The Pursuit of Endurance

Harnessing the Record-Breaking Power of Strength and Resilience

By: Jennifer Pharr Davis

Narrated by: Jennifer Pharr Davis

National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Jennifer Pharr Davis unlocks the secret to maximizing perseverance--on and off the trail

Jennifer Pharr Davis, a record holder of the FKT (fastest known time) on the Appalachian Trail, reveals the secrets and habits behind endurance as she chronicles her incredible accomplishments in the world of endurance hiking, backpacking, and trail running. With a storyteller's ear for fascinating detail and description, Davis takes readers along as she trains and sets her record, analyzing and trail-testing the theories and methodologies espoused by her star-studded roster of mentors. She distills complex rituals and histories into easy-to-understand tips and action items that will help you take perseverance to the next level. The Pursuit of Endurance empowers readers to unlock phenomenal endurance and leverage newfound grit to achieve personal bests in everything from sports and family to the boardroom.

Could be named Pursuit of Perseverance

I listened to the author’s interview on Backpacker Radio podcast and right away downloaded the audible book. It was JPD’s connection to faith that intrigued me.
The book explores the real inner life of several FKT setters. It is not a book about how to set an FKT. It’s a book about perseverance and following your own trek. I loved meeting the people she interviews in this book, including herself. I feel like I have several new friends that I’ve only met through another friend’s narrative.
I haven’t done a through hike and I certainly haven’t set any records. I have been married 36 years to a bride that hikes with me through life. This book was inspirational in this journey that we continue through together.

Informative and enjoyable!

I wasn’t exactly sure about the content of this book by the title. I knew it would be about long distance hiking but that is about it. So it was a pleasant surprise as the story unfolded, to learn about the different trail record holders from JPD. JPD is so much more detail focused than I am, and the flow of her conversations with her fellow record holders was very interesting. I think she did a good job to tell the whole story on each person, in a fair way. So at the end of the book I think I have a balanced view of these remarkable people.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a true life adventure story.

Not what I expected...

I was looking for a book on ultra running but this is so much more about the mindset and what it takes to endure life struggles.

Raw and inspiring

You will love every moment of listening to the strong but gentle voice of Jennifer Pharr-Davis as she tells us stories of endurance and shares her unique perspective on what it takes to persist. Having met Jennifer in person prior to listening to this audiobook, I can attest to her genuine passion for people, nature and meaningful connections. If you can make it through this book without being inspired, you may have completed a noteworthy feat of endurance... but you won't. Enjoy! And thanks Jennifer for all the time and effort you put into sharing your story with us and inspiring us to keep moving forward.

Not What i Expected

In the audible description it states "She empowers women to delve deep into their minds and bodies to find the variables that will unlock phenomenal endurance in each individual, and inspires listeners to take that new-found endurance and use it to hit new personal records in everything from sports to the boardroom." Which made me think it was going to be about her racing experience and what she learned. It sounds as if it will speak to women specifically perhaps or even talk about the actual variables she experienced while racing.
Instead it was the history of the FKT... this wasn't clear. I was very disappointed as a trail runner. This is a niche she could use to share her knowledge and really highlight her different experiences from other male racers. The history is great to know if you are at heart an ultra runner, but the entire marketing of this book she be rewritten to state this. I was listening to North by Jurek at the same time - equally excited to buy these books on the same day. North was exactly what i was hoping to hear - personal experience, trials and tribulations. Also, the narrators voice - though very upbeat and positive, was unsettling. It is nice to hear people smile in conversation but not for an entire book. It sounded like every sentence ended on an upnote- the inflection was off which made it difficult to get into the vibe. If you are describing a difficult situation or troubling time, your voice should reflect this;