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Running to Extremes
Lisa Tamati gets asked one question more than any other: 'Why do you do it?'. In Running to Extremes, she attempts to answer that question and many more about ultramarathon running.
In the past few years, Lisa has taken part in some of the most gruelling races on earth. Not content with having run the Badwater Ultramarathon once, she's been back and done it a second time. She's also completed the Gobi March and a race in the Egyptian Sahara. However, none of these could have prepared her for her greatest challenge to date: La Ultra, a 222-kilometre non-stop race over two Himalayan mountain passes.
Running to Extremes tells the stories behind these races and provides plenty of advice for runners of all levels and distances. Filled with training tips, gear lists, information on nutrition and supplements, advice on mental preparation and, most importantly, a focus on how to keep yourself healthy while training and racing, it will inspire and motivate runners and non-runners alike.
In the past few years, Lisa has taken part in some of the most gruelling races on earth. Not content with having run the Badwater Ultramarathon once, she's been back and done it a second time. She's also completed the Gobi March and a race in the Egyptian Sahara. However, none of these could have prepared her for her greatest challenge to date: La Ultra, a 222-kilometre non-stop race over two Himalayan mountain passes.
Running to Extremes tells the stories behind these races and provides plenty of advice for runners of all levels and distances. Filled with training tips, gear lists, information on nutrition and supplements, advice on mental preparation and, most importantly, a focus on how to keep yourself healthy while training and racing, it will inspire and motivate runners and non-runners alike.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
229 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 4, 2012
One of the most inspiring books I have ever read.
Tamati doesn't go into incredible detail with her ultramarathon runs - it's the perfect length of information about she felt, how she did it, what she was thinking; the chapters didn't go overboard with every tiny detail.
Her passion and dedication to the sport is incredibly evident in Running to Extremes - and you don't have to be an athlete to find motivation through her stories.
As an intermediate runner I found the details at the end of each chapter regarding nutrition, tips, health, getting started, etc were fantastic; it was information I normally wouldn't be able to find online in one hit. To read someone's journey about a 222-kilometre race was fantastic.
Running to Extremes is easy to read and I simply couldn't put it down. The only downside - it's a shame she's Kiwi, cause I think Australia would LOVE to claim her.
Tamati doesn't go into incredible detail with her ultramarathon runs - it's the perfect length of information about she felt, how she did it, what she was thinking; the chapters didn't go overboard with every tiny detail.
Her passion and dedication to the sport is incredibly evident in Running to Extremes - and you don't have to be an athlete to find motivation through her stories.
As an intermediate runner I found the details at the end of each chapter regarding nutrition, tips, health, getting started, etc were fantastic; it was information I normally wouldn't be able to find online in one hit. To read someone's journey about a 222-kilometre race was fantastic.
Running to Extremes is easy to read and I simply couldn't put it down. The only downside - it's a shame she's Kiwi, cause I think Australia would LOVE to claim her.
June 24, 2021
Yeah, shes not the best writer but the combination of a kiwi + being an ultrarunning book kept my interest and I liked it
April 3, 2013
Having read Lisa Tamati's first novel, Running Hot, I couldn't wait to immerse myself into her follow up novel Running to Extremes. Although, it was with a little trepidation.
You see, I rank Tamati's Running Hot as one of my all time favourite running novels, alongside and equal to Christopher McDougal's Born to Run, and Dean Karnazes' Ultramarathon Man. And like Dean's follow up novels to his original Best Seller I kind of expected Tamati's follow up to be great, but to fall a little short of equalling her original masterpiece. In some ways it did. In other ways it exceeded my expectations.
Like any follow up to a memoir or autobiography Tamati's Running to Extremes lacks those initial formative chapters that applied such richness to her first novel. We know her, we know her history. So where does she begin? Well, she begins with running of course. Running through New Zealand for that matter, bottom to top, and fundraising. And that is the true strength of this novel; Tamati's race accounts.
I instantly connected with Lisa's story, and after the first couple of chapters, which admittedly read a little awkwardly, just as her run through New Zealand did, her book ramped up a notch or two. I was riveted, hooked, and just as happened with Running Hot, I couldn't put this book down.
The piece de-resistance of this novel is Lisa's account of running La Ultra de High. It had me on the edge of my seat, and at the end, crying out for more. Her race accounts really do convey the struggle, the challenge, and the comraderie. By the end of her novel I felt as though I'd run the Northburn 100, the Gobi desert, and the Sahara. Tamati certainly takes you along for the ride. My only complaint is I wanted more!
What Tamati does give more of is tips and advice for ultra running, something I've found actually quite hard to come by. Perhaps because Ultra runners are too busy running to write it all down? And perhaps too, because of what becomes increasingly obvious, every ultra runner is different and takes on the challenge differently.
While I did find the advice in Running to Extremes interesting to read, I actually felt the book might have been improved without it and instead with more detail on Lisa's own struggles to overcome her injuries to take on La Ultra de High (she did include a lot about acclimatising for the race - which I lapped up). I'd have loved to have seen more about the training and all the hard work that surely must go in to getting to the top of her sport. But in this, Tamati stands together with all the other ultra runner authors out there. Is it really that easy? Does it really come so naturally to these super-human beings that there's no point writing it down? I think not! But perhaps the hard slog of reality doesn't prove such good reading.
Whatever may be the case, Running to Extremes does prove great reading, and as with Running Hot I thoroughly recommend it to any other runners out there. A must for the weekend warrior's bookshelf.
You see, I rank Tamati's Running Hot as one of my all time favourite running novels, alongside and equal to Christopher McDougal's Born to Run, and Dean Karnazes' Ultramarathon Man. And like Dean's follow up novels to his original Best Seller I kind of expected Tamati's follow up to be great, but to fall a little short of equalling her original masterpiece. In some ways it did. In other ways it exceeded my expectations.
Like any follow up to a memoir or autobiography Tamati's Running to Extremes lacks those initial formative chapters that applied such richness to her first novel. We know her, we know her history. So where does she begin? Well, she begins with running of course. Running through New Zealand for that matter, bottom to top, and fundraising. And that is the true strength of this novel; Tamati's race accounts.
I instantly connected with Lisa's story, and after the first couple of chapters, which admittedly read a little awkwardly, just as her run through New Zealand did, her book ramped up a notch or two. I was riveted, hooked, and just as happened with Running Hot, I couldn't put this book down.
The piece de-resistance of this novel is Lisa's account of running La Ultra de High. It had me on the edge of my seat, and at the end, crying out for more. Her race accounts really do convey the struggle, the challenge, and the comraderie. By the end of her novel I felt as though I'd run the Northburn 100, the Gobi desert, and the Sahara. Tamati certainly takes you along for the ride. My only complaint is I wanted more!
What Tamati does give more of is tips and advice for ultra running, something I've found actually quite hard to come by. Perhaps because Ultra runners are too busy running to write it all down? And perhaps too, because of what becomes increasingly obvious, every ultra runner is different and takes on the challenge differently.
While I did find the advice in Running to Extremes interesting to read, I actually felt the book might have been improved without it and instead with more detail on Lisa's own struggles to overcome her injuries to take on La Ultra de High (she did include a lot about acclimatising for the race - which I lapped up). I'd have loved to have seen more about the training and all the hard work that surely must go in to getting to the top of her sport. But in this, Tamati stands together with all the other ultra runner authors out there. Is it really that easy? Does it really come so naturally to these super-human beings that there's no point writing it down? I think not! But perhaps the hard slog of reality doesn't prove such good reading.
Whatever may be the case, Running to Extremes does prove great reading, and as with Running Hot I thoroughly recommend it to any other runners out there. A must for the weekend warrior's bookshelf.
February 9, 2014
Not terribly well written, more like an unedited diary, but inspirational.
February 25, 2018
As a kiwi and aspiring runner this book could not be more relateable! In Running to Extremes, Lisa gives a down-to-earth and true-hearted account to some of her most grueling races and there's no sugarcoating to the realities of ultra-racing and the advice she has to give. One of the best books I've picked up on a whim! I laughed and cringed and was entranced. Some of the advice Lisa gives is the best I've heard. Definitely recommend.
July 28, 2017
Interesting and motivating!
July 30, 2018
This book was OK and Lisa's achievements are hugely impressive, but the book didn't really keep my interest.
November 7, 2013
One of the things that makes this book not just enjoyable, but also useful, is that it includes tips on running. So the book is mostly about Lisa’s experiences in long (very long) distance running, and it includes snippets of advice from other runners who also run long distances. Even if you’re not planning to run ultramarathons, it’s still a useful book for an insight into the mindset that can help you run further than you had ever believed you could.
January 16, 2015
For a while I did not get it and then ended up immersed in this book. Consequently found myself staying awake to finish it over 2 days. Enjoyable, informative and entertaining. Well done Lisa Tamati.
June 3, 2013
Crazy lady but very inspiring. Interesting stories and tips.
December 2, 2013
such an inspirational book!!
May 6, 2014
Amazing book. Inspirational and motivating.
June 30, 2014
Inspiring and very readable. I would have liked more of her story rather than 'how to...'. I'll be reading her first book though.
July 23, 2014
Some great advice, and details of several ultra-marathon runs. Second half of book mush better than first.
October 25, 2015
Inspiring read, absolutely loved this book
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews