I read this some time ago before i started writing reviews - so its not exactly fresh in my mind. But i thought it would be a bit of a crime not to mention it on the website while i'm sorting through all my books, past and present.

From what i remember... it's a true tale about this half baked, mad scheme, with not very much planning, to run the whole length of New Zealand by a (perhaps completely mad) woman who's not really physically up to the task. But, completely undeterred, Anna sets off from the very bottom of the South island and heads North on a crazy adventure in some leggings she really likes.

It's a really good story, and one well worth a read whether you're into running and/or endurance sports or not. Because it's not about running or endurance sports, it's about a journey, the people, the places, the ups and the downs, and it's a wonderful journey to read about.

So, if you like unicorns, and you like leggings, and who doesn't like unicorns and leggings, and even if you don't like unicorns and leggings, give it a read sometime.

Click here for unicorn leggings over at Amazon, and go on your own adventure somewhere.

I refuse to make any comments about people who don't like unicorns and leggings, i'm trying my best to keep the website nice, positive and happy. :-D xx ( )

I may have given this a higher score had I not read it immediate after reading Jamie McDonald’s Adventureman. Both books are about epic solo runs across countries, and McNuff frequently refers to Jamie in her book (understandably given that they subsequently became a couple), so I do find myself comparing them, and finding McNuff’s book falling a little short. She is undoubtedly a better writer than McDonald, but the latter’s book felt more raw, more real, more warts and all, whereas McNuff’s perpetually upbeat personality tends to mask even the hardest points of her journey. It also is very much more focussed on McNuff herself, whereas McDonald’s always felt more about the reasons for him doing his run. I never really understood, from the book, why McNuff was doing the trail, other than as a vanity project.

I’m also a slightly, and irrationally, annoyed that she opted to follow an easier route rather than tackle some sections of the trail. Irrational, because she’s done far more than I would ever dare, but if you say your going to run the Te Araroa trail, you could at least do the whole trail! ( )

Anna McNuff runs the length of New Zealand. She sets off with a surprisingly large pack, and a surprisingly small knowledge of the trail. And through some grim bits and some joyous bits, she makes it across the country.

There were bits where I wanted to give her a hug (oh, Anna, you were always enough, you didn’t need to run a country to make it true) and bits where I wanted to slap her a little bit (good maps and a headtorch are not the most unexpected things to need) and bits where I was just in awe of her keeping going through ridiculous amounts of pain. And bits where I was surprised at the serendipity of it all - people picking you up off the trail not minding you were a day late, bumping into friends in the 10 minutes your path could cross. An amazing individual achievement, but also supported so much kindness from other people, driving to and from the trail, providing food and beds. ( )