Runner's World Guide to Adventure Racing: How to Become a Successful Racer and Adventure Athlete [Paperback]

Ian Adamson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Runners World | Publication Date: April 17, 2004

How to Become a Successful Racer and Adventure Athlete

Why should you take a pair of sandals, a dollar bill, and a car antenna to your next adventure race? You'll find the answer to that question and many others in Runner's World Guide to Adventure Racing. In this authoritative guide, Ian Adamson shares his insider secrets for training, racing, team building, conflict management, injury prevention, equipment repair, sleep management, and much more. Often referred to as the Michael Jordan of adventure racing, Adamson helps you navigate any type of adventure race, from short sprint race to full-length expedition.

In this guide, you'll find . . .
- Detailed training plans for recreational and competitive athletes

- Tips for running, hiking, biking, paddling, navigating, and climbing more efficiently

- A no-nonsense guide for what you need from the sporting goods store-- and what you don't

- Insider secrets for mending equipment and injuries while in the wilderness

- Adamson's nine favorite foods to pack in your race bag

You'll also read Adamson's humorous, touching, and downright chilling stories of life on the adventure trail. From sprint races to full-length expeditions, Adamson's expert advice will get you and your equipment to the finish line in one piece.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ian Adamson is the leading authority on the sport of adventure racing, taking the science of teamwork, sleep management, navigation, and endurance to an unparalleled level. Ian's entertaining and informative book gives novice and expert racers alike the secrets to tap the depths of our own potential and find the magic to push to the next level. If you are going to read just one book on the sport of adventure racing, this is the ultimate guide!"--Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind athlete to summit Mount Everest

About the Author

A three-time Eco-Challenge champion, Ian Adamson is the only athlete in the world who has won the Raid Gauloises, Southern Traverse, and Primal Quest races. He also holds the world record for endurance kayaking. Adamson has a master's degree in sports medicine and is a design engineer, pilot, gourmet chef, concert-trained flutist, and advanced scuba diver. He is also an event director, public speaker, and senior contributor to Adventure Sports magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (April 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579548369
• ISBN-13: 978-1579548360
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good anecdotal stuff!, October 29, 2009

By 

Landnavg8r (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Runner's World Guide to Adventure Racing: How to Become a Successful Racer and Adventure Athlete (Paperback)

I bought this book hoping that it would help me up my game in adventure racing... specifically wanting to know how to train for races lasting 24hrs and greater. I also wanted some specific information on fueling during races. This book is a great overview of a great sport, but unfortunately the information that I was looking for was somewhat superficial. It does provide several "tricks of the trade" and some fantastic ancecdotal stories of Iam and his buddies. It is a great book to get one excited about Adventure Racing!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING BOOK!, June 21, 2004

By 

Jude E. Sanchez Jr. (Las Pinas City Philippines) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Runner's World Guide to Adventure Racing: How to Become a Successful Racer and Adventure Athlete (Paperback)

I have read two other books on Adventure Racing that were published before Ian's book came out in the market. Those two books were also good, in fact Ian wrote the foreword on both. But Ian's book came out a cut above the rest. His book offered his and his teamates "winning strategies and experiences". The book was intelligently written and commanded authority on all topics discussed such as proper training, purchasing and use of the right equipment, proper nutrition, good leadership and teamwork skills, sleep strategies etc. For sure the book will inspire and guide beginner racers to the sport, and will further provide veteran racers of new knowledge and valuable proven race strategies and techniques from Ian and his awesome NZ and OZ teamates. Ian is truly one of the best adventure racers in the world along with his mates John Howard and Steve Gurney. To sum it all up, this is an outstanding book, I can't wait to buy the second edition.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Readable, informative, August 16, 2005

By 

Will Murphy (Hollywood, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Runner's World Guide to Adventure Racing: How to Become a Successful Racer and Adventure Athlete (Paperback)

If you are a fan of adventure racing (AR), the author's reputation is quite familiar to you. Adamson is among the very best adventure racers in the world, with loads of big race experience.

He is also a good writer. The book is clear and readable. Most of the material will not be new to you if you have significant experience already, but there are tips and tricks and anecdotes that are both entertaining and illustrative.

The sport is so varied and demanding that no book, and certainly not one as brief as this one, can be complete in its coverage of it. However, there is a lot of good, accessible information here and you will not regret including this book in your AR library.

Note that as to gear recommendations, the equipment available is changing very quickly, and some preferences are just personal, so update your information before spending a lot on gear if your only reason for buying was because Ian likes it.