About the Book
A tale of love, loss and laughter, this life-affirming memoir describes one woman's determination to survive unbearable grief - and get back into running - one step at a time.
Lisa didn't think anything could be more devastating than the death of her beloved husband Graham. But then she lost her sister and father too - all in the space of 17 months.
Feeling utterly broken as she navigated these bereavements, Lisa turned to an old friend that had helped her through many tough times before: running. But whereas it had previously been a source of solace, fun and companionship, before long a debilitating injury meant she lost her running mojo, too.
Aiming to complete her 109th marathon in Graham's honour, Lisa set out to rekindle her love affair with running - and to build a new life by the sea. As she laughed and cried her way through the miles, she realised running wasn't just helping her get fitter, it was also taking her on a journey from heartache to hope.
Still Running After All These Tears is a survival manual for the broken-hearted, and for anyone struggling with major life challenges. It's a celebration of the redemptive power of running, and the life-enhancing lessons it can teach us. Above all, it's a meditation on how to thrive in the face of trauma, what makes a good death and, most importantly, how to lead a joyous, meaningful life.
About the Author :
Lisa Jackson is a hypnotherapist, running writer and Runner's World columnist, and the author of the best-selling books Your Pace or Mine? and Running Made Easy. Lisa is also Women's Running's hypnotherapy expert, and her work has been published in The Guardian, The Independent, Psychologies, Red, Prima, Top Sante, Healthy, Cosmopolitan and Mumsnet. Originally from South Africa, Lisa is based in Worthing, UK, and is a veteran of over 100 marathons and two 56-mile ultramarathons - but often comes last!
Lisa has presented talks at numerous events including The National Running Show and RunFestRun. She was one of 40 people featured in The Sunday Times's Alternative Rich List aka The Enriched List, as someone whose life has been "rich in experience, rich in spirit, rich in life". She was nominated in the 2020 Women of the Year Awards, and in the 2018 Women's Running Awards in the "Influencer of the Year" category. Lisa is an Ambassador for the multi-award-winning fitnesswear brand Flanci Activewear.
Review :
Remarkable and inspiring, and a salutary account of just how often doctors fail so miserably in the all-important art of communication.
It's rare for a book to be both heartrending and inspiring at the same time. But Lisa's account of how running helped her through the darkest times of her life is such a thing. As she unflinchingly shares her journey through the unimaginable loss of her loved ones, Lisa offers us a roadmap to help navigate life's most devastating circumstances.
Heartbreaking, hopeful and profoundly human, Lisa's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. This book is not just about running, it's about what keeps us moving when everything else falls apart. A must-read for anyone facing grief, searching for healing or simply needing a reminder that joy is still possible after unimaginable loss.
Heartbreaking, honest and hilarious.
Through my career I've witnessed first-hand how running can bring women strength, resilience and hope in the hardest of times. As a runner myself, I also know this to be true. Lisa's memoir captures this beautifully and her courage, honesty and humour shine through on every page. This book will inspire anyone who has faced loss to believe in the possibility of happiness again. It's a moving reminder of the power of running to carry us through life's toughest challenges, and the sheer strength and beauty of the human spirit. I loved it.
Lisa's love letter to her wonderful husband Graham also serves as a memoir of his end-of-life care and how she navigated his loss and those of her sister and her father in brutally quick succession. In this hug of a book, Lisa explains how she and Graham navigated the healthcare system, battled for dignity and often found joy and comfort in running. Deeply honest, poignant and painful, but deftly sewn together with the golden thread of Lisa's signature wit and sense of humour, this is an important manual for anyone facing a major life challenge.
Only Lisa could write a book about grief that's so full of laughter and hope. This is a beacon of light for anyone going through dark times - a brave, uplifting testament to love and the healing power of running.
Still Running After All These Tears is a beautiful, poignant and often amusing exploration of how running transcends mere physical achievement. The book reveals running as a powerful source of consistency and solace when every other aspect of life feels uncertain or broken. Beyond its emotional depth, it is also eminently practical, offering thoughtful and actionable advice for navigating the grief that will inevitably touch us all. Lisa's insights not only equip readers to manage their own sorrow but also to be compassionate supporters of those facing loss. This blend of heartfelt narrative, humour and practical guidance makes the book a deeply enriching read for runners and non-runners alike.
A love letter to freedom, running and self-discovery that will have you laughing and crying - sometimes at the same time.
Lisa Jackson has written something entirely new. It's a heartrending love story that ends in death, and a heart-warming women's running book that ends in life. When grief deprives you even of your sense of self, read this book, and follow its pragmatic advice about how running, and love, can save you.
Lisa has managed to turn a desperately sad story into a book of hope containing numerous tips and resources for anyone navigating cancer, dementia, bipolar disorder and grief. As a former GP, my toes curled at some of Lisa and her husband Graham's healthcare experiences: her bravery and fierce advocacy for her family members are a demonstration of what true love really means. Of course, with Lisa, there's always running, and this book is a wonderful reminder of its power and how continuing to put one foot in front of the other can help you cope and heal.
This heartfelt, inspiring and moving read tells you everything you need to know about resilience. This book is for anyone - whether a runner or not - who wants to know exactly how to dig deep when you feel like you want to give up. Brilliant.
Funny, sad, brave and brilliantly written, Still Running After All These Tears is tragic but life affirming, and made me want to run and live forever. Lisa Jackson writes from her very big heart; reading this expanded mine.
A heartbreaking, heart-warming and inspiring story.
This is a book for the broken-hearted who think they may never be happy again. Lisa's memoir is a moving exploration of loss, love and the quiet courage it takes to choose joy again. Raw, honest and ultimately uplifting.
When her beloved husband died, and then her sister and her father, Lisa Jackson could have sunk into despair. Instead, she decided to dig out her running shoes, run yet another marathon - and write a book. Still Running After All These Tears is an incredibly moving account of her attempts to deal with devastating grief. It's gripping, it's funny and it's hugely inspiring. Whether you like running or don't, it will cheer you up, buck you up and make you want to raise a glass to Lisa's energy, exuberance and life. It will make you want, in fact, to raise a glass to life itself.
I was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer 11 years ago and reading Still Running After All These Tears made me appreciate just how hard it is for others around me to deal with my cancer. Lisa's book made me laugh, cry and everything in between. Its message is to roll with the punches and always move forwards, so it's not only a good read but a roadmap for anyone dealing with any kind of grief or challenge.
A deeply moving story of love, loss and the power of putting one foot in front of the other.
