Synopses & Reviews
A funny thing happened on my way to middle age. I became an athlete. And not just any athlete, but a runner—all without taking a running step until I was 43 years old.
Known by fans as "The Penguin" for his back-of-the-pack speed, John Bingham is the unlikely hero of the modern running boom. In this warm, witty memoir, the best-selling author and columnist recalls his childhood dreams of athletic glory, sedentary years of unhealthy excess, and a life-changing transformation from couch potato to "adult-onset athlete."
Overweight, uninspired, and saddled with a pack-and-a-half-a-day smoking habit, Bingham found himself firmly wedged into a middle-age slump. Then two scary trips to the emergency room and a conversation with a happy piano tuner led him to discover running—and changed his life forever.
In turns inspiring, poignant, hilarious, and heartbreaking, An Accidental Athlete is the story of the unexpected joys of running—the pride of the finisher’s medal, a bureau-busting t-shirt collection, intense back-of-the-pack strategizing. And one man’s discovery that middle age was not the finish line after all, but only the beginning.
Review
"John 'The Penguin' Bingham has touched a nerve with runners worldwide like no one in the last decade. He's funny but serious, informal but inspirational, and his spoken and written words have become the rallying cry for tens of thousands of runners who have found a patron saint where they least expected one—in the back of the pack. With The Penguin as their leader, they have found not just the courage to start, but also the determination to finish." — Amby Burfoot, Runner's World magazine
"John "The Penguin" Bingham does it again! An Accidental Athlete is a charming, witty and relatable tale of John finding himself through running. In this great book he shares his journey with us one stride and two laughs at a time." — Deena Kastor, American marathon record holder, Olympic medalist, and 12-time national champion
"Most of us can truly identify with John Bingham's story: There are no gold medals, no laurel wreaths, no world records. But John shows us that we have something more important: a chance, if we have the will and believe in ourselves. Because of runners like John, the wall of intimidation has crumbled, and tens of thousands of Americans are now believing in themselves. John has helped raise self-esteem and self-confidence in people all over the world. Nothing is more important to a person's well-being." — Dave McGillivray, Boston Marathon race director
"John Bingham is Edward Abbey, Frank Shorter, Brad Pitt and George Carlin all wrapped in one. John as writer has a lesson or tale in all his adventures. I learn so much about myself reading The Penguin Chronicles. As a speaker he is funny, sincere and lovable." — Bart Yasso, Runner's World magazine
"An Accidental Athlete is a great read and an affirmation of why we run. The next time you find yourself in doubt, bring the Penguin with you and you'll be glad you did." — Kathrine Switzer, first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon winner, and author of Marathon Woman
"An Accidental Athlete is a book for everyone! Current exercisers will smile as the mistakes John made are ones we have all made. Non-exercisers will see that—like Oprah—anyone can become an "adult-onset athlete." The Penguin's humorous, inspirational writing style will not let you put his book down, and you will learn something about yourself as you follow his journey." — Running Doc™, Lewis G. Maharam, MD, author of Running Doc's Guide to Healthy Running
"When John steps in front of an audience, the quiet-spoken college prof disappears, and he becomes The Penguin. Behind his humor lies an invitation to everyone, of any size and speed, to fit as comfortably into this sport as he did at his start." — Joe Henderson, former editor of Runner's World magazine
"John Bingham is the voice of the millions of those who are beginning to exercise each year. John feels their concerns, and with humor, provides the motivation to keep going." — Jeff Galloway, running coach and author of Marathon: You Can Do It!
"John Bingham brings a bit of irreverence and a big dose of humor to his talks about running and races. He gets you to laugh and we need that before races!" — Bill Rodgers, 4-time winner of the Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon
Review
Bingham lives and runs near Chicago, Illinois.
“The Penguin does it again! An Accidental Athlete is a charming, witty and relatable tale of John finding himself through running. In this great book he shares his journey with us one stride and two laughs at a time.” — Deena Kastor, American marathon record holder, Olympic medalist, and 12-time national champion
“John Bingham is Edward Abbey, Frank Shorter, Brad Pitt, and George Carlin all wrapped in one. John as writer has a lesson or tale in all his adventures.” — Bart Yasso, Runner’s World magazine
“Looking for some motivation to start running and improve your fitness? You're sure to find some inspiration from John Bingham's new memoir An Accidental Athlete.” — ESPN.com
“Most of us can truly identify with John Bingham’s story: There are no gold medals, no laurel wreaths, no world records. But John shows us that we have something more important: a chance, if we have the will and believe in ourselves.” — Dave McGillivray, Boston Marathon race director
“In An Accidental Athlete, Bingham…describes his journey from a clumsy wannabe-athlete kid to the realization of a dream: that by being a runner, especially a back-of-the-packer, you are truly an athlete…Bingham’s witty, engaging prose will [provide] you with a few hours of delightful distraction.” — Canadian Running magazine
“John ‘The Penguin’ Bingham has touched a nerve with runners worldwide like no one in the last decade. He's funny but serious, informal but inspirational.” — Amby Burfoot, Runner’s World magazine
“For anyone who might feel overwhelmed or overly fond of couch time, John Bingham's charming memoir can help....[Bingham’s] sense of humor...adds to the sweet appeal of the story, providing enough encouragement to anyone looking to exercise more.” — ForeWord magazine
“This charming, gently funny autobiography from the big-hearted Bingham is a testament to hangin' in there…If more people were like him, where each event, run, mile, step is a celebration, the world would be a better-and healthier-place.” — Library Journal
“Bingham uses a great knack for storytelling, and some really funny examples, in his new book about becoming a middle-aged athlete…Some of the best stories (perhaps because I can relate to them) are those of the real racing done at the back of the pack.” — TriMadNess
Synopsis
John Bingham is a beloved evangelist of running. Known by fans as “The Penguin” for his gentle humor and back-of-the-pack speed, Bingham’s memoir An Accidental Athlete explores with wit and poignancy his evolution from a bespectacled fat kid in the 1950s to unlikely hero of the modern running movement. Bingham remembers unfulfilled childhood dreams of athletic glory seen through Coke-bottle glasses, his unhealthy sedentary years as he chased a career, and his epiphany at age 43, when he stirred from the couch, found his mojo, became a runner, and rediscovered himself. An Accidental Athlete is a warm, engagingly written, feel-good book for the everday athlete who is sure to recognize him or herself somewhere in these pages.
About the Author
Since his column, The Penguin Chronicles, started in Runner's World magazine in 1996, John “The Penguin” Bingham has become one of the running community's most popular and recognized personalities. Now, as a featured columnist for Competitor Magazine, national spokesperson for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training and principal announcer at the Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon series, his popularity continues to grow. Prior titles include The Courage to Start: A Guide to Running for Your Life; No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running; Marathoning for Mortals: A Regular Person's Guide to the Joy of Running or Walking a Full or Half Marathon; and Running for Mortals: A Commonsense Plan for Changing Your Life With Running.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Section One – The Kid Picked Last
Chapter 1 – Sandbox Nonnie
Chapter 2 – Death by Dodgeball
Chapter 3 – Bowled Over
Chapter 4 – Smoke and PT
Section Two – The Adult Onset Athlete
Chapter 5 – Release from Sedentary Confinement
Chapter 6 – Hitting the Road
Chapter 7 – Off to the Races
Chapter 8 – Black Toenails and Chafing
Section Three – The Glory Years
Chapter 9 – Collecting T-shirts
Chapter 10 – Medals and Mettle
Chapter 11 – The Need for Speed
Chapter 12 – Looking for Adventure
Section Four – The Back Nine
Chapter 13 – The Last Best Day
Chapter 14 – The Comeback Kid
Chapter 15 – When Less is More
Chapter 16 - One Day at a Time
Epilogue – Running Into Myself