My first attempt a book on running and endurance. Unlike some other topics, found it very interesting and I completed it in record time!!
Indicates how much my interests have changed over time .
This is a book on the world of FKT (Fastest Known Times) Loved the way Jennifer has provided a balanced coverage on famous ultra runners/hikers who holdthe FKT records.
It covers the journey of popular runners and past and current FKT holders like DavidHorton ('The Runner') , Scott Jurek (Born To Run) , and HeatherAnderson (IG: anishhikes) and also the story of the author herself and her FKT attempt of the Appalachian Trail (AT).
I loved the writing ,especially some quotes about endurance that I have taken down for my own inspiration .
There is one chapter 'The Science of Endurance' that is quite informative and clarified some questions I had in my mind about ultra/endurance running.
5*'s . Highly recommend for anyone who loves trail running , hiking and endurance in general.
Some favorite passages/quotes from the book:
A sect of monks living on Mt Hiei , near the Kyoto practice a spiritual discipline know as Kaihōgyō or circling of the mountain. the tradition started more than a thousand years ago and is still observed by few devout monks today.Historically, each monk would take a rope and a dagger on the trail to end his life rather than quite the sacred journey - pg 27.
I planned for about eight years to hike the whoe trail but never seemed to find time on money to do it.Finally , I told my wife, I just couldnt wait any longer , that I had to go. I just quit my job and she went to work - pg 38 (A rather enthusiastic throuh hiker who quit his job to complete his passion).
Most people never in all their lives sleep under the open sky and never realize what they are missing - pg 33.
Trail hiking had become my way of life, civilization seemed like a sham - pg 34.
Endurance isnt the ability to overcome pain, it is the ability to embrace it with no end in sight - pg 67
in extreme cold and wind, your cornea can literally freeze - pg 73. (Explaining the danges with HellGate trail).
sometimes in relationships and in trail running, you need to belive in something greater than yourself to keep moving forward - pg 77
I think most record setters have some sort of transcendent purpose that helps them to keep going. For some it might be a love of nature, others might seek to raise funds for a sick family member or to commemorate the lifr of a friend who has died, raise social awareness ...But maybe , maybe thats all just wishful thinking. may be the only reason people make thse superhuman efforts .... is pure unadulterated ego - pg 77
You dont have to overcome your insecurity to realize your potential. You can strap it in your back , take it with you and do not let it prevent you from pursuing your dreams. - pg 78
(About feeling insecure ).
'Why do I hike' .My experience with hiking is that its absolutely an experience not found anywhere else - being in nature feeling completely at peace , feeling at ease ..when I am out there, I feel righ - pg 91.
Endurance isnt defined by success, but it is composed of failure.. when it feels as if you are constantly losing and everything good is slipping away, it is difficult to muster strength to keep trying again and again. Endurance is the ability to continue despite past results with complete disregard to future outcomes - pg 107
When you have failed over and over again,the decision to keep moving forward is not derived from reason but driven by hope - pg 108.
Weather you are talking about sport or life in general, the main theing you are trying to achieve is constant high performance - pg 118
We all believe that agony is worthwhile. We have different methods for minimizing and rationalizing pain , but we all make the decision to suffer .
if you dont choose a mantra, it will choose you - pg 124 (on the importance in having a mantra while doing the hikes).
The impact of a short phrase on performance is profound - pg 125
I dont htink that i needed to prove myself on trail - atleast not to other people ..but I had an insatiable desire to findout what I could do . (David Horton ) - pg 123.
Record setters are all about alternative realities. - og 126
One must know the end to be convinced that one can win in the end . George Mallory - pg 128
There is something found in those final steps to the summit that cant be discovered anywhere else - pg 130.
Control is one of the four building blocks for optimal performance as defined by the practioners of sports psychology. The 4Cs are Control, Commitment,Concentration and Confidence. - pg 133
Commitment - it is the abiliyt to never give up the idea that you are 'all in ' - pg 135.
One small action, a few minutes devoted to a single mindedness has the ability to make the whole day better - pg 136.
One of the most emporwering aspects of the journey was that i was forced to overcome my personal vanity before stepping onto the trail . This wasnt about how I looked , its about what I could do - pg 140.
The thing about a long gruelling journey is that it strips away who you are and allows you to discover that is left ..or who's left.
I wasnt here to be the best. I was here to find my best - pg 197
One damn good reason to pursue endurance and choose suffering is to get to know yourself inside and out .When you reach that moment where you gave more than you thought you had and accomplished more than what you thought you could, its clear who you are .
Physical motion is a form of theraphy. There is power to be found in taking the next step - pg 182
Endurance even amid a competition is an individual journey. Eveyone takes part in a unique struggle ,and at some poing you will unlock your own secrets in order to keep going. - pg 198
in order to excel at endurance , you have to peel away the layers to discover what is already there . You leave behind your level of comfort and your physical and emotional weight , you let go of public perception and mental limitations, you go beyond your age and your gender ..and (realize that )beneath all this , there is something that connects us all - pg 201.
'Science of Ultra' - podcast recomendation ,
'no no , we have not evolved to be distance runers. We are not evern really built to run a marathon . We are born to walk fast and sometimes run ; - Shawn Beardin ( exercise physiologist and host of 'Science of Ultra').
the two components of utmost importance when carrying your body for a long distance are wear and tear and energetics . - pg 210.
Ideally , you want to be covered with damp skin , or a think layer of sweat that is evaporating you dont want to be dripping. Sweat that is dripping is precious fluid wasted - pg 210
Too many times people think that endurance is all about grinding it out on the path where life has set you down.Its not. Its an ability that is honed when you make your personal decisions about how to move forward and live your life - pg 245.
Endurance is not measured by someones first steps.It is measured by her last step - pg 242.
Scott (Jurek) runs and loves and loses in front of a crowd , he can treach us something that no other record setter can .
Lesson one: When everyone is watching , you'd better be on the right path.pg 270.
Public perceptin would never be able to replace personal drive , and meeting other other people's expectations didnt make him feel fulfilled.
When you try to make everyone happy, you feel immobilized. When you accept you cant, you are able to move forward - pg 281.
In a sport with an unwritten rule book and no physical reward, the primary reward is the experience. No one can change that ,define it or take it away from you - pg 284.
when you are uncreatin if you have the power to face the obstacles ahead, it helps to have faith that something bigger than your ability will meet you in times of troublg - pg 294 (About faith in God)
Dont be afraid of failure. Endurance is failure ,after failure after failure - pg 295.
Hiking long trails and existing on very little income is a viable alternative - pg 299
(On the alternative to the so called 'American Dream' )
Travelling the world to pursue adventure and explore unmarked terrain can provide more satisfaction than living out the American Dream - pg 299
If you feel as if you dont fit in where you are, you are not stuck. Feeling stuck is not excuse for staying where you are. Life is hard, struggle is guaranteed, but you can exercise your right to choose when and how to struggle . Learn to move forward with imperfection. - pg 299.
you cant always get faster, but you can always go further - pg 274.
Completed 01/Jan/2021 . 5*'s . Highly recommended.
