Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness Paperback – Illustrated, 2 April 2013

I really enjoyed this book. Although focused on his amazing ‘ultra’ achievements it also gives an insight into his childhood, family and how he became one of the world’s greatest ultra runners. Its an easy read and unlike many running books Scott doesn’t bang on about how wonderful he is, his times and PB’s etc. There are so many running books that come across as being written purely for bragging rights – although a marathon runner myself I don’t want to read about an individual’s PB in this race or that race. Scott really conveys how difficult ’ultras’ can be and is modest in his writing, none of it is easy and you get the sense of how much effort, resilience and mental strength is required to complete these races (any distance runner will tell you it really is mind over matter). The end of chapter recipes are interesting and have also provided some inspiration (as a vegetarian trying to cut out diary). I’m currently reading ‘North’ which is an equally good read about his running the 2000+ mile Appalachian Trail documenting not just his struggles with the terrain, weather etc. but his mental health and motivational struggles. Have found both books to be very inspirational.

I waited a long time for this to come out. Overall it has been worth the wait.The book is more or less in chronicle order. It starts off with his school days, taking up cross country skiing and being good enough to ski county level, from there he starts to do ultras, just really as away to build fitness for skiing.I would say this book is an autobiography. Many things are left out or skimmed over. He starts seeing a girl and a few pages later she becomes his wife. He doesn't say much about the cause of the divorce. Was running over 100 miles a week and being a vegan putting a stress on the marriage?He says little about his family. The close relationship with mother is discussed as is the strained relationship with his father. His siblings are hardly mentioned.Even when he was at his peak he was in financial difficulty but it is not explained why. He still chose to stay in a battered camper when racing rather than a hotel. We don't know if this was a lifestyle choice, financial or simply that he knew he'd struggle to find vegan meals.We're also introduced to his sidekick who is one of life's drifters and motivates Scott by telling him he's going to "be chicked" (over taken by a woman) if he doesn't pick up the pace, and as soon as Scott wins the race he wants to "go to Vegas to see stripers". The fact that his friend is very talented - he claims he ran 26 miles the night before he won a marathon in sub 3.00 hours beggars belief.Towards the end of the book you feel that Scott is battling depression and loneliness. He falls out with his running buddy and life has thrown him a curve ball.There are useful running tips at the end of each chapter(normally a race report)and recipes too, some more time consuming than others. If you aren't vegetarian or vegan you might find the term eating animal flesh annoying. Scott tells us a few times that a vegan diet has no drawbacks.It's a very different book to Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner but they are very different people. One left the corporate world to become an ultra runner, whereas Scott is a sub Elite marathon runner that became an Elite ultra marathon runner in his 20's.

Scott Jurek appears to be almost as good at writing about his story as he is at running! This is a superbly written book, full of fantastic background on his life and what made him into the sort of human being capable of achieving the incredible feats he has. The book also contains a few recipes that Scott has learned over the years, all vegan, I'm not vegan but I am a keen runner and I'm all for good food, the guacamole recipe and the vegan chilli recipe are my two favourites!Read this book as a runner and you will not be disappointed, if anything it'll probably make you start thinking how far you can push yourself. Even if you are not a runner and just enjoy stories of human beings achieving seemingly impossible feats or a good story and nothing more, this is a great book and it;ll leave you with at least a few recipes and if nothing else, a smile on your face and a good all round feeling about the capabilities we all have within us.

Having just got back into running after several years resting due to an injury, I discovered this book whilst looking for an inspirational read. This is not the type of book that I would normally read but I'm so glad I did. It is a wonderfully written and well researched book that I found hard to put down. Scott tells his story with modesty and humility and is as equally honest and open about the lows in his career as the highs.I was truly inspired by his courage and strength both mentally and physically and it was such a joy to follow his journey throughout this book. His recipes at the end of each chapter are simply an added bonus, especially if you are vegetarian and it's useful to know why certain foods are important in (a runners) diet. I wasn't aware of many of these races yet after reading the book I felt I had been introduced to places and cultures I hadn't known existed which in itself is inspiring and educational. Every bit of his success is well deserved and he has my utmost respect and admiration. I have no aspirations to compete in an ultra marathon but my own goal to run a marathon next year seems now quite a modest achievement but one that with the right training and mindset I know I will achieve. Thanks Scott, a fantastic book!