Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness Paperback – Illustrated, 2 April 2013

I really enjoyed this book. Although focused on his amazing ‘ultra’ achievements it also gives an insight into his childhood, family and how he became one of the world’s greatest ultra runners. Its an easy read and unlike many running books Scott doesn’t bang on about how wonderful he is, his times and PB’s etc. There are so many running books that come across as being written purely for bragging rights – although a marathon runner myself I don’t want to read about an individual’s PB in this race or that race. Scott really conveys how difficult ’ultras’ can be and is modest in his writing, none of it is easy and you get the sense of how much effort, resilience and mental strength is required to complete these races (any distance runner will tell you it really is mind over matter). The end of chapter recipes are interesting and have also provided some inspiration (as a vegetarian trying to cut out diary). I’m currently reading ‘North’ which is an equally good read about his running the 2000+ mile Appalachian Trail documenting not just his struggles with the terrain, weather etc. but his mental health and motivational struggles. Have found both books to be very inspirational.

I first heard about Scott Jurek by reading Chris McDougall's now-famous book, Born To Run, a decade ago during the years when I was a runner myself, abeit a much slower one whose personal best distance was a half marathon. After knackering my calf muscles, I drifted away from anything to do with running so was surprised to see Jurek's name reappearing recently in connection with veganism. If I had known about his plantbased diet back then, I hadn't remembered, but I did recall how inspirational he had been in getting me moving so I wondered if Eat And Run would be a similar motivator for my vegan journey. Not that I really need motivation there. I'm yet to experience a single day when I regret becoming vegan!Eat and Run tells Jurek's life story from childhood until 2010 with each chapter focused towards a particular ultramarathon that he ran in. I liked this structure which is mostly chronological, but with asides where necessary. The book is very readable in style and tone and I devoured it in just two days. Jurek includes his own vegan recipes at the end of each chapter and I appreciated how he takes time to explain his plantbased food discoveries alongside his running achievements (and disasters). I haven't yet tried any of the recipes, but have listed ingredients for a selection of the simpler ones ready for my next shop. The recipes do understandably have a strong American bias, ingredients-wise, but I can substitute European-grown foods in several cases.I finished Eat And Run feeling wonderfully energised and promptly took myself off for a good walk around the local fields for an hour. I don't think the book will tempt me to risk running again any time soon, but I am glad that Jurek's enthusiasm for exercise and movement came through to me so effectively. I've been too sedentary, and gradually getting even more so, through lockdown. Hopefully Eat And Run's motivational vibes can help me turn that around.

A really interesting book and insight. Would recommend for anyone getting more serious about their running

I read this book twice in less than a week! He is humble and funny and his story is so human and so heartfelt as well as being so brilliantly researched that I found it impossible to put down. His achievements are so incredible but once you read this book you learn how hard he has worked to get where he has. The story of his childhood and his mother's disability really comes through alongside all his amazing running feats and I found his humility utterly engaging. His passion and reason's for a plant based diet are convincing and I think this book shows that none of us really need to eat meat etc for athletic performance or good health. All in all a cracking read and his recipes are delicious and healthy! I have made a lot of them:) I love running and am interested in people who achieve great physical feats and who are also conscious of the spiritual and philosophical side of sports as he clearly is, that plus his veganism and awareness and his lovely easy writing style coupled to make this book a winner for me!

I found this book 'unputdownable' from the fist page. Okay, so I am a little biased as I am a keen mountain runner (albeit only in the past year) and a passionate vegetarian (practically vegan). I don't think you have to be either to enjoy this book though as it is a a genuine true account of an ultra athlete and how he moved from the ordinary in life to the extraordinary as a record holder in some of the toughest off the grid ultra marathon events in the world. These people do not race for money or personal gain (from the book he was clearly in debt for most of his running career) but simply just to RUN (mostly in remote mountains & trails) to feel that freedom and test the boundaries of the human mind body & spirit. its actually hard to fathom what level of training and toughness you have to endure to even get through one of these races never mind win them and then to go on a retain title after title.I have read alot of running books in the last year and while some get bogged down in technical speak and statistics this book is a great story with technique & nutrition tips given as clear and concise antidotes at the end of each chapter. Its a genuine page turner.Scott Jurek is also featured in 'Born to run' which to me is a good story but written in an irritating 'american crime novel' style.A very good book on good running technique 'Chi Running' by Danny Dreyer which Scott Jurek also espouses (although doesn't mention it by name)If you read 'Eat & Run'... you wont be disappointed.