At age thirty, Karnazes –a successful six-figure salary business man, with a beautiful wife, and eventually two kids– finds that life is empty. His thirst for adventure was lacking and decides to run at night when most are asleep. His motivation propelled him to enter the 100 mile Western States Endurance Run and participated in the first ever South Pole marathon, and even competes in a grueling 135 mile run across Death Valley to Mount Whitney in 128 degree weather. Besides his adventurous personality, his motivation comes from generating financial support for children on a waiting list for an organ transplant. He runs to help others.
Motivation comes to Scott Rigsby for different reasons. Rigsby eventually is a double amputee due to an accident during his late teens and a decade long attempt for doctors to reconstruct a mangled leg. He found his search through pain-medication and alcoholism did not help his depression or find purpose in his life. Through his strong Christian faith and drive to become the first double amputee to complete the Hawaiian Ironman Competition, Rigsby succeeds reaching the finish line at 16 hours, 42 minutes, and 46 seconds in 2007.
Even if you are not a sports fan or have an interest in marathons/triathlons, these two titles are sure to captivate humanities' motivations to train harder.
References
Karnazes, D. (2006). Ultramarathon man: Confessions of an all-night runner. New York, NY: Penguin.
Rigsby, S., & Glatzer, J. (2009). Unthinkable. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Library Catalog Details:
Ultramarathon man: Confessions of an all-night runner
http://www.linccweb.org/catalog?screen=direct&query=001304071
Unthinkable
http://www.linccweb.org/catalog?screen=direct&query=001636105
Helpful Links:
http://www.ultramarathonman.com/flash/
http://www.scottrigsby.com/
1 comment:
Both books sound like good reads. Thanks for the suggestions!
Post a Comment