom it does the most. You will put it down with a greater understanding of what it means to be alive in this world.

Critic reviews

"Life is a Marathon is a powerful inspiration for the body, mind, and heart: after reading the book, I want to run longer, better understand myself as an athlete, and most importantly, love with more patience and generosity."
—Mark Lukach, author of the international bestseller My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward

"Matt Fitzgerald reveals how perseverance and authentic love (whether it be for a partner, a sport, or anything that's close to one's heart) can transform a life into one that's worth living. Life is a Marathon is nothing short of remarkable."
—Dyane Harwood, author of Birth of a New Brain: Healing from Postpartum Bipolar Disorder

"Life is a Marathon is a running book, of course, but it's also about love, family, passion, and what it means to find your true self. It's a must-read for anyone who has run a marathon -- or wants to."
—Jen Miller, author of Running: A Love Story

"I've long admired Matt as a writer. Life is a Marathon allowed me to get to know him as a person. Thoughtful runners will appreciate this honest and insightful book."
—Scott Douglas, author of Running is My Therapy, Advanced Marathoning, and several other running books

Second Fitzgerald book I listened too

This author is great. I really enjoyed this book. Got me through several run as I prepare for my first marathon.

Honest, real, runner & non-runner alike can learn

I appreciate Matt Fitzgerald honesty about himself, both good & bad. I am grateful to both Matt & his wife, for being willing to openly share about there struggles with mental health. Whether you are a runner or not you can appreciate how the marathon overlaps with life itself.

Must read for anyone who loves someone suffering from mental illness

This book is a courageous description of the deep inner life cultivated through endurance sports. It proves how we can transform ourselves into heroes for our day to day lives. If you run long distances or if you know someone fighting through mental illness, this story is meant for you.

Life really is a marathon

I enjoyed listening to this book on my runs.

It was really about the balance between running and the ups and downs we all deal with in life. I appreciate that the author was very open about his and his wife's experience with her bipolar disorder.

Second best book for a runner trying to get back into it

The number of real life runner stories and the brilliant way in which the author is able to express them is exactly what I needed during my first series of runs after a long break. I don't remember the last time I laughed so much during runs, even when the topic is not funny at all. If you are trying to get back into chasing the running dreams. This will show you the way through reminding all the stories that you've already forgotten, but which are too beautiful to be forgotten forever.

PS. The best running book for those trying to get back is as always Born to Run.