Running Shoes Are a Girl's Best Friend tells the stories of 53 women who run. They share their reasons, motivation and tips, as do two top coaches. Motivation is everything. There are so many reasons to run.

Coach Pat Carroll, one of Australia's top distance runners ever: "It is really important to enjoy the journey rather than feel like it is something you have to do."

Motivation evolves. Goals change. Many people start running without the plan to become a runner. Many begin with the goal to lose weight and / or gain fitness. You don't need to compete.

Says Carroll, "The great thing about running is that everyone can have their own goals and everyone can walk away feeling incredible, whether it be in training or in competition."

Running, though it may not be easy at first, makes you feel good. And, surprisingly, fitness improves very quickly.

This book tells the stories of 53 women. Some have been running for decades, others began more recently. Some run for the simple pleasure it brings, while others race for finish lines.

Women featured in Running Shoes Are a Girl's Best Friend include:

Rhonda LeBrocque: "People think it is too hard, but until you start you don't realize that it isn't that difficult and you don't have to be fast to be a runner.''

Suzie Oswald: "More people would run if they took the time to take it easy first."

Helen Bruce: "It is all about getting into a routine that you can maintain for the rest of your life."

Shelley Kirkwood: "Exercise has to be a lifestyle. It has to be woven into everyday life so that it becomes one of the things you just do."

Susan Trodd: "At 54, I decided that I was not going to let preconceptions of age stop me and to return to the interests of my youth-one being running."

Anne-Maree Jaggs began running in her 40s to improve her health and shed weight. "Running has been a turning point in my life. I'm chuffed with myself for making this healthy activity part of my life."

Shelley Maxwell-Smith: "I wanted to be one of those fit-looking girls.''

Diane Soffe: "I realized there were two options left to me; I could continue to get old or I could do something about it."

Katrina Crook: "Races gave me the motivation to keep running. I kept every certificate, timing list and T-shirt from the first few years."

Lisa Hurring's leg was shattered in a 2006 accident. "A desire to run drove my rehab. When I first tried running again five months after the crash, the best I could do was to lurch along for five limping steps with teeth tightly clenched." In 2009, Lisa ran a 3:35 marathon.

Eileen Varty was a runner before a hip replacement in 2007 - she wasn't sure if she'd ever run again. In 2009, Eileen did the Melbourne marathon in 4:39.

Elizabeth Adams: "I rarely have a sick day. My heart rate is lower, my weight is good and I've increased my strength. I'm near menopause and conscious of staying fit and keeping my weight in check."

Susan Trodd: "Because running stirs up the endorphins and helps keep you fit and trim, it makes you more positive all around."

Karey Corrie: "Running gives me confidence to be true to myself and reminds me to push my own limits regularly, both on the road and in life in general."

Anne Marie Halton: "I have more energy, am more motivated to take risks, I feel like I can do whatever I set my sights on given the right preparation.''

Elizabeth Adams did her first marathon at 47, two years after she started running: "Doing a marathon was never a consideration - until two years ago."

Tina Fiegel ran 105km in 24 hours at 57. She began running in her 40s: "I was inspired by Jane Fonda's book in which she talks about her quest to run a mile. I thought I'd like to be able to run 1km.''

Vicky Baxter-Wright: "A good run can also just be about the conversation we have as we run. Sometimes I've had to stop because I was laughing so much."