'Coasting' by Elise Downing

Bookhounds: The Run Down

In this episode we review the book 'Coasting' by Elise Downing.

With Jak away, Char welcomes Bookhounds Pack Members Toby Fells and Tasha Thompson to the virtual podcast studio. As well as reviewing the book, their chat includes Toby (hypothetically) eating cavier and pooping his pants during an overly expensive ultra and the dilemma of whether to sleep in a wet tent or hangout with strangers every night (the tent won!).

About the book:

'Coasting' by Elise Downing

Running away from your problems doesn't solve anything - but sometimes it's more fun than dealing with them.

Elise was spending a lot of time crying on buses. She had just graduated from university; she had a shiny new flat, her first proper job and a budding relationship - and they were all making her utterly miserable. Sitting at work one day, she hit upon the obvious solution:

Run 5,000 miles around the coast of Britain, carrying her kit on her back.

Six months later Elise set off, with absolutely no ultra-running experience, unable to read a map and having never pitched a tent alone before. Over the 301 days that followed she developed a debilitating fear of farmyard animals, cried on a lot of beaches and saw Britain at its most wild and wonderful.

Useful links:

Bookhounds is a monthly book subscription box delivering running inspiration to your door. Join the club at bookhounds.club. Use the code WELCOMEBOOKHOUND12 to save 12% on your first subscription.

Follow Elise Downing on Instagram and visit elisedowning.com.

Connect with us all on Instagram @CharBinns, find Toby at @QueerRunnings and Tasha at @BlackGirlsDoRunUK.

Bookhounds: The Run Down podcast is presented by Char Binns and Jak Smithson, in association with Bookhounds, the club for people who love reading and running. The podcast is edited by Char Binns. With music by Joe Smithson.