Indie Reader - 4.5/5 - "MARATHON MAN is an inspirational, well-structured and well-edited memoir written with an admirable level of openness and honesty in which the author astutely codifies thirty-five days of running the streets of Ireland into a touching, meaningful and cautionary tale."
Kirkus Reviews - "Charming...humour throughout."
Love Reading (UK's leading book recommendation site) - "A fantastic read."
MARATHON MAN is an uplifting story of an extraordinary achievement – all the more inspiring given that the author was an inexperienced long-distance runner and only 20 when embarking on his mission to run 35 marathons in 35 consecutive days. Alan Corcoran’s response to the shock of his dad’s stroke, was to get active, create positive from negative and raise money for charity. Alan faced many obstacles along the road – beyond the sheer physical endurance challenge of running 1,500 kilometres around Ireland's coast. He candidly submerges the reader into his world with an endearingly light touch, showing how through sheer perseverance, you can achieve your objectives. Alan’s Irish humour, positivity and pure determination shine through this new 2021 sports memoir. Whatever your challenge, this motivational book will show you that you can succeed.
Indie Reader - 4.5/5 - "MARATHON MAN is an inspirational, well-structured and well-edited memoir written with an admirable level of openness and honesty in which the author astutely codifies thirty-five days of running the streets of Ireland into a touching, meaningful and cautionary tale."
Kirkus Reviews - "Charming...humour throughout."
Love Reading (UK's leading book recommendation site) - "A fantastic read."
MARATHON MAN is an uplifting story of an extraordinary achievement – all the more inspiring given that the author was an inexperienced long-distance runner and only 20 when embarking on his mission to run 35 marathons in 35 consecutive days. Alan Corcoran’s response to the shock of his dad’s stroke, was to get active, create positive from negative and raise money for charity. Alan faced many obstacles along the road – beyond the sheer physical endurance challenge of running 1,500 kilometres around Ireland's coast. He candidly submerges the reader into his world with an endearingly light touch, showing how through sheer perseverance, you can achieve your objectives. Alan’s Irish humour, positivity and pure determination shine through this new 2021 sports memoir. Whatever your challenge, this motivational book will show you that you can succeed.
Where the Adventures Begin
The sense of exploration and taking on challenges without a safety net seemed to be part of my nature from the jump, metaphorically and literally.
My mother recalls that before I had even turned one, or could walk, she was baffled, repeatedly finding me smiling on the bedroom floor, even though only moments before she had securely placed me in my cot surrounded by high guard rails on all sides. This was before the days of cot cameras, so Mam made do with secretly peeping around the corner of the door, unbeknown to the reckless adventurer in the cot. To her dismay, I somehow managed to clamber my tiny body onto the edge of the railing of the cot, precariously balancing my torso on it for a split second. Before my mother could react, I threw caution to the wind, as I lumped myself like a sack of spuds onto the floor, landing any which way gravity took me. That was the mystery solved and an indication of things to come for a child that was prone to giving himself a bump or 10.
Once I got on my feet, I had ants in my pants. I was an instant runner, an easily distracted explorer and a right pain in the arse for any adult given the impossible responsibility to keep an eye on me. My reputation was so bad that my older relatives and their friends wouldn’t risk taking me out for a walk a second time. ‘Fool me once …’ and all that. I was there one second and out of sight the next.
After a few scenarios like this, I can’t blame my parents for playing it safe. Still, I was horrified to see some of my cruel toddler photos recently. There I was in one of those oppressive harnesses, being walked like an excited puppy by my brother. My mam tells me it was essential and completely justified, for my own sake and for the benefit of everyone else’s nerves. My inquisitive nature, lack of any self-preservation instinct and speed off the mark, must have tested the hearts of the adults around me.
As a keen runner myself Marathon Man definitely appealed to me. I’ve read a lot of books about running and Alan Corcoran’s book is definitely different.
The book starts with a chronological tale of how he got into sport at a young age, became a sprinter competing as a teenager and eventually in college at championships for middle distance events. There’s a refreshing tone to this as he reflects on his decisions to give up training,
“I’m an advocate for trying, trying and trying again. Still, if something’s consistently not working out, dragging you down, rather than lifting you, despite trying different angles and making best endeavours, then I say quit! Refocus the time and energy towards other aspects of your life, or create and develop new elements to your existence.”
This is radically different to other similar books which create a ‘do or die’ persona of their protagonists.
He reflects on the series of tragic events cumulating in his dad having a stroke, resulting in his decision to run around Ireland. This is personal and provides a context to his run which is also radically different from the typical adventure runner who sets off out of boredom or to sell another book.
“Running is no team sport. You and you alone are accountable for how you perform.”
The transition from middle distance to marathon running provides an interesting read and context, perhaps because I don’t compete and run long distances I never considered the difference in training needed.
If I have any criticism of the book is that once he begins running the chapters don’t really give any description of the places he’s running through or the adventure of the run. The chapters focus purely on the effort of running, the physical endurance and injuries, perhaps as a former athlete this is what Alan is interested in. The focus is on his time to complete each day and the injuries incurred each day. This is however fascinating, to know what a person can cope with and still succeed in their goals.
Marathon man is an interesting book which provides inspiration for whatever adventure is whirring in your mind. It’s also refreshing to read a book about running around Ireland. This book is an easy read with short engaging chapters and a personal tone, a great inspiration.