If you haven’t been over to First 30 Pages, you should. Ginny reviews the first 30 pages of well known books through the eyes of a critic, publisher, reader. Then she determines, like a publisher would, if the book is worth continuing or not. All the while, sharing with you her personal insights on these greats. Now, it won’t replace cliff notes but you get some keen insights into the merits of the book in today’s world. Maybe she’ll entertain a guest post over there if I can get this review to pass muster. We’ll see…On with Run!: 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss

I admit I’m a fan of Dean Karnazes and I was eager to get this new book after devouring Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of a night runner. Would this book stand up to the multiple readings of the preceding books?

The short story genre of full length books is tricky business, in my mind. The author needs to capture the interest of the reader right away while leaving room for the readers to explore each of the stories as they see fit. Does Run! do that? Will Karno go the distance in this collection of his stories? Do the stories resonate with readers? Will I want to read further?

The first 30 pages start like any long run seems to start. It was awkward ramblings and sputteringly paced while Karno settled in and found the zone. I found myself wondering if the money spent was worth it or would it sit in my Kindle app like some others I’ve acquired. As a newbie runner and blogger that committed to reviewing the book I new to settle in and see where the first few pages would take me. Thinking, it would settle in just as I do on long runs.

Good news! The book settled in quick and by Mile 2.0 (Karno’s cute Chapter vernacular) the stories seem to gel with the intent of the book – to share stories about running and the meaning running has with Dean.

Karno addresses some interesting premises in the first 30 pages and tells short stories that go along with the premise of each chapter. Like a first person/flashback type of model you get asked a question or brought to an idea and then it gets explored in the present day and from the perspective of the background story or what leads Karnazes to that position/answer.

The stories in the first 30 pages seem to link to Karno’s long time friend Topher Gaylord and the familial interactions of the the two and their wives. The stories are genuine and heartfelt. As a first time reader I could easily sense the friendship the two families share. As the reader, I also got a keen sense of the down to Earth nature of Karnazes and his willingness to unite with people along the way. I felt akin to the Topher and Dean with the antics and and joking nature of the two. I share that with my friends and the stories of Run! become more like my own stories.

The first 30 pages wasn’t all about these two kindred friends but also some common things that happen along the run. At one point Karno talks about being nearly killed by an oncoming (possibly drunk) motorist only to have it turn into an autograph request. This brush with death only outdone but Karno’s clear fame and inspiration. I’ve not had late night car encounters yet but I’m also not running 100′s of miles at a shot either. I could, though, identify with the traffic, the thoughts of dodging said traffic, and the general thoughts of ongoing safety that are common to road runners.

There are other fun stories that bring to life the times of being Dean Karnazes, an ultrarunner, marathoner, serious fanatic of the sport (or mental patient – you choose). I wasn’t able to identify with all the stories in the first 30 pages personally but I found them intriguing enough to keep reading and laughing along with Karno and his cast of characters.

Karno is also acutely aware of the environment. He adeptly describes the scenes in a way that I was transported to the locations. I noticed this in my own running that I can tell the little things (temperature changes, elevations, etc). His descriptions help bring the reader into the situations and stories more quickly and completely.

So, does Run! capture the essence of the short story book? Sort of. I don’t get a feeling from the first 30 pages that you could bounce around in the book if you felt like it. I suppose you could, there is enough isolation of the stories but still, you might feel you’re missing something.

Does Karno go the distance? Well 30 pages into the book and I’m still wanting to read more. It is early yet in the book but I suspect that like a 150-mile race he’ll get there and want to keep going.

Do the stories resonate? Some do; yes. Some do not but that doesn’t make them less entertaining or less worth pushing further.

Do I want to read further? Like I wrote above, in the beginning I was unsure. It was awkward prose and gangling steps forward and back. Karno settled in and so did I. I want to read this 26.2 Miles (chapters) with him and see where we go together.

Favorite Quote (thus far): “After all, pain is inevitable. Suffering, however, is optional” – Page 26.

The Details:

• 272 Pages
• ISBN: 1605292796
• Actual pages read: 1-30 (plus the preamble stuff)

I would be remiss if I didn’t send you my favorite First 30 Pages review: Huck Finn (you’ll remember the flap about the character naming conventions)