Run Down Audiobook By Michael Gallagher cover art

Run Down

An Endurance Athlete's Race Against Chronic Fatigue

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Run Down

By: Michael Gallagher
Narrated by: Michael Gallagher
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About this listen

Run Down is the powerful new memoir by Dr. Michael Gallagher that details his shocking decline from fit triathlete and chief of surgery to bedbound patient searching for answers to a mysterious illness born out of a harrowing bike trip through North Dakota’s Badlands.

Gallagher’s life is built on his ability to endure, but this is one race he cannot finish. He struggles to find the cause of his illness as well as the courage to survive.

Misdiagnosed and misunderstood by his colleagues, Gallagher is forced to weather the worst of his illness alone, his isolation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which will, ironically, provide clues to his health.

Gallagher grapples to find meaning in a life that has been decimated by an invisible enemy.

Poignant and perceptive, Run Down explores the the power of positive thinking, and the potency of love, family, and perseverance to providing meaning and joy.

©2022 Michael Gallagher (P)2022 Michael Gallagher
Running & Jogging

Critic reviews

"Run Down is an incredible read whether you are an athlete, are someone struggling through tough times, or are just looking for meaning in life." (Kara Goucher, Olympian, author of Strong)

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Most relevant  
I am more knowledgeable about ME and did not realize how devastating this condition is .

Great listen

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I purchased this audiobook to see what a former fellow runner with chronic critique syndrome had to say. The book was very well written, and I would encourage anyone with chronic fatigue syndrome to read it or listen to it.

A fellow former runner with cfs

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As someone else who is young, previously very active, and now struggling with activities of daily living following long COVID, I appreciated this memoir and the parallels to my current situation. Thank you for sharing your story and helping to shed some light on ME and some of the misconceptions surrounding it.

Great memoir

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Thanks , Michael. I have ME too. I have gotten some good tips on living with ME. Most importantly, to pushing the exercise. I have a very quiet life and I was hoping to do some exercise to add something active to my life. Great job on the writing, best wishes for your future.

Thank you Micheal

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Great read of an orthopedic and endurance athletes diagnosis and confronting having ME/CFS. Michael’s a natural story teller and the book is well researched and written.

Insightful look at an doctor’s own diagnosis of ME/CFS

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I think that a lot of people will relate to this book. It is about a man with a chronic illness, however, it is so much more. There are a lot of tales of growing up, school, career, coming of age, family, and friends. This book will make many readers laugh and also identify with the author and his stories.

I loved and appreciated this book.

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I love this book!! I laughed and I cried. Not only was it an entertaining story, but it also sheds a lot of light on a debilitating and misunderstood disease. I really appreciate the author’s willingness to be vulnerable and share his life and his personal struggles in order to help others to understand this commonly minimized condition. Great job and thank you!

Powerful and Enlightening!

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