Distance runner Keira D'Amato's upbeat memoir, Don't Call It a Comeback, chronicles her physical and mental journey as an athlete, from her early years as a cross-country star to her unconventional pro career after becoming a mother. With honesty, heart, and plenty of humor, D'Amato encourages readers to go after their dreams while also pursuing joy, noting, "I was chasing happiness, but happiness was the chase."
D'Amato begins with "Round One," the years she spent as a top-notch runner in high school and college, which ended after she sustained several injuries. After marriage, motherhood, and a real estate career, D'Amato tried running again, building her fitness from scratch. Slowly, with the help of her marathon-runner husband and her community, she began racing again--this time for fun.
As she charts the miles she's covered in her roles as a military wife, real estate professional, and athlete, D'Amato repeatedly urges readers to find satisfaction in the goals they're pursuing, even when hard effort is called for. She writes frankly about her bad days, including the gut-wrenching experience of stepping off the course during the 2024 Olympic trials. D'Amato is no stranger to self-doubt, disappointment, and other tough emotions, but she believes (and insists) that playfulness and fun are possible--and necessary--even in difficult times.
Filled with entertaining anecdotes and heartfelt tributes to D'Amato's teammates, coaches, and loved ones, Don't Call It a Comeback is an inspiring yet practical account of running happy--and, yes, running fast. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams