Let's face it, this is what this book is. It probably should come in a plastic gray sleeve. The pages are quite glossy and would wipe clean quite easily.
Amazon.co.uk Widgets
Sorry, I don't mean to lower the tone. I'll start again.
I was really looking forward to this book and it didn't disappoint. I was looking forward to it even more when I discovered that it includes some quotes from me in there. That's not the bext bit of the book obviously.
It is a collection of loads of really tough but spectacular endurance challanges out there. Mostly running and cycling but also swiming, horse ridng, dog sledding, paragliding and others. I am obviosuly most drawn to the running ones but I am tempted to dabble.
For example there is a race called the RedBull X Alps challenge which involves completing a 500 mile section of the alps on foot or by paragliding. Basically you climb to the top of a mountain and jump off, hoping to be able to cover as much of the course as possible in the air. Imagine landing 30 miles short of where you were supposed to be, adding another 30 miles of mountain hiking to the race Sounds mean.
It is well represented by some of the races around the world which you may be familiar with. The Western States 100, Leadville, Badwater, MDS, Trans-Europe race, the 6633, Jungle marathon, Augrabies, Al Andulus and of course the Spartathlon where I make my contribution. I may have mentioned that I do rather like that race.
The authors have done a fantastic job of collating all the neccessary info about each event, adding some spectacular photos and getting a competitors view too. It was great to recognize some familiar faces in the write ups, such as Mimi Anderson, Ed Chapman, Helen Taranowski as well as some of the well known elites like Bruce Fordyce and Ryan Sandes.
A brilliant book to have just lying around the house if you are looking for some inspiration, I enjoyed reading about all the events. it's actually got me thinking a bit more about a race I definitely said I wouldn't do a few years back, the 3100 mile Sri Chimoy race in New York. Also I really need to do a really cold race.
I've actually only done three of these races? Best get onto it..
