Saturday, May 14, 2011

Running on Empty, review & giveaway

GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.


Read on for the review! 


I was checking out some books at the library the other day, Dean KarnazesRun!and the Pfitzinger book (you know, this one).Because I can dream, right?

Anyway, the librarian and I started talking about running and running books and whether or not she should check out Dean's books for her son, who runs. Well, yeah. Absolutely, I told her. He's inspirational and all that.

So we talked about Dean and his exploits and then I said something along the lines of, "you've got to check out this other book I just read. Running on Empty by Marshall Ulrich. He ran across the country, too. At 57 years old! He's insane and amazing."

Just like that. I was making a plug. Unsolicited. So, take that to mean that what I write in this here review is heartfelt.

I read the book. I liked it a lot. I liked the story, the journey, the love of running that Ulrich quite obviously has. That's the short of it. Now here's the long:

Marshall Ulrich is a nut. He has run all over the world, for super-long distances, facing extremely tough challenges and obstacles and he continues to go back for more. He's run over 100 races of 100+ miles, climbed Mt. Everest, won Badwater several times, run the Leadville Trail 100 and Pikes Peak Marathon in the same weekend . . . it goes on and on. He's one tough ultramarthoning dude.

And at 57 he decided to run across these United States of America, from San Francisco to New York City.




The book chronicles the 52 days of his transcontinental run, sharing the details of the monster undertaking and, more importantly, sharing Ulrich's thoughts, feelings, and reflections. He'd faced substantial loss in his life and, for him, running across the country helped him sort out some of his feelings about that loss. He delves in to some of what originally drove him to run -- including the death of his first wife at a very young age -- and I found the back-story just as interesting as the one about The Run.

And the story about The Run was definitely interesting. And inspiring. No, there is no way I would ever in a million years attempt such a thing (not even close) but I enjoyed reading about Ulrich's journey. So much of what he encountered on the run and how he dealt with it could be applied to any run.

For example, when he was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis after running about 700 miles, he still had over 2300 miles to run. What was he going to do? Stop? Well, maybe he could have. But, no. He didn't. Instead, he disassociated himself from that foot. He completely rejected the pain. And for some reason I just loved what he said:

"This foot doesn't belong to me any more. It doesn't fit in with who I am, what I'm trying to do, or where I'm going. This is not my foot."
And:

"If I ever noticed that throbbing at the end of my leg, I'd dismiss it as 'not my problem.' I simply wasn't going to deal with it."
OK, maybe not the healthiest response but, hey, it got him through the run. If he hadn't rejected the pain, how would he have run across country? Well, he wouldn't have.

I've used this strategy since reading that it worked for him. I mean, if it can work to get a 57 year old guy from California to New York -- on his own two feet -- it can get me 5 miles.

Let me tell you: It works. That hamstring? I don't know who it belongs to because it certainly isn't mine. Try it next time you're racing. Pain goes away justlikethat.

There were a ton of other tidbits that I took away from the book, some of them traditional tips, others just plain inspiration. I'll leave it to you to find your own tidbits because I do recommend that you go out and read the book. It's a good one.

You can purchase Running on Empty on Amazon.It is currently listed for $17.16 and eligible for free shipping.



The giveaway

I'm happy to be able to offer one lucky reader a copy of Running on Empty

To enter to win a copy of the book, leave me a comment. It's that simple.

Additional entries:

As always, you can gain extra entries. Remember, though, you must complete the required entry first! (Leave one comment per entry for the additional ones to count):
  • Follow this blog, or let me know that you already do (leave a comment)
  • Become a fan of The Happy Runner on Facebook, or let me know that you already are (leave a comment)
  • Link to this giveaway from Facebook or Twitter (do as often as you'd like, just leave a comment each time)
  • Follow Marshall Ulrich on Facebook (and tell him The Happy Runner sent you! and leave a comment)
  • Follow Marshall on Twitter (leave a comment)
  • Link to this giveaway from your blog (leave a comment with the url)
This giveaway will run through Wednesday, May 18 at 11:59pm EST and the winner will be announced on Thursday.

Good luck!


~ Felice

Review/giveaway disclosure: I was sent an advanced copy of the book to review. I was not compensated in any way for this review/giveaway and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

68 comments:

Lauren said...

I'm a follower!

Lauren said...

I'm a fan on facebook!

Lauren said...

I posted a link on facebook!

Lauren said...

I posted a link on twitter!

Lauren said...

I follow Marshall on Facebook!

Lauren said...

I follow Marshall on Twitter!

Jayme said...

I would have to disassociate/disown both my legs for that to work ;)

Jayme said...

I'm a follower too!

Christina said...

ALready a follower. :)

Christina said...

Linking this on my blog.

Christina said...

I guess I need to disassociate myself from my knees. :)

Christina said...

And I am a fan on Facebook!

Anonymous said...

Would love to read this book!

Anonymous said...

Already follow here!

Anonymous said...

Already like you on Facebook too!!!

Unknown said...

I would like to win this book. He sounds like such an inspirational person. It might be just what I need to help me get through my second ever half marathon coming up!! :)

Unknown said...

I am a follower!!!

Erik Ammon said...

I am a follower!!

Erik Ammon said...

I'm a fan of yours!

Erik Ammon said...

I follow Marshall (have for a while!!)

J said...

Fun giveaway! That stinks your original post was lost. I am a follower!

Mile Posts by Dorothy Beal said...

I'm a follower!! Book giveaways are the best :)

Mile Posts by Dorothy Beal said...

I follow him on twitter now :) @mileposts

angela said...

I am a follower and a fan on fb! I would love this book!

Laura said...

Sounds like a great book! I follow you!

Laura said...

I follow you on FB

Laura said...

I linked the giveaway on the sidebar of my blog: www.LauraElaineDesigns.blogspot.com

~K~ said...

My comment - i'd love to win the book!

~K~ said...

i follow you!

~K~ said...

i already like you on fb

~K~ said...

i already like marshall ulrich on fb

Samantha said...

I'm a follower! :)

Katie said...

I am a follower!

missris said...

What was up with blogger last week?! Anyway, I'm a follower!

Anonymous said...

Entering again.
I need to do like you and suscribe to my own posts. I lost part of my wednesday post because of this on one of my blog.

Anonymous said...

Entering again.
I need to do like you and suscribe to my own posts. I lost part of my wednesday post because of this on one of my blog.

Lauren said...

I posted a link on the sidebar of my blog!

Amy said...

Just found your blog this week!

Mel said...

I follow your blog :-)

Catey said...

Ooo...I need a new running book!

Catey said...

I am a follower

Catey said...

I am a fb fan too

Unknown said...

I follow your blog :)

Unknown said...

I already follow ya on FB :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, that guy might be a tiny bit crazy! I need to read this book!

Anonymous said...

I'm following you on Google Reader.

clm said...

I'm a follower!

Trang @ Treadmill Runs said...

I already follow your blog! :)

EricaH said...

I linked back

http://www.ericarunning30.com/2011/05/weekend-round-up-516.html

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book! It sounds inspiring/motivating.

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog!

runs with boxers said...

I'm a follower!

runs with boxers said...

Posted the giveaway on my blog!

Anonymous said...

I became a fan of yours on Facebook

Stacie said...

I'd love to win this book. I've wanted to read it for awhile. Great giveaway!!!

Stacie said...

I'm a follower!!!

Stacie said...

I'm a fan of The Happy Runner on Facebook.

Stacie said...

I tweeted ~ windyrunner

Stacie said...

I posted the giveaway on Facebook.

Stacie said...

I follow Marshall on Twitter ~ windyrunner

Stacie said...

The giveaway i posted on the sidebar of my blog.

http://stacie615.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

I keep hearing about this book and have never read it. None of the libraries in my city have it. :o( Thanks for the chance to win.

Unknown said...

I'm a follower of your blog.

Unknown said...

I 'Like' the Happy Runner on Facebook.

Unknown said...

I've blogged about the giveaway here: http://anmisu.blogspot.com/2011/05/happy-runner-giveaway.html

Colorado Gal said...

I'm a follower!

Colorado Gal said...

I just found your blog and I already know I like it :) I've been searching for some good running books so this sounds great!

Leslie said...

Wow! You make me wanna read that book...BAD! LOL!

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