Ultrarunner Jen Scotney has achieved podium finishes in some of the UK’s toughest races and now has her sights firmly set on the Pennine Way. In Running Through the Dark, Jen talks about her ambitions, not just to run the 268-mile Pennine Way but to take the record as the fastest woman to do so. But that didn’t happen. Nothing went according to plan ...
Ultrarunner Jen Scotney has achieved podium finishes in some of the UK’s toughest races and now has her sights firmly set on the Pennine Way. In Running Through the Dark, Jen talks about her ambitions, not just to run the 268-mile Pennine Way but to take the record as the fastest woman to do so. But that didn’t happen. Nothing went according to plan. The Jen the world knew was a successful lawyer and running coach – all photoshoots and finish-line smiles – but the truth was much darker. The real Jen Scotney, the one she hid from everybody, suffered with chronic fatigue, debilitating injuries, tragedy, grief and at times had a will so beaten down by setbacks that there just didn’t seem any point in going on.
But she did go on. Running Through the Dark is Jen’s account of her ultra-journey. Playing out on the moors of the Pennines, the fells of the Lake District and the mountains of Wales and Scotland, this is much more than a running book, it is a story about resilience, about never giving up, and about battling through the night and always believing that there will be a new dawn.
Jen Scotney boasts an impressive record as an ultrarunner with podium finishes in the 108-mile Montane Winter Spine Challenger South and the 190-mile Northern Traverse. She is host of the Resilience Rising Podcast, a running coach, writer, Mountain Leader and yoga teacher, which have followed her career as a human rights lawyer. She has appeared in magazine features for Runner’s World, Trail Running and Women’s Running. She has been a guest host on the Wild Ginger Running YouTube channel, and a guest on the Tough Girl Podcast. She crewed for John Kelly’s successful Pennine Way fastest known time as well as for his Wainwrights Round in the Lake District. She grew up in the Peak District and now lives in the Scottish mountains with her husband Marcus and Sherlock the beagle. Running Through the Dark is her first book. www.jenscotney.com
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A book with so many threads as Jen shares her rawness and vulnerability with us. Hopes and drams constantly smashed against the rocks of time. A rollercoaster ride of disappointments.
This book holds so much more than the dreams of an ultra-runner. How grief threads through life in so many ways, refinding self, re-shaping a future. The brokenness of the NHS and so many GPS having the inability to listen to and witness each patient as an individual.
The resilience required to keep picking herself up time and time again, something so many can relate to.
The depths of despair that so many keep hidden yet if only we had the strength to share and as Jen says the ability to form the words, we would know we are not alone. The constant comparison of self to others, not being good enough, fit enough, thin enough, fast enough. So many will relate to all these inner fears.
This book is a beautiful easy read. Thank you, Jen, for having the courage to share your journey. May you find more sunsets and mountains.
Excellent read, really enjoyed it 👍
Inspirational story
A well-written heartbreaking book about how on the outside Jen appeared to be very successful however underneath she was battling with physical and mental health problems. A brave personal account of finding her way out of that darkness.
First time I’ve read this type of book and I’m impressed how well it is written. There’s a good balance of personable life story along with the running adventures. Really enjoying reading it