I’ve always enjoyed reading books written by professional runners, especially when they offer more than training advice. I appreciate getting a glimpse into the mindset and personal experience of a pro runner. When I picked up For the Love of the Grind by Sara Hall, I expected an inspiring story about elite running. What I found was a thoughtful, honest memoir about perseverance, purpose, family, and learning to embrace both success and disappointment. All things I can relate to, even as a recreational, middle of the pack runner.
In this For the Love of the Grind book review, I’ll share my thoughts on the book, the lessons that resonated with me, and why I think it’s worth reading whether you’re an experienced marathoner or just someone who loves stories about determination and perseverance.
Who is Sara Hall?
Sara Hall is an American professional long distance runner who has competed at the highest levels of the sport for over twenty years. She is best known for her success in the marathon, as well as her longevity and consistency as an elite athlete. She is also recognized for her dedication to her family. Sara and her husband, fellow professional runner Ryan Hall, are parents to four adopted daughters from Ethiopia.
What is For the Love of the Grind About?
This is a memoir reflecting on Sara’s journey from starting out as a high school runner to becoming one of the country’s most accomplished marathoners. Along the way, she meets and falls in love with her husband Ryan, who also becomes a successful professional runner. They choose to adopt 4 daughters from Ethiopia, helping Sara to realize that running and life is about so much more than winning races.
Throughout the book she honestly and openly shares her challenges, setbacks, doubts, and the resulting personal growth, while weaving in how her faith was the cornerstone to everything throughout her life.
My Favorite Lessons from this Book
Success in Running is About More Than the Time on the Clock
I recently shared this lesson after my last 5k, and it’s woven in thorughout the duration of this book. Sara works hard day after day, through setbacks, injuries, and life challenges. Even when she doesn’t reach her time goal she is able to appreciate everything she got from her training.
While it’s not easy to give everything you have to training for a race and not see the results you want, there is almost always something to be celebrated from the work you put in.
Consistency Matters More Than Perfection
Not every workout needs to be perfect. Not every race needs to be perfect. But showing up day after day will move you forward.
It seems like Sara’s consistency over the years (and taking time off to rehab when needed) is what has allowed her to run at such a high level for so many years. For those of us who want to keep running as we get older, she is a great role model to follow.
Setbacks Are Learning Opportunities
I’ve said this so many times: you can learn so much from races that don’t go your way. And as hard as injuries are, usually you come back from them stronger and more knowledgable.
Looking back on my own running journey, I can see now how much setbacks have helped me along the way. It may be hard to understand it in the moment, but remember that setbacks set you up for a big comeback.
Finding Joy in the Process
The underlying theme of the book is about enjoying “the grind” and doing the work every day, even when it’s not exciting. Races are one day, but training cycles last for months. We all choose to run, hopefully because we enjoy it.
If you learn to love the training and the process of working towards a goal, it doesn’t hurt quite as much if you don’t reach your goal because you know that all was not lost.
Don’t Ever Count Yourself Out
There were many times throughout the book that Sara thought that she was in her last big training cycle for her last big goal. It’s hard to know how many years left of running we have, especially when you’re competing at such a high level like that.
But here’s the thing. You might as well try. It’s also true that you never know when you will be forced to stop running. I think these days we are seeing that age isn’t the limiting factor that we once thought it was.
I definitely grapple with feeling like I’m never going to run faster times now that I’m in my 40s, but you just never know. It’s totally possible. And it’s inspiring to see pro like Sara have such great success at the same age as me.
What I Love About the Book
Even though Sara is a pro runner and I am far from that, it is so relatable. Reading about her working so hard to train for a race only for it to not go her way helped me to see that it happens to everyone, even pros.
I also loved how she weaved in how her faith and family shaped her running. It shows that you can work really hard at running and care about it alot, but you can also have other priorities in your life. Family and faith can support your running and make it even more meaningful.
It felt like I was reading Sara’s personal journal. As much as I enjoy books that are focused on high level running accomplishments this was only a part of her story. It’s important to keep running in perspective. Even for Sara as a professional runner, life is about more than just running.
What to Know Before Reading
While For the Love of the Grind is about running, it’s certainly not just about running. You need to be open to hearing about other parts of Sara’s journey. In my opinion, these other parts of her life are even more interesting to learn about because they’re not things we typically get to know about a pro runner.
Who Should Read For the Love of the Grind
Anyone who is interested in reading an inspiring story about a hard-working runner who cares deeply about her family, helping others, and doing the best she can will enjoy this book.
Final Thoughts
Sara did an amazing job sharing her story and opening up about the challenges and successes along the way. I didn’t want this book to end!
Have you read For the Love of the Grind?
Do you think this is a book you’d like?
You may also like:
How to Build Mental Strength Throughout Your Training Cycle
How to Manage Race Nerves Before a Big Race
How to Structure Marathon and Half Marathon Training for Long-Term Progress
Now it’s time for the Runners’ Roundup! Link up your running and fitness posts below! Join myself, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner and Runs with Pugs to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas.
Sounds great! I don’t usually read a lot of memories or non fiction, but I would totally read this if it came across my desk.
“Setbacks are Learning Opportunities.” I love that because it’s so true. We all fail sometimes and the important thing is to not give up and to learn from our mistakes.
I always have followed first Ryan’s then Sara’s careers because Ryan graduated from Big Bear High School just a couple of years before I started coaching cross country and we’d compete at some of the same event that he’d set the course records at.
This book sounds interesting and I might give it a read (or a listen if it’s on Audible 🙂 )