100 Marathons

“I’d always been the kind of person who hated half steps; once I found a passion for something, I wanted to dive into the deep end of it.” Jeffrey has run over 150 marathons in six continents, completing more than 3,930 miles. This book tells the story of the one hundred races in his first eighteen years of marathoning: his training, injuries, triumphs, and failures. He admits that runners are a little bit crazy, submitting themselves to intense physical pain and constant self-doubt, but explains the rewards of satisfaction and joy at the end of a long race that are well worth the process. He also includes running tips on everything from strength training to race recovery for those who want to start or are already running. This memoir is not just for runners, but for anyone who appreciates any grueling experience that transforms the body and mind. It captures the sheer joy of physical exertion, the ups and downs of training, and the exhilaration of finishing a marathon so well, everyone will be inspired to lace up their running shoes.

When Horowitz went out for his first run in 1985, it changed his life forever. Eighteen years later he completed his 100th marathon. This is his story, as well as the story of every runner who has found joy and satisfaction in a training routine, in reaching a goal, or in finishing a race.

The book is not just about what it took to complete over 100 marathons before age 60, but it shares stories about lessons learned along the way. It is filled with inspirational stories about places visited, people met and about the mindset cultivated along this amazing quest.

Pheidippides did it once and became a legend. Brian Mills did it 771 times... but you might be forgiven for not knowing who he is. He is a runner and 'it' is the marathon - all 26 miles and 385 yards of it - and for some people once is not enough. Brian Mills is rumoured to have a butterfly tattoo for each of his 771 efforts. And Brian is not the only one who has notched up three digits of grueling athletic endeavor. The 100 Marathon Club, also known as the Hell's Angels of Running and Running Sluts (running one race whilst thinking of another), is growing in number every year. This is a club with no prejudices and only one prerequisite for membership - the completion of 100 marathons. It is full of colourful, contrasting characters with idiosyncratic personalities and diverse lifestyles. They make up a gargantuan melting pot of humanity linked by one common desire - to run... and run... and run. But who would want to run 100 marathons or more? And why? How do they find the time, the money, the energy? Are they crazy? Or just passionate? Find out by reading their stories. Some will make you laugh, others will make you cry, some may even inspire you to run a marathon. Believe it or not, these are ordinary, everyday people like you. Although when you have finished laughing and crying, you may still not be sure whether they are crazy or passionate. But you - as they do when they run - will have a lot of fun along the way.

Pheidippides did it once and became a legend. Brian Mills did it over 800 times...but you might be forgiven for not knowing who he is. He is a runner and 'it' is the marathon - all 26 miles and 385 yards of it - and for some people, once is not enough. Brian Mills is rumoured to have a butterfly tattoo for each of his 800 plus efforts. And Brian is not the only one who has notched up three digits of gruelling athletic endeavour. The 100 Marathon Club, also known as the Hell's Angels of Running and Running Sluts (running one race whilst thinking of another) is growing in number every year. This is a club with no prejudices and only one prerequisite for membership - the completion of 100 marathons. It is full of colourful, contrasting characters with idiosyncratic personalities and diverse lifestyles. They make up a gargantuan melting pot of humanity linked by one common desire - to run...and run ...and run. But who would want to run 100 marathons or more? And why? How do they find the time, the money, the energy? Are they crazy? Find out by reading their stories. Some will make you laugh, others will make you cry, some may even inspire you to run a marathon. Believe it or not, these are ordinary, everyday people like you. Although when you have finished laughing and crying, you may still not be sure whether they are crazy or passionate. But you - as they do when they run - will have a lot of fun along the way.

I have run one hundred marathons. I am the first Australian female to do so. I want to share my experiences with you. I want you to see what it has been like to compete in more than seventy locations all over the world, including many in Australia, over a thirteen year period. More people have climbed Mount Everest or swum the English Channel than have run a hundred marathons. It has been a major achievement to run this big distance, under race conditions, over and over again. Yet I am not blessed with a special athletic talent. I did not play sports as a child. I came into running relatively late in life and ran my first marathon the year I turned forty.

“Running the Mount Everest Marathon is like running in heaven.” Kimi Puntillo has literally run around the globe to bring over 100 of the world’s most entertaining, breathtaking, and unforgettable races to runners of every capability. Ranging from marathons to one-milers, from the pristine glaciers of Antarctica to Vermont’s covered bridges, two-time Guinness World Record holder Puntillo offers practical and unique advice as only a woman who has run a marathon on every continent can. She shares her tips for the most desirable gear, snacks to carry in your backpack, how savvy runners get into events that are sold out months in advance, and the best local sights to take in on your downtime. Try the Great Wall Marathon, where you’ll climb 60,000 steps, crawl through ancient tower windows, and follow in the footsteps of ancient Chinese history. The Marathon du Médoc spoils you with wine every three miles at Bordeaux’s most elite châteaus and fresh-shucked oysters at mile 23. Or, if music is your thing and you long for a different rock band at every mile marker, head out to the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon series in locales across the United States. Whether you want to make those running dreams come true or simply be entertained, here are dozens of running adventures sure to get your heart pumping. From the Trade Paperback edition.