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Ultrarunning for Normal People: Life Lessons Learned On and Off the Trail
Whether you're an experienced runner or a complete beginner, this inspiring book will motivate you to train your body and mind to complete one of the hardest physical feats of all—an ultramarathon
When Sid Garza-Hillman stood at the starting line of his first 50-mile-long trail ultramarathon, one thought was at the front of his this was the last place he wanted to be.
After all, trail ultrarunning is a very different animal than marathons—in which Sid had barely taken part himself. The trails demand attention, and the long distances demand a shift in perception and mindset. Even in crowded races, runners often find themselves alone and with only their own thoughts. With trail running, a person can be stripped of almost everything—laid bare, vulnerable, and on the verge of quitting. Ultrarunning, at least to Sid, seemed to be a sport for Type-A people who love pain and suffering.
But as he became more involved with the sport, he realized that ultrarunning wasn't just for elite athletes. Moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, young people, old people, people with full-time jobs, and more successfully cross the finish lines of races around the world.
Reflecting on his journey from dispassionately running a few miles here and there to running multiple ultramarathons, Sid divulges tips and tricks for how so-called "Normal People" can become successful ultrarunners.
Part humorous memoir, part guide for those interested in attempting an ultramarathon for the first time, Ultrarunning is for Normal People lays out the struggles, benefits, and life lessons that await anyone who’s ready to dive into the world of ultrarunning.
When Sid Garza-Hillman stood at the starting line of his first 50-mile-long trail ultramarathon, one thought was at the front of his this was the last place he wanted to be.
After all, trail ultrarunning is a very different animal than marathons—in which Sid had barely taken part himself. The trails demand attention, and the long distances demand a shift in perception and mindset. Even in crowded races, runners often find themselves alone and with only their own thoughts. With trail running, a person can be stripped of almost everything—laid bare, vulnerable, and on the verge of quitting. Ultrarunning, at least to Sid, seemed to be a sport for Type-A people who love pain and suffering.
But as he became more involved with the sport, he realized that ultrarunning wasn't just for elite athletes. Moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, young people, old people, people with full-time jobs, and more successfully cross the finish lines of races around the world.
Reflecting on his journey from dispassionately running a few miles here and there to running multiple ultramarathons, Sid divulges tips and tricks for how so-called "Normal People" can become successful ultrarunners.
Part humorous memoir, part guide for those interested in attempting an ultramarathon for the first time, Ultrarunning is for Normal People lays out the struggles, benefits, and life lessons that await anyone who’s ready to dive into the world of ultrarunning.
- GenresNonfiction
152 pages, Paperback
Published February 6, 2024
10 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 13, 2024
Listened to in its entirety on my training runs last weekend: Ultra Running for Normal People
The novel I’m currently listening to (After Annie by Anna Quindlen) was too sad (but so good - more soon!) to bring with me on my 5-hour run this weekend, so I opted for this short, but very relevant to my current life, book, a perfect listen on a ultramarathon training run.
In this book, Sid outlines lessons that he learned from ultra running. We’ve got everything from breathing to moving through fear and being versatile.
Most of the book was interesting, and some parts made me cry, which probably won’t happen to you unless you’re like me and running is one of the things that makes you cry the most.
.l
I’ll leave you with this quote. And even though I have not (yet) run an ultramarathon (I’m looking at you, O’Neill 50k on May 4th!), this describes pretty accurately some feelings I had during my first trail marathon last November.
“The social nature of every race is real - humans crave and need to be around other humans - but even in the most heavily attended trail ultramarathons, we find ourselves alone and with only the sounds of nature, our footsteps, our breath, and our thoughts. Then, as the miles increase and the associated fatigue along with them, the average ultra runner will inevitably be stripped of almost everything — will be laid bare , vulnerable, exhausted, and often on the verge of quitting. Except. Except there is a moment. A moment more physically and mentally taxing than most of us in our normal, everyday lives even get near. In that moment, most runners find a way out, or at the very least, they look for it . And it is that moment that answers the question of why we chose to try ultra running in the first place, and it is that moment that brings us back for more.”
The novel I’m currently listening to (After Annie by Anna Quindlen) was too sad (but so good - more soon!) to bring with me on my 5-hour run this weekend, so I opted for this short, but very relevant to my current life, book, a perfect listen on a ultramarathon training run.
In this book, Sid outlines lessons that he learned from ultra running. We’ve got everything from breathing to moving through fear and being versatile.
Most of the book was interesting, and some parts made me cry, which probably won’t happen to you unless you’re like me and running is one of the things that makes you cry the most.
.l
I’ll leave you with this quote. And even though I have not (yet) run an ultramarathon (I’m looking at you, O’Neill 50k on May 4th!), this describes pretty accurately some feelings I had during my first trail marathon last November.
“The social nature of every race is real - humans crave and need to be around other humans - but even in the most heavily attended trail ultramarathons, we find ourselves alone and with only the sounds of nature, our footsteps, our breath, and our thoughts. Then, as the miles increase and the associated fatigue along with them, the average ultra runner will inevitably be stripped of almost everything — will be laid bare , vulnerable, exhausted, and often on the verge of quitting. Except. Except there is a moment. A moment more physically and mentally taxing than most of us in our normal, everyday lives even get near. In that moment, most runners find a way out, or at the very least, they look for it . And it is that moment that answers the question of why we chose to try ultra running in the first place, and it is that moment that brings us back for more.”
February 29, 2024
3.75 stars! I am new to the ultra running world and this was a great place to start, and will be a great place to return to. Many of the lessons discussed seem like common sense, but the author has a great way of putting them in context - I found myself nodding my head a lot and saying to myself that I had never thought about it that way before. The reader can definitely tell that the author has an aversion to treadmills and processed food - not surprising but also a good stance to have when you are a trail ultra runner. I really liked the discussion about flexibility and adaptability in a runner’s training plan - I am learning / have learned that to stick to a plan so intently usually means training into injury rather than simply having the mindset of “always being in training.” This mindset leads to lifelong fitness and incremental / sustainable improvement. I will definitely be returning to this guide often as I keep running and training for my first ultra!
April 22, 2024
A book of highly motivational philosophical musings, tips and tricks learned by Sid Garza-Hillman as he found his way onto the trails and into the world of ultrarunning. I am an occasional runner at best, mostly on flat city sidewalks or asphalt, but this book has challenged me to seek out some nature trails and more challenging terrain to try. If anyone can motivate me to gear up for an ultramarathon, with helpful lifestyle hacks along the way, it’s Sid Garza-Hillman! Carrying around this book is kind of like having a coach in your pocket; and not just for ultrarunning, but generally for ‘living your best life’, which means challenging yourself on a regular basis. What most resonates with me is Sid’s idea of learning to “go from aid station to aid station” in life, essentially taking small steps to navigate towards larger (even “crazy”) goals (like running an ultra). To quote from the book, “when we do make the decision to go for it, we substantially increase our chances of finishing by breaking up the race, and even our training, into smaller goals along the way…. Soon enough, Normal People come to recognize the enormous benefit of applying this strategy and mindset to each and every big goal we have….” Sid also makes helpful suggestions on how to improve diet, learn better breathing techniques, and remove distractions. Just an all-round fantastic book that I think any “Normal Person” would find motivating to leap off the sofa and out onto a nature trail.
February 2, 2025
I'm not sure this book really makes a case for how "normal people" can engage with this sport, but it is accurate to its title that the focus is on the "life lessons" side of things, though less of a "take this and apply it to your life" and more of a "get inspired to run/train for ultras."
At a certain point I kind of skimmed. Some of these life lessons are true of running almost any distance, if you train for it, not necessarily ultras. Some of it seemed a little repetitive, like stretching out the word count for what is already a rather slim book.
Wouldn't recommend to most "normal people" but if you're already toying in the back of your mind with maybe trying out an ultra running distance yet doubting you're up for it, this might be just the little bit of extra inspiration you need to go for it.
At a certain point I kind of skimmed. Some of these life lessons are true of running almost any distance, if you train for it, not necessarily ultras. Some of it seemed a little repetitive, like stretching out the word count for what is already a rather slim book.
Wouldn't recommend to most "normal people" but if you're already toying in the back of your mind with maybe trying out an ultra running distance yet doubting you're up for it, this might be just the little bit of extra inspiration you need to go for it.
September 9, 2024
Short and very accessible! Enjoyable read.
My only complaint is that I felt like the author talked out of both sides of his mouth. On one hand, he extolls ultra-running as something _anyone_ can do, it's for _normal_ people. On the other hand, he speaks about an ultra race with such reverence and awe that it doesn't come across as "attainable for normal people" sometimes.
I get that both things can be true, but I just felt like occasionally Sid got a little heavy with his "ultra races are so hard they're sacred" verbiage.
I also really enjoyed his references at the back (the non self-promoting ones, that is).
My only complaint is that I felt like the author talked out of both sides of his mouth. On one hand, he extolls ultra-running as something _anyone_ can do, it's for _normal_ people. On the other hand, he speaks about an ultra race with such reverence and awe that it doesn't come across as "attainable for normal people" sometimes.
I get that both things can be true, but I just felt like occasionally Sid got a little heavy with his "ultra races are so hard they're sacred" verbiage.
I also really enjoyed his references at the back (the non self-promoting ones, that is).
June 4, 2024
Annotation I wrote in page 11
In 10 pages this book has made me feel like quotation mark OK yes I’m not crazy! It makes sense, it’s OK! “
—————
“After completing an ultra marathon, normal people often experience for the first time, a knowledge that we are capable of so much more than we previously thought possible. And this knowledge feels so good that we intentionally & unconsciously invite the experience again in spite of the fact that we rationally know it will bring us more pain. We welcome it for that intense feeling of being alive! “
In 10 pages this book has made me feel like quotation mark OK yes I’m not crazy! It makes sense, it’s OK! “
—————
“After completing an ultra marathon, normal people often experience for the first time, a knowledge that we are capable of so much more than we previously thought possible. And this knowledge feels so good that we intentionally & unconsciously invite the experience again in spite of the fact that we rationally know it will bring us more pain. We welcome it for that intense feeling of being alive! “
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January 7, 2025This was the book I never knew I needed!
After hearing Sid on the Trail Runner Nation podcast and being inspired by his words, I decided to check out his book.
As a very "normal" person who is just trying to get into running, but who is an avid hiker, ultras always seemed like a crazy thing that people with a death wish did until recently.
This book describes exactly why I love multi-day hiking, but taken to a new level with trail running, and has completely motivated me to stick with this crazy hobby and set some high goals over the next few years in an achievable way.
After hearing Sid on the Trail Runner Nation podcast and being inspired by his words, I decided to check out his book.
As a very "normal" person who is just trying to get into running, but who is an avid hiker, ultras always seemed like a crazy thing that people with a death wish did until recently.
This book describes exactly why I love multi-day hiking, but taken to a new level with trail running, and has completely motivated me to stick with this crazy hobby and set some high goals over the next few years in an achievable way.
May 10, 2025
as an normal person who is also an ultramarathoner. I would like to say ultras changes my life and the way I approach my life. I learn so much and I also discover myself so much. this is nothing impossible everyone can run an ultra, the journey is so much joys tears and happiness. I could not answer my question why did i register for an ultra, but I just keep doing it with even longer distances, and the most dangerous thing u curse yourself a lot when running ultra race but you will repeat it again.
please read the book to see how normal people like us doing ultras and for sure, join us.
please read the book to see how normal people like us doing ultras and for sure, join us.
February 25, 2024
Ultra running? You mean more miles than a marathon?
Don't let the title daunt you. Focus on the latter part: FOR NORMAL PEOPLE.
Whether or not you believe you, a normal person, can run an ultra, Sid knows you can. And by the end of this book, you'll know you can too. But even if you don't decide to run ultra, you'll be better equipped to take on your health and your life with a renewed vigor and sanity that's part-and-parcel of Sid's level-headed and plainspoken approach to mental and physical fitness.
No quick fixes. Just you, the trail, and the miles to go.
Don't let the title daunt you. Focus on the latter part: FOR NORMAL PEOPLE.
Whether or not you believe you, a normal person, can run an ultra, Sid knows you can. And by the end of this book, you'll know you can too. But even if you don't decide to run ultra, you'll be better equipped to take on your health and your life with a renewed vigor and sanity that's part-and-parcel of Sid's level-headed and plainspoken approach to mental and physical fitness.
No quick fixes. Just you, the trail, and the miles to go.
June 19, 2025
Picked this up at my local library on a whim. I don't know how to say this more politely, but...it's just so clearly written by a dude. And I found the random commentary on "overweight" runners very off-putting and unnecessary. That being said, there are some helpful practical tips, tactics, and mindset shifts that I benefitted from.
April 21, 2024
Would highly recommend. Sid's advice and commentary on running ultra marathons is highly applicable to day to day activities! It's a quick read that everyone should pick up at least once. Loved this book.
April 30, 2024
Having just finished running Sid’s Mendocino 50k, I felt like Sid had reached into my brain and wrote down my thoughts. I highly recommend running Sid’s race now that you’ve read his book. Both will bring you closer to the Ultimate Ultra experience.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews