Running more than 3,000 miles, crossing 12 states.- Logging an average of more than 400 miles a week.
- Completing the equivalent of 117 marathons in 52.5 days.
- All at the age of 57.
The whole story is in my new book, which is finally here: Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner’s Story of Love, Loss, and a Record-Setting Run Across America, now available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and local independent bookstores.
Heather and I have now seen the final product, and we’re thrilled to share it with you. In addition to the text, 23 photos help tell the tale of my 2008 run across the United States.
The message of the book and the metaphor of the run are universal, whether you’re an athlete or not. It’s about facing forward and taking the next step … not flinching when the road gets rough or you miss a turn … finding another way when the bridge you planned to cross has collapsed … doing what you say you’ll do and not letting anything or anyone stop your progress.
Ultimately, it’s about facing the toughest challenges, enduring crushing setbacks, and finding fulfillment in something greater than achievement.
Now, the book’s really here, so we’re ready to run with it!
I’m not one to ask for a lot of favors, but I need your help now: If this book sounds interesting to you, please take a moment to order it today, because pre-orders are critically important in the publishing world. We’ve included some great giveaways, too (keep reading). The book is on sale now and expected to ship on April 14.
Here’s a description from the book’s dust jacket:
A fascinating glimpse inside the mind of an “Endurance King” and the inspirational saga of his run across America.
… Marshall Ulrich is the ultimate extreme athlete. He has run more than one hundred foot races averaging more than 125 miles each, completed twelve expedition-length adventure races, and ascended the Seven Summits (including Mount Everest) all on his first attempt. But his transcontinental run—the equivalent of running two marathons and a 10K every day for nearly two months straight—proved to be his most challenging effort yet. He has said that an average day of running across the United States was the equivalent of his toughest day on Everest.
The dramatic race from San Francisco to New York resulted in Ulrich clocking the third-fastest trans-American crossing to date and set new records in multiple divisions.
In “Running on Empty,” he shares the gritty backstory, including brushes with death, run-ins with the police, and the excruciating punishments he endured at the mercy of his maxed-out body. Ulrich also reaches back nearly thirty years to when the death of the woman he loved drove him to begin running—and his dawning realization that he felt truly alive only when pushed to the limits. …
Here’s why you should pre-order now:
- You can get one of the first copies of the book, shipped the first day it’s available.
- Buy 2 or more, and the shipping is free from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million. The book may also be available for pre-order from your local independent bookstore.
- If you’re one of the first 20 people to pre-order 3 copies of the book by midnight March 1 [this offer has expired], you’ll get the DVD of the documentary that was filmed during the transcon, Running America (retail value $29.95). Mail us your receipt: here are the instructions so we can send you your free DVD.
- If you’re among the first 20 to pre-0rder 5 or more copies of the book by midnight March 1 [this offer has expired], you’ll be invited to come celebrate with Heather and me, our friends and family, and the people who helped make Running on Empty happen. You’ll be our guest (pay no admission) to our book launch party/movie screening on April 14 at the Denver Athletic Club, with delicious food and drinks, plus we’re planning lots of great door prizes. Purchase 5 or more copies from any of the retailers, and then follow the directions here. (NOTE: Amazon.com has a three-book maximum for pre-orders, so if you want to buy all five from one place online, you’re better off going to BN.com.)
- The two people who buy the most copies* before the deadline on March 1 [this offer has expired] will not only be invited to the party, but we’ll comp your airfare, put you up at a luxury hotel while you’re with us, and provide limo service for you to and from the party. And we’ll treat you like royalty at the event. Get details on how to enter here.
- Last but not least, your help with this will mean the world to me. Pre-orders will largely determine how much support retailers give this book. In other words, your purchase now could mean the difference between a stack of my books getting prominent placement in stores or a few copies shoved onto the shelf.
* Please don’t buy more than you can afford. Not even this party’s worth jeopardizing your financial health.
For my friends in the media—reporters, show hosts, bloggers, and list owners—I’ve made only a few media commitments so far. Do you have a column, show, mailing list, or blog audience? Would you like to do a feature, an interview, or post an excerpt? Please contact my publicist, Lindsay Gordon, to let us know. There’s a ton of material, including photos and stories that didn’t appear in the book.
To everyone who’s been following my progress . . .
Thank you! I’m looking forward to what the rest of 2011 brings and wishing you all the best.
marsh
Done! Can’t wait for the book to arrive.
Bill, keep running and protecting us all from harm. Thank YOU for what you do!
Ordered two this morning…looking forward to reading what I know is going to be a motivational adventure.
That and more! I know you will enjoy it!
Please release this book for Kindle. I live far, far away from America and cannot have a hard copy shipped here. I hope to be able to read your book soon. Congratulations.
Yes, the book will be available for Kindle and other e-readers. I think that happens on April 14, when the hard copies will be in stores. Thanks for your interest, Brett!
Marshall,
From the day I heard your story in 2009 I have awaited this book. Congratulations on a job well done.
And your poem in the back is incredible. It takes a village doesn’t it?
Looking forward to reading this wonderful adventure book! Thanks for letting us know about the “pre-orders”. I’ve posted to my facebook page – hope all my friends will order it as well!
-Randi
Randy, something is arriving in the mail for you, enjoy.
Hopefully the delivery truck won’t…
This is an amazing tale in itself. Can wait to read the full details.
Great job Heather and Marshall!
Thanks Fernand, love to you and Laurie.
Looking forward to getting the book. I know it will be a great success!!! Love to the both of you.
And to you too, thanks for all the support from my stopping grounds.
Really looking forward to reading this book.
David Orman´s last blog post ..Guest Bloggers
David, you will certainly love this book, it’s unlike any other book out there. I like to say, “oh, and it includes a run across the U.S. too”, there is so much more to life and lots of lessons to learn. cheers, marsh
I ordered mine from Amazon last November. Don’t forget, by pre-ordering, you get the lowest available price when the book is released!
Thanks Ray for the comment. I’m looking at your book “Chasing The Runner’s High”, great read, thanks for all your support! marsh
Thanks Marshall, I just ordered three copies, so look forward to reading & sharing this book with others.
I will be out in the San Juan Mountains in May for my B-Day, maybe I can figure out how to see you guys while I am out there.
Always fun for this FL Flatlander to enjoy that “thin” air 🙂 I mean Fresh Air!
I will share this link and a kind request to others to place their pre-orders!
Best to you and Heather,
Bob
Bob, you are always welcome and thanks for ordering the book. I think you will like it. I’ll be in Florida doing a screening of Running America before Bob Beckers Keys 100 Race. Check my blog for more details later after we have it all firmed up. Hey, you are the funniest guy with such a huge heart. Thanks for all your support.
Ordered 5 copies. Can’t wait to read the details. Thanks for writing this!
Ah, thank you my dear friends and thanks for coming out during the run and helping lift my spirits in Ohio!
Thank you to everyone who helped make the first day of this campaign such a success! By 5 p.m. MST, the book had climbed to #3 on Amazon’s “Movers & Shakers,” broken into the top 10 in Individual Sports, and was holding steady at #3 in “Running & Jogging.” (We just couldn’t pick off *Born to Run*, but I can’t think of a better guy to come in ahead of me than Chris!) It remains #1 for “Hot New Releases in Running & Jogging.”
It’s a great start, and now we hope to settle into a good pace as we continue … this is definitely going to be an ultramarathon and not a sprint.
Done! Can’t wait to read it & review it on my blog, The Runner’s Trip: Run Long, Travel Far, Discover More. Congrats on the publication.
Sarah Lavender Smith´s last blog post ..Running In Portugal- One Runner’s Quest to Reach the Westernmost Edge of Europe
Sarah, I’d love to have you post a review after you have recieved and read the book! Funny, you last post; Running in Portugal, Brazil has bought the rights to the book and it will be printed in Portuegese too! marsh
Hi Marshall,
It has been along time since we have visited, but I have kept up with your
many awesome adventures. I have ordered books for us and all the girls. Please put me on your email list and keep me posted.
Ann Marron
Ann, more than anyone else From Fort Morgan, you have been on my mind. I miss the coffee’s and lunches we used to do in Ft. Morgan. I have to tell you that you helped me through some rough spots in my life. Vicky and Earl also ordered books and I’ve talked with John LaPorte about doing a screening of Running America and will include some sort of book signing afterward in Ft. Morgan. I miss you and Bruce. If you go through Idaho Springs, give me a call and we can get together, or you are always welcome to come and stay at our house. Love you guys. marsh
Ordered my three copies, I cant wait to read it. How do I get them signed Marshall? They will make great gifts for a couple of people who I know will be so inspired and so motivated by you. Thank you for all yo have done and continue to do by showing people, they can!!
Best way to get an autographed copy is to come out to an event when I’m in or near your hometown. (We’re posting events here on the blog, and you can also sign up for my email list to get the inside scoop. There’s a link on the About page.) If you live out in the middle of nowhere and don’t own a car or can’t leave your home for some reason, you can send to my P.O. box with a self-addressed return envelope:
Marshall Ulrich
P.O. Box 488
Idaho Springs, CO 80452
In your case, Jeffrey, you know I will be in D.V. in July, and I can sign it then. Good to hear from you old friend!
I’m so happy you got this book published i can’t wait to read it!!! I already know this is going to be an amazing book and probably one of my favorites 🙂 Congrates Marshall!!
Ordering 5 for friends as gifts. Everyone needs some inspiration and you’re the guy who can deliver that Marshall!
All the best!
Scott Brown
Lunenburg NS Canada
Hi Marshall! Just ordered the book. Saw the movie on Thursday in SF–what a story..more like several stories! Just a super-fantastic tour de force of athleticism, perserverance, and love. I laughed, I cried, I loved it! Wish you could have been here in rainy San Francisco on the night of the show–Would love to shake your hand one day! Thank you. Just, thank you!
Congratulations Marshall, can’t wait to get my copy.
Dear Marshall:
Congratulations! I hope you come to Albuquerque with your book.
We enjoyed hiking in Moab with Heather and the dogs…has Razz grown up??? We look forward to reading of your adventure…our local bookstore, Bookworm in Edwards, has 10 pre-ordered and our name is on one of them! We know it will be fascinating reading! Thanks for letting us know it was being published…..
Hi Marshall, I sent Lindsay an email offering to feature the book on my blog. Good luck!
Paula Kiger´s last blog post ..Brian Tracy- Yoda- and 3
I very much look forward to reading your book. It sounds fascinating. When can I buy a copy in Scotland?