Running Hot [Paperback]

Lisa Tamati (Author), Nicola McCloy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2010

The Badwater Ultramarathon through California's Death Valley is one of the world's toughest races. Lisa Tamati was the first New Zealand woman to compete in the race alongside such legends of the sport as Dean Karnazes and David Goggins. But Lisa's story is so much more than that one race. At the age of 19 she suffered a crippling back injury and was told she should give up running. She took that as a challenge and, with her Austrian boyfriend, went on to run, walk, bike, and paddle her way across thousands of miles of Europe, Scandinavia, and Africa before taking on the ultimate challenge—an unassisted crossing of the Libyan Desert. What happened in that desert would change the course of Lisa's life and instill in her a love of desert running. Running Hot is a story of a life lived to the max—a story of challenges, setbacks, heartbreaks, and triumph.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A strong, endearing and very personal account of one woman’s growth into extreme sports athleticism. There are even a few tips for those crazy enough to follow."  —Australian Bookseller & Publisher Magazine

About the Author

Lisa Tamati has completed most of the world's toughest endurance races. Nicola McCloy has written several books, including Whykickamoocow.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin (May 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877505013
• ISBN-13: 978-1877505010
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #848,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational & Informative, November 4, 2009

By 

Kym McConnell (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Running Hot (Paperback)

Lisa's story is a fascinating read - not just for runners, but anyone who sets personal goals that stretches their imagination. As a runner myself, I enjoyed the insights Lisa shares of the extreme footraces she has raced in around the world and the various hurdles overcome to complete them. Great stuff!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read this book and compare your own life ..., November 16, 2010

By 

Tarmo N - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Running Hot (Paperback)

I'm a middle-aged and weak (like a normal m-age person), but I like to run and I'll like to test myself from time to time. This book was easy to read (even though my language skills are not good - my native language is Estonian). I read the book before I met Lisa and before the running event in Sahara in 2010. I got to know about her - why she is such as she is and the book helped me to understand himself, ultra running (theme) and survive in desserts (bad news - I don't learned about it; good news - I have one more person to care and admire).
Indeed - the book is not step by step instructions for running. Indeed, the book does not radiate enthusiasm and excitement (and unfortunately there's no talk of hot sex or politics). But whether a person's life is just a great joy and happiness (without politics and other crap)? I read this book and discovered that my life is still very good and easy. Probably I can do a lot more than I thought.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, engaging, inspirational, real., August 30, 2010

By 

Stacey Barr "the Performance Measure Specialist" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Running Hot (Paperback)

One of the reasons why I bought this book was because everything I was reading about ultrarunning was from the US. Lisa Tamati is a New Zealander and I'm and Aussie, and it's easier to identify with her because of the close relationship our countries, and cultures, have. Irrespective of this connection, I wasn't disappointed in this book.

Lisa's story is honest, engaging, inspirational. I found it hard to put the book down, voraciously wanting to learn whatever I could about what led her to ultrarunning, what traits and experiences and values and opportunities came together to produce the accomplished endurance athlete that she is. Even better, she does this without the false modesty that distractingly comes across in other ultrarunners' stories.

This has been one of the most influential books inspiring my own dreams about becoming an ultrarunner.