Very Inspiring

There are three parts to Sabrina Verjee's audio book that make it perhaps the best running book I have listened too. Firstly Sabrina's love of running, being outside and the sheer joy of being alive comes shining through, in a really positive and relatable way. It isn't a 'look how fast I can run, aren't I great' dialogue, it is more a happiness can be found outside kind of thing. The second thing is Sabrina relates her story and its successes to every day achievements and even her fails, she points out that records are always 'your' record and will stay with you forever for what they are. They can't be beaten, taken away or diminished. Then of course there is her story central to these themes, and while she refers to herself as The Queen of the Wainwrights she isn't slow to also point out that she is also often called one tenacious little f@*ker. Great listen. Highly recommended.

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Fantastic audiobook

Really enjoyed Sabrina’s book, a great listen on long runs and car journeys, need to find another one as good now 👍🏻

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A great insight into character

A great listen for people who like to run off road into what's required to achieve apparently superhuman feats.

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Get ready to be inspired

Sabrina’s story of her 4-time attempt to complete the Wainwrights in under 6 days will inspire any runner to take on whatever challenge they are currently thinking about. The book begins with a short introduction to Sabrina and her upbringing before getting stuck into the demands any multi stage ultra run requires. Her perseverance through lockdowns, injury and asthma to finally break the wainwrights record on her 4th(!!) attempt will inspire me as I train for future events. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book and living through the highs and lows of her attempts. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes running or enjoys spending time in the beautiful Lake District.

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Epic story

A truly remarkable achievement, kudos to you Sabrina , a must listen to any body that loves the lakes and the sport of ultra running

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Enjoyable, informative, inspiring

I really enjoyed this book and the way it allowed Sabrina’s words to shine - even though it wasn’t narrated by her. As an aspiring ultra runner myself I found her descriptions of the techniques she uses to get through dark times, the importance of saving precious minutes by not faffing during long races, and frank discussions around the physiology and psychology of ultra running fascinating and really helpful. It was interesting to learn about Sab’s upbringing and how so many different factors contributed to her incredible ability to run big distances, problem solve, navigate, and manage both herself and others along the way. A great listen and thoroughly recommended, especially if you’re planning your own epic!

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Truly inspiring

I’d listened to a podcast with Sabrina ‘It’s not a record’ so was really looking forward to this book and was not disappointed. What an inspiring strong lady. It’s good to hear from someone experienced how races don’t always go to planned and that they too are in agony after. Really enjoyed the book and am inspired to try bigger challenges.

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A love letter to the Lake District

Living in the Lake District, and being a runner, a fell runner and occasionally an ultra runner, this book was a joy to listen to. Sabrina starts with stories from her childhood, parents, school sports days, and love of sport. The book quickly moves on to her journey to ultra running via adventure running and pentathlons. Although a prelude to the 4 Wainwright attempts, this section was fascinating too: the lack of respect from team members, her skills of navigating especially when sleep deprived were often ignored becuase she was female, and hearing about the prep and lengths the teams would go to on long wilderness adventures. Sabrina's life as a vet, her move to the lakes, her demanding work-life balance are briefly covered as we learn more of her passion and singleminded dedication to completing the Wainwrights.The majority of the book focuses on 2019 onwards, the start of the Wainwright attempts, but also the rise of covid, and all that that brought with it. Listening to the lists of races she entered and won that year is mindblowing. Having one of those as a race goal for the year would be exciting for the average runner, but Sabrina's relentless ambition means she wins the Spine Fusion, the Spine race, she came second in the Dragon's Back Race, set a record on the Penine Way, and all that whilst working, and preparing for the Wainwrights.If you want to learn about fueling strategies (other than, just eat cake), or more about kit, this isn't really the book for you. But, there's lots of details about how Sabrina used supporters, kit change overs, when she slept, how she ate, and most beautifully, details about routes, which paths she took, bogs, marsh, snowy tops and tracks, and why she runs only in open access land. It's also quite an insight into the self-titled 'diva' that she becomes after a few days! Sabrina is open about the moments when she mistreats her friends and husband, she unabashedly describes the grumpy, stroppy, and rude things she says to them! They are very forgiving!It's no news to runners that we all push through injury, especially mid-race, but listening to her telling of the third attempt, running for 3 days through chronic asthma, and ultimately ignoring respiratory distress until it was unignorable was difficult listening. 'Please stop!' I whispered, at the back of my mind knowing that she does make it - spoiler! - on her fourth attempt. The story of the fourth attempt, the joy, the skipping across the hilltops, and the almost perfect, straightforward run is made all the more amazing after living (by proxy!) through the previous three attempts.There are lots of cameos from other big names, John Kelly, Kim Collinson, Paul Tierney and Steve Birkinshaw to name but a few. It's a runners' guide to running celebs!

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1 person found this helpful

Great listen

I’ve known Sabrina for several years from her early days in Adventure Racing. She’s a tenacious one! She’s gone on to achieve many great feats in mountain ultras. The bit I enjoyed the most was in fact the early chapters about her family, upbringing and schooling which I knew nothing about.

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This book is wonderful!

I absolutely loved this book! I finished listening to it in less than 24 hours. I am a hill running (we say hill running not fell running in Scotland) so this is my world and what a treat. This book isn't just about completing a round and breaking a record, it's also about tenacity, perserverance, planning and digging deep to achieve your goal. I would highly recommend this book, it's well written, informative and enjoyable. I know I will listen to this book again and again.

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