More than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S.,
affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older,
or 18.1% of the population every year.
Hypochondria affects approximately 6 % of the population.
Approximately 30% of the world’s population is obese or
overweight.
More than 64 million people in the United States jog or run.
Over 17 million individuals finished running events in the United
States.
“Master runners” (those 40 and over) make up more than 40 percent
of female marathon finishers and more than half of male
finishers.
In the United States, more than 36% of households have a dog.
Fifty-three percent of the world population is unhappy.
Eighteen million Americans meditate.
Ten to fifteen percent of grieving people will become
depressed.
The number of runs for charity has increased by 70% in the past ten
years.
Early versions of Depression Hates a Moving Target were a
semi-finalist and short- listed for the William Faulkner-Wisdom
Award in Creative Nonfiction.
Nominated for the Ohio Arts Council Governor’s Award
Featured in Health Magazine
Featured on the WNBA-SF blog
Featured on Word Carver podcast
Received the Dublin Arts Council’s Poet’s Choice Award
Has taught creative writing for more than twenty years
Has run three full marathons, twenty-six half marathons (in
eighteen states), and more than sixty shorter races.
Member of Half Fanatics half marathon club with over 20,000
members
Member of Fifty States half marathon club with more than 1,500
members
Member of 100 Half Marathons club with approximately 1,000
members
Member of Running with Dogs Facebook group with more than 1,000
members
Member of six Facebook groups for Sparkle Skirts (TM) athletic wear
with a combined total of 10,000 members
Member of Marathoner in Training central Ohio running group with
more than 1,200 participants
Member of Dead Runners Society with nearly 1,000 members
Member of Still I Run with more than 2,000 members
Long-time student of and former assistant to best-selling author
Natalie Goldberg
Publishes the blog, BumGlue
Publishes Write Now Newsletter monthly email with more than 2,000
subscribers
Published in magazines, newspapers, and newsletters.
Member of the National Association of Memoir Writers
Member of the Ohio Writers Guild
Nita Sweeney’s articles, essays, and poems have appeared in Buddhist America, Dog World, Dog Fancy, Writer’s Journal, Country Living, Pitkin Review, Spring Street, WNBA-SF blog, and in several newspapers and newsletters. She writes the blog, BumGlue and publishes the monthly email, Write Now Newsletter. Her memoir, Depression Hates a Moving Target: How Running with My Dog Brought Me Back from the Brink, was short-listed for the 2018 William Faulkner – William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition Award. Nita earned a journalism degree from The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, a law degree from The Ohio State University, and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Goddard College. For ten years, she studied with and assisted best-selling author Natalie Goldberg (Writing Down the Bones) at weeklong writing workshops teaching the “rules of writing practice” and leading participants in sitting and walking meditation. Goldberg authorized Nita to teach “writing practice” and Nita has taught for nearly twenty years. When she’s not writing and teaching, Nita runs. She has completed three full marathons, twenty-six half marathons (in eighteen states), and more than sixty shorter races. Nita lives in central Ohio with her husband and biggest fan, Ed, and her yellow Labrador running partner, Scarlet (aka #ninetyninepercentgooddog).
“This book, Depression Hates a Moving Target, illustrates how
Nita went from over-the-top underconfident and prone to
catastrophizing to strong and self-assured. She credits this to
running and shows you just how this
happened.”—JulienMadBlogger “Funny, poignant, touching, and
inspiring...Nita Sweeney’s tale of finding the strength to do what
seemed impossible should encourage all of us to get up off that
couch and do something to make our lives better! Nita Sweeney is a
terrific writer, and her story is irresistible.”―Sean W. Murphy,
National Endowment for the Arts Fellow in Creative Writing, author
of the Hemingway Award-winning novel The Hope Valley Hubcap
King and The Time of New Weather“This is a book I think
any runner will like and especially beginner runners and those who
run and who have or currently battle for positive mental health.
Well written!”—No Paine, No Gain “Thrillingly good―an acutely
observed memoir that reads like a well-plotted novel. At times
funny, gut-wrenching, and frequently both. Nita mesmerizes with
tales of the unique life hacks and circuitous corrections she used
to cope and triumph. Vibrant, heartfelt, weird, and
wonderful, Depression Hates a Moving Target will inspire
readers to push through challenges to make what seems impossible
real.”―Lisa Haneberg, writing coach, author of the novel Toxic
Octopus, and author of more than a dozen nonfiction books
including High Impact Middle Management“Inspiration comes in
many forms, and from all sorts of people. Nita’s story, told in an
open, honest way, will pull at your heartstrings, and hopefully
will get you pulling on your shoestrings and following in her
footsteps, whether you walk, jog or run!”―Darris Blackford,
finisher of Badwater 135 Ultramarathon and over two hundred
marathons and race director of Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Columbus Marathon and 1/2 Marathon“Nita Sweeney's Depression
Hates a Moving Target: How Running with My Dog Brought Me Back from
the Brink is compelling. The memoir had me in tears at times,
and rejoicing at others. The book (and Nita’s life) is a
roller-coaster ride, one of the big ones at the super amusement
parks, not the teeny ones from our childhood. Wow! The memoir
brought back memories of bad form, struggling to make the distance,
and that blackout for the last 5 miles of a first marathon. Well
written, the book is evocative, engaging, inspirational and
compulsive reading. I could not put it down. And what an amazing
journey! Nita’s strength shines through, as does her struggle and
humanity.”―Paul Nash, ultramarathoner, two-time Comrades Marathon
Finisher, Two Oceans Finisher, Boston Qualifier, Marathon PR
3:30“When we first meet her, Nita Sweeney is overweight, depressed,
nearly suicidal. She has run a bit in the past, but things always
crashed down around her. This time she sets out again, afraid to
tell her friends (because who wants to fail in their friends'
eyes?), assisted only with one of those plastic kitchen timers and
a dog, Morgan, who walks faster than Nita runs. The voice in her
head says, ‘You can't do this,’ to which Nita replies, ‘But I am
doing it. Please shut up.’ Runners like Nita Sweeney don't win fame
and glory, but there are far more of them than there are Olympians.
And their stories are just as inspirational. Yes, Sweeney somehow
works up to the marathon distance, but it sure doesn't come easy.
It takes everything she's got, especially when dark clouds gather
overhead. And everything a husband, sister, and great friends can
provide. Plus, one more thing, Morgan, the dog. He's as good a
coach and training partner as any runner has ever had.”―Amby
Burfoot, winner of the 1968 Boston Marathon and author of Run
Forever, First Ladies of Running, and The Runner's Guide
to the Meaning of Life“Nita Sweeney's vibrant
memoir, Depression Hates a Moving Target, not only captures
the runner's mind, but shows how practice—whether in running,
writing, or meditation—and finding a community can transform a
life. Sweeney charts the ups and downs of her journey with searing
and refreshing honesty. Her story will resonate with anyone looking
for a way out of darkness.”―Natalie Goldberg, bestselling author
of Writing Down the Bones and Let the Whole
Thundering World Come Home“Nita's brave, honest book imparts
hard-won lessons on using running to combat depression.”―Scott
Douglas, contributing writer for Runner's World and
author of Running Is My Therapy“Nita Sweeney's Depression
Hates a Moving Target is a gallant new memoir about
persistence in the face of long odds. If you have an interest in
long-distance running, this book has you covered. Dogs? Ditto. A
love story? Absolutely! Nita Sweeney not only found a way to
survive crippling depression, she created a way to thrive. The love
of a good man, the love of a good dog, the love of running, and
above all the love of oneself. Come along on this inspiring
journey. It goes the distance and then some.”―Lee Martin, author of
the Pulitzer Prize finalist The Bright Forever“This inspiring
and warm-hearted memoir proves that no dream is beyond our reach if
we just take one step at a time. I cheered for Nita Sweeney as she
describes with unflinching honesty her transformation from
depressive couch potato to marathon runner, and I laughed out loud
at her self-deprecating humor and her conversations with Morgan the
dog, her trusty sidekick on the running trail.”―Tania Casselle,
award-winning writer and journalist, author of Insider’s Guide
to Albuquerque“Nita’s memoir is an inspiring and engaging read.
It's a great narrative on how moving your body can actually
transform your brain! If you struggle with depression or anxiety or
are just stuck in a rut and need to make a healthy change in your
life, you should definitely give this book a read!”―Richard C.
Davis PhD, BCN, psychologist, and brain trainer“The 411: anyone who
has faced depression or struggled with motivation will see
themselves in Nita Sweeney, a self-proclaimed couch potato who
starts her unlikely journey to becoming a marathoner by slipping on
sneakers, leashing up her doggo, and jogging with him just sixty
seconds at a time. Humble and refreshingly honest, Sweeney
documents her incremental accomplishments and setbacks while
weaving in a personal narrative of loss, insecurity, and
breakthrough. Why you'll love it: Like sitting across from an old
friend over coffee, Sweeney's memoir is the gentle nudge we all
need now and again to get off our ass and start moving.”—Reebok
Blog“If it isn’t hard enough to get out the door and exercise, tack
on some serious, chronic depression and see what happens! Nita
Sweeney’s Depression Hates a Moving Target is a poignant
tale of one woman’s triumphant efforts―first small and then epic―to
climb her way back to some kind of life worth living. Reeling from
the deaths of five family members, including her
twenty-four-year-old niece, and coping for years with bipolar
disease and depression, Nita becomes inspired by the social media
posts of a high school friend, hauls her forty-nine-year-old body
out of bed, leashes up her yellow lab Morgan, and heads out the
door for a jog. She’s overweight and out of shape and starts out
with a kitchen timer in her hand, running for sixty seconds.
Exhausted yet exhilarated, Nita keeps this up day after day until
she stands in front of a mirror saying, ‘I am a runner.’ Soon,
she's happy to spend more money on running gear than on any other
piece of clothing in her closet. There are so many things I love
about this book. First, the book is beautifully well written.
Nita’s narrative is not just about her but about the people around
her and soon you begin to care deeply about Nita, her family, and
of course her dog. But for me, as an older runner, I connect with
Nita’s efforts to be part of the running community, which, in my
experience, is incredibly welcoming to runners of all ages. Like
me, Nita is a back-of-the-pack marathon finisher who’s always got a
‘race’ coming up. As she trains and runs with Fleet Feet Sports in
Columbus, Ohio, pushing through the social anxiety many older
runners may feel around younger, thinner, fitter women runners, she
finds her group, sticks to a training schedule, and without too
much awareness or even effort and to her own amazement, is
exercising nearly every day. Nita’s careful to note that running is
not a substitute for treatment such as medication and therapy for
her mental health conditions. It's just one more tool in the
toolbox to help her cope and feel hopeful in spite of everything
else. If you’re stuck on the couch and doubting whether you could
ever enjoy exercising, even if you know it would be good for you,
you’ll be inspired by Nita’s story and leash up your own dog, if
you have one, and lace your sneakers to head out the door for a
walk or run. And maybe grab a kitchen timer on your way
out!”―Carolee Belkin Walker, author of Getting My Bounce Back:
How I Got Fit, Healthier, and Happier (And You Can, Too)“Nita’s
story is a gift, a reminder that you can return to something you
used to enjoy. You start with a single step. Even if it means
running with a kitchen timer on a secluded street in the
neighborhood. Even if it means telling your brain to stop saying
'You’re old and fat.' Even if it means that you have to continually
fight to get up and just do. Reading Nita’s story continuously
reminded me of my own journey. Even though our goals are different
(because let’s admit it, running a marathon is not one of my goals)
her story is inspiring to appreciate the small victories along the
way to the big goal. Through her grief and loss of loved ones, Nita
kept running. Through her fears and daily problems, Nita kept
running. Through the health problems and reminders of the past,
Nita kept running. The journey continues, teaching us something new
each day we attempt to reach the big goal. I can keep
running.”―Suzanna Anderson, editor of The Magnolia
Review“There’s hope and help on the track: anyone who has struggled
with depression knows the ways the mind can defeat you. However, it
is possible to transform yourself with the power of running. You
may learn that you can endure more than you think, and that there’s
no other therapy quite like pavement beneath your
feet. Depression Hates a Moving Target is a witty and
poignant story of rediscovery. Whether you’re born to run or just
looking for rebirth, you will be inspired by the powerful story of
one woman—and her dog, cheer on Nita as she endures the challenges
of a marathon and a mind in turmoil, and discover the power of
running to overcome obstacles.”—Therapy for Latinx“If you're
starting your running journey, Sweeney's book—with some great
practical tips and resources at the end—may be the running friend
you need.”—Shel Graves Emporium“Nita Sweeney's courage and grit
shine through her candid memoir of 'running out' depression. This
book has the power to inspire countless others as they pace
themselves to mental health.”―Aimee Liu, author of Gaining:
The Truth About Life After Eating Disorders ”I am more of a
‘waddler’ than a ‘jogger,’ so when a friend suggested I read this
to lift my spirits, I was skeptical. But this story of how one
woman outran depression was inspiring! Overwhelmed and overweight,
49-year-old Nita Sweeney barely has the energy to leave the house,
let alone go for a jog. But one day, with her dog, Morgan, she puts
one foot in front of the other. Nita’s story reminds us that
shifting our perspective means finding our passion, and chasing it,
one step at a time.”
—Kristina Mastrocola, Senior Editor, First for Women, in ”7 books
we're loving now““Nita describes running as one of her main mental
health tools and says it helped her achieve a lifelong dream,
publishing a book: Depression Hates a Moving Target: How
Running with My Dog Brought Me Back from the Brink. ‘I can’t
imagine not having some form of movement in my life,’ she says.
‘I’ve gone from a woman who wanted to die to one who wants to not
only live, but thrive.’ ”—Nicole Pajer, Woman’s Day Magazine,
Aug./Sept. 2022
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