Running into the Dark

A Blind Man’s Record-Setting Run Across America

By: Jason Romero

Narrated by: Gary Galone

Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

A man takes on the challenge of a lifetime after hitting rock bottom. He finds himself divorced, unemployed, and in a deep depression when a degenerative eye condition renders him blind with limited light perception.

Feeling a calling to run across America, he dedicated the next two years of his life to prepare for, and ultimately run, more than 3,000 miles from California to New York in less than 60 days, averaging 51.5 miles per day, to log the seventh-fastest transcontinental foot crossing in the history of the world - less than 300 people have crossed America on foot.

It was, and remains, the only transcontinental foot-crossing by a blind person.

This is not just an audiobook about running. This is a story of success and failure, healing and hurting, and loss and love. It is an audiobook about struggling with adversity, learning to not give up or give in, to accept one's self for all that one is, and is not. It is every person's story.

Running into the Dark is a manifesto about how to continue onward. Jason Romero is a highly sought-after keynote speaker for conventions, conferences, and commencements, a US Paralympian who was fourth in the world at the Paralympic World Marathon Championships in 2015, a holder of 13 world records in ultrarunning, the subject of a full-length documentary, and an author. In addition, Jason has been an attorney, an executive at GE, and a CEO of a nonprofit that helps children with autism.

©2017 Jason Romero (P)2018 Jason Romero

Onward!

Jason’s journey is inspiring and has made me challenge myself in new ways. It has been an enjoyable summer read filled with hope and encouragement. Gary’s narration was pleasant to listen to as well and makes you feel as if you are genuinely apart of Jason’s run across America.

Wow, what a journey

This amazing story is honest and inspirational. As a visually impaired runner with the same eye disease, I want to set higher goals and not let my fear get in the way.

Inspiring

I loved here Jason’s Story and I love his passion to help others! A must listen!

The Inspirational Journey Onward

This is an inspiring story of a man’s journey to overcome adversity. It teaches and empowers you to strive to be your best one day at a time. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to reach their dreams even when they seem unreachable, Others who should read this are those going through difficult times, runners, athletes, youth and adults looking to find positivity. I enjoyed this story very much!

An unfitered story of courage and narcissim

Like many great athletes, Jason Romero has an amazing story to tell, and he knows it. Diagnosed from an early age with lifelong deteriorating eyesight, he relies on his keen intellect and dogged determination to achieve success throughout his life. Many of his achievements described in the book are inspiring and provide insight into obstacles and stigmas visually impaired persons encounter all the time. However, Jason's retelling of these events are often questionable and imply a sense of grandeur and martyrdom. Single-handedly saving fortune 500 companies and national non-profits, running a marathon while in the throes of Dengue fever, and running down Pikes Peak while blind in a snowstorm are just some examples of events Jason describes that are likely based on truths but exaggerated during introspection.

And this is what I find so compelling about this book. This isn't a highly polished and refined biopic written by a ghost writer, but rather a personal introspection; this is how Jason Romero views himself and his life. It's both baffling and insightful to follow Jason quitting his job and moving his children away from their mother to a new home in Colorado, where he spends his days training for the Leadville 100, and rationalizes the decision as putting his children ahead of his career. It's fascinating to hear Jason describe the pain and cramps in his legs every ultra runner feels during a multi-stage event, and imply that because he is legally blind his pain is valued by society more. Here's a keen insight into someone who achieved many great things, and when inflated with narcissism believes they achieved greatness.

Gary Galone's narration nailed the attitude of the underlying text. Galone's delivery is strong and assertive yet relaxed, presenting the persona of someone who is comfortable and believes in himself and believes everyone else believes in him as well.

Thanks for sharing your story with the world.

amazing story...! Helped me alot to not feel alone in my vision loss journey. will listen to it again and again!

Inspiring

This is an inspiring story that invites the reader into the head and heart of a man courageous enough to answer a “calling” to run across America, while at the same time battling the fear of losing his vision and fighting voices in his head to quit.. Jason Romero’s willingness to share his vulnerability makes this book relevant to anyone striving to overcome adversity. As someone who shares Jason’s degenerative eye condition and an obsessive interest in running, I could identify with the dichotomy of courage and anxiety as Jason moves “onward” in his relentless pursuit to find purpose, love, forgiveness and acceptance. You will fall in love with Jason’s mother as she serves as his only crew support for the majority of the 59 day slog across America! I had tears running down my cheeks when his mother greeted him at the NYC City Hall finish line of his epic adventure.

Inspired.

If I had to sum this book up in one word it would be: inspirational. This book is great for runners, all athletes, and anyone who wants to be inspired. For me the beginning was a little bit slow, but once I was halfway through and Jason had started his running journey across the United States of America I couldn’t stop listening! I even had to wait at the mailbox a few times on my way home from work to finish listening to the rest of a chapter. It’s no wonder the author is now a motivational speaker. Nice job Jason Romero! Keep up the good work. Your mother is a saint. Now I’m going to go lace up for my own run, and I might even cut the toebox out of my favorite pair of Hokas! The narration by Gary Galone was equally excellent. I'd highly recommend reading or listening to this book.

I usually love endurance memoirs

The author references the following scripture: “What does it profit a person who gains the world but loses his soul?” It seems like you’re doing exactly that by damaging all the relationships in your life to follow a calling a.k.a. ego. I had to stop listening due to the level of ignorance and arrogance. I gave it a five star on the story. I think it is a great story but his innerperspective is dreadful.