Paula: My Story So Far Paperback – October 1, 2005

I was just a few weeks away from running my first road race, at 5K to be held on Labor Day 2004, so I had become very interested in road racing and was watching the Olympics Women's marathon that fateful day that would become probably the worst running day of Paula Radcliffe's life. Before the race I had never heard of Paula Radcliffe, but I tend to root for a come from behind win in any event, and there were no Americans close to the front, so I became her fan that day. It was so disappointing to see her stop so close to the finish, even if she was out of medal contention. I know she had to be crushed to have to stop like that. I know a race like that can either destroy and athlete's career or make her stronger going forward. A couple of months later when she won the New York City Marathon I knew which it would be for her.The book tells Radcliffe's story from when she was a young girl starting to run, through her entire career up to the 2004 Olympic games in Athens. She goes into great detail in her training and in explaining how the numerous injuries affected her. In parts I thought maybe she was giving a little too much information, telling things I don't think I could ever tell, but I believe she wants the reader to understand how much goes into training and running if you're a world class athlete, and she held nothing back.Paula Radcliffe is British and the book has a very British personality to it that I, as an American, found very interesting. She used British vernacular throughout, without bothering to explain any of the idiosyncracies, which leads me to believe she expected mainly British fans to buy the book. Maybe I was an exception.It was an easy and very interesting book. I think any athlete would understand and enjoy this book.

Radcliff writes a very personal book that provides a profile of her life, growing up to her early success as a gifted athlete all the way through her international success, her amazing world record in the marathon and hard luck with injuries and illness that harpooned her Olympics. Radcliff discusses it all in a rather forward, yet reasonably tempered descriptions of her feelings and perspectives on situations, her relationship with her running/managing husband, her race preparations, training locations around the world, her extensive medical regimen, the of course great descriptions of her races. The description of the races starts with broad descriptions of her training, pre-race strategies and physical preparation. It is quite startling to read of her numerous injuries, hard luck and illnesses particularly intestinal that, in the case of the Athens Olympics destroys her Olympic dream. By reading of her sense of loss and after the criticism she received after Athens, you can understand why she continued to run in Bejing 2008 even though she should have dropped out due to injuries. Her openness in her set backs, injuries illness and victories such as her amazing 2:15 marathon record are very down to earth and pleasant to read. You have the feeling that she can relate virtually to all runners as she faces similar hard luck, as all runners do. An example, she receives severe injuries after being hit by a bicyclist. The book is of particular interest for the female athlete as some of her challenges are uniquely female. Radcliff reminds me of the great Ron Clarke who set so many records like Radcliff and both found challenges at the Olympics that were beyond their control. Like Clarke, Radcliff is an admirable individual and an amazing athlete. Note, "My Life so far", runs up to the 2005 world championships.

This is an inspiring read about Paula's career in athletics and her dedicated training. You can tell she is a very grounded honest person who tries to be as unbiased as possible in an autobiography. The one niggle I have with it is that she repeats herself from chapter to chapter which can become frustrating to read, and she also jumps back and forth chronologically at times which gets a little confusing. Considering she isn't a writer, these faults should have been rectified at editing stage. Never the less, this is an enjoyable read about a dedicated, honest athlete with obvious integrity to her sport.Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.

Being a runner, I love reading about runners, and their stories. Paula Radcliffe comes across in this book with frank honesty. She doesn't sugarcoat it, and tells it straight. She comes across confident, but human, like just another person. Granted, she is an elite athlete that has accomplished much in her life, but unlike some autobiographies, she doesn't sit there and tell you how great she is.I learned a lot about Radcliffe herself in the book, along with a lot of interesting things about running, injuries, dealing with injuries, the triumph of her victories, the agony of her defeats, her drive to always give it her all, and that she is quite funny at times throughout the book.Also, for those of you that don't know, she is asthmatic and if you know someone that has asthma and struggles with it, get them a copy of this book. It will inspire them.

good for the price. I paid .99c for it. I now it was a used book, but I am glad I ordered used because even though the read it is interesting in parts it gets boring.

Paula is a living legend, and in this book we get to hear, in her own words, details about her personal life, but more interestingly, her professional training life. She goes into detail on her significant injuries over the years, and how she's worked thru them. She details her significant races (from childhood up thru a little thing called SETTING A NEW WORLD MARATHON RECORD!!!). Being a female marathoner myself, I found this book AMAZING! I've only had it for a few months and already read it twice. Thanks Paula!!!

I love this book! it is a great inspiration for runners of all ages. I love having it back in my library.

A very interesting read. Amazing how Paula can run through pain. Runners can learn a lot from reading this book.

What Paula achieved in her athletics career is amazing. Her autobiography is intelligent and heartfelt. She went through so much in her athletics career, and you have a feeling this autobiography needs an update as it ends just after the Athens Olympics, and of course her career continued after.

That's the true story of a woman and athlete who deeply wants it and gets it, with hard work, willingness, injuries, but no lies

Adoro le biografie e questa è scritta molto bene, con molti dettagli. Si riesce veramente a capire i motivi di quello che è successo.

Sinceramente mi aspettavo di piu' da questo testo. Un po' monotono, differentemente da altre interessanti biografie di sportivi.Per un appassionato di maratona, comunque, non puo' mancare

Biografía de uno de mis ídolos. Es un poco larga y solamente está editada en inglés, o al menos yo no encontré la versión en castellano, con lo que cuesta un poco de leer a no ser que tengas un buen nivel de inglés.