-
Out of Thin Air
- Running Wisdom and Magic from Above the Clouds in Ethiopia
- Narrated by: Raj Ghatak
- Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $15.27
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's summary
Bloomsbury presents Out of Thin Air by Michael Crawley, read by Raj Ghatak.
‘Full of wonderful insights and lessons from a world where the ability to run is viewed as something almost mysterious and magical.’ – Adharanand Finn, author of Running with the Kenyans
What we can learn from Ethiopian running culture – written by an anthropologist and 2:20 marathon runner who trained with the Ethiopians.
‘Ethiopia is a place where I have been told that energy is controlled by angels and demons and where witchdoctors can help you to acquire another runner’s power. It is a place where an anonymous runner in the forest told me, miming an imaginary scoreboard and with a completely straight face, that he had dreamt that he would run 10km in 25 minutes. It is a place where they tell me that the air at Mount Entoto will transform me into a 2.08 marathon runner. It is a place, in short, of wisdom and magic, where dreaming is still very much alive.’
Why does it make sense to Ethiopian runners to get up at 3am to run up and down a hill? Who would choose to train on almost impossibly steep and rocky terrain, in hyena territory? And how come Ethiopian men hold six of the top ten fastest marathon times ever?
Michael Crawley spent fifteen months in Ethiopia training alongside (and sometimes a fair way behind) runners at all levels of the sport, from night watchmen hoping to change their lives to world class marathon runners, in order to answer these questions.
Follow him into the forest as he attempts to keep up and get to the heart of their success.
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The Way of the Runner
- A Journey into the Fabled World of Japanese Running
- By: Adharanand Finn
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It may come as a surprise to many people, but Japan is the most running-obsessed country on Earth. A 135-mile relay race, or ekiden, is the country's biggest annual sporting event. Thousands of professional runners compete for corporate teams in some of the most competitive races in the world. The legendary "marathon monks" run a thousand marathons in a thousand days to reach spiritual enlightenment. Yet so much of Japan's running culture remains a mystery to the outside world, on par with many of the unique aspects of contemporary Japan.
-
-
Learning the way of the Runner
- By techieguy on 11-10-16
By: Adharanand Finn
-
The Lost Art of Running
- A Journey to Rediscover the Forgotten Essence of Human Movement
- By: Shane Benzie, Tim Major
- Narrated by: Clifford Samuel
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Part narrative, part practical, this adventure takes you to the foothills of Ethiopia and the ‘town of runners’; to the training grounds of world-record-holding marathon runners in Kenya; racing across the Arctic Circle and the mountains of Europe, through the sweltering sands of the Sahara and the hostility of a winter traverse of the Pennine Way, to witness the incredible natural movement of runners in these environments.
-
-
Fantastic
- By Catherine Kenny on 08-24-20
By: Shane Benzie, and others
-
Choosing to Run
- A Memoir
- By: Des Linden, Bonnie D. Ford - contributor
- Narrated by: Des Linden
- Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Des woke up on April 16, 2018, the morning of the Boston Marathon, it was 39 degrees and raining, with high, gusty winds. The weather didn’t bother her. In fact, she thought it might be a blessing. She was far from peak form—recovering from illness and questioning her running future—and didn’t expect much of herself that day. But as she ticked off mile after mile in the brutal conditions, passing familiar landmarks on the course she knew and loved, something shifted. Opportunity unexpectedly presented itself. Des tapped into her inner strength and found a reason to race.
-
-
Not great
- By Anonymous User on 04-26-23
By: Des Linden, and others
-
Endure
- Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance
- By: Alexander Hutchinson, Malcolm Gladwell - foreword
- Narrated by: Robert G. Slade
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Writing from both the cutting edge of scientific discovery and the front-lines of elite athletic performance, National Magazine Award-winning science journalist Alex Hutchinson presents a revolutionary account of the dynamic and controversial new science of endurance.
-
-
Loved the content; narration frustrated me
- By Riverside Fan on 03-01-18
By: Alexander Hutchinson, and others
-
Running with the Kenyans
- Passion, Adventure, and the Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth
- By: Adharanand Finn
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Whether running is your recreation, your religion, or just a spectator sport, Adharanand Finn’s incredible journey to the elite training camps of Kenya will captivate and inspire you. Part travelogue, part memoir, this mesmerizing quest to uncover the secrets of the world’s greatest runners - and put them to the test - combines practical advice, a fresh look at barefoot running, and hard-won spiritual insights.
-
-
His Curiosity is Contagious
- By Sharlene on 01-28-13
By: Adharanand Finn
-
In the Spell of the Barkley
- Unravelling the Mystery of the World's Toughest Ultramarathon
- By: Michiel Panhuysen
- Narrated by: Rupert Holliday-Evans
- Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Welcome to the Barkley Marathons, a fever dream of an ultra event, inspired by a prison break, heralded by a conch blast, paid for in cigarettes and socks, and completed only by a select few. A race in which competitors haul themselves up mountains, through extreme weather conditions, beyond pain and exhaustion, mile after mile. Completed 60 miles? That’s just the fun run. In the Spell of the Barkley is a story of sporting obsession, exploring what drives individuals to challenge themselves at the limits of what is possible – and what it takes to succeed.
-
-
3/5 - a fun run but not a finish.
- By C. Oestreich on 12-19-23
-
The Way of the Runner
- A Journey into the Fabled World of Japanese Running
- By: Adharanand Finn
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It may come as a surprise to many people, but Japan is the most running-obsessed country on Earth. A 135-mile relay race, or ekiden, is the country's biggest annual sporting event. Thousands of professional runners compete for corporate teams in some of the most competitive races in the world. The legendary "marathon monks" run a thousand marathons in a thousand days to reach spiritual enlightenment. Yet so much of Japan's running culture remains a mystery to the outside world, on par with many of the unique aspects of contemporary Japan.
-
-
Learning the way of the Runner
- By techieguy on 11-10-16
By: Adharanand Finn
-
The Lost Art of Running
- A Journey to Rediscover the Forgotten Essence of Human Movement
- By: Shane Benzie, Tim Major
- Narrated by: Clifford Samuel
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Part narrative, part practical, this adventure takes you to the foothills of Ethiopia and the ‘town of runners’; to the training grounds of world-record-holding marathon runners in Kenya; racing across the Arctic Circle and the mountains of Europe, through the sweltering sands of the Sahara and the hostility of a winter traverse of the Pennine Way, to witness the incredible natural movement of runners in these environments.
-
-
Fantastic
- By Catherine Kenny on 08-24-20
By: Shane Benzie, and others
-
Choosing to Run
- A Memoir
- By: Des Linden, Bonnie D. Ford - contributor
- Narrated by: Des Linden
- Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Des woke up on April 16, 2018, the morning of the Boston Marathon, it was 39 degrees and raining, with high, gusty winds. The weather didn’t bother her. In fact, she thought it might be a blessing. She was far from peak form—recovering from illness and questioning her running future—and didn’t expect much of herself that day. But as she ticked off mile after mile in the brutal conditions, passing familiar landmarks on the course she knew and loved, something shifted. Opportunity unexpectedly presented itself. Des tapped into her inner strength and found a reason to race.
-
-
Not great
- By Anonymous User on 04-26-23
By: Des Linden, and others
-
Endure
- Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance
- By: Alexander Hutchinson, Malcolm Gladwell - foreword
- Narrated by: Robert G. Slade
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Writing from both the cutting edge of scientific discovery and the front-lines of elite athletic performance, National Magazine Award-winning science journalist Alex Hutchinson presents a revolutionary account of the dynamic and controversial new science of endurance.
-
-
Loved the content; narration frustrated me
- By Riverside Fan on 03-01-18
By: Alexander Hutchinson, and others
-
Running with the Kenyans
- Passion, Adventure, and the Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth
- By: Adharanand Finn
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Whether running is your recreation, your religion, or just a spectator sport, Adharanand Finn’s incredible journey to the elite training camps of Kenya will captivate and inspire you. Part travelogue, part memoir, this mesmerizing quest to uncover the secrets of the world’s greatest runners - and put them to the test - combines practical advice, a fresh look at barefoot running, and hard-won spiritual insights.
-
-
His Curiosity is Contagious
- By Sharlene on 01-28-13
By: Adharanand Finn
-
In the Spell of the Barkley
- Unravelling the Mystery of the World's Toughest Ultramarathon
- By: Michiel Panhuysen
- Narrated by: Rupert Holliday-Evans
- Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Welcome to the Barkley Marathons, a fever dream of an ultra event, inspired by a prison break, heralded by a conch blast, paid for in cigarettes and socks, and completed only by a select few. A race in which competitors haul themselves up mountains, through extreme weather conditions, beyond pain and exhaustion, mile after mile. Completed 60 miles? That’s just the fun run. In the Spell of the Barkley is a story of sporting obsession, exploring what drives individuals to challenge themselves at the limits of what is possible – and what it takes to succeed.
-
-
3/5 - a fun run but not a finish.
- By C. Oestreich on 12-19-23
-
26 Marathons
- What I Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life from My Marathon Career
- By: Meb Keflezighi, Scott Douglas
- Narrated by: Holter Graham
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Meb Keflezighi - the first person in history to win both the Boston and New York City marathons as well as an Olympic marathon medal - ran his final marathon in New York in 2017, it marked the end of an extraordinary distance-running career. Meb's last marathon was also his 26th, and each of those marathons has come with its own unique challenges, rewards, and outcomes. In 26 Marathons, Meb takes listeners on those legendary races, along every hill, bend, and unexpected turn of events that made each marathon an exceptional learning experience, and a fascinating story.
-
-
Another Great Book by Meb!
- By jda9ball on 04-16-19
By: Meb Keflezighi, and others
-
Running to the Edge
- A Band of Misfits and the Guru Who Unlocked the Secrets of Speed
- By: Matthew Futterman
- Narrated by: René Ruiz
- Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the dusty hills above San Diego, Bob Larsen became America's greatest running coach. Starting with a ragtag group of high school cross country and track runners, Larsen set out on a decades-long quest to find the secret of running impossibly fast, for longer distances than anyone thought possible. Running to the Edge is a riveting account of Larsen's journey, and his quest to discover the unorthodox training secrets that would lead American runners (elite and recreational) to breakthroughs never imagined.
-
-
Well worth the listen
- By cfinedell on 04-01-20
-
The Rise of the Ultra Runners
- By: Adharanand Finn
- Narrated by: Ralph Lister
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Once the reserve of only the most hardcore enthusiasts, ultra running is now a thriving global industry, with hundreds of thousands of competitors each year. But is the rise of this most brutal and challenging sport - with races that extend into hundreds of miles, often in extreme environments - an antidote to modern life, or is it a symptom of a modern illness? In The Rise of the Ultra Runners, award-winning author Adharanand Finn travels to the heart of the sport to investigate the reasons behind its rise and discover what it takes to join the ranks of these ultra athletes.
-
-
Loved it!
- By Brandon S. Galvez on 07-27-19
By: Adharanand Finn
-
Born to Run
- A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
- By: Christopher McDougall
- Narrated by: Fred Sanders
- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Isolated by Mexico's deadly Copper Canyons, the blissful Tarahumara Indians have honed the ability to run hundreds of miles without rest or injury. In a riveting narrative, award-winning journalist and often-injured runner Christopher McDougall sets out to discover their secrets. In the process, he takes his readers from science labs at Harvard to the sun-baked valleys and freezing peaks across North America, where ever-growing numbers of ultra-runners are pushing their bodies to the limit.
-
-
Amazing read - even for non-runners
- By Corey on 05-31-09
-
Let Your Mind Run
- A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory
- By: Deena Kastor, Michelle Hamilton
- Narrated by: Deena Kastor
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Deena Kastor was a star youth runner with tremendous promise, yet her career almost ended after college, when her competitive method - run as hard as possible, for fear of losing - fostered a frustration and negativity and brought her to the brink of burnout. On the verge of quitting, she took a chance and moved to the high altitudes of Alamosa, Colorado, where legendary coach Joe Vigil had started the first professional distance-running team. There she encountered the idea that would transform her running career: the notion that changing her thinking - shaping her mind to be more encouraging, kind, and resilient - could make her faster than she’d ever imagined possible.
-
-
Great book
- By steve finkelstein on 05-19-18
By: Deena Kastor, and others
-
The Longest Race
- Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike's Elite Running Team
- By: Kara Goucher, Mary Pilon
- Narrated by: Kara Goucher, Mary Pilon
- Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kara Goucher grew up with Olympic dreams. She excelled at running from a young age and was offered a Nike sponsorship deal when she graduated from college. Then in 2004, she was invited to join a secretive, lavishly funded new team, dubbed the Nike Oregon Project. Coached by distance running legend Alberto Salazar, it seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime. Kara was soon winning a World Championship medal, going to the Olympics, and standing on the podium at the New York and Boston marathons, just like her coach. But behind the scenes, Salazar was hiding dark secrets.
-
-
I won’t be purchasing any more Nike products:
- By Peter on 12-03-23
By: Kara Goucher, and others
-
On Pace
- By: Matt Fitzgerald
- Narrated by: Gregory Abbey
- Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Every runner knows pacing is critical. It can be the difference between a PR and a DNF. In On Pace, acclaimed running coach and author Matt Fitzgerald reveals how conventional training and device overdependence keep runners from accessing the full power of pacing. With a mix of fascinating science and compelling stories from every corner of the sport, Fitzgerald shows that pacing is the art of finding your limit—running at a pace to finish the workout or cross the finish line completely out of gas.
By: Matt Fitzgerald
-
Run Elite
- Train and Think Like the Greatest Runners of All Time
- By: Andrew Snow
- Narrated by: Andrew Snow
- Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover the blueprint used by Olympic gold medalists and world record holders to achieve their best performances. Andrew Snow, a powerhouse in the running community with over 27 years of experience offers his highly acclaimed, results-proven triphasic model that runners have used to set lifetime PRs from the 5K to the marathon in as little as three months—even in their 40s and 50s!
-
-
The only running book you’ll ever need
- By Jeffrey on 10-04-23
By: Andrew Snow
-
Racing the Rain
- A Novel
- By: John L. Parker Jr.
- Narrated by: Jim Meskimen
- Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Quenton Cassidy's first foot races are with nature itself: the summer storms that sweep through his subtropical neighborhood. Shirtless, barefoot, and brown as a berry, Cassidy is a skinny, mouthy kid with aspirations to be a great athlete. As he explores his primal surroundings along the Loxahatchee River and the nearby Atlantic Ocean, he is befriended by Trapper Nelson, "the Tarzan of the Loxahatchee", a well-known eccentric who lives off the land.
-
-
I just finished reading it again!
- By Jonathan on 01-11-16
-
North
- By: Scott Jurek, Jenny Jurek
- Narrated by: Scott Jurek, Jenny Jurek
- Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Scott Jurek is one of the world's best known and most beloved ultrarunners. Renowned for his remarkable endurance and speed, accomplished on a vegan diet, he's finished first in nearly all of ultrarunning's elite events over the course of his career. But after two decades of racing, training, speaking, and touring, Jurek felt an urgent need to discover something new about himself. He embarked on a wholly unique challenge, one that would force him to grow as a person and as an athlete: breaking the speed record for the Appalachian Trail.
-
-
Couldn’t take Jenny
- By M. Bissett on 08-27-18
By: Scott Jurek, and others
-
A Runner’s High
- My Life in Motion
- By: Dean Karnazes
- Narrated by: Andrew Eiden
- Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
New York Times best-selling author and ultramarathoning legend Dean Karnazes has pushed his body and mind to inconceivable limits, from running in the shoe-melting heat of Death Valley to the lung-freezing cold of the South Pole. He’s raced and competed across the globe and once ran 50 marathons, in 50 states, in 50 consecutive days.
-
-
Skip the Audible Version- Trust Me
- By Nathan on 05-01-21
By: Dean Karnazes
-
Run Like a Pro (Even If You're Slow)
- Elite Tools and Tips for Runners at Every Level
- By: Matt Fitzgerald, Ben Rosario
- Narrated by: Ryan Lee Dunlap, Chris Berger
- Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 80/20 Running, respected running and fitness expert Matt Fitzgerald introduced his revolutionary training program and explained why doing 80 percent of runs at a lower intensity and just 20 percent at a higher intensity is the best way for runners at all levels - as well as cyclists, triathletes, and even weight-loss seekers - to improve their performance. Now, in this eye-opening follow-up, Fitzgerald teams with Olympic coach Ben Rosario to expand and update the 80/20 program to include ultramarathon training and such popular developments as the use of power meters.
-
-
Inspiration
- By Victor on 12-08-22
By: Matt Fitzgerald, and others
Related to this topic
-
Running Up That Hill
- The Highs and Lows of Going That Bit Further
- By: Vassos Alexander
- Narrated by: Vassos Alexander
- Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Vassos Alexander shares his insight from interviews with legends of the sport and his own gruelling but rewarding experiences of extraordinary endurance racing - including the legendary 152 mile Spartathlon, widely regarded as the world's most relentless race. Vassos dissects and explores the tenacity that propels many to keep on running and running and running....
-
-
Enjoyable
- By Paul on 05-28-23
By: Vassos Alexander
-
The Art of Cycling
- By: Cadel Evans
- Narrated by: Alan King
- Length: 15 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The autobiography of a cycling legend that will become a much-loved classic. The much-anticipated autobiography of the greatest Australian cyclist of all time. Famous in the sport for his meticulous preparation and an athlete who prided himself on his ability to leave it all on the road, Evans writes about the triumphs, the frustrations, the training, the preparation, the psychology of the sport, his contemporaries, the legends and his enduring love of cycling. A riveting and forensic account of his life on the bike....
-
-
A Favorite For Sure.
- By S. Gray on 04-14-21
By: Cadel Evans
-
A Life Without Limits
- A World Champion's Journey
- By: Chrissie Wellington, Lance Armstrong - foreward
- Narrated by: Polly Lee, Chrissie Wellington
- Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 2007, Chrissie Wellington shocked the triathlon world by winning the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. As a newcomer to the sport and a complete unknown to the press, Chrissie's win shook up the sport. A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS is the story of her rise to the top, a journey that has taken her around the world, from a childhood in England, to the mountains of Nepal, to the oceans of New Zealand, and the trails of Argentina, and first across the finish line.
-
-
Chrissie winning, on repeat
- By Mona on 03-13-13
By: Chrissie Wellington, and others
-
Running with the Kenyans
- Passion, Adventure, and the Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth
- By: Adharanand Finn
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Whether running is your recreation, your religion, or just a spectator sport, Adharanand Finn’s incredible journey to the elite training camps of Kenya will captivate and inspire you. Part travelogue, part memoir, this mesmerizing quest to uncover the secrets of the world’s greatest runners - and put them to the test - combines practical advice, a fresh look at barefoot running, and hard-won spiritual insights.
-
-
His Curiosity is Contagious
- By Sharlene on 01-28-13
By: Adharanand Finn
-
Running on Empty
- An Ultramarathoner’s Story of Love, Loss, and a Record-Setting Run Across America
- By: Marshall Ulrich
- Narrated by: Adam Verner
- Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The ultimate endurance athlete, Marshall Ulrich has run more than 100 foot races averaging over 100 miles each, completed 12 expedition-length adventure races, and ascended the seven summits - including Mount Everest. Yet, his run from California to New York - the equivalent of running two marathons and a 10k every day for nearly two months straight - proved to be his most challenging effort yet. In Running on Empty, he shares the gritty backstory of his run and the excruciating punishments he endured on the road.
-
-
Selfish man, lacking insight
- By Amanda M. on 09-11-20
By: Marshall Ulrich
-
Two Hours
- The Quest to Run the Impossible Marathon
- By: Ed Caesar
- Narrated by: Fajer Al-Kaisi
- Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Two hours to cover 26 miles and 385 yards. Its running's Everest, a feat once seen as impossible for the human body. Now we can glimpse the mountaintop. The sub-two-hour marathon requires an exceptional feat of speed, mental strength, and endurance. The pioneer will have to endure more, live braver, plan better, and be luckier than any who has run before. Ed Caesar takes us into the world of elite runners: the greatest marathoners on Earth.
-
-
I liked it!
- By Amazon Customer on 05-07-16
By: Ed Caesar
-
Running Up That Hill
- The Highs and Lows of Going That Bit Further
- By: Vassos Alexander
- Narrated by: Vassos Alexander
- Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Vassos Alexander shares his insight from interviews with legends of the sport and his own gruelling but rewarding experiences of extraordinary endurance racing - including the legendary 152 mile Spartathlon, widely regarded as the world's most relentless race. Vassos dissects and explores the tenacity that propels many to keep on running and running and running....
-
-
Enjoyable
- By Paul on 05-28-23
By: Vassos Alexander
-
The Art of Cycling
- By: Cadel Evans
- Narrated by: Alan King
- Length: 15 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The autobiography of a cycling legend that will become a much-loved classic. The much-anticipated autobiography of the greatest Australian cyclist of all time. Famous in the sport for his meticulous preparation and an athlete who prided himself on his ability to leave it all on the road, Evans writes about the triumphs, the frustrations, the training, the preparation, the psychology of the sport, his contemporaries, the legends and his enduring love of cycling. A riveting and forensic account of his life on the bike....
-
-
A Favorite For Sure.
- By S. Gray on 04-14-21
By: Cadel Evans
-
A Life Without Limits
- A World Champion's Journey
- By: Chrissie Wellington, Lance Armstrong - foreward
- Narrated by: Polly Lee, Chrissie Wellington
- Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 2007, Chrissie Wellington shocked the triathlon world by winning the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. As a newcomer to the sport and a complete unknown to the press, Chrissie's win shook up the sport. A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS is the story of her rise to the top, a journey that has taken her around the world, from a childhood in England, to the mountains of Nepal, to the oceans of New Zealand, and the trails of Argentina, and first across the finish line.
-
-
Chrissie winning, on repeat
- By Mona on 03-13-13
By: Chrissie Wellington, and others
-
Running with the Kenyans
- Passion, Adventure, and the Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth
- By: Adharanand Finn
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Whether running is your recreation, your religion, or just a spectator sport, Adharanand Finn’s incredible journey to the elite training camps of Kenya will captivate and inspire you. Part travelogue, part memoir, this mesmerizing quest to uncover the secrets of the world’s greatest runners - and put them to the test - combines practical advice, a fresh look at barefoot running, and hard-won spiritual insights.
-
-
His Curiosity is Contagious
- By Sharlene on 01-28-13
By: Adharanand Finn
-
Running on Empty
- An Ultramarathoner’s Story of Love, Loss, and a Record-Setting Run Across America
- By: Marshall Ulrich
- Narrated by: Adam Verner
- Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The ultimate endurance athlete, Marshall Ulrich has run more than 100 foot races averaging over 100 miles each, completed 12 expedition-length adventure races, and ascended the seven summits - including Mount Everest. Yet, his run from California to New York - the equivalent of running two marathons and a 10k every day for nearly two months straight - proved to be his most challenging effort yet. In Running on Empty, he shares the gritty backstory of his run and the excruciating punishments he endured on the road.
-
-
Selfish man, lacking insight
- By Amanda M. on 09-11-20
By: Marshall Ulrich
-
Two Hours
- The Quest to Run the Impossible Marathon
- By: Ed Caesar
- Narrated by: Fajer Al-Kaisi
- Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Two hours to cover 26 miles and 385 yards. Its running's Everest, a feat once seen as impossible for the human body. Now we can glimpse the mountaintop. The sub-two-hour marathon requires an exceptional feat of speed, mental strength, and endurance. The pioneer will have to endure more, live braver, plan better, and be luckier than any who has run before. Ed Caesar takes us into the world of elite runners: the greatest marathoners on Earth.
-
-
I liked it!
- By Amazon Customer on 05-07-16
By: Ed Caesar
-
The Perfect Mile
- Three Athletes. One Goal. And Less Than Four Minutes to Achieve It
- By: Neal Bascomb
- Narrated by: Nelson Runger
- Length: 14 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the tradition of Seabiscuit, critically acclaimed author Neal Bascomb reaches back to the golden age of sport and crafts an utterly captivating narrative of what may be the most remarkable athletic feat of all time.
-
-
nailbiting, on the edge of your seat
- By Todd on 08-10-04
By: Neal Bascomb
-
Shut Up, Legs!
- My Wild Ride on and off the Bike
- By: Jens Voigt, James Startt
- Narrated by: Shaun Grindell
- Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beloved German cyclist Jens Voigt isn't a superstar in the traditional sense of the word. Although he won three stages of the Tour de France - and wore the yellow jersey twice - Voigt never claimed an overall victory. He became a star because he embodies qualities that go beyond winning and losing: sacrifice, selflessness, reliability, and devotion. European and American crowds were drawn to his aggressive riding style, outgoing nature, and refreshing realness.
-
-
Unlike Jensie, the performance lacks
- By Brian Muncy on 03-12-19
By: Jens Voigt, and others
-
My Life on the Run
- The Wit, Wisdom, and Insights of a Road Racing Icon
- By: Bart Yasso, Amby Burfoot - foreword
- Narrated by: Steven Roy Grimsley
- Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
My Life on the Run chronicles the heatstroke and frostbite, heartache and triumphs he's experienced while competing in more than 1,000 competitive races on all seven continents. With the wit and wisdom of a seasoned insider, Yasso tells runners what they need to know to navigate the logistics of running in an unfamiliar country. He also offers practical guidance, such as 5-K, 10-K, half-marathon, and marathon training schedules, including his innovative technique known as the Yasso 800s for beginner, intermediate, and advanced runners.
-
-
A fair running book, but there's better out there
- By Mark on 05-20-15
By: Bart Yasso, and others
-
The Tour According to G
- My Journey to the Yellow Jersey
- By: Geraint Thomas
- Narrated by: Dafydd Pritchard
- Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For years Geraint Thomas appeared blessed with extraordinary talent but jinxed at the greatest bike race in the world: twice an Olympic gold medallist on the track, Commonwealth champion, yet at the Tour de France a victim of crashes, bad luck and his willingness to sacrifice himself for his teammates. In the summer of 2018, that curse was blown away in spectacular fashion - from the cobbles of the north and the iconic mountain climbs of the Alps to the brutal slopes of the Pyrenees and, finally, the Champs-Elysees in Paris.
-
-
Not a fan of GT but really enjoyed the book
- By Richy on 01-27-19
By: Geraint Thomas
-
Short Fat Chick to Marathon Runner
- By: Kerre Woodham, Gareth Brown
- Narrated by: Kerre Woodham, Gareth Brown
- Length: 5 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When celebrated radio personality and columnist Kerre Woodham found herself 40, overweight, and depressed she faced two choices - do nothing and probably not make it to 50 or do something and get her life back. Fortunately for all of us, and especially those women who like to eat and dress well, she decided to fight back. Leaving kilos of herself and two bra sizes behind 'somewhere in the Waitakeres', she embarked on a fitness and training regime, with a goal to complete the Auckland marathon.
-
-
Inspiring, funny and informative
- By Michelle on 11-14-13
By: Kerre Woodham, and others
-
Can't Swim, Can't Ride, Can't Run
- From Common Man to Ironman
- By: Andy Holgate
- Narrated by: Gregory St. John
- Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This book is both a lesson in true grit and determination, but its goal is one that is attainable. Andy isn't a sporting superstar, he holds down a nine-to-five job and all the pressures that go with it; he isn’t blessed with speed and talent; there are no multi-million pound sponsorship deals; yet this remarkable "common man" is inspiring in a way that some of today’s sporting superstars have forgotten how to be.
-
-
From a triathlete
- By Vladimir on 05-04-14
By: Andy Holgate
-
Run!
- 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss
- By: Dean Karnazes
- Narrated by: Daniel May
- Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In his follow-up to the best-selling Ultra-Marathon Man, world-renowned ultra marathoner Dean Karnazes chronicles his unbelievable exploits and explorations in gripping detail; Karnazes runs for days on end without rest, across some of the most exotic and inhospitable places on earth, including the Australian Outback, Antarctica, and the back alleys of New Jersey.
-
-
Great stories. Horrible narrator.
- By Alberto Medellin on 08-20-15
By: Dean Karnazes
-
To Be a Runner
- How Racing Up Mountains, Running with the Bulls, or Just Taking On a 5-K Makes You a Better Person (and the World a Better Place)
- By: Martin Dugard
- Narrated by: Bernard Setaro Clark
- Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With an exuberant mix of passion, insight, instruction, and humor, best-selling author - and lifelong runner - Martin Dugard takes a journey through the world of running to illustrate how the sport helps us fulfill that universal desire to be the best possible version of ourselves each and every time we lace up our shoes. To Be a Runner represents a new way to write about running by bridging the chasm between the two categories of running books: how-to and personal narrative.
-
-
Feels like a great run does
- By Aleksandar on 05-11-15
By: Martin Dugard
-
Iron War
- Dave Scott, Mark Allen, and the Greatest Race Ever Run
- By: Matt Fitzgerald
- Narrated by: Seth Michael Donsky
- Length: 13 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The 1989 Ironman World Championship was the greatest race ever in endurance sports. In a spectacular duel that became known as the Iron War, the world's two strongest athletes raced side by side at world-record pace for a grueling 139 miles. Driven by one of the fiercest rivalries in triathlon, Dave Scott and Mark Allen raced shoulder to shoulder through Ironman’s 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike race, and 26.2-mile marathon. After 8 punishing hours, both men would demolish the previous record - and cross the finish line a mere 58 seconds apart.
-
-
Fine Story....But the Narration!!!!
- By Gabriel on 01-15-14
By: Matt Fitzgerald
-
Hell on Two Wheels
- By: Amy Snyder
- Narrated by: Sheila Stasack
- Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Three-time Ironman finisher Amy Snyder takes the wraps off the best kept secret in the sports world, the Race Across America (RAAM), a bicycle race like no other. Unlike its famous cousin the Tour de France, RAAM is much crazier, more gothic, and even savage: Once the gun goes off the clock doesn't stop, and the first rider to complete the prescribed 3,000-mile route is the victor. In Hell on Two Wheels, Snyder follows a group of athletes before, during, and after the 2009 RAAM.
-
-
A documentary of the toughest bike race
- By James on 12-19-13
By: Amy Snyder
-
26 Marathons
- What I Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life from My Marathon Career
- By: Meb Keflezighi, Scott Douglas
- Narrated by: Holter Graham
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Meb Keflezighi - the first person in history to win both the Boston and New York City marathons as well as an Olympic marathon medal - ran his final marathon in New York in 2017, it marked the end of an extraordinary distance-running career. Meb's last marathon was also his 26th, and each of those marathons has come with its own unique challenges, rewards, and outcomes. In 26 Marathons, Meb takes listeners on those legendary races, along every hill, bend, and unexpected turn of events that made each marathon an exceptional learning experience, and a fascinating story.
-
-
Another Great Book by Meb!
- By jda9ball on 04-16-19
By: Meb Keflezighi, and others
-
The Ultra Mindset
- By: Travis Macy, John Hanc
- Narrated by: Brian Hutchison
- Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Travis Macy has summited glacial peaks in the French Alps, rappelled into limestone caves in China, and raced through parched deserts in Utah. In 2013 he famously won the Leadman Series, a combination of nearly 300 miles of high-altitude trail running and mountain biking over the course of five epic endurance races. Macy achieved all of these victories without elite professional training or even exceptional strength, speed, or flexibility.
-
-
Great Advice
- By thomas on 05-04-15
By: Travis Macy, and others
What listeners say about Out of Thin Air
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- May
- 07-05-24
Excellent study in dedication
Dedication to one’s goals and consistency in training is emphasized throughout the book. I am so impressed by what it takes to be/become an elite runner. These tenets are also applicable to someone like myself who seeks the motivation to get back out there and run again. Seeking to once again experience the euphoria
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jill
- 05-23-24
Worth the read!
As a distance runner for 46 years I thought this may be another book primarily about the author and his adventure. I was wrong. The focus was very much on the Ethiopian athletes. They allowed him to train with them and they taught him generations of lessons.
I enjoyed the authors humor as well. I will reread this book!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Greg Fisher
- 12-18-20
Excellent Book
Thie book offers a fascinating insight into Ethiopian running culture and performance. I had always assumed that Ethiopian success could be attributed to similar factors as those used to explain Kenyan running success, yet this book highlights that while there are similarities, there are also key differences. The depth of insight and nuanced perspective offered on Ethiopian running culture is really intriguing, and I loved the way the author is able to capture the voices and perspectives of Ethipioan runners in the text.
The things I found particularly fascinating about Ethiopian running culture: (1) Running is an occupation in Ethiopia; (2) Ethiopian runners place great emphasis on where they run and they draw energy from their surroundings; (3) Running on different surfaces is part of a runners development and each different surface serves a specific purpose; (4) Running is a social activity, very few serious runners ever run alone and they run in single file, or two abreast, following a leader; (5) Serious runners make careful choices about when to use a GPS and when not to; (6) They almost always use time as a key guide for how long to run (not distance).
If you enjoyed Adharanand Finn's books ("Running with the Kenyans", "The Way of the Runner") or Chris McDougall's "Born to Run" then you will really enjoy this book. It is highly recommended!!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- David Koppelmann
- 06-20-23
Amazing Insight
This book gave a great view and perspective that is contrary to popular opinion on how the Ethiopians have become such great distance runners. This is a great book!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Oscar
- 05-05-22
Great read
Great story about the Ethiopian running culture. Feeling like the reader is among the group of runners as they train, race, live, recover.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 10-07-21
Some refreshing perspective
Very entertaining listen. Sure to help keep your own training in perspective. Running is life!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 05-21-21
couldn't stop listening
so well written and engrossing. couldn't stop listening. great perspective on what running means to different people from another part of the world and culture.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Peter Rasmussen
- 11-28-21
Really a nice read
A great and respectful testimony of perhaps the greatest running nation and it’s great runners.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!