Follow the Dragons: Discovering the Love of Ultrarunning and Myself

by Kyle V Robinson

Overview

After surviving a traumatic childhood, multiple arrests, six years in high school, and time in drug rehab, Kyle Robinson manages to become a lawyer and business owner. But when he becomes disillusioned with society’s version of success, Kyle throws out the old rule book to happiness and blazes his own path to true fulfillment by doing what any reasonable man in his late thirties would do; he buys a cargo van, builds a bed in the back, and drives west in search of himself, his tribe, and an adventure.

Kyle’s quest takes him through remote areas of the Pacific Northwest, California, Utah, and beyond, where he befriends a group of trail runners and comes face to face with his demons. As Kyle wrestles with the trauma and memories of his troubled past, he is transported to another world as he explores the mountains for the first time, gets a crash course in outdoor survival, and falls in love.

Follow the Dragons is a raw, soul-searching portrait of a man finding his way, challenging what people are capable of no matter their past, and coming to the realization that a grand arrival to fulfillment is intangible. Instead, what matters most is our continued growth and appreciation for life as it unfolds along the way.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781732770300
Publisher:	Town-B Press
Publication date:	10/15/2018
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.53(d)

About the Author

KYLE V. ROBINSON is an accomplished ultra-runner, author, and speaker. He is a graduate of Kent State University and Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. Kyle, currently, resides in Ohio with his dog Booker. You can find him at kylevrobinson.com.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

PREFACE xi

CHAPTER 1 FATHERS: MOTHER DOESN’T ALWAYS KNOW BEST 1

CHAPTER 2 THE VAN: HOME IS WHERE I PARK IT 17

CHAPTER 3 THE MEETING: TWO’S COMPANY, THREE’S A CROWD 31

CHAPTER 4 HIGH SCHOOL: DRUGS, FIGHTING, AND LAWYERING 47

CHAPTER 5 WASHINGTON STATE: WHEN YOU CAN’T BEAT ’EM, JOIN ’EM 65

CHAPTER 6 COLLEGE: NEW FRIENDS, SAME OLD STORY 85

CHAPTER 7 LAKE TAHOE: NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS 101

CHAPTER 8 SAN FRANCISCO TO LAW SCHOOL: WHEREVER I GO, THERE I AM 121

CHAPTER 9 MOAB: I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW 135

CHAPTER 10 NYC: I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS 153

CHAPTER 11 EUGENE: FAMILY MAN 171

CHAPTER 12 GOING ULTRA: FORWARD GROWTH 183

CHAPTER 13 GOODBYE: I THINK I’M ALONE NOW 197

CONCLUSION 209

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 211

Editorial Reviews

“Kyle has gone through hell and kept going. Surviving an abusive childhood, he turned to drugs and then to crime. Defying odds, he pulled himself out of the dungeon and became a success. But the happy ever after never followed. His success brought only more hollowness and despair. So he threw away the good life and headed west in a converted cargo van in search of real happiness. The adventures that followed are wildly inspirational and uplifting. His transformation was as improbable as it was extraordinary and I found myself cheering for him every step of the way.” —DEAN KARNAZES, ultramarathoner, one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and nationally best selling author of Ultramarathon Man

“Follow the Dragons is honest, gritty and real. It’s Kyle’s story of mental, emotional and physical endurance. His courage to authentically share the trials and tribulations on his path is inspiration to us all to run through life challenges and face our own demons.” —KATIE SPOTZ, youngest person to row solo across the Atlantic and author of Just Keep Rowing

“A harrowing and gripping adventure. Kyle’s dramatic story shows what’s possible when someone is able to confront, and overcome, their past to achieve the impossible. A must read!” —MARSHALL ULRICH, bestselling author of Running on Empty

“Kyle delivers a riveting tale of personal adventure and struggle. His honest and open-hearted assessment of his own character flaws made me cheer, hoping with every page turn that he would find his way to the mountaintop. Follow the Dragons is a book that will keep you reading late into the night.” —CHARLIE ENGLE, ultrarunner and author of Running Man

From the Publisher