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Saving Myself One Step at a Time: A Running Memoir
For decades, T. J. Bryan devoted herself to her profession, rising upward constantly. Suddenly, after reaching the pinnacle of her career, she was pushed from her lofty position. To save herself from despair, she, at age 64, impulsively decided to become a distance runner. Up to this point, her only athletic success revolved around aerobics classes when she was in her 40s and early 50s. When she became a runner, she competed in races of varying distances and developed a love of marathons although, as an African-American woman, she encountered few women of her age and even fewer women of her race competing at this distance. In ten years of running and racing, she discovered much about herself and joined a family that supported and encouraged her. Occasionally gritty and at times magical, her story is inspirational.
- GenresNonfiction
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2020
13 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 20, 2022
Although "Saving Myself One Step at a Time" by T.J. Bryan is primarily a running memoir, to me, this book is so much more. As a black woman who is successful in my profession and who is also a distance runner, T.J.'s story really resonated with me in reference to how to use professional challenges and personal setbacks as a catalyst for change. By reading T.J.'s story of how she became a runner late in life and used running as therapy after a career downfall, this book provides inspiration and motivation to continue running well into my 70's and 80's.
The books consists of a preface, thirty-nine chapters, acknowledgements and ends with a thank you from the author. Although the book has thirty-nine chapters, T.J.'s conversational writing style makes the reading time fly. In the preface, T.J. starts by admitting to the reader that she is an anomaly in that she is an African-American woman now in her mid-70's (as of 2020) who became a runner in 2009 at the age of 64. Although sports did not interest her at all other than participating in aerobics in the 1980s and 1990s, after losing her chancellorship job at a college as well as surviving cancer, she decides to overcome these challenges by becoming a distance runner.
Through the course of thirty-nine chapters, T.J. provides the reader with a background of her childhood, her marriage and experience as a mother, her professional career, and her journey to becoming not just a distance runner but also a marathoner many times over and winner of many running age group award for women over 70.
As I read each chapter of this book, I appreciated T.J.'s honesty and candor regarding her life and her running journey. By being transparent with the reader, her book has provided me with tips regarding how to best training for half-marathons or marathons as well as the type of mindset one should embody when considering becoming a runner. I will admit to being envious of her finishing many marathons in her 60's and 70's since after I completed one marathon, I decided that my preferred distance is the half-marathon.
In addition, I liked that she was candid regarding her experiences running with others, joining running groups and her experience as the only black person at running events. Although the running community has taken steps to more inclusive to minorities, this book shows that their is still a long way to creating a fully inclusive and welcoming environment for not only minorities but also plus size people and differently abled runners.
Overall, as a black woman who started running in 2007 at the age of 28, quit due to a lack of training, then restarted in 2011 at the age of 32,this book gives me the hope and motivation to continue running as well as the knowledge that with proper training and care for my body, I will be able to run for many more decades to come.
The books consists of a preface, thirty-nine chapters, acknowledgements and ends with a thank you from the author. Although the book has thirty-nine chapters, T.J.'s conversational writing style makes the reading time fly. In the preface, T.J. starts by admitting to the reader that she is an anomaly in that she is an African-American woman now in her mid-70's (as of 2020) who became a runner in 2009 at the age of 64. Although sports did not interest her at all other than participating in aerobics in the 1980s and 1990s, after losing her chancellorship job at a college as well as surviving cancer, she decides to overcome these challenges by becoming a distance runner.
Through the course of thirty-nine chapters, T.J. provides the reader with a background of her childhood, her marriage and experience as a mother, her professional career, and her journey to becoming not just a distance runner but also a marathoner many times over and winner of many running age group award for women over 70.
As I read each chapter of this book, I appreciated T.J.'s honesty and candor regarding her life and her running journey. By being transparent with the reader, her book has provided me with tips regarding how to best training for half-marathons or marathons as well as the type of mindset one should embody when considering becoming a runner. I will admit to being envious of her finishing many marathons in her 60's and 70's since after I completed one marathon, I decided that my preferred distance is the half-marathon.
In addition, I liked that she was candid regarding her experiences running with others, joining running groups and her experience as the only black person at running events. Although the running community has taken steps to more inclusive to minorities, this book shows that their is still a long way to creating a fully inclusive and welcoming environment for not only minorities but also plus size people and differently abled runners.
Overall, as a black woman who started running in 2007 at the age of 28, quit due to a lack of training, then restarted in 2011 at the age of 32,this book gives me the hope and motivation to continue running as well as the knowledge that with proper training and care for my body, I will be able to run for many more decades to come.
January 28, 2023
Loved reading this memoir - a good indication that it's never too late in life to reinvent yourself, and that even if your entire world gets turned upside down and the thing you identify with most is taken away, that you can still persevere and achieve things to be proud of. It's also a good cautionary tale against being defined by external validation (pbs, medals, etc.), which is something I struggle with, and that we could all probably benefit from enjoying the journey more without worrying about reaching the destination as much.
December 6, 2020
T.J. Bryan has written a captivating, fun and informative memoir for both runners and non runners. Runners will enjoy because we love reading about our sport and those who excel at it. Non runners will be inspired by her dedication and commitment. It also gives those of us who are either slightly younger, or much younger, hope in our future athletic endeavors. If we want something bad enough, we can work to obtain it. It’s up to us. T.J. thanks for showing us the way!
December 13, 2020
A well written book that makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens next. As someone who came to running in my 50’s, there is much in the book to relate to. Non-runners can learn about running and the competitive spirit. Retirees can relate to a new vision of reality. So much for everyone to enjoy!
March 9, 2022
Excellent and captivating as we kept pace with the joys of this runner's sometimes humorous account of the phases of her running journey. So courageous and phenomenal at any age to be a runner but really exceptional to be so vital in her seventies. My rating is 5 stars.
December 21, 2020
Runners will enjoy this account of grandmaster's training for and running in multiple marathons. Non-runners can relate to dedication and focus it takes to achieve your goals.
December 10, 2021
Proud of you.
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