Charlie Engle

I liked the first part more than the rest of it. It stopped "ringing true" at some point... like nothing was ever his fault. Maybe it wasn't... but, there was a tone of underlying arrogance that didn't really align with the story being told.

As for the ultra-marathon components - this is a VERY very extreme example of endurance running. Not something I (as an aspiring ultra runner) would ever be able to relate to. I might aim to run 100k some day, but Charlie treats 100k as a warm up for show more "bigger and better" things... I just can't comprehend that level of challenge. show less

RUNNING MAN by Charlie Engle is an refreshing raw and unfiltered look at someone who lives with addiction. Charlie Engle describes how he got easily addicted to alcohol and drugs early in life and from them on is always fighting those demons. He discovers running, and shifts what seems like a mandate of his soul to be addicted to something and becomes addicted to running and adventure racing.
Told with a raw and a gritty realism, RUNNING MAN is an inspiration not only to runners, but to show more anyone working toward a goal. Engle seems to live his life trying to accept what he has and move forward, rather than stop and wallow in what he doesn't have. He admits freely to mistakes in his life and always strives to be a better person, and without meaning to, he encourages the reader to look inward to work on themselves.
As a runner, I found this book quite motivating for me, but I think Engle's story is so much more. He writes about running because that is what he does, but the message behind it all is what really inspires greatness; to tackle an seemingly impossible goal takes heart, courage, and hope.
Thank you to Scribner, Charlie Engle, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! show less