It Could Be Worse by Beth Probst is an honest, inspiring guide for anyone who wants to begin running but hates to run or is wondering where to begin. The book begins with a firm, eye-opening principle: arbitrary standards do not determine who can or cannot run. Through desire, grit, and hard work, or just making the conscious decision to line up, you have earned the right to prove to yourself that you can run just like the next person. In 2011, Probst ran her first marathon. She shares how she moved from a person who did not run and felt intimidated by it to someone who would come to embrace running and make it a part of her life while also juggling motherhood, being a wife, and a career person.

In It Could Be Worse, Beth Probst shares important tips that cover the topic comprehensively. From what type of shoes to wear, what food is suitable for runners, what to keep in mind and do before, during, and after a race, to information about running groups, the book is packed with insightful details useful to both beginners and experienced runners. Probst includes her failures along the way and how she kept going, which makes the guide realistic and applicable. I loved that she also shows how you can be a runner and still have a life beyond running. Uplifting benefits such as how running allows a person to gain a new community and inspiring anecdotes from other women’s running experiences are also included. Written in an encouraging tone that inspires self-love and confidence, It Could Be Worse by Beth Probst is a helpful, insightful guide for runners both seasoned and those just starting out.

It Could Be Worse: A Girlfriend's Guide for Runners who Detest Running is Beth Probst’s personal journey as a runner. She’s a self-described non-athlete who decides to run a half-marathon. (About 13.1 miles.) She finds training to be much more difficult than she anticipated but sticks with it. The book consists of Probst sharing her victories and defeats (not as a racer, but in a personal sense) and she does so in an honest, forthright way. Probst also provides tips for runners or would-be runners, covering such topics as training, diet, fear, motivation, and more. The book also includes short contributions from several running friends who provide their insight into the sport. Both Probst and her friends write to inspire those who might like to run but don’t think they’d be able to.

This book is terrific. I’m a biker, not a runner, but I found many invaluable tips. Similarly, although the book is written by women and for women, there’s much useful information for men, too. Although It Could Be Worse: A Girlfriend's Guide for Runners who Detest Running is a nonfiction instruction manual, it reads more like a novel. That is, it doesn’t read like a textbook; it’s entertaining. Enlisting contributions from other runners was a stroke of genius. Their anecdotes are always interesting and insightful. The book is sometimes humorous, but never in a forced or unnatural way. I highly recommend It Could Be Worse not only to runners, and not only to women but to any would-be athlete.