Book: A Hundred Reasons to Run 100km

A book on ultrarunning (RELEASED: MARCH 9, 2011)

As a writer, I draw a lot of my inspiration from running. My foray into ultrarunning has inspired ideas for a few books including A Hundred Reasons to Run 100km

A Hundred Reasons to Run 100km reflects a personal journey that will strike a chord with anyone intrigued by the prospect of trying an ultramarathon. The idea for this book was born 10 days before author Margreet Dietz did a 100km race. While finalizing her physical preparations, she also wanted to ready herself mentally as best as possible. An experienced 3:07 marathoner and five-time Ironman finisher, she knew endurance athletes ponder the question, Why?, during the most challenging moments in an event. It's good to have an answer. In this book on ultrarunning, you'll find plenty of inspiration, practical tips, and the key reason to run 100km-because you can.

UltraRunning magazine editor Tia Bodington: "There's something special about 100km. It's not 'only 50' miles, which is eminently do-able if you're the least bit trained. It's not the epic 100-mile distance, which carries you through the night and into the next day. Sixty-two miles pushes you over the edge into the realm of philosophy; you have to dig deep to get it done, but you're still showered and in bed by midnight, to lie there and contemplate what amazing thing you've just accomplished."

Marathon & Beyond magazine editor Richard Benyo: "It is the common ultra-distance to virtually every country that competes in ultras. Of course, in most of the world ultras are contested on the road, and the 100km is a perfect distance, a perfectly rounded number for countries, most of 'em, that use the metric system."

Professional endurance athlete, coach and 2008 Badwater Ultramarathon finisher Jen Segger: "Choose to race your first 100km in an area that you have always wanted to see and experience. I select races based on location. Prepare properly and you will enjoy the experience that much more. Dedicate yourself to the journey because, honestly, it's about the whole process-not just the race itself!"

International Association of Ultrarunners' director of communications Nadeem Khan: "The sport that grew from humble beginnings as a distant cousin of the marathon has quickly become a more graduated move for athletes moving up from the 42.2km distance. The combination of varied terrains, distances and challenges has made ultramarathons one of the most attractive disciplines of athletics."

A Hundred Reasons to Run 100km is available in 132-page paperback and as ebook through Amazon and the iBookstore. More info, check here or here

The book's cover photo was taken by my H2H crew Tim Moore at about 82km into the 2010 Haney to Harrison!