Keep on Running: The Highs and Lows of a Marathon Addict

Description

'Marathons make you miserable, but they also give you the most unlikely and the most indescribable pleasures. It's a world that I love a world unlocked when you dress up in lycra, put plasters on your nipples and run 26.2 miles in the company of upwards of 30,000 complete strangers.' Phil Hewitt, who has completed over 20 marathons in conditions ranging from blistering heat to snow and ice, in locations from Berlin to New York, sets a cracking pace in this light-hearted account of his adventures on the road. This story of an ordinary guy's addiction to running marathons looks at the highs and lows, the motivation that keeps you going when your body is crying out to stop, and tries to answer the ultimate question, 'Why do you do it?' AUTHOR: Phil Hewitt is Group Arts Editor for all seven West Sussex newspapers, where he's been a journalist for 20 years. SELLING POINTS: Everyone knows a runner. No one ever knows why they do it, or what to buy them for Christmas or birthdays. This book would be the ideal gift. Will appeal to the same audience as Born To Run, Feet in the Clouds and What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. Perfect for running clubs and sales at marathon events. Includes marathons run in London, Chichester, New York, Paris, Amsterdam, Steyning, Isle of Wight, Dublin, La Rochelle, Berlin, New Forest, Rome and Mallorca.

Phil Hewitt is group arts editor for Sussex Group Newspapers. His books include Chichester Remembered, Chichester: Then and Now, Gosport: Then and Now and Keep on Running: The Highs and Lows of a Marathon Addict (ISBN: 978 1 84953 236 5).

'A charismatic, charming, funny - and, above all, thoughtful - memoir about running, motivation, ambition. Perfect, not just for those who do run - or intend to run - a marathon, but for the hundreds and thousands of us who venture out from time to time to run just a mile or two ... A complete delight.' -- Kate Mosse 'This is a wonderful and frank view of a first-time-marathoner-turned-running-addict. Phil shares the pitfalls and emotions that running a marathon for the first time evoke and how running can grab you and draw you back for more.' -- Liz Yelling, Double Olympian and Commonwealth bronze medallist 'Wry, realistic and endlessly enthusiastic. A lovely reminder both of what seductive fun marathon running can be and why I gave it up.' -- Stephen Brenkley, cricket correspondent for The Independent 'An intriguing insight into one man's marathon journey... an inspiring read for any marathoner or wannabe marathoner.' -- Andi Jones, international long-distance runner 'a beautiful description of one man's passion for the open road, powered by rock 'n' roll.' -- Jo Pavey, international track and field athlete 'The pain, perils and utter pleasure of the formidable 26.2 miles by someone who has gone every step of the way... 25 times. Warning: you will seriously want to run a marathon after reading this.' -- Rosie Millard, journalist, author and broadcaster 'Phil Hewitt's highly entertaining Keep on Running reminded me of my own marathon experiences - the inevitable suffering followed by elation at finally crossing the finishing line. It is a must-read for all runners, particularly those contemplating a marathon for the first time.' -- Anna Nicholas, author and journalist 'As a writer, Phil Hewitt never stumbles. After all, this is a book about repeatedly flogging oneself for 26.2 miles, yet never once does he repeat himself. Each chapter is a fresh discovery, an inspiring insight into what it means to be dedicated to this exacting event. It is intimate, honest, entertaining and superbly written.' Track Stats 'Marathon runner Phil tries to explain why he does it, as he looks back over the pleasures and pains of his addictions.' Running Free Magazine 'An extremely engaging read' Sussex Life Magazine 'Phil Hewitt's well written account of his marathon-running addiction (he's up to 25) takes us from his home town of Chichester to the concrete canyons of New York. ... This is the story of a man in love with his sport. ... For those of us fitting running in between job, family and everything else life has to throw at us, this is definitely a book you will make a connection with' Men's Running 'Keep On Running is one of the best books I've read in ages' Gearselected.com 'Hewitt's Keep On Running is an account of self-motivation on an heroic scale' The Burton Mail