26.2 Life Lessons, Helping You Keep Pace with the Marathon of Life: Book Review

Published by Rita Mock-Pike at August 31, 2022

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Book cover image from Sidekick Press

For the past several months, I’ve been training for a literal marathon in the midst of the marathon of my crazy, insane life as a full-time author, journalist, graduate student, and magazine editor (plus, wife, cat mom, caregiver, friend, etc.). And about a month ago, I was contacted by someone about 26.2 Life Lessons for a potential book to review.

The sender had seen some of my stories about running and thought the book might be right up my alley. And that person was so right! This book has been perfect for me in this time of ups and downs as I adjust to many changes in my life while also training for a marathon I’ll be running next year.

26.2 Life Lessons was written by Cami Ostman and Carol Frazey, two runners who’ve had very different running journeys from each other and from me. Cami began running marathons midlife, Carol is a lifelong runner and kinesiologist.

I started running in college about 20 years ago and have been off-and-on with it, running 5ks, 10ks, marathons, and random distances for the heck of it. But running for 20 years doesn’t automatically make you disciplined, especially when your life is in constant flux.

The book is a great choice for folks who have lives like mine: chaotic and busy, with aims of healthier life and running balance. It’s a short, breeze through book that’s about taking a running program with small goals each week to improve that balance and find your center.

There’s a great intro, then straight into the weekly program, lasting 26 weeks. Each week’s chapter has a connecting thought (the life lesson from the title), ways to put what you’re learning into practice, workouts, and a nutrition goal. There’s also a mantra or thought for the week, a reflection, a focus, and a word.

While I admit I’m not following the workout plan (I already had my marathon training plan mapped out), I am going along with the lessons along the way. And they genuinely help. At the beginning of the week, I read the page or two of reflections, then the “plans” for the week, and take from them what helps and apply that to my workouts and life.

The book is a great little quick way to find some focus and intention in my life as I head out on the trails and streets and consider the overwhelming existence that is my life.

If you’re a runner (or wish you were), I highly recommend this book as a friendly guide to help you take the next steps, find your center, and breathe through life with a little less stress and frustration.

Need more fitness motivation and thoughts? We’ve got two personal trainers and fitness fanatics on staff who love to give thoughts to help creatives get and stay fit.

Rita Mock-Pike

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Editor-in-Chief of The MockingOwl Roost, Rita Mock-Pike is the granddaughter of aviatrix, Jerrie Mock, first woman to pilot an airplane solo around the world. Rita has found inspiration from her grandmother’s life and flight and pursued many of her own dreams in theatre, podcasting, novel writing, and cooking up delicious food from around the world. She now writes on food, travel, pets, faith, and the arts. She’s happily married to Matt, and faithfully serves the very fluffy kitten queen, Lady Stardust.