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Chasing the Grid: An Ultrarunner's Physical and Spiritual Journey in Pursuit of the Ultimate Mountain Challenge
Discover the transformational journey of a conventional-minded runner to a minimalist, mountain-climbing, adventure-seeking ultrarunner determined to conquer the Catskill Mountains challenge known as the "Grid.”
After a successful career on Wall Street, the Catskill Mountains beckoned. In Chasing the Grid, author Kenneth Posner, a seasoned corporate worker and intrepid but non-elite runner, sets out after an ultra-distance mountain-running record which nearly destroys him. Along the way, he stumbles upon an obscure peak-bagging tradition known as the "Grid,” which becomes his new obsession.
The Grid is a project where a determined athlete must run, hike, or climb a list of peaks in every month of the year, the purpose being to get to know the mountains intimately, in every season. For New York’s Catskill Mountains, where this story takes place, the formula requires more than 400 separate ascents. For Posner, the Grid turns out to be not just another running challenge; it's a pilgrimage. It offers a retreat from the spirit of modern running, often reduced to a one-dimensional activity driven by ego and moderated by clocks, in favor of how our ancestors moved through nature in days gone by—purposefully, patiently, and mindfully. Posner emerges from the experience as a radically different kind of runner—now running barefoot across trails and shirtless in the winter, leaving behind food, water, lights, navigational gear, and even bug spray.
By following Posner in his quest to complete the Grid, readers will feel sandstone fragments under bare soles; pad across a bed of moss as luxurious as a Persian carpet; squelch with him through cool black boreal mud; dance across snow and ice; and participate in discoveries about the passage of time, the energy of nature, and the sense of self.
After a successful career on Wall Street, the Catskill Mountains beckoned. In Chasing the Grid, author Kenneth Posner, a seasoned corporate worker and intrepid but non-elite runner, sets out after an ultra-distance mountain-running record which nearly destroys him. Along the way, he stumbles upon an obscure peak-bagging tradition known as the "Grid,” which becomes his new obsession.
The Grid is a project where a determined athlete must run, hike, or climb a list of peaks in every month of the year, the purpose being to get to know the mountains intimately, in every season. For New York’s Catskill Mountains, where this story takes place, the formula requires more than 400 separate ascents. For Posner, the Grid turns out to be not just another running challenge; it's a pilgrimage. It offers a retreat from the spirit of modern running, often reduced to a one-dimensional activity driven by ego and moderated by clocks, in favor of how our ancestors moved through nature in days gone by—purposefully, patiently, and mindfully. Posner emerges from the experience as a radically different kind of runner—now running barefoot across trails and shirtless in the winter, leaving behind food, water, lights, navigational gear, and even bug spray.
By following Posner in his quest to complete the Grid, readers will feel sandstone fragments under bare soles; pad across a bed of moss as luxurious as a Persian carpet; squelch with him through cool black boreal mud; dance across snow and ice; and participate in discoveries about the passage of time, the energy of nature, and the sense of self.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2025
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December 22, 2025
Kenneth Posner’s memoir, Chasing the Grid, is a compelling blend of trail running, personal growth, and spiritual inquiry. Well written and beautifully edited, the book follows Posner’s evolution from a conventional runner to an ultrarunner deeply attuned to the natural world. I especially appreciated the frequent literary and philosophical references, which add depth and dimension to his journey. More than a story about endurance, this is a thoughtful meditation on facing challenges, stripping life down to essentials, and redefining success. An inspiring read for runners, hikers, and anyone drawn to meaningful personal quests.
Displaying 1 of 1 review