Running Man

A Memoir

By: Charlie Engle

Narrated by: Charlie Engle

Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

A compulsively listenable, remarkably candid memoir from world-class ultramarathon runner Charlie Engle chronicling his globe-spanning races, his record-breaking run across the Sahara Desert, and how running helped him overcome drug addiction and an unjust stint in federal prison.

After a decade-long addiction to crack cocaine and alcohol, Charlie Engle hit bottom with a near-fatal six-day binge that ended in a hail of bullets. As Engle got sober, he turned to running, which became his lifeline, his pastime, and his salvation. He began with marathons, and when marathons weren't far enough he began to take on ultramarathons, races that went for 35, 50, and sometimes hundreds of miles, traveling to some of the most unforgiving places on earth to race. The Matt Damon-produced documentary Running the Sahara followed Engle as he led a team on a harrowing, record-breaking 4,500 mile run across the Sahara Desert, which helped raise millions of dollars for charity.

Charlie's growing notoriety led to an investigation and a subsequent unjust conviction for mortgage fraud. Engle would spend 16 months in federal prison in Beckley, West Virginia. While in jail he pounded the small prison track, running endlessly in circles. Soon his fellow inmates were joining him, struggling to keep their spirits up in dehumanizing circumstances.

In Running Man, Charlie Engle tells the gripping, surprising, funny, emotional, and inspiring story of his life, detailing his setbacks and struggles - from coping with addiction to serving time in prison - and how he blazed a path to freedom by putting one foot in front of the other. This is a propulsive, raw, and triumphant story about finding the threshold of human endurance - and transcending it.

©2016 Charlie Engle (P)2016 Simon & Schuster

unexpectedly excellent book

I didn't expect much from this. I loved Running the Sahara so I gave this book a shot. It is an excellent autobiography and an excellent running book.
Frankly the addiction portion was difficult to get through because of the bad life choices that were made, but it made the contrasting portion so poignant.
I highly recommend this book !

Dan, dam, dam what a clifhanger

I want to know more.

I really liked this book, what a story, unbelievable, super!

Hooked from the beginning

The narration by the author is warm and friendly. I really enjoyed his story telling and feel inspired by his unwavering constitution, strength, and honesty.

Must read

Thank you for writing this. You did an amazing job on it. Told very well. You’re an inspiration to many thank you for this book.

Inspirational and Motivating

This story is thrilling through out. I highly recommend .... you won't be able to stop listening.

A must Read!!

Such a great book!! Life is not always easy and Charlie you inspire!! Thank you

Motivation at it's best!

I loved this book. Not only does it inspire me to be a better runner and athlete, but the personal challenges and struggles that Charlie faced had me at times with tears in my eyes. All of us have challenges, and I am no exception. This book reminded me of my own obstacles and proved to me that I can reach for and grasp my own personal fitness goals despite my weaknesses.

Inspiring story, but a little disconnected

This seemed almost like two separate memoirs. One about the author's time while he was using drugs, and a second about the author's rise in the world of ultra endurance sports. Overall it was great, but there could have been more connection between the two stories. Also, the first story could have been substantially shortened. Overall, across the book, that's a common problem. The level of detail seems to be the same for every story told. Which means for some stories there's way more detail than we really need, and other stories I'm left wanting more. I especially appreciate that the author didn't try to hide or make excuses for his drug use.

This was a great listen and a fascinating story

What an amazing story full of twist and turns and unexpected events. I really enjoyed Charlie’s resilient mindset and how he found a way to overcome so many challenges. If this book doesn’t inspire you to challenge yourself and go on and do hard things I don’t know what will.

Epic and entertaining!

This is the perfect blend of running, adventure, and the struggle of Charlie Engle. I wish it could go on forever!