Running on Empty

An Ultramarathoner’s Story of Love, Loss, and a Record-Setting Run Across America

By: Marshall Ulrich

Narrated by: Adam Verner

Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

A fascinating glimpse into the mind of an ultramarathon runner and the inspirational saga of his run across America.

The ultimate endurance athlete, Marshall Ulrich has run more than 100 foot races averaging over 100 miles each, completed 12 expedition-length adventure races, and ascended the seven summits - including Mount Everest. Yet, his run from California to New York - the equivalent of running two marathons and a 10k every day for nearly two months straight - proved to be his most challenging effort yet. In Running on Empty, he shares the gritty backstory of his run and the excruciating punishments he endured on the road. Ulrich also reaches back nearly 30 years to when the death of his first wife drove him to run from his pain.

Ulrich's memoir imbues an incredible listen with a universal message for athletes and nonathletes alike: face the toughest challenges, overcome debilitating setbacks, and find deep fulfillment in something greater than achievement.

©2011 Marshall Ulrich (P)2019 Tantor

WTF?!?

I have no words for this book. Marshall is a superhuman machine that I cannot comprehend his abilities. Marvel should be making a movie about this guy. 57 and runs across the country? And that’s not even the craziest of his accomplishments, it’s the longest.

nice read

Currently going through a tough 'season' myself in 2020, not related to any virus. But being a long time endurance athlete in cycling and occasional ultra over the last 30 years, it was nice to hear/ connect all the 'life' ups and downs and relationship challenges he had gone through over the years himself. Prob why Forrest Gump is one of my fav movies, because shows how many diff cycles/ storys there can be in a persons life.

Author is extremely unlikeable

Have to leave this story at the halfway point because the author strikes me as extraordinarily selfish.

A story of perseverance

The journey of Marshall is one we can relate to. The poem at the end captures it well. While I felt I’ve learned more from other running novels (recipes and insights from their experiences), this one hits a chord with the grit it takes to do such a thing.

Great Detail

I thought the story was very interesting. The writer did a good job of pulling in many life stories to keep you interested. Some of the days got a little repetitive, but I guess, so does running. Great Job Marshall!

An all around great book!

I love this book. this author is an icon in the ultramarathon community. I like how he shared the mental and physical toll that this race is run had on his body. and the total do I go right here that ultra marathon had on his life. the fact that he had historical information added some Joy I didn't know I wanted.

INCOMPREHENSIBLE!

I keep going through the match of miles, days, miles per day, the elevation gains / drops, the weather, the injuries, other challenges, it just doesn’t seem humanly possible. But he did it!

Captivating

Yes, I am a runner so this book touches my heart. But even if you’ve never ran a step in your life this book shows a strength we can all tap deep within us to accomplish anything if we only keep moving forward. Highly recommend

Couldn't finish

This was so hard to listen to. Essentially a serenade to his wife. Not at all what I was looking for in a running book.

Selfish man, lacking insight

I had a hard time getting past what a selfish ass the author is. Early on he actually says he resents that his wife caring for her dying father caused him to feel resentful because he wanted to come first. That’s him pretty much all the way through. I felt tremendous pity for his wife. He seems to put himself first always to the detriment of his past and current wives as well as his children. His lack of insight is stunning. I think he actually seeks out these extreme challenges solely to ensure he is everyone’s number one focus. Honestly he is so unlikable, it was hard to get through.