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From Last to First: A long-distance runner's journey from failure to success
Charlie Spedding describes himself as ‘not particularly talented� � at least, compared to the group of people he had chosen to find himself among. These were the athletes in the Olympic marathon. So how did he end up with a bronze medal? How did he win the London Marathon? And why does he still hold the English record for the distance?
In this remarkable autobiography he explains how � how someone who was almost bottom of the class when he first went to school, and even worse at sport, eventually turned himself into a genuinely world-class athlete, competing in top marathons all over the world, and genuinely going from last to first.
As well as the enthralling life story of one of our finest distance runners, this book is a wonderfully clear and inspiring piece of life coaching for anyone who wants to make the most of their talents. But more than this, as Spedding says at the start, ‘I believe that on occasions you can create the circumstances in which you can perform at a higher level than your talent says you can�. Spedding’s own story, and his chronicle of the big races he excelled in, proves it’s true.
For anyone aspiring to run a marathon, or indeed anyone who wants to set themselves a goal they think beyond their reach � and achieve it � this is an essential book.
In this remarkable autobiography he explains how � how someone who was almost bottom of the class when he first went to school, and even worse at sport, eventually turned himself into a genuinely world-class athlete, competing in top marathons all over the world, and genuinely going from last to first.
As well as the enthralling life story of one of our finest distance runners, this book is a wonderfully clear and inspiring piece of life coaching for anyone who wants to make the most of their talents. But more than this, as Spedding says at the start, ‘I believe that on occasions you can create the circumstances in which you can perform at a higher level than your talent says you can�. Spedding’s own story, and his chronicle of the big races he excelled in, proves it’s true.
For anyone aspiring to run a marathon, or indeed anyone who wants to set themselves a goal they think beyond their reach � and achieve it � this is an essential book.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
9 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Spedding
4books1followerCharlie Spedding has enjoyed two separate careers: as an athlete and a pharmacist. His running career peaked in his late 20s and early 30s. After finishing fourth in the Commonwealth Games and winning the National 10,000m title, he moved up to the marathon with great success. He won both the Houston and London Marathons in 1984 and, later that year, collected the bronze medal in the Olympic Marathon at the Los Angeles Games. The following year he set an English record for the marathon which stood for 29 years. His highly acclaimed book, From Last to First, describes the physical and psychological changes he made to overcome his previous disappointments and eventually fulfil his potential.
Charlie has worked for most of his life as a Community Pharmacist. Having enjoyed good health and fitness, his fascination for the workings of the human body motivates him to help other people to be healthy. However, he left his medical profession feeling frustrated and disappointed because too many people were taking drugs without getting better. He has spent recent years searching for the answer to good health. In his new book, Stop Feeding Us Lies, he explains how most of the dietary advice we are given is wrong; how we are manipulated by vested interests; and how our common sense and instincts are being eroded by the constant barrage of 'expert opinion'. Most importantly, he also explains how to be healthy.
Charlie has worked for most of his life as a Community Pharmacist. Having enjoyed good health and fitness, his fascination for the workings of the human body motivates him to help other people to be healthy. However, he left his medical profession feeling frustrated and disappointed because too many people were taking drugs without getting better. He has spent recent years searching for the answer to good health. In his new book, Stop Feeding Us Lies, he explains how most of the dietary advice we are given is wrong; how we are manipulated by vested interests; and how our common sense and instincts are being eroded by the constant barrage of 'expert opinion'. Most importantly, he also explains how to be healthy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 24, 2025
What do you want and how much do you want it?
April 3, 2021
Best running book I've read in a long time, very inspiring.
January 25, 2012
Althought Charlie Spedding is not the most well known figure in distance running, his story is one of the most influential. Spedding was an underdog for the majority of his life and he tells a story of overcoming the odds to do things that he knew were achievable, which included making the Olympic marathon team for Great Britian and finishing with a bronze medal despite not being considered a threat for a position on the podium.
This story is told in an easy-to-read fashion that allows the reader to navigate the book quickly. Spedding also shares much of his ideology, giving insight into the mind of a champion. I would recommend this book to any distance running fan and especially for an aspiring runner of any level.
This story is told in an easy-to-read fashion that allows the reader to navigate the book quickly. Spedding also shares much of his ideology, giving insight into the mind of a champion. I would recommend this book to any distance running fan and especially for an aspiring runner of any level.
March 8, 2018
Witty, engaging, easy to read and apply its (advanced) tenets to other sports. This book is definitely geared toward "serious" runners...it may be a bit "droll" even in the author's words/acknowledgment for those who aren't- mostly because of the emphasis on very focused training; e.g., I've enjoyed being a "serious" runner of dubious repute for 30+ years, but can see that it may be a bit much for a newbie runner or team sports enthusiast.
May 15, 2013
Not the best I've read and not sure about the ranting in the last two chapters, probably best kept to himself!
September 2, 2016
Inspiring!
Great read. We'll written in a down to earth type way. Interesting to hear the insight of such a talented runner. He is both honest and insightful with such humility.
Great read. We'll written in a down to earth type way. Interesting to hear the insight of such a talented runner. He is both honest and insightful with such humility.
May 1, 2018
Inspiring read for just about anyone - but runners especially. Points out how when/why the race is hard - it's important to be believe you can overcome
September 7, 2018
Amazed I just heard of this one recently. He clearly encapsulates what it takes to be great in this sport. Nothing flashy, he found his why and stuck to it. Love it
November 18, 2020
A must read for any marathon runner. 95% of the content is about running - not a lot of personal life to pad out the book which is just right!
August 7, 2017
Self-deprecating and honest - an interesting insight into the mind of a London Marathon winner.
February 2, 2019
Good insights and peak inside his mindset.
November 26, 2021
An good insight into the life of runners and how he went on to win the marathons. It shows that with dedication, continuous effort and belief everything can be achieved.
December 26, 2023
Charlie Spedding writes like he runs: straightforward and focused, making sure to cut all the tangents. Unlike many top runners' autobiographies, Spedding's focuses almost solely on his athletics career. He begins with an account of his most noteworthy performance, an Olympic bronze at the Los Angeles marathon (sorry for the spoiler), and then returns to his childhood to detail how he got to that point in 1984. Along the way Spedding provides the reader with a clear and concise account of the highs and lows of his days on the track and roads, only occasionally venturing off to detail certain events, typically injury or illness, that hindered his progress or changed his perspective. At the end of the day, Spedding believes he became a top marathoner by changing his mindset rather than making any revolutionary changes to his training or lifestyle. This may seem "too simple" to many readers, but it is hard to argue with the results it produced.
"From Last to First" is written for runners who are looking for a no-frills account of how a top marathoner thinks, trains, and races. While it lacks the more dramatic narrative qualities of a "Born to Run" or "Unbroken", it is plenty compelling for the avid fan. For instance, Spedding includes his complete training log from the 1984 London marathon up to the Olympic marathon. If that interests you, then you'll enjoy this book.
However, don't be fooled by the title. Even though Spedding finished last in his first race as a child, he was never a slowpoke. By 18 years old he'd run 3:48 for 1500m (~4:06 mile) and by 20 he'd recorded a 13:29 5k. Times like those would put him at the top of the high school-collegiate ranks, so it isn't quite that surprising that he succeeded as an professional runner. An Olympic bronze though, well, that takes something special.
"From Last to First" is written for runners who are looking for a no-frills account of how a top marathoner thinks, trains, and races. While it lacks the more dramatic narrative qualities of a "Born to Run" or "Unbroken", it is plenty compelling for the avid fan. For instance, Spedding includes his complete training log from the 1984 London marathon up to the Olympic marathon. If that interests you, then you'll enjoy this book.
However, don't be fooled by the title. Even though Spedding finished last in his first race as a child, he was never a slowpoke. By 18 years old he'd run 3:48 for 1500m (~4:06 mile) and by 20 he'd recorded a 13:29 5k. Times like those would put him at the top of the high school-collegiate ranks, so it isn't quite that surprising that he succeeded as an professional runner. An Olympic bronze though, well, that takes something special.
March 19, 2016
Charlie was not a talented runner. But one day, over a beer, he decided to change his mind and won. And he made it. He won the bronze Olympic medal.
This book could be very boring - you will read a lot about Charlie's training and races he had lost. And probably, if you are not a runner, it will be unbearable. But if you stick with the book, you will read about two exciting races - the London Marathon and the Olympic marathon in L.A. in 1984. And for those two runs, it costs the money.
My colleague, who runs marathons nearly twice as quicker than me, says - a marathon has to be run by head. I know it's true. But Charlie raised it to the another level.
This book could be very boring - you will read a lot about Charlie's training and races he had lost. And probably, if you are not a runner, it will be unbearable. But if you stick with the book, you will read about two exciting races - the London Marathon and the Olympic marathon in L.A. in 1984. And for those two runs, it costs the money.
My colleague, who runs marathons nearly twice as quicker than me, says - a marathon has to be run by head. I know it's true. But Charlie raised it to the another level.
December 12, 2013
Great book, really enjoyed hearing his story and chapter 6 is fantastic! I highlighted a lot of sections.
One thing that made me laugh was when he said he got married, and I was like "he had a girlfriend?!?" the narrative was so focussed on running no mention was made of anyone who wasn't a runner!
The final two chapters are a bit of a rant as opposed to some biography, but I think some of the points he makes are good ones - I can';t believe that anyone actually thinks non-competitive sports days are a good idea, but obviously some people must do.
One thing that made me laugh was when he said he got married, and I was like "he had a girlfriend?!?" the narrative was so focussed on running no mention was made of anyone who wasn't a runner!
The final two chapters are a bit of a rant as opposed to some biography, but I think some of the points he makes are good ones - I can';t believe that anyone actually thinks non-competitive sports days are a good idea, but obviously some people must do.
January 21, 2015
Possibly my favorite biography of a runner yet, and right up with the novels Once A Runner (John L. Parker) and The Olympian (Brian Glanville)as one of my favorite running books of all. I've just recently read it for the third time. A great insight into the difficulties as well as the successes of the pursuit of excellence in long distance running. Much local flavor in that the British Olympian did much of his training around the Greater Boston area while representing the Cambridge Sports Union.
December 27, 2021
I’d heard of Charlie Spedding many years ago, as in the 80s a the running boom was really starting he was a British distance runner hitting the very top. And like myself a running pharmacist, though perhaps his times were half mine. For anyone interested in what it takes to be an elite marathon runner in the early years, with far less hype than is now in the sport, then I’d guess that you’d get something out of this . I found it particularly enjoyable especially the self reflection decision making moments over a pint or two of ale.
January 14, 2013
This one surprised me a bit. Bought secondhand off an Amazon Associate. Came signed by author, and seems to be a cheap publisher reprint. The book itself is much more than a biography. It has some good points to make about doing things 'your way', not always the way 'the book' tells you. Also surprisingly good on altitude, lactate, psychology and stuff of a more academic nature. Must look out Mo's coach Salazar and see what he has written.
January 11, 2015
I was interested to read this book as I was interested in the psychological approach to running, but I gave up reading in the end, as there seemed to be lots of descriptions of races and quoting of statistics. Perhaps I should have expected that in a book about running, but I was more interested in the mental aspects.
May 6, 2013
very good read. a simple dialog, but a very interesting insight into serious running. especially enjoyed the chapter on mental training. surprised at how many niggles he had yet still could run extremely well.
July 14, 2014
Very detailed about his running and the races and as such interesting. Can't buy into his philosophy and I could have done without the last chapters which read like a sermon. Actually, I would have liked him a lot more as a person without those preachy parts.
December 30, 2014
It's a great book for any runner of a good skill. The author has a frank but proactive approach to writing about his experiences and gives a very credible insight into the life of a professional runner. Excellent.
April 26, 2024
Really enjoyed this book, no personal life stuff just running running and more running. Enjoyed the race detail and the thinking behind his training and planning. Last chapter was a bit of an angry old man rant.
May 4, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It's one of the best books I've ever read on distance running. I love Charlie's philosophy about doing things your own way and looking at how you think.
April 8, 2014
A really interesting read of how to never give up.
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August 7, 2019Every runner should read this book! Charlie Spedding shares tons of valuable wisdom that I find myself applying to my own running every day.
January 26, 2015
Great Book! What do you want? Why do you want it? How bad do you want it! And remember to think like a caterpillar!
April 15, 2018
Good read
One of the better runner autobiographies I be read over the years. Would recommend along with Gordon Prime and Arthur Lydiard.
One of the better runner autobiographies I be read over the years. Would recommend along with Gordon Prime and Arthur Lydiard.
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February 3, 2017Key to success= hard work, self belief and positive thinking
Read
December 7, 2017Excellent book, both entertaining and inspiring.
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