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Running and Stuff
"James Adams has a rare gift. In fact he has three. He is a brilliant writer, a comedic genius and is able to push his mind and body as far as anyone I know. The thought of getting up day after day to run 45 miles in utter agony, through chronic fatigue and sickness doesn't even bear thinking about. His examination of self on that journey is utterly inspiring together with his tales from other incredible feats of endurance. Of all the books on ultra running published in recent years, this has to be the best all rounder." – James Elson
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2014
11 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
James Adams
760 books12 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 18, 2015
Really enjoyed this book. I know James about from the forums and only recently realised we are in the same running club! Great account of amazing running. I've done a few ultras myself but James is on another level! Honest, funny, warts and all account. Great job James.
May 23, 2016
Great insight into the ultra mindset, especially as the starting point is a runner that was happy enough doing marathons and thought ultras were a bit crazy! Going from that to running all the way across America over two months is a definite journey.
This suffered a bit towards the end in that the editing suddenly became sloppy and made it obvious that the book had been culled from blog entries made at the time. The same phrases and stories are duplicated between some of the chapters, as if the author had forgotten we'd already been given that information. That jarred and took away from the impact of the adventure.
This suffered a bit towards the end in that the editing suddenly became sloppy and made it obvious that the book had been culled from blog entries made at the time. The same phrases and stories are duplicated between some of the chapters, as if the author had forgotten we'd already been given that information. That jarred and took away from the impact of the adventure.
January 6, 2017
All i was hoping for.
I was looking for a book that would look I into motivations and thoughts of an ultra runner. I got all that and so much more. Thank you James, for your perspective. It was super relatable. The technicalities and details were helpful. The book is a fantastic chronicle of some major races, including Badwater and Transamerica. I wish James all the best in his future endeavours and with his family! Again, awesome...
I was looking for a book that would look I into motivations and thoughts of an ultra runner. I got all that and so much more. Thank you James, for your perspective. It was super relatable. The technicalities and details were helpful. The book is a fantastic chronicle of some major races, including Badwater and Transamerica. I wish James all the best in his future endeavours and with his family! Again, awesome...
July 17, 2019
Amazing
Absolutely brilliant. I love running and have just started running ultras, I won't be doing the distances James does\did but it truly is inspiring stuff. Totally get his feeling at the end of a marathon of is that it, had that same feeling on my first one which was London. Highly recommend this book.
Absolutely brilliant. I love running and have just started running ultras, I won't be doing the distances James does\did but it truly is inspiring stuff. Totally get his feeling at the end of a marathon of is that it, had that same feeling on my first one which was London. Highly recommend this book.
October 9, 2017
exactly what you'd want from the genre
February 17, 2016
Tells the story of the author stepping up from running marathons to the world of ultra-marathons. This culminates in him participating in a race from LA to New York. Pretty impressive stuff and Adams focusses on the actual races than training or travel which alot of these types of books can get bogged down in.
April 10, 2016
Fantastically inspiring
I will never be a runner like this, but just reading it makes me think I might be able to survive a lot more than I thought I might. Thank you for honestly sharing the highs and lows and not just making this a fluff piece on the spirituality of running.
I will never be a runner like this, but just reading it makes me think I might be able to survive a lot more than I thought I might. Thank you for honestly sharing the highs and lows and not just making this a fluff piece on the spirituality of running.
July 4, 2018
Inspiring!
I enjoyed reading about his ultra running experiences! I felt I was in his head as he ran across the U.S., which I felt was an amazing feat.
I enjoyed reading about his ultra running experiences! I felt I was in his head as he ran across the U.S., which I felt was an amazing feat.
May 8, 2016
One of the best books on running I've read. The descriptions of what he goes through mentally and still carries on are what's missing from other ultra runners books. Highly recommended
November 24, 2017
Emotional Rollercoaster
A thrilling story sure to be enjoyed by any runner. James has a fantastic sense of humour and engaging writing style; the highs and lows of his ultra marathon journey are inspiring. If you can finish this book without contemplating your own chances of running the GUCR or crossing America on foot...you probably passed some sort of sanity test.
A thrilling story sure to be enjoyed by any runner. James has a fantastic sense of humour and engaging writing style; the highs and lows of his ultra marathon journey are inspiring. If you can finish this book without contemplating your own chances of running the GUCR or crossing America on foot...you probably passed some sort of sanity test.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews