I like Scott Jurek. I like books about the AT. I did not like this book very much.

Repetitive, a little confusing with the sudden jumps in POV, confusingly long cast of characters. my real issues were with the insane lack of planning. I was irritated with them before they even got to Springer Mountain and things did not improve as I read.

I’m somewhere between a 2 and a 3 here and I’m rounding down since everybody else seems to be rating it highly.


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I really enjoyed reading Scott's earlier book 'Eat and Run', so i was really looking forward to giving this a read.

To sum this book up, this is one of the greatest ultra runners of all time who, after having retired from professional competition, gets his outdoor fix by going hiking along stretches of the PCT with his wife and best friend, Jenny.   During one of these hikes they have a big argument and Scott has a bit of a existential crisis and decides he needs to fix himself by returning to suffering and tells Jenny that he's going to attempt the Appalachian Trail FKT.

Best of all is that he manages to rope Jenny in as his sole support crew member in a converted van suitably named 'Castle Black' by telling her that it'll be a great family summer holiday for their small family of two.

As we go through each chapter of the book we are introduced to each section of the trail, beginning with Scott's perspective on it followed by Jenny's.   And what a journey it is.   It's utterly ridiculous, but also utterly amazing at the same time.   And if you aren't a bit soggy eyed at the end then you is heartless.

An amazing journey with an amazing couple of human beings -- and a ton of friends, old and new, who helped big time along the way and made it all possible.

If, like me, you enjoyed Scott's first book, then make sure you give this a read some time.

Extra...

On 2nd July 2019, Scott and Jenny Jurek made an appearance on the 'Plant Strong Podcast' in which they both talk a fair bit about this massive journey they went on together -- well worth a listen... 'Fueled by Plants: Scott & Jenny Jurek' ( )

If my friend hadn't lent me his copy, it would have taken me significantly longer to ever pick this up--I have a thing against books about thru-hikes. I adore thru-hikers, I think they're great, I want to do one myself one day, and I think everyone's story is important. In saying that, I do not think every thru-hiker (or thru-ultra-runner, whatever) has a book in them, and I do not think this should be encouraged.

However! This is a good one! I was super impressed by how much dramatic tension the Jureks created, how they managed to have underlying emotions and motivations, how they looked at the challenges and how their relationships evolved, and how they somehow managed to create a really cohesive and quite pacy narrative. Obviously Jurker succeeded and set the FKT (which has since been bested) but just like in a romance novel when you know the two characters will end up together, my heart was in my mouth.

I did actually want more talk of the trail itself, but that's me since I like to hike and I've done a mile or two on the AT myself (read: I hiked all weekend last weekend to do only a tad more than Jurker knocked off in one day) and without these details, I think this is quite an approachable book for even people who aren't runners/hikers. ( )

For the accomplishment, 5/5; for the writing, 3/5; I'll average them to rate this 4/5. At times in my life I've dreamed of grandiose, ambitious undertakings such as this, but always allowed laziness/reality to tamp down such thoughts. With great admiration for the dedication and hard work, I salute the author, his wife and the entire supporting cast of friends and strangers that contributed to this monumental feat! This is a quick read....now I'm on to see where my next adventure in print takes me.... ( )

Jurek's story about his record-breaking (46 days, 8h, 7 min) run of the Appalachian trail in 2015. Struggles with motivation and form in the beginning, but manages to pull through. Far-out feat–running 76km/day for 46 days. Gets invaluable help on the way by many friends and strangers, but most importantly and consistently by his wife Jenny. Recommended. ( )