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Mirna Valerio
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A Beautiful Work In Progress Paperback – October 1, 2017

by Mirna Valerio (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 2,248
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Runners’ vocabulary is full of acronyms like DNS for “Did Not Start” and DNF for “Did Not Finish,” but when Mirna Valerio stepped up to the starting line, she needed a new one: DNQ for “Did Not Quit.”

Valerio has tied on her running shoes all across the country, from the dusty back roads of central New Jersey to the busy Route 222 corridor in Pennsylvania to the sweltering deserts of Arizona. When you meet her on the trail, you might be surprised to see she doesn’t quite fit the typical image of a long-distance runner. She’s neither skinny nor white, and she’s here to show just how misguided these stereotypes can be.

In this prejudice-busting, body-positive memoir told with raw honesty, an adventurous spirit, and a sharp sense of humor, Valerio takes readers along on her journey from first-time racer to ultramarathoner and proves that anyone can become a successful athlete.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    333 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 1, 2017
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1503943399
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1503943391
  7. See all details
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Popular Highlights in this book
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Previous page
  1. There is still a beauty about simply doing the difficult thing that I will never be good at, for the pure pleasure of having engaged in the process.
    Highlighted by 631 Kindle readers
  2. Acknowledging and welcoming your self-worth, your own extraordinary power, is incredible. You become unstoppable.
    Highlighted by 411 Kindle readers
  3. Nobody ever achieved anything epic without doing the requisite work, even if the work itself is humdrum, boring, run-of-the-mill kind of work.
    Highlighted by 406 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“[Valerio’s] memoir, A Beautiful Work in Progress, tells the story of her journey to running ultramarathons…But as she listens to fan after fan and signs book after book with care for every word she writes…it’s clear [her] passion for running goes beyond just feeling good or staying healthy for herself. It’s a love she wants to pass on to others.” ―Daily Mail

“For the Brooklyn native, distance running is part wellness practice and part pursuit of happiness…It’s a lifestyle she’s made her own…” ―Elle Magazine

“A Beautiful Work in Progress, which details Mirna Valerio’s journey to becoming a long-distance runner,…[is] her attempt, she said, to frame her own fitness story.” ―Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“Mirna is truly a She’s It woman. She is dedicated to promoting the idea that ‘Everybody is Different and Every Body is Different.’ A Beautiful Work in Progress tells Mirna’s story, from her youth in Brooklyn to her marriage to her adventures in running, starting and ending with the Javelina Jundred, a 100-mile trail run.” ―She’s It

“In A Beautiful Work in Progress, Valerio goes deeper into her journey from being a first-time racer to the endurance runner she is today. ‘I wanted this book to be a celebration of running and my own body…’” ―Brit + Co.

“Although her story speaks to anyone who’s ever felt discouraged from running (every runner ever, really), it also speaks to a more specific group―African Americans who have felt uncomfortable and even fearful entering the woods…” ―Blue Ridge Outdoors

“A stereotype-busting jaunt through the author’s journey as an unlikely ultrarunner.” ―Outside Magazine

About the Author

Mirna Valerio, a native of Brooklyn, New York, is a Spanish teacher, diversity practitioner, cross-country coach, ultrarunner, OCR enthusiast, and blogger. Valerio’s blogs about all things running appear at Fat Girl Running and in Women’s Running Magazine. Her story was featured in the Wall Street Journal and Runner’s World and on NBC Nightly News. Valerio is a global ambassador for Merrell, an ambassador for Skirt Sports, and an athlete for Swiftwick. She is married to Cito Nikiema, and together they have a basketball-loving teenage son, Rashid. She loves being in nature and frequently runs trails in the North Georgia mountains.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grand Harbor Press (October 1, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 333 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1503943399
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1503943391
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 2,248

About the author

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Mirna Valerio

Mirna Valerio

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Mirna Valerio, a native of Brooklyn, New York, is a Spanish teacher, diversity practitioner, cross-country coach, ultrarunner, OCR enthusiast, and blogger. Valerio’s blogs about all things running appear at Fat Girl Running and in Women’s Running Magazine. Her story was featured in the Wall Street Journal and Runner’s World and on NBC Nightly News. Valerio is a global ambassador for Merrell, an ambassador for Skirt Sports, and an athlete for Swiftwick. She is married to Cito Nikiema, and together they have a basketball-loving teenage son, Rashid. She loves being in nature and frequently runs trails in the North Georgia mountains.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
2,248 global ratings
Story of epic badassery!
5 Stars
Story of epic badassery!
This book was filled with nuggets of inspiration and raw emotional moments that only a fat runner can provide. Her journey is to be admired. This book, however, was sometimes confusing. Her time line jumps around a bit and while I was happy to finish #abeautifulworkinprogress it was not the page turner I was hoping for. With that said, I believe Mirna Valerie’s struggle and transformation is epic badassery at its finest. Not many can say their path lead from Morbid Obesity to Ultra Runner and beyond. Mirna, keep running, keep living and inspiring others. ❤️🔥☝🏾🏃🏿‍♀️
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Top reviews from the United States

Kai
5.0 out of 5 stars Something Beautiful for Everyone
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
Norms ,which is what BRILLIANT auto correct on Kindle translates MIRNA to, gets me. I'm not black, I'm not plus sized (on the outside), though I was a 1x once, however I have hated my body and abused my own body and mind since realizing I didn't look like Barbie at the tender age of 8. I've since held back, marginalize d myself and allowed other a to do the same.

Now at 56, with arthritis in my knee, tendonitis in my foot and pelvic floor dysfunction, I am starting to believe I can do all the things I wanted to do but quit,.on account of others opinions. Reading her inspiring journey is another,.perhaps the final bit of evidence I was looking for; the proof that we are all so much more capable, capacious and badass than we think.

You don't have to be an expert to see the value and quality in the writing and production of this book in all its formats.
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Taking the Long Way Home
4.0 out of 5 stars Full of positivity and inspiration
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2020
Verified Purchase
In her book, A Beautiful Work in Progress, Mirna Valerio aka "Fat Girl Running" shares why she started running:
"I had a health wake-up call that brought attention to the fact that I was stymied physically and mentally, and I was on my way to an early death. I began to progress again, as I reacquainted myself with the forward movement that is running. In addition, my health returned, and my smile became genuine again."

Valerio, aka The Mirnavator, initially started blogging to share her experiences as a "fat girl who ran". She didn't think she was unique in her journey and she didn't want it to become a weight loss blog or a pity party. What she learned was that as an overweight, African-American runner, she was crushing all kinds of stereotypes and beliefs about overweight people. She also learned that she has a body that is amazing, strong, flexible, and agile. A body that can run all types of distances. Mirna's memoir, A Beautiful Work in Progress is a celebration of her journey towards body acceptance and self-love.

Throughout the book, I kept thinking to myself that we are all struggling with something. Mirna's story is just so powerful and inspiring. Against all odds, she's out there and she's doing it. Like a boss. Even if she's DFL, she's finishing and she is ok with that. Talk about perspective. Like so many of us, she learned the power that running has to transform our view of ourselves. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she sees herself as strong. She calls herself an athlete. And she invites all of us to see ourselves for what we can do, not what we can't do.

I really enjoyed this book. I found the book easy to read, as the chapters are written in a conversational style--I felt like I really got to know Mirna through the book. Her positivity and can-do attitude are just the kind of influence I need in my life.
3 people found this helpful
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Rob Natiuk
5.0 out of 5 stars BE INSPIRED -- How to "lean into the discomfort" and win in life!
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
FINALLY – an engrossing true memoir by a fat woman (her phrase) who has succeeded at being an athlete in the world of long-distance running! But this memoir is much more than being an ultra-marathoner who has run up to a 62-mile race – it is about being “a beautiful work in progress.”

We tune in to an inspiring life overcoming childhood challenges in Brooklyn, becoming a musician, Spanish teacher, coach. The author, Mirna Valerio, tells her story simply and truthfully. In her early 30s, in 2008, she topped 300 pounds, had recurring pains in her chest, and feared a heart attack. After many tests, the doctor told her she was “morbidly obese” and would die if she didn’t change her lifestyle.

Mirna didn’t want to leave her young son motherless and her loving husband a widower. The next day she began running for her life! Soon she completed a mile run – in 17-plus minutes! Over the coming months she built up to 5K and then 10K. After two years of consistent training, she finally did a half marathon, and then her first marathon in 2011. Recently she completed a 100K (62-mile) run. Today, in her early 40s, she weighs 240 pounds but is athletic and healthy.

Mirna is proud of her body, but she doesn’t have the kind shown in “before and after” photos. Still, she has fully accepted who she is and shares that pride through her races, interviews, blog and book. She encourages others to have pride in who they are, not strive to measure up to society’s perfect body image.

Her story inspires me. I got a bit tired of too many details of her many marathons, but I’m sure runners will like those details. Also, some photos would’ve really helped us “see” her and be awed even more. (Like I did, you can easily do an internet search as she has been featured in magazines and TV shows.)

This book shares Mirna's journey in a relaxed way, lessons she has learned, painful losses of friends and family members to obesity, victories of marathons finished – a few times in last place!

This is her KEY LESSON which inspires me: “Lean into the discomfort. Embrace what is difficult.”

AND THIS POEM --
“Fat girl running, swimming,
moving, learning, pausing, progressing,
jiggling, rubbing, chafing, shaking,
sinking, rising, living,
being.”

Whether we’re athletes or not, this is a memoir to inspire and motivate us. I recommend it.
223 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Dotti
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!
Reviewed in Canada on January 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
This was such an inspirational book! Especially for ladies who don't think they "fit" the mold of a runner! You are so wrong!
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you for writing this book.You are a beautiful writer and runner.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 23, 2019
Verified Purchase
Be prepared to be challenged as the reader to do wonder what or who put the barriers in place to prevent them aspiring and trying.I challenge anyone not to feel uplifted by this tale of what is possible. You are left wondering where and when to sign-up for your own next personal challenge!
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LB
4.0 out of 5 stars Style pas mal, fond génial
Reviewed in France on January 24, 2018
Verified Purchase
Hyper motivant et positif, pas mal écrit, agréable à lire malgré quelques longueurs. Ce livre donne envie de chausser ses baskets.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in Australia on October 10, 2017
Verified Purchase
Loved the positivity and vibe of this book. Good flow, easy to read. Helped me feel stronger in myself too
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Dina
5.0 out of 5 stars Physical fitness
Reviewed in Canada on July 14, 2020
Verified Purchase
Great book! Excellent content. Most informative. Good for all ages!
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