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 "... running 100 miles distills my soul...", April 1, 2005
By zhurnal (Silver Spring, MD USA)
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Neal Jamison's collection of essays by ultrarunners is delightful in its diversity. There are racers who tell of their speed, and adventurers who describe their wilderness survival experiences. There are winners. There are amazing triumphs over incredible adversities.
But most fascinating are the honest remarks by people who fell short, who "failed", and who in the process succeeded in learning something important about themselves. My favorite of all, by Keith Knipling:
"In the process of completely exhausting myself, I connect with an inner part of me ordinarily veiled by the everyday distractions of life. During that short time spent on a trail in the mountains, my life is reduced to its simplest terms. Most ultrarunners are people who find goodness and joy in difficult times, who see beyond the misery to the beauty of nature, and who truly realize the elemental and important aspects of life. Going for a run always clears my head, but running 100 miles distills my soul."
21 of 22 people found the above review helpful.
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 A good book but a bit repetitive, June 7, 2005
By Mark Bauman (Bloomsburg, PA United States)
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As a whole, I enjoyed this book. There are stories from well known ultrarunners; but the ones I most enjoyed were from the ordinary runners - the folks I could really identify with. And there were plenty to make this effort a worthwhile read. There's not much detail regarding any one run, course, etc. Rather, it's more focused on people's personal experiences with the Ultra. As someone who is considering a first Ultra experience, I gained some good insight by reading others' experiences; I also picked up some training tips and race management type stuff that, although not the focus, was sprinkled throughout.
15 of 16 people found the above review helpful.
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So why do they do that?!?!, January 8, 2004
By S. Brockmeier (Chapel Hill, NC)
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So.......do you have friends or family that just shake their heads or roll their eyes when you mention your upcoming 100 miler? Would you really like to be able to answer the question "Why do you DO that?" Well there's no more eloquent answer to that question than is found in this collection of personal ultrarunning stories. The question isn't so much directly addressed but the joy of doing ultras comes through in the stories. How does the saying go? Don't *tell* the reader what you want them to know, *show* them. Jamison's book shows the uninitiated what we get out of what can be a rather punishing hobby. If you've heard of ultrarunning and are curious or if you're looking for a new challenge and want to see what doing ultras is all about then this is a great book for you. It's not a how-to book but then the best way to learn how to do something is to do it - not to read a book about how to do it. These are stories written by ultrarunners of all levels and they really do a great job of getting across what it is like for ordinary people to perform extraordinary feats.
10 of 10 people found the above review helpful.
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Considering an ultra? Want to understand someone who is?, April 19, 2005
By Tim (Biron, WI, USA)
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This is a wonderful collection of personal essays on what it means to make the personal sacrifices to run beyond marathon distances. Every essay is written from an intensely personal point-of-view and shares a variety of tips and tricks for getting through the physical challenges of running an ultramarathon (any distance over a marathon).
What makes this an impressive collection, though, are each individual's sharing of the emotional aspects of preparing for, running and finishing an ultramarathon.
The collection ends with a touching, honest account of an ultramarathoner who perseveres in his final race only to die any untimely death a day later.
The accounts of race winners, finishers, and those who try are a testament that all who stand at the start of an ultra come away winners in one respect or another.
9 of 11 people found the above review helpful.
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Motivation, January 30, 2006
By ultrarunnermeri (SE PA)
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This book is one of the best books I have read in along time. Each chapter is another ultrarunner's personal story with a memorable race for them. There are famous runners and unknown runners alike in the book. The best part is, a lot of them talk about the ultra I am training for now, so I am definitly motivated and encouraged. Highly recommend this book for any runner, or anyone who enjoys good stories of personal triumph and journey.
6 of 7 people found the above review helpful.
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Equal opportunity book..., September 17, 2005
By Cory K. Schmidt
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This book is great because it includes chapters written by people ranging all the way from the back of the pack to world class ultrarunners and adventure racers.
While not all of the chapters are fantastic they really come together as a whole. I run in ultra events (falling somewhere between the elites and the back of the packers) and have recommended this book to a few people who ask "Why do people run ultras?". It may not provide a concrete answer to this question - I don't think there is one - but it does offer a glimpse into the ultrarunners mind.
6 of 7 people found the above review helpful.
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Makes me want to run..., December 22, 2003
By A Customer
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The stories in this book help me see why some people like to run these races. I could never imagine running even 3 miles, much less 30 or 50 or even 100! But reading these makes me feel like trying.
5 of 5 people found the above review helpful.
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Great Read, May 22, 2003
By A Customer
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Neal Jamison has done a great job collecting and editing this compilation of short stories from ultra-distance athletes. If you are at all intrigued by what makes endurance athletes tick or if you are already a runner and want to hear from world class athletes and enthusiastic amateurs this is the book for you.
5 of 5 people found the above review helpful.
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Make sure you have time..., April 3, 2007
By J. Esbech
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This book is just a must-read for those who are interested in ultras, whether as an active athlete or just out of curiosity. Each of the stories are very personal and full of passion as well as experience that you can both draw and enjoy.
When finishing it, I simply longed for more and wished it had been a 500 pager or more...
4 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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lunatic fringe, April 5, 2007
By kthdimension (Vienna, Austria)
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Neal Jamison's "Running Through The Wall" is a collection of several ultrarunners' stories about how they got into the sport, what motivates them to run, and a race that they recently raced. The contributors are of varied backgrounds, skill, and accomplishments so it is almost inevitable that one of the stories will speak to you on a personal level. Most of the runners were initially incredulous that people actually RUN 50 or so miles until they themselves, of course, ran 50 or so miles. Ian Adamson sums it up best with "The main thing I came away with was that ultrarunning was for the lunatic fringe, and I wouldn't be caught dead near such an event. Little did I know that I would not only be running ultras within 15 years, but ultra distance running would become a passion, a lifestyle...a way of life for me." I am a budding ultrarunner myself (one 50 miler thus far) and I loved what this book provides: anecdotes, inspiration, motivation, and brief glimpses into the souls' of ultrarunners -- novice and veteran alike. Outstanding!
4 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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Great inspiration!!, May 25, 2003
By A Customer
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In this collection of stories from over 40 ultrarunners, there is definite inspiration for every runner. For me, having never done an ultra, I was curious about the sport, but am now inspired to attempt my first. There are many great stories here from first-timers like Sophie Spiedel and Keith Knipling to veterans like Ann Trason and Ian Torrence, and ANY runner can learn something from all their experiences.
4 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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Running An Ultra Trail Race While On The Couch, March 22, 2008
By Phillip Gary Smith (Minneapolis, MN USA)
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If you read to learn, then jump the wall to get
"Running Through The Wall."
With a host of authors all writing of personal encounters with trails, the book continues to inform and teach long after you've squeezed the cost out of it.
Ultra Runners keep pushing the envelope on methods, tricks-of-the-trade improvements, that increase the odds of one finishing or even medaling an ultradistance race. And here, in neat readable book form, are those tips, tricks, and tales -- no secrets are held back.
I keep this book handy as it is impossible not to get lost in the stories, forty or so, that have you right along side the ultra runner combating the devils on the trail . . . all of those devils working to make failure the victor over achievement. You learn how these ultrathoners overcome challenges to win; perhaps not the race, but the life experience.
Phillip Gary Smith, author, ULTRA SUPERIOR
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Inspiring, June 21, 2007
By Not using my real name (Boston, MA)
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Most of the essays in this book are wonderfully written. I can only think of one or two that were poorly written and not exhilirating. This book is absolutely inspiring, and has inspired me to want to run an ultra myself. Of course, never having been in any race in my entire life, I have to run a marathon first, which I will be doing in October.
I love the fact that such a diverse group of people were called upon to contribute to this book. The diversity of it is definitely its strongest suit.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Great Book, May 9, 2007
By RunnerBoy
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I am just getting into marthathons, but see myself running at least a 50 miler. This book is great for giving you real people's experiences with ultras. You truly get a taste of the good, the bad, and the ugly. You begin to understand that you can do far more than you think you can. I also learned from this book that you must have dogged tanacity toward your goals. It also gave me a different perspective while I was training for my marathon (which I just ran my first this past weekend - the 07 Flying Pig in Cincinnati). I saw it as just a step toward my ultras instead of an end in itself.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Great Motivator and great read, April 20, 2007
By Kevin (San Francisco Bay Area)
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If your an endurance runner this is a great book for you. It has given me a lot of ideas of different races to run and has been a great motivator for me.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Running through the wall, April 11, 2007
By adventurer (Southern California)
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As a 19-year long-distance runner I certainly can relate very well to this book. I have it, read it and agree with the every detailed information, no runner should be without.
In addition I have contributed a couple of digital images from my large digital sports (mostly running)collection.
Running through the wall goes beyound the marathon which for many long-time runners is only the first step before going on to bigger challenges.
Besides a certain physical and conditioning level you got to be mentally tough and there is no way around i, which is one aspect covered in this book. Many of the covered subject matters do not only apply to running but to life in general and can be useful throughout life.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Run with your heart, March 8, 2007
By J. CHANG (Los Angeles, Ca)
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To become an ultrarunner, you need to run with your heart. The stories in this book inspired me to start and to finish several races in the past. This is the second time I purchased this book. I gave the old one to a friend to help him finishing his first 50-miler.
Best book if you are interested in exploring your limit or to see how far you can go.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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 A bunch of running blog posts on paper, May 18, 2010
By J. Hunter (NC, USA)
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The title says it all. Nothing special to read here. I wish I had borrowed someone's copy rather than spend the money.
2 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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 A Disappointing Read, December 27, 2010
By Crow
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Writing is not an easy craft and there is no reason to expect that a large group of ultrarunners would necessarily be up for the task, even to fill the four or five pages that make up most of these essays on their selected experiences. The reader does get a glimpse into the world of ultrarunning with names, places, and some (vague) course descriptions. Generally, however, the stories fail to take us inside the reality of ultrarunning or the runners themselves. The runners write about the challenges and rewards of their participation in one event or another, but the writing does not distinguish athletes or their events. The reader is left with a flat and one-dimensional view of the sport. The real failure is in the editing. Neither the editor or the publisher seemed to have clearly in mind what they wanted the book to say about this emerging sport, and the individual authors appear to have had little guidance in their choice of themes or style.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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A great Collection of inspirational Stories!!!, April 1, 2010
By Jamie (Maine)
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I really enjoyed this book. I have been a runner my whole life. I have run cross country in school and now as an almost 40 father of 2 I try to blend work, family and time to workout together. I run two marathons a year and do a lot of cross training.
I always wanted to try something bigger to see what I am made of. I was intimidated to even think of a 50K. HOWEVER .... After reading this book I realize that aside from the elite runners, (Ann Trason, Tim Twietmeyer and Dean Karnes) who run 100 milers in the neighborhood of 14 hours! The sport of ultra running is an "every man" sport. It becomes not a quest for who is fastest, or even a competition of who slows down the least, but a competition of who won't quit.
The other inspiring difference of ultra running is that there appears to be genuine camaraderie between the competitors. It isn't about being "the ONE" who wins but more about being in the group who finishes. The runners seem to be competing less with each other and much more against the task at hand and themselves. This is especially motivating for a guy like me who will never "win" a race but can push might be able to push myself further than I thought possible.
So for better or worse I am planning to do my first Ultra in September this year, the Vermont 50
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Pure motivation and inspiration, February 17, 2008
By Sabine Tietge (Bangalore, India)
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I have just started on the adventure of long-distance and ultrarunning and was in need of some motivational reading material. And this book is it!
The accounts of these ultrarunners - ranging from housewives, mother of 3, accident survivors, people you can relate to - is both motivational and inspirational.
If reading their stories about the joys and hardships of running ultra events don't get you to put on your running shoes and get out there, nothing will!
When the going gets tough on my long runs now and I need encouragement to continue, I recall some of these stories and remember what made those particular runners persevere no matter.
Excellent book!
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Experiences to learn from, January 1, 2008
By Zebban (Stockholm, Sweden)
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As a newborn runner without any experience from running ultras or any friends that do, reading this book is like sitting round the camp fire and listening to all these seasoned ultra runners telling their stories. It gives you a taste of what one can go through when pushing ones body and mind to and through the barrier (or wall) of human endurance. It also shows you that almost anyone can do it if they set their mind to it.
It made me decide to give ultra a shot!
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Fantastic, April 29, 2005
By Howard C. Craig (Poway, Ca United States)
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I love these stories. You get a chance to really see these people as they are and you really learn a lot also. Many thanks to the many authors who let us into their lives....
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Ultra short on the ultra long?, March 8, 2007
By Styrofoamdeity (Higashi-Kurume, Tokyo Japan)
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To some extent, a series of short essays on very long races is doomed, by format, to fall short of conveying the mental and physical challenges of running a long ultra. How to express a 20 hour trail by exhaustion and pain in three pages? That is why the Odyssey is a long book, not a 3 page essay ("uhm, I, Odysseus, met some hideous monsters and suffered for about 5 years, and then I met some more monsters and suffered some more. Thinking about my wife helped....")
That being said, for pre-race inspiration, this is an excellent read. Hey, before a race, I'm not sure I want to read a 200 page description of suffering. Suffering doesn't sound too bad when it's finished in 300 words.
The writing in Running Through the Wall is uneven, but that is to be expected in this type of personal collection. A few of the runners are a bit melodramatic (The ghost of my mother was running behind me!). The only disappointment for me was despite the back cover mentioning that the book would describe the type of training that goes into an ultra, it in fact almost never does. I would have loved to learn more about each runners prep and their programs. As such the book places more emphasis on the psychological than the physical, even though ultras (in my estimation) are 80% physical preparation and 20% mental (endurance, positive attitude, extreme goal-orientation).
All in all, you'll be happy with this book, especially if you read it on your way to a real ultra!
1 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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Good info but boring, January 17, 2006
By N. Longworth (Ohio)
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I would have to say that this book contained small tid-bits of information on running Ultras, but was largely boring.
Some stories were really good while the majority help give me a good nights sleep.
Glad I didn't pay full price for it.
1 of 13 people found the above review helpful.
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Bridging the Gap to the Unknown, February 15, 2012
By kmmrtb
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This book took a feat such as ultramarathoning, which many would view as unfathomable, and made it seem attainable. I loved the diversity in both the experiences of the runners and their backgrounds. It's one thing to read about an elite runner who can do seemingly superhuman things, but to read about more "everyday" runners pursuing ultramarathons was very inspiring. The heartfelt stories in this book intrigued me and nudged me into ultramarathons. I first read this book a little over 3 years ago. Since then, I've completed eight ultramarathons ranging from 50k to 66.5 miles (in a 24-hour fixed time race). I strive to do a 100-miler someday. Every person I've met in the ultra community has been very down to earth and encouraging; I literally make at least one new friend at every event I do. I had no idea that this book, which I read on a whim, would have such a big impact on my life.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Good intro to ultramarathons, July 24, 2011
By runandridegirl
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Good overview of training and preparing for your first ultramarathon. For those already experienced with the sport, it may not be as helpful. I have only 6 months experience and found that most of the book covers topics and information I had heard before and lacked very detailed information. Readers can go to the website to access updates and further resources if they desire which is a bonus, but I would like all information to be included in the book I am reading instead of needing to go to a website too. Overall, a good start for learning how to train for and run ultramarathons.
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Inspirational Read, September 28, 2010
By azrogart (Tempe, Arizona)
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I book this book because I was interested in learning more about ultra-distance running. I was not disappointed! The book is a series of short stories from runners of varied abilities and skills. I learned a lot about the mental and physical aspects of endurance running. The stories in this book has motivated me to try a few ultra and trail events recently and I plan on doing more in the future. If you are new to the sport, you can learn a lot from this book.
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Fantastic inspiration., August 30, 2010
By the Performance Measure Specialist (Australia)
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In my current obsession with researching ultrarunning, having only discovered it existed a couple of months ago, this book has been one of the most inspirational. It's the personal accounts of real people - from elite athletes to Jo Average - sharing their own personal experiences of running 100 mile events, that somehow makes me believe I could do this too.
It's a book for people who want to get a little insider glimpse of what ultrarunning might be like, the high points and the VERY low points, what it means to the people who do it, why they keep going back for more. And for me, it's another little seed of possibility planted in my brain, of a new passion in my not too distant future.
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Inspiring, August 7, 2010
By Tracy Lea Gillin
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Inspiring. Easy to read. Will make you want to lace up and get out and run. Doesn't make the sport sound glamorous but gives a true picture of the physical and mental challenges and rewards of ultra running.
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Great read for runners of any distance, July 9, 2010
By DecaCoop
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Definitlely recommended. One of the better inspirational running books I've read. Quick, short reading of each runners' contribution. My #2 running book behind Karnazes' UltraMarathon Man.
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A Runner's Anthology, April 11, 2007
By Truth About Caffeine.com (SCR Books)
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This collection of stories by ultrarunners will captivate you and pull you into the sport. You'll also find inspiration for your own ultramarathon.
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For distance runners only, May 8, 2009
By vizsla31 (Boston)
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As a distance runner, I found most of these essays interesting (and some a bit shocking). At times, it was a little repetitous. If you aren't running marathons or ultramarathons, this will probably not appeal to you
0 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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