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To The Gorge Book Review and My Memories of Andrea


When I heard that Emily had published this book, back in December, I pre-ordered a copy.

It came in the mail after my recent vacation in Florida, and I immediately sat down to read it.

I had followed Emily’s amazing feat of attaining a FKT in crossing the Oregon PCT (and raising over $30k). However, why she did it was what led me to read her book.

To honor her mom!!

Her mom, Andrea, was a runner, biker, triathlete and most importantly, a close friend. Though we met through our obsession with running/racing, we shared many interests (travel, reading, cats, taking photos…)

Andrea and I had run a race called the Polar Cap Run together SEVEN times. It’s one of her favorite races. It’s hilly and always freezing (hence the race’s name). But I did it and had fun because she was there to share the experience. Due to our “advanced” age, we also usually won age group awards.

2011
2013
2014
2015
2017
2018
2019

The last time we did this race together was in 2019.  She had to walk it since she was recovering from surgery related to her cancer.

And yes, Andrea’s cancer diagnosis rocked my world, for sure. But she was strong and I was pretty confident that she would beat it.

She did not and died in January of 2020.  They dedicated this race to her that year.

I started reading Andrea’s blog in 2008 when I started running. She inspired me from the beginning. We are the same age exactly!! But she has run longer, farther, faster…even has competed in triathlons.

We met face-to-face for the first time at a race in 2010 and since then we have completed many races together (in addition to the Polar Cap race). I have even stayed at her house in VT twice (and slept in Emily’s bed).

Silks & Satins 5k – 2010
Adirondack Half – 2011
Biggest Loser 5k – 2013
VCM Relay – 2015
VCM Relay – 2016
FRW – 2017
Race the Train – 2018

She has also visited my area each year to participate in a duathlon. And I have always come to the race to cheer her on.

She finally retired from teaching and the gift from her colleagues was a surprise trip to run the Freihofer Run for Women. (It’s my favorite race and so she wanted to run it).

FRW – 2017

And then she returned to walk it in 2019 while undergoing chemo.

I forgot to mention that Andrea lived in Northern Vermont and would drive up to 4 hours to run a race (even a 5k!!)

Reading Emily’s book brought back all my memories of Andrea. Emily proved what we as runners already know. Running is much more than physical exercise. It can help heal what needs healing.

Rave reviews are in and are much more eloquent than I can be.  Here a few:

“This book is a beautiful tribute to the spiritual anatomy of the human heart, and the power of the wilderness to break us down and shape us into something far wilder and more tender. Every runner knows, or eventually learns, that running and grief can come together to reshape the dissonance of a broken heart into something like peace. Very few can put this experience into words. Halnon’s story invites us to look at our own broken hearts, erode the walls between our protected self and our essence, and at the end of it all, jump up and cheer.”– Lauren Fleshman, New York Times bestselling author of Good for a Girl

“To the Gorge is much more than a book about running. It will speak to anyone with a grieving soul and Halnon is a heartfelt guide for anyone on their own path to redemption and revitalization. Bold, courageous, and enthralling.“– Kathrine Switzer, author of Marathon Woman and Founder/Director of 261 Fearless

“To the Gorge is so much more than a book about running, or even grief and loss. It’s about how to live, and how to make your time in this world count and mean something. No book has ever made me cry more than this one—the kind of cathartic, full-body sobs that will leave you feeling inspired, grateful, and likely pondering how to create a legacy as powerful as Andrea Halnon’s. A must-read for endurance athletes, aspiring endurance athletes, and anyone who is or has ever navigated a world-shattering loss of their own. This book will make you feel all of your biggest feelings, and invite you to think about how you want to live.”– Ali Feller, Host of the Ali on the Run Show podcast

Happy Running!  Anyone remember Andrea? Her blog was “Age Groups Rock” and on IG, she was “andyja”. Do you think that you will read Emily’s book?

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Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida (The Running Teacher) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).

and tomorrow:

I’m also linking up with: co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs

19 thoughts on “To The Gorge Book Review and My Memories of Andrea”

  1. WOW. This book sounds incredible- I want to read it. It must have been an emotional read for you. How sad to lose a friend like that- and how sad to lose a mother. I’m almost afraid this book will make me TOO sad, but I want to read it anyway.

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  2. This is so sad and so heart-warming at the same time. You and Andrea were such close friends! She must have been a lovely person.

    I saw that Hungry Runner Girl mentioned her a few days ago and I wanted to order it, but couldn’t find a downloadable version. I’ll have another look!
    Isn’t it amazing how running brings people together and creates memories like this?

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  4. Oh my goodness, I do remember Andrea–I used to read her blog! I didn’t realize she was your friend. She sounds like an amazing person. I may have to purchase this book–it sounds so good! What a wonderful tribute to her mom.

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  5. I do not think I read her blog or posts. I do remember you talking about her numerous times. Those kinds of friends only happen a few times in life. What a wonderful gift her book is

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  7. I hope to read this book soon. I followed Emily’s blog back in the earlier days of blogging, like 2011. But I don’t think I read Andrea’s. She sounds like an amazing person!

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