A Beautiful Work In Progress

In her book, A Beautiful Work in Progress, Mirna Valerio aka "Fat Girl Running" shares why she started running:"I had a health wake-up call that brought attention to the fact that I was stymied physically and mentally, and I was on my way to an early death. I began to progress again, as I reacquainted myself with the forward movement that is running. In addition, my health returned, and my smile became genuine again."Valerio, aka The Mirnavator, initially started blogging to share her experiences as a "fat girl who ran". She didn't think she was unique in her journey and she didn't want it to become a weight loss blog or a pity party. What she learned was that as an overweight, African-American runner, she was crushing all kinds of stereotypes and beliefs about overweight people. She also learned that she has a body that is amazing, strong, flexible, and agile. A body that can run all types of distances. Mirna's memoir, A Beautiful Work in Progress is a celebration of her journey towards body acceptance and self-love.Throughout the book, I kept thinking to myself that we are all struggling with something. Mirna's story is just so powerful and inspiring. Against all odds, she's out there and she's doing it. Like a boss. Even if she's DFL, she's finishing and she is ok with that. Talk about perspective. Like so many of us, she learned the power that running has to transform our view of ourselves. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she sees herself as strong. She calls herself an athlete. And she invites all of us to see ourselves for what we can do, not what we can't do.I really enjoyed this book. I found the book easy to read, as the chapters are written in a conversational style--I felt like I really got to know Mirna through the book. Her positivity and can-do attitude are just the kind of influence I need in my life.

I enjoyed getting a look at Mirna's perspective. She writes in a way that is both friendly and fun but with a serious touch when appropriate. You don't need to be a "runner" to enjoy this book.Mirna outlines moments from childhood to present day that relate to her ending up in Ultrarunning. She openly discusses her experiences on the trail and in life. I occasionally got annoyed by the insertion of blog posts, but considering that's how the book got started, it made sense.

The motivation she goes you to just get out there and go. Very inspiring to see all she did in the pain but she pushed through.

FINALLY – an engrossing true memoir by a fat woman (her phrase) who has succeeded at being an athlete in the world of long-distance running! But this memoir is much more than being an ultra-marathoner who has run up to a 62-mile race – it is about being “a beautiful work in progress.”We tune in to an inspiring life overcoming childhood challenges in Brooklyn, becoming a musician, Spanish teacher, coach. The author, Mirna Valerio, tells her story simply and truthfully. In her early 30s, in 2008, she topped 300 pounds, had recurring pains in her chest, and feared a heart attack. After many tests, the doctor told her she was “morbidly obese” and would die if she didn’t change her lifestyle.Mirna didn’t want to leave her young son motherless and her loving husband a widower. The next day she began running for her life! Soon she completed a mile run – in 17-plus minutes! Over the coming months she built up to 5K and then 10K. After two years of consistent training, she finally did a half marathon, and then her first marathon in 2011. Recently she completed a 100K (62-mile) run. Today, in her early 40s, she weighs 240 pounds but is athletic and healthy.Mirna is proud of her body, but she doesn’t have the kind shown in “before and after” photos. Still, she has fully accepted who she is and shares that pride through her races, interviews, blog and book. She encourages others to have pride in who they are, not strive to measure up to society’s perfect body image.Her story inspires me. I got a bit tired of too many details of her many marathons, but I’m sure runners will like those details. Also, some photos would’ve really helped us “see” her and be awed even more. (Like I did, you can easily do an internet search as she has been featured in magazines and TV shows.)This book shares Mirna's journey in a relaxed way, lessons she has learned, painful losses of friends and family members to obesity, victories of marathons finished – a few times in last place!This is her KEY LESSON which inspires me: “Lean into the discomfort. Embrace what is difficult.”AND THIS POEM --“Fat girl running, swimming,moving, learning, pausing, progressing,jiggling, rubbing, chafing, shaking,sinking, rising, living,being.”Whether we’re athletes or not, this is a memoir to inspire and motivate us. I recommend it.

Hugely entertaining and well written. Mirna paints pictures with her words; you are there on the trail with her and live through every mile, even if you've never donned a pair of running shoes in your life. She truly is inspirational. In a world where athletes are white, thin and winning, she bucks that trend reminding us that anyone of any shape or colour can be an athlete and it is actually the taking part and progressing that is the goal. Whether you DNF, achieve a PB , or finish last; you are your own beautiful work in progress.

A really great book, giving more insight into the athlete's life. Easy to read.

Be prepared to be challenged as the reader to do wonder what or who put the barriers in place to prevent them aspiring and trying.I challenge anyone not to feel uplifted by this tale of what is possible. You are left wondering where and when to sign-up for your own next personal challenge!

Great book

Great book! Excellent content. Most informative. Good for all ages!