its sold so well , and had so many good reviews , im suprised he hasnt done some sort of follow up ?
Not suprised by the undertones about it making money, so what?
This has come out before about the online entry?, we've also received comments from some people about our fell running business, so what if people may a few bob from the sport, if it helps and improves things. I'd have though FITC has benefited fell running hugely, it may have focussed runners on some key events, but its definately given the sport a kick.
It'd be interesting to know its readership in the younger years, it's inspired many to run, but as people say there is a shortage of young blood, it'd be interesting to know it's affect there.
I think it's great, my wife got a bit bored with all the FRA politics section, but I thought that was interesting, and sadly you still see that sniping, politics and envy within the sport today..........mainly on these forums and rarely out in the field thankfully!
I've not read any of the other fell running books to compare, but thought it was pitched at a great level, introducing legends, the science of running, the longer challenges while still moving through the running calendar. A great broad brush sweep of fell running.
Good post IainR.
Another thought. If the author had cynically entered the world of fellrunning JUST to write a book, finished that book, and that disappeared from running forever, then there *might* be a case for some of the comments on here.
Personally, even in that situation, I'd just be glad that someone with a good writing style and a journalistic mind had written a very readable book about our "sport".
But the fact is that, through what he says in the book, through the fact that he has continued fellrunning and, as mentioned on here, he still turns up at things like the mountain trial, he's surely proved himself to be just "one of us" who happens to have used his skills to make a living from it as well. Good for him.
certainly dont think he did it for the money , look what he went through to do the bgr ? and as said earlier on this spread , he is still involved with fell running . theres to much enthusiasm to have been in it for the money , the best sports book ive ever read , still think theres scope for a follow up thou .
am i the only one that got bored of it after chapter 1.
i have retuned it to my bookcase never to see the light of day
i know people who have read it twice and loved it
over use of words like heros
i bet some of the top lads cringe when they read it
what happens in the end do they live happliy ever after
That's normal though. It's a book written in its own unique style, most books are loved by some people, even books that are generally thought of as poor, but good books are just enjoyed by more people, but they'll still be those who didn't enjoy it and couldn't get into it.
I just found questioning RA's motives a bit off.
I understand where you're coming from. At times the book does go a bit OTT on the legends / heroes however give the guy some credit. He took the time to write a book about the sport and showed his enthusiasm for it by completing a BGR (at the fourth attempt!!!). I only wish there were more fell running books available to encourage the younger generation. Make it an Olympic Sport!!!
hi magpie
i was not saying anything about the author i am sure he spent months of research and hard work on his book and will surely reep the rewards from his sales.£££
but i just thought waffle waffle heros legends come on ,like i say i can hand on heart say i have not read past chapter 1
in a few years when i am old and my memory goes it will remind me of the things we used to do