When I picked up The Path She Runs, I already knew of Jen Benson as half of the adventurous duo behind many running and outdoor guidebooks – Jen and her husband Sim have just released their latest World Atlas of Ultramarathons celebrating ultra races around the world.

The Path She Runs is something else entirely: a deeply personal memoir about what it really means to push your limits as a woman, a runner, and a mother.

Breaking down barriers to long-distance running

The opening chapters explore the unique struggles women face when stepping into long-distance and ultrarunning, from juggling family life to confronting self-doubt and societal expectations. Jen writes with a raw honesty, openly sharing her fears and the guilt of taking time for herself to train. Her reflections on the internal balancing act between personal fulfilment and family responsibility will strike a chord with many women runners.

An attempt at running 100 miles

As the book progresses, The Path She Runs becomes much more intimate, following Jen’s attempt to run 100 miles under her own steam. This isn’t a glossy race report. It’s messy, painful, and beautifully human. Her writing is raw and unfiltered, and at times very self-critical, but always authentic. It’s through this vulnerability that Jen’s story shines.

Reflections that resonate

Reading this book, I found my own doubts and fears mirrored back at me: Is this really how every woman feels? I thought I was alone in these thoughts. Or is this society telling us we shouldn’t do hard things? Jen doesn’t offer easy answers, but instead reminds us that we’re all capable of more than we think.

Her story made me really pause and be kinder to myself, and more grateful to my own body. We are strong. We are capable. Sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is simply believe that, and try our best.

Who should read it?

The Path She Runs will especially resonate with women in midlife, or anyone navigating changing identities and priorities while still pursuing personal goals. But men, too, will find real insight here into the resilience, vulnerability, and quiet strength it takes to run far.

This isn’t just a book about running 100 miles. It’s about learning to believe in yourself enough to take the first step and keep going.

Reviewed by Michelle Mortimer (library copy).

For a related read on the science of female endurance, check out our review of Ultra Women