Book Review: Running on Empty
I recently read Marshall Ulrich’s new book, Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner’s Story of Love, Loss, and a Record-Setting Run Across America. Ulrich is a legend in the ultramarathoning community. He has won the Badwater 146 mile race across Death Valley four times, ran the Leadville 100 and the Pike’s Peak Marathon in the same weekend, competed in all 9 Eco-Challenge races.
Although the book talks a little bit about Ulrich’s early life, most of it is about his run 3,063 miles across America in 52 days (averaging 59 miles or nearly 100 kilometers per day) at age 57. This run was chronicled in the movie, Running America.
Ulrich’s partner on his run across America was Charlie Engle (currently in prison for fraud), fresh off his run across the Sahara. Unfortunately, Engle was only able to run about one-third of the way and dropped out, but not before stirring up some major conflict by trying to throw Ulrich’s wife Heather off the support crew.
The story of Ulrich’s run across America is amazing, but one of the most interesting parts of the book is the Appendix, where Ulrich shares his training schedule, nutrition and diet, injuries and treatments, supplies, clothing, and gear for the run across America. It’s a facinating window into the world of long-distance adventure racing.
Here are some of the products that helped Ulrich make it across America:
Endurox Excel Natural Workout Supplement (contains the Chinese herb ciwujiu, which has been shown to increase fat utilization and reduce lactic acid levels)
Sportslick Skin Protector (to prevent blisters and chafing)
Engo Patches (to prevent blisters)
If you like to read about long-distance adventure running, are planning a long-distance run of your own, or if you saw Running America and are interested in the backstory behind the movie, Running on Empty is a good book for you.
Have you seen Running America? What did you think? Tell me in the comments.
Related Posts:
Running America: Running Movie, Political Statement, or Juicer Infomercial?
Two Running Movies Worth Watching
Can a Book about Ultramarathoning Help You Run a Faster Marathon?
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