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Ulrich’s memoir imbues an incredible read with a universal message for athletes and nonathletes alike: face the toughest challenges, overcome debilitating setbacks, and find deep fulfi llment in something greater than achievement.
There is endurance and then there is something beyond endurance. When 57-year-old Marshall Ulrich ran the equivalents of 117 marathons in 52 days (yes, you read right!), he crossed beyond the threshold that even world-class ultrarunners can hope to achieve. In Running on Empty, the "Endurance King" chronicles his record-smashing 2008 transcontinental run and describes what drove him to his relentless efforts to push his body to its limits. The next stage for readers of Dean Karnazes' Ultramarathon Man and Chris McDougall's Born to Run.
Marshall Ulrich is an extreme-endurance athlete, ultrarunner, mountaineer, and adventure racer. His career has earned him wins, records, and firsts on some of the toughest courses in the world and has taken him to the top of the highest mountains. He lives in Idaho Springs, Colorado.
Foreword xi
Prologue 1
Part I Desert
1 As Far As I Can, As Fast As I Can 15
2 Legacy 31
3 It's Just Who I Am 43
4 Fool's Errand 57
5 Running Machine 71
Part II Heartland
6 Coming Home 97
7 This Is Not My Foot 125
8 States of Mind 143
9 The 400-Mile Workweek 163
10 Competitive Spirit 181
Part III Liberty
11 Stop Crapping in Cornfields 201
12 Running Out 221
13 Rest 233
Running America (poem by Joanne V. Gabbin) 245
Appendixes 247
List of Illustrations 290
Acknowledgments 293
Bibliography 296
Index 297
mayo5150
Posted March 21, 2012
I throughly enjoyed this book and was surprised at how quickly I read through it. As someone who recently "discovered" running at the age of 45, I could really relate to Marshall. I found his accounts of his run to be quite interesting. His honesty about events, even if it reflects poorly on himself, is refreshing. From the highs to the lows that followed him across the country on his epic adventure, this story will keep you engaged and wanting to get to the next page to see what happens next.
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Posted October 23, 2011
I enjoyed reading about Marshall's journey. He shared an amazing story of fortitude in Running America. I appreciated how much of his human flaws he shared as well as his triumphs. I also am baffled at how gracefully he handled Charlie Engle's ego and attitude. I will be following Marshall's exploits from here on out.
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Posted August 2, 2011
Outstanding detail. I like the way Mr. Ulrich let you in to his mind and some of the simple joys he found in his travels.
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Posted October 27, 2011
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Posted July 12, 2011
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Posted July 31, 2011
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Overview
A fascinating glimpse into the mind of an ultramarathon runner and the inspirational saga of his run across America.The ultimate endurance athlete, Marshall Ulrich has run more than one hundred foot races averaging over one hundred miles each, completed twelve expedition-length adventure races, and ascended the seven summits— including Mount Everest. Yet his run from California to New York—the equivalent of running two marathons and a 10k every day for nearly two months straight—proved to be his most challenging effort yet.In Running on Empty he shares the gritty backstory of his run and the excruciating punishments he endured on the road. ...