• Run Down

  • An Endurance Athlete's Race Against Chronic Fatigue
  • By: Michael Gallagher
  • Narrated by: Michael Gallagher
  • Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (17 ratings)

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Run Down  By  cover art

Run Down

By: Michael Gallagher
Narrated by: Michael Gallagher
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Publisher's summary

Run Down is the powerful new memoir by Dr. Michael Gallagher that details his shocking decline from fit triathlete and chief of surgery to bedbound patient searching for answers to a mysterious illness born out of a harrowing bike trip through North Dakota’s Badlands.

Gallagher’s life is built on his ability to endure, but this is one race he cannot finish. He struggles to find the cause of his illness as well as the courage to survive.

Misdiagnosed and misunderstood by his colleagues, Gallagher is forced to weather the worst of his illness alone, his isolation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which will, ironically, provide clues to his health.

Gallagher grapples to find meaning in a life that has been decimated by an invisible enemy.

Poignant and perceptive, Run Down explores the the power of positive thinking, and the potency of love, family, and perseverance to providing meaning and joy.

©2022 Michael Gallagher (P)2022 Michael Gallagher

Critic reviews

"Run Down is an incredible read whether you are an athlete, are someone struggling through tough times, or are just looking for meaning in life." (Kara Goucher, Olympian, author of Strong)

What listeners say about Run Down

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Great listen

I am more knowledgeable about ME and did not realize how devastating this condition is .

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Great memoir

As someone else who is young, previously very active, and now struggling with activities of daily living following long COVID, I appreciated this memoir and the parallels to my current situation. Thank you for sharing your story and helping to shed some light on ME and some of the misconceptions surrounding it.

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Thank you Micheal

Thanks , Michael. I have ME too. I have gotten some good tips on living with ME. Most importantly, to pushing the exercise. I have a very quiet life and I was hoping to do some exercise to add something active to my life. Great job on the writing, best wishes for your future.

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Insightful look at an doctor’s own diagnosis of ME/CFS

Great read of an orthopedic and endurance athletes diagnosis and confronting having ME/CFS. Michael’s a natural story teller and the book is well researched and written.

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I loved and appreciated this book.

I think that a lot of people will relate to this book. It is about a man with a chronic illness, however, it is so much more. There are a lot of tales of growing up, school, career, coming of age, family, and friends. This book will make many readers laugh and also identify with the author and his stories.

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Powerful and Enlightening!

I love this book!! I laughed and I cried. Not only was it an entertaining story, but it also sheds a lot of light on a debilitating and misunderstood disease. I really appreciate the author’s willingness to be vulnerable and share his life and his personal struggles in order to help others to understand this commonly minimized condition. Great job and thank you!

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