I picked this up from one of my students and started flipping through it for fun, but then I couldn’t put it down, so I asked to take it home, and I finished it in an evening.  It’s a quick read, and I quickly felt overwhelming guilt for all the times I whined during a 3 or 4 mile run.  This guy completes ultra marathons like the Western States 100 which stretches up and down mountains and a 135 mile run through Death Valley where temperatures run so high he has to run on the painted white line of the highway to keep his shoes from melting.  This is way over the top stuff.  But in addition to describing several of the most grueling physical challenges he’s faced, he also gives the history of his running career (cross country star by 8th grade) and his running hiatus (didn’t run from age 15 to 30).  He’s a quirky, super motivated, challenge-seeking individual.  He seemed ready to take on anything, and right now, that’s inspiring to me.  I”m not sure I’ll get beyond my usual 3 or 4 miles, but I think I”m willing to push a little harder since finishing this book.  (memoir)