Sign-In
Cart
Ultra-Something
Paperback
Biographies GeneralSports GeneralRunning & Jogging
Publisher Price: $16.99
Publisher: Semi-Rad Media
Published: May 23 2024
Pages: 306
Weight: 0.99
Height: 0.69 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
In this quirky, illustrated deep dive, Outside magazine columnist Brendan Leonard explores the humans' weird proclivity for endurance, and how we express it-including, but not limited to distance running, factory work, benign masochism, improv comedy, and rooting for the Buffalo Bills.
Easily the most compelling, most inspiring, most raw book on running I have ever read. Brendan brings a rare quality into his work-humility. And those of us who run are constantly humbled by this sport. While running gives us big dreams, it also shows us the naked likelihood of never achieving them. Brendan reminds us that having lofty goals is fun and necessary, but that the real victory is simply lacing up the shoes and getting out the door.
-Sanjay Rawal, director, 3100 Run and Become
Winning despite the fact that he's (never) winning, Brendan Leonard is refreshingly irreverent, emotionally honest, searingly wise, and, always, highly motivated by pizza. This book may not turn you into a nature-loving ultra runner, but it will certainly help you understand how doing very hard things can make us better humans.
-Florence Williams, author of The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative
In Ultra-Something, Brendan Leonard offers us a gift, a deeply personal kaleidoscopic view into how humans create meaning and connection in the most arbitrary ways, not only through hero's journey revelation but in the prosaic edge zones of our own manufactured discomfort. Traversing pop culture, scientific studies, and memoir, Leonard leads us through an entertaining-often surprising-Rat Park of stories about how humans engineer self-worth out of thin air.
-Nicholas Triolo, Editor, Trail Runner/Outside Run
Brendan Leonard understands the value in the tedious and the everyday. All of those little, un-sexy, sometimes annoying tasks and obligations that, in aggregate, compose an attentive life. And if we're not paying attention-to how we treat others, to how we treat ourselves-what's even the point?
-Anton Krupicka, 2-time winner, Leadville Trail 100
Writing about running can feel a lot like trying to describe a dream. What feels urgent and personal to one can feel (at best) cliche or abstract to others. Ultra-Something manages to distill the weird and wiggly parts of ultrarunning into a genuinely fun and relatable read.
-Zoë Rom, Editor-in-Chief, Trail Runner/Outside Run
In Ultra-Something, Brendan Leonard offers a poignant, insightful, at times hilarious examination of his unlikely journey in ultra-endurance sports. Whether you're a Hardrock 100 finisher or just signed up for your first 50K, you'll glean valuable wisdom and inspiration from Leonard's deep dive into the 'why' of ultrarunning.
-Ed Roberson, Creator and Host, Mountain & Prairie
Also from
Leonard, Brendan
I Hate Running and You Can Too: How to Get Started, Keep Going, and Make Sense of an Irrational Passion
Leonard, Brendan
Paperback
Hike the Parks: Rocky Mountain National Park: Best Day Hikes, Walks, and Sights (Hike the Parks Series)
Leonard, Brendan
Paperback
Surviving the Great Outdoors: Everything You Need to Know Before Heading Into the Wild (and How to Get Back in One Piece)
Leonard, Brendan
Hardcover
Bears Don't Care about Your Problems: More Funny Shit in the Woods from Semi-Rad.com
Leonard, Brendan
Paperback
The Camping Life: Inspiration and Ideas for Endless Adventures
Woodward, Forest
Leonard, Brendan
Hardcover
So Far, So Good: 40 Dads Talk about Becoming Parents and How They Figured It Out
Leonard, Brendan
Hardcover
Also in
Running & Jogging
This Is about Running. This Is Not about Running.: Lessons for Between and Beyond the Start and Finish Line
Bennett, Chris
Hardcover
The Long Run: Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter, Joan Benoit, Grete Waitz, and the Decade That Made the Marathon Cool
Dugard, Martin
Hardcover
Training for the Uphill Athlete: A Manual for Mountain Runners and Ski Mountaineers
Jornet, Kilian
House, Steve
Johnston, Scott
Paperback
The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter's Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete
Butler, Charles
Long, Matt
Paperback
Running with Sherman: How a Rescue Donkey Inspired a Rag-Tag Gang of Runners to Enter the Craziest Race in America
McDougall, Christopher
Paperback
The 27th Mile: How to Smooth the Rough Transition Out of Your Running Years
McDowell, Dimity
Paperback
The Science of Running: How to find your limit and train to maximize your performance
Magness, Steve
Paperback
Marathon 101: Lessons and Strategies from a Professional Pacer on How to Run Your Personal Best
Masterson, Dave
Paperback
Run Fast. Eat Slow.: Nourishing Recipes for Athletes: A Cookbook
Kopecky, Elyse
Flanagan, Shalane
Hardcover
Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow.: Quick-Fix Recipes for Hangry Athletes: A Cookbook
Kopecky, Elyse
Flanagan, Shalane
Hardcover
Running Rewired: Reinvent Your Run for Stability, Strength, and Speed, 2nd Edition
Dicharry, Jay
Paperback
Rise and Run: Recipes, Rituals and Runs to Fuel Your Day: A Cookbook
Kopecky, Elyse
Flanagan, Shalane
Hardcover
Running with the Kenyans: Discovering the Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth
Finn, Adharanand
Paperback
80/20 Triathlon: Discover the Breakthrough Elite-Training Formula for Ultimate Fitness and Performance at All Levels
Fitzgerald, Matt
Warden, David
Paperback
Given To Fly: An Improbable Story of Triumph, Tragedy and Realization at the Western States 100
Morrison, Brian T.
Paperback
Science of Running: Analyze Your Technique, Prevent Injury, Revolutionize Your Training
Napier, Chris
Paperback
Marathon, Revised and Updated 5th Edition: The Ultimate Training Guide: Advice, Plans, and Programs for Half and Full Marathons
Higdon, Hal
Paperback
The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike's Elite Running Team
Goucher, Kara
Paperback
Spartan Up!: A Take-No-Prisoners Guide to Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Peak Performance in Life
De Sena, Joe
Jeff, O'Connell
Paperback
Lonely Planet Epic Runs of North America: 200 Thrilling Routes & Trails Expert Travel Tips & Maps Easy & Challenging Adventures Running Stories from A
Burtka, Allison
Case, Stephanie
Planet, Lonely
Hardcover
The Runner's Guide to Menopause: Your Essential Toolkit for Strong, Happy and Healthy Training
McGrattan, Juliet
Paperback
Pilates for Runners: The Ultimate Guide to Building Strength, Mobility & Endurance for Better Performance
Vigue, Sean
Paperback
Fit & Healthy Menopause: A Brain-Body Approach to Running and Training from Perimenopause to Superaging
Pinto, Kristina
Paperback
Running Injury Free, Second Edition: Prevent and Treat the Most Common Running Injuries
David, Hannaford
Galloway, Jeff
Paperback
Boston Marathon Handbook: An Insider's Guide to Training for and Succeeding in the Ultimate Road Race
Pollina, Marc W.
Paperback
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
McDougall, Christopher
Hardcover
Bowerman and the Men of Oregon: The Story of Oregon's Legendary Coach and Nike's Cofounder
Moore, Kenny
Paperback
Chasing the Grid: An Ultrarunner's Physical and Spiritual Journey in Pursuit of the Ultimate Mountain Challenge
Posner, Kenneth
Paperback
The Perfect Mile: Three Athletes, One Goal, and Less Than Four Minutes to Achieve It
Bascomb, Neal
Paperback
Tales From Out There: The Barkley Marathons, The World's Toughest Trail Race
Furtaw, Frozen Ed
Paperback
Practical Fueling for Endurance Athletes: Your Nutrition Guide for Optimal Performance
Van Horn, Kylee
Paperback
Boston Marathon or Bust: A Proven Step-By-Step Program That Helps You Achieve Your Life, Sports, and Business Goals in Record Time.
Armstrong, Scott S.
Paperback
To the Gorge: Running, Grief, and Resilience & 460 Miles on the Pacific Crest Trail
Halnon, Emily
Hardcover
I Hate Running and You Can Too: How to Get Started, Keep Going, and Make Sense of an Irrational Passion
Leonard, Brendan
Paperback
Seven Marathons. Seven Continents. One Week.: The Remarkable Race of Endurance, Grit & Self-Discovery
Gans, Ellen Hunter
Paperback
The 365-Day Running Journal: Log Workouts, Improve Your Runs, Stay Motivated
Sumbal, Marni, MS Rd Cssd
Paperback
Galloway's Half Marathon Training: Use the Run Walk Run Method to Finish Every Race Strong
Galloway, Jeff
Paperback
Running to the Edge: A Band of Misfits and the Guru Who Unlocked the Secrets of Speed
Futterman, Matthew
Paperback
Run Faster from the 5K to the Marathon: How to Be Your Own Best Coach
Hudson, Brad
Fitzgerald, Matt
Paperback
The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports (Large Print Edition)
Thompson, Nicholas
Hardcover
Build Your Running Body: A Total-Body Fitness Plan for All Distance Runners, from Milers to Ultramarathoners - Run Farther, Faster, and Injury-
Schwartz, Thomas
Magill, Pete
Breyer, Melissa
Paperback
Nunca Pares: Autobiografía del Fundador de Nike / Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike
Knight, Phil
Paperback
26 Marathons: What I Learned about Faith, Identity, Running, and Life from My Marathon Career
Keflezighi, Meb
Douglas, Scott
Paperback
Runner's World Run Less Run Faster: Become a Faster, Stronger Runner with the Revolutionary 3-Runs-A-Week Training Program
Pierce, Bill
Murr, Scott
Paperback
Chirunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running
Dreyer, Danny
Dreyer, Katherine
Paperback
Running on Veggies: Plant-Powered Recipes for Fueling and Feeling Your Best
Bildirici, Lottie
Hardcover
The Minimalist Hybrid Athlete: A Science-Based Guide to Strength, Endurance, and Everything Between
Gómez, Andrés
Paperback
Slow Jogging: Lose Weight, Stay Healthy, and Have Fun with Science-Based, Natural Running
Tanaka, Hiroaki
Jackowska, Magdalena
Paperback
Believe Training Journal (10th Anniversary Edition)
McGettigan-Dumas, Róisín
Fleshman, Lauren
Paperback
Running with Sherman: The Donkey with the Heart of a Hero (Large Print Edition)
McDougall, Christopher
Paperback
Runner's World How to Make Yourself Poop: And 999 Other Tips All Runners Should Know
Editors of Runner's World Maga
Kita, Meghan
Paperback
Chasing Mastery: 25 Lessons to Cultivate Your Full Potential in Endurance Sports
Fitzgerald, Matt
Paperback
Before Boston: More Than a Marathon: A Story of Rediscovering What Truly Matters
Webb, Erin
Paperback
Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women's Sports (Revised)
Switzer, Kathrine
Paperback
For the Glory: The Untold and Inspiring Story of Eric Liddell, Hero of Chariots of Fire
Hamilton, Duncan
Paperback
Run to the Finish: The Everyday Runner's Guide to Avoiding Injury, Ignoring the Clock, and Loving the Run
Brooks, Amanda
Paperback
HYROX Playbook: A Proven Roadmap To Finish HYROX Faster And Build Lifelong Fitness
Brown, Mark
Paperback
Trails and Tribulations: The Running Adventures of Susie Chan as Seen on BBC Between the Covers
Chan, Susie
Paperback
Faster Masters: How Endurance Athletes Get Better with Age--And How You Can Too, No Matter Your Starting Point
Fitzgerald, Matt
Hardcover
Meal Prep Cookbook for Runners: Healthy Meals to Prepare, Grab, and Go
Toutant, Rebecca, Rd Ldn Cde
Paperback
Run Like a Pro (Even If You're Slow): Elite Tools and Tips for Runners at Every Level
Rosario, Ben
Fitzgerald, Matt
Paperback
Jeff Galloway: Your Personal Running Journal: Logging Your Progress, Keeping Your Motivation
Galloway, Jeff
Paperback
Whose Game Is It, Anyway?: A Guide to Helping Your Child Get the Most from Sports, Organized by Age and Stage
Baltzell, Amy
Ginsburg, Richard D.
Durant, Stephen
Paperback
The Lost Art of Running: A Journey to Rediscover the Forgotten Essence of Human Movement
Benzie, Shane
Major, Tim
Paperback
Runner's World Guide to Adventure Racing: How to Become a Successful Racer and Adventure Athlete
Di Zinno, Tony
Adamson, Ian
Paperback
All You Need Is Rhythm & Grit: How to Run Now--For Health, Joy, and a Body That Loves You Back
Wharton-Malcolm, Cory
Hardcover
Not A Runner: A true story of tragedy, determination and paying it forward
Willick, Reginald J.
Paperback
Ultimate Guide to Trail Running: Everything You Need to Know about Equipment, Finding Trails, Nutrition, Hill Strategy, Racing, Avoiding Injury, Train
Chase, Adam W.
Hobbs, Nancy
Paperback
Juggernauts: The Making of a Runner & a Team in the First American Running Boom
Adkisson, Steve
Paperback
Running Up the Mountain: Northern Arizona Altitude, Lumberjack Attitude, and the Building of a Distance Dynasty
Baxter, Matt
Mann, Ron
Hardcover
Running the World, A Runner's Odyssey of Struggle and Triumph in the World Marathon Majors
Godfrey
Paperback
The Ultimate Treadmill Workout: Run Right, Hurt Less, and Burn More with Treadmill Interval Training
Siik, David
Paperback
Hansons Marathon Method, 2nd Edition: Run Your Fastest Marathon the Hansons Way
Humphrey, Luke
Paperback