57. Review: ‘Staring Down a Dream’ by Julie B. Hughes
A Mom, a Marathoner, a Mission.
With her long-held dream to run the Boston Marathon dashed because of mass participation events being off the table due to COVID-19, Julie B. Hughes’ accomplishment of the 2020 virtual iteration of this iconic race had left her wanting more. Julie wanted to run the race on its actual course, to experience the Scream Tunnel and Heartbreak Hill for herself, and to glimpse the goosepimpling CITGO sign that would show her she had just a mile left to run.
Without any promise that the 2021 race would even be held as the world continued to struggle against its pandemic adversary, Julie continued her training regardless, showing herself, her family and her readers that diligence and determination can propel you a great deal further than 26.2 miles.
Not just ‘a mom, a marathoner, a mission’, in her book Julie represents much more than these three.
With decades of running experience under her belt, Julie thought she knew her body. Yet her earlier struggles around food, and repeated admonishments from her antagonist – her inner judge Aunt Phoebe – might have been set to derail Julie’s dream of Boston. Demonstrating to the reader that there’s always another way, Julie sought expert advice to reframe everything she had thought she’d known about nutrition – and pre-run applesauce, the right kind of race hydration stowed in her running band, and Saturday breakfast pumpkin waffles all found their way back onto the menu.
Throughout the book, Julie’s voice rings out loud and clear in the questions she asks herself:
‘Why do I want to run Boston?’
‘Why is this so hard?’
In time, and with her faith alongside her every step of the way, Julie’s doubts and questions turn into affirmations:
‘You are robust, adaptable, and strong.’
‘You are made for this.’
As a regular reader of Julie’s ‘Run to Write’ newsletter I appreciate the thought-provoking and inspiring poems she posts on Substack. Every chapter of ‘Staring Down a Dream’ begins with one of these, and in ‘Heart of Gratitude’, Julie takes on Aunt Phoebe, her inner judge, establishing control of their unsteadying relationship with her response to a negative question:
‘I politely nod and reply –
Thank you for noticing…’
It’s not only her faith – or indeed her inner judge – who are along for the ride: Julie’s family is unstinting in its support of her 2021 Boston Marathon journey, and the energy and love that she describes surging from her very own crew of “GO, MAMA!” cheerleaders found me reaching for tissues more than once.
Despite covering difficult subjects such as her confidence, her self-belief and even her doubts in her ability to run a marathon, Julie’s gentle approach to exploring her fears and describing her strategies for taking on her challenges gives the reader not only hope to accomplish daunting projects of their own, but the tools to allow them to stare down their own goals.
Whatever your own dream may be, Julie’s inspirational and sensitive exploration of fitness, fuel, family and faith in her journey to run the Boston Marathon will not leave you on the starting line.
To buy ‘Staring Down a Dream: A Mom, a Marathoner, a Mission’, head over to ‘Run to Write’ and click on the ‘Books’ tab at the top! And why not subscribe to ‘Run to Write’ while you’re there? Julie runs regular half-hour ‘Friday Write Along’ sessions on Zoom, where all are welcome - might see you there!
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My next ‘Dear Reader, I’m lost’ post will appear as usual on Saturday - hope to see you then!
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Rebecca! What a pleasant surprise to see this in my inbox today. You are so generous and kind. Thank you for the wonderful review and support. WOW— I can't thank you enough.
What a great review, Rebecca. As someone who considers it an achievement to run for a bus I was inspired to subscribe to Julie's newsletter. The book sounds great. I look forward to reading more of your book reviews -- you have no excuse now!