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Running Up That Hill: The highs and lows of going that bit further
Vassos Alexander shares his insight from interviews with legends of the sport and his own gruelling but rewarding experiences of extraordinary endurance racing--including the legendary 152-mile Spartathlon, widely regarded as the world's most relentless race. Vassos dissects and explores the tenacity that propels many to keep on running. And running. And running . . .
224 pages, Paperback
Published March 8, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
June 19, 2018
Insightful. Running for hours seems like such a chore for someone whose furthest distance in a day is a 12-mile Tough Mudder course with lots of ‘breaks’ for obstacles. It makes being given mild electric shocks and crawling under barbed wire seem like child’s play against an epic 153-mile Spartathlon! Bruises versus blisters. But I get it - it’s all about the journey. It’s why you do it - to push yourself to the limits and simply enjoy the challenge for your mind and your body, and perhaps even using it as an excuse to help raise money for a noble cause. If you’re doing something ‘for charity’, you’d better finish that event! You’re as capable as you believe you are. If you have a strong mental attitude, you can achieve anything.
There are lots of interesting anecdotes that sum this up perfectly in this book. I really like how most of the people interviewed weren’t necessarily ‘born runners’ and it’s something they discovered as a means of escaping the office, toning up, getting rid of belly fat or just trying something different, at whatever stage of their lives. The human body is built to move, to walk and run, to essentially feel alive. Fell running down a mountain is one of the most exhilarating feelings - you can let your legs turn over and effectively free fall - it makes the climb up worthwhile. Generally being surrounded by nature, submitted the elements and moving is so good for the soul, and being off the grid is equally liberating. No wonder this book makes people want to go out and run!
There are lots of interesting anecdotes that sum this up perfectly in this book. I really like how most of the people interviewed weren’t necessarily ‘born runners’ and it’s something they discovered as a means of escaping the office, toning up, getting rid of belly fat or just trying something different, at whatever stage of their lives. The human body is built to move, to walk and run, to essentially feel alive. Fell running down a mountain is one of the most exhilarating feelings - you can let your legs turn over and effectively free fall - it makes the climb up worthwhile. Generally being surrounded by nature, submitted the elements and moving is so good for the soul, and being off the grid is equally liberating. No wonder this book makes people want to go out and run!
February 24, 2021
If you like running a long way. You'll love this. If you can't even run a bath, you wont.
December 4, 2019
The author shares his experiences of running a series of ultra-running events. It jumps about a bit too much for me, with the 153 mile Spartathlon being the running motif throughout, but sometimes going forwards to other events and sometimes backwards. He does get to interview an impressive range of endurance runners whose love for the sport, rationale for doing it, and benefits gained from going way out of their comfort zone all shine through.
June 21, 2021
Light hearted and amusing insights into the world of ultra running. Thoroughly enjoyable!
August 21, 2023
Inspiring - entering a race as we speak...
March 12, 2024
I've read this a couple of times now, and I like it less each time. The central tale of his run in the spartathalon is cool, the struggles engagingly described, but the constant interruptions for interviews with other runners/authors ruins the pace and also leaves me with the bitter impression that I'm being sold something. And, look. As a runner, I am often being sold things. I'm being sold exciting races, expensive running gear, valuable training plans, not to mention an idealised way of life, running every morning, running into the night, hours and hours of meditative running uninterrupted by the needs of friends and family and my job and my second job and my other hobbies, and that truthfully is out of my reach, out of the reach of most people without a lot of money, so I've grown cynical about it all. So many of these running books intersect with wealth in a way that frustrates and upsets me.
...but it's not all bad. The writing is ok, if phoned in at times. Vassos recommends parkrun with your family, which is nice, because parkrun is actually free and a wonderful community activity set up by volunteers all around the world (find your local and go for it on a nice Saturday morning! You really will have a great time!) Also, he seems nice enough, and I do enjoy his enthusiasm. But the whole thing makes me feel uncomfortable, and when something feels uncomfortable when you're running, the general wisdom says to stop.
...but it's not all bad. The writing is ok, if phoned in at times. Vassos recommends parkrun with your family, which is nice, because parkrun is actually free and a wonderful community activity set up by volunteers all around the world (find your local and go for it on a nice Saturday morning! You really will have a great time!) Also, he seems nice enough, and I do enjoy his enthusiasm. But the whole thing makes me feel uncomfortable, and when something feels uncomfortable when you're running, the general wisdom says to stop.
July 27, 2018
This is a great book - a worthy successor to his prior work. Its mainly about running an ultra marathon - the 153 mile Spartathlon - but interjected with various accounts of other runs/ultra-marathons he's undertaken on the way. Almost as flashbacks, but in chapter form.
You'd have to enjoy running really to get some of what he's talking about; but if you do run - you will immediately recognise some of the feelings, anxieties, lows, elations he recounts.
The main "story" and the side-tales are interspersed with cameo sections from other runners (my only real criticism is that these are in a different font to the main text, but its only subtly different - not italic or indented - so a couple of times I got lost and ended up confused as to who was speaking :-) ).
So if you are a runner, know a runner, or want to be a runner - especially a long distance one - then this a great book. It's probably a great book if you aren't, but I'd struggle to argue why...
You'd have to enjoy running really to get some of what he's talking about; but if you do run - you will immediately recognise some of the feelings, anxieties, lows, elations he recounts.
The main "story" and the side-tales are interspersed with cameo sections from other runners (my only real criticism is that these are in a different font to the main text, but its only subtly different - not italic or indented - so a couple of times I got lost and ended up confused as to who was speaking :-) ).
So if you are a runner, know a runner, or want to be a runner - especially a long distance one - then this a great book. It's probably a great book if you aren't, but I'd struggle to argue why...
July 1, 2018
He makes running sound fun and he shares some inspirational stories.
September 21, 2018
Vassos Alexander 'runs to live', finds his happy place connecting deeply with nature whilst running up extreme mountains and for long distances. Vassos finds running his 'mindfulness' and this book works well given that he is a UK sports reporter. The ultra running fields, events held world wide with unique niche athletes and champions of his world makes it an engaging read.
It's an interesting world of sport to read about and Vassos Alexander captures this passionately.
It's an interesting world of sport to read about and Vassos Alexander captures this passionately.
March 3, 2019
A nice easy read with some top names interviewed by that bloke off the radio.
February 28, 2020
Bit samey same as last book. Felt I'd heard most of it before and became a little boring.
February 24, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyable. I suppose I came across this book by chance. A friend had ordered a few ultra-running books, and passed them over to me to read. This was never on my ‘to read’ list - not for any particular reason - so I didn’t necessarily have high expectations.
However, I was pleasantly surprised and found it really inspiring. The author’s stories combined with testimonies, from some of the sport’s most ‘recognisable’ athletes, race organisers and volunteers, has only strengthened my belief that I can do an ultra-marathon. The author describes the spirit of these races and camaraderie within the ultra-running community so well, that I am almost feel part of it without ever having partaken in an event. Every single book hammers the point home - ultra-runners are exceptionally good people.
I am a marathoner. I am striving to lower my time, and everything I do, athletically m, is focused on this. Vassos, however, has opened up the possibility that this doesn’t need to be the be-all and end-all. There is way more to running and, after a recent spell out injured, I am starting to see this.
Spartathlon - added to the bucket list!
However, I was pleasantly surprised and found it really inspiring. The author’s stories combined with testimonies, from some of the sport’s most ‘recognisable’ athletes, race organisers and volunteers, has only strengthened my belief that I can do an ultra-marathon. The author describes the spirit of these races and camaraderie within the ultra-running community so well, that I am almost feel part of it without ever having partaken in an event. Every single book hammers the point home - ultra-runners are exceptionally good people.
I am a marathoner. I am striving to lower my time, and everything I do, athletically m, is focused on this. Vassos, however, has opened up the possibility that this doesn’t need to be the be-all and end-all. There is way more to running and, after a recent spell out injured, I am starting to see this.
Spartathlon - added to the bucket list!
April 3, 2022
Surprisingly this was such an enjoyable read. This book encompasses everything about trail and ultra running. Whether you're a beginner or experienced, this book is helpful. I remember running my first trail and at the end I told myself that I want to make it to 50km in the next 5 years. This book is about the beauty of ultra-running. There's something so visceral about running long distances. It brings us to a place of immeasurable pain and despair. But once you're done you're thinking of the next one. Ultra running isn't about winning. It's about the community, the camaraderie and about empowering each other. It's about finishing and thinking anything is possible. When you're running in the wild, you have to surrender and be respectful of nature as well as your body. There are times where you will give up and that's okay because there are lessons with each setbacks. Ultra running has no boundaries, no age limit and no expectations whatsoever. This book is able to put words to the highs and lows of running and there are helpful tips from all types of runners.
June 3, 2019
One of my favourite writers, Vassos Alexander loves the outdoors and enjoys the freedom that running offers. His many adventures with his dog by his side bring a smile to face and get my feet twitching to go for a run.
Vassos is a charming character and one you would want to befriend. His wit is infectious and I often found myself laughing out loud at this book!
The novel is very conversational and feels like that lad at the party that everyone gravitates towards. His stories are real and grounded and he feels very down-to-Earth. His experiences feel very normal and there is a sense of community about the things that he shares.
Lovely book and one that I would definitely read again!
(ps, if you want to get to know the author a bit more check out his interview he did with the running podcast Running Commentary here: https://player.fm/series/running-comm... )
Vassos is a charming character and one you would want to befriend. His wit is infectious and I often found myself laughing out loud at this book!
The novel is very conversational and feels like that lad at the party that everyone gravitates towards. His stories are real and grounded and he feels very down-to-Earth. His experiences feel very normal and there is a sense of community about the things that he shares.
Lovely book and one that I would definitely read again!
(ps, if you want to get to know the author a bit more check out his interview he did with the running podcast Running Commentary here: https://player.fm/series/running-comm... )
December 11, 2020
This is a true sequel, in that it follows the same template as the last book but with everything dialed up to the next level. Like Dont Stop Me Now, it's structured around one long race, only this time instead of being a marathon it's the spartathlon. The gory race details are interspersed with interviews with other runners, and a few side-stories about turning up at a race with no shoes after a night of doing Greek stuff. It didn't feel as well pulled-together as the last, and it's less relatable in the sense that the races involved are the kinds of distances only an absolute maniac would attempt. It still make a good running companion though, and kept me motivated through 3 runs. The audiobook, I mean. I'm not quite up to reading while running.
August 11, 2020
I'm not sure if I am more disappointed in the book or the fact that the rating for it is so out of kilter with the quality of what I just finished reading.
It's so disjointed and repetitive that it drives you to distraction. If you want to play a fun drinking game down a shot everytime the author mentions the Dragons Back race, outside of the chapter about the Dragons Back race. You might want to have a liver donor on hand because you're almost certain to end up with cirrhosis.
The "interviews" with Ultra runners which are sledgehammerred into random parts of the story read like 3 minute breakfast radio interviews crammed between the latest insipid pop music.
It's a no from me.
It's so disjointed and repetitive that it drives you to distraction. If you want to play a fun drinking game down a shot everytime the author mentions the Dragons Back race, outside of the chapter about the Dragons Back race. You might want to have a liver donor on hand because you're almost certain to end up with cirrhosis.
The "interviews" with Ultra runners which are sledgehammerred into random parts of the story read like 3 minute breakfast radio interviews crammed between the latest insipid pop music.
It's a no from me.
January 10, 2021
Vassos has a highly erratic writing style which is hard to follow at times, I also felt I wanted to hear more from him and his experiences than the other ultra runners he interviewed for the book.
Having said that, I found this a really interesting book. Fascinating to hear more about his adventures in the Dragons Back ultra in Wales and the race to Sparta in Greece. I also feel a little bit inspired to run/walk the 60 odd miles round the costal perimeter of Isle of Wight now having read about his day off adventure to do this!
Running books are meant to inspire, and this one did it in spades for me. It makes me feel like an ultra is achievable for normal folk. Thanks Vassos!
Having said that, I found this a really interesting book. Fascinating to hear more about his adventures in the Dragons Back ultra in Wales and the race to Sparta in Greece. I also feel a little bit inspired to run/walk the 60 odd miles round the costal perimeter of Isle of Wight now having read about his day off adventure to do this!
Running books are meant to inspire, and this one did it in spades for me. It makes me feel like an ultra is achievable for normal folk. Thanks Vassos!
April 12, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had absolutely no idea how big this sport is becoming and the author's enthusiasm about it are apparent throughout. It's inspiring to read what people of all ages, backgrounds, and ability put themselves through all in the sake of self-improvement (and a winners belt buckle).
The book is well written, conversational, and manages to go into detail without being dry. You really feel the emotion and exhaustion when he's describing the races that he takes part in. Definitely recommended.
The book is well written, conversational, and manages to go into detail without being dry. You really feel the emotion and exhaustion when he's describing the races that he takes part in. Definitely recommended.
March 6, 2020
First of all I have no intention of ever running an ultra race but this is far more than a book about ultra running. The interviews with ultra runners are varied and so interesting, their passion and enthusiasm shines through (and I really appreciated the number of female athletes included in this book) It’s a love affair with running and the natural world is a big character in this book, whilst I may not do ultra, I do love a trail run. I was willing Vassos through the Spartathon and enjoyed his other race reports. This is a lovely book about character, resilience, bravery and humour. A fantastic read.
November 15, 2020
Another nice light read from Vassos Alexander. Just as good as his previous book Don't Stop me Now.
The main thing I take away from this is although you're going to hurt both physically and mentally during an ultra marathon you will find something positive from the experience either the camaraderie of your fellow crazy runners or the kindness of the supporters and volunteers.
Hokey as it sounds the books main message is that we should enjoy the journey rather than focus on the destination or the time it takes to get there.
The main thing I take away from this is although you're going to hurt both physically and mentally during an ultra marathon you will find something positive from the experience either the camaraderie of your fellow crazy runners or the kindness of the supporters and volunteers.
Hokey as it sounds the books main message is that we should enjoy the journey rather than focus on the destination or the time it takes to get there.
March 6, 2021
Hard time reading this when I've just decided to scale back my running to work on an imbalance, but gosh was this enjoyable! A lot of the time books by runners aren't that great because they've got to fill up 200 pages about themselves - I don't care to read how someone grew up etc. So I really appreciated that Vassos knew that and didn't just spend 200 pages on himself but also featured dozens of other runners. I loved these snapshots as much as I enjoyed living vicariously through Vassos' races.
March 24, 2020
What a joyous book! A light-hearted retelling of some of the author's biggest running adventures - including Spartathlon, Dragon's Back & South Downs Way 100 - interspersed with an impressive array of interviews with many of the world's best ultra runners. Descriptions of events across the world are sprinkled throughout, and combined with the pure love of running which shines through every page, is surely enough to inspire anyone to plan an ultra-running adventure!
November 10, 2021
in general interesting stories, but I was annoyed that author was jumping between topics and stories all the time. I could accept that peoples busy mind is jumping all the time and it's quite challenging sometimes to get focused, but having book written this way was sort of surprising. or at least it wasn't in sync with my busy mind ))
Just finished Adharanand Finn book "The Rise of the Ultra Runners" which I could recommend much more than this one.
Just finished Adharanand Finn book "The Rise of the Ultra Runners" which I could recommend much more than this one.
August 16, 2020
I'm always likely to enjoy a book about running written by that bloke who used to read the sports news on Chris Evans' Radio 2 breakfast show and that proved to be the case. My only gripe is that he flits about a bit and I'd have preferred it if he had finished one story before moving on to the next.
October 12, 2020
Entertaining and informative read following Vassos' mishap-ridden adventures in ultra-running. Although, the author definitely shows a rare talent for the sport, and one is struck by his indomitable drive and spirit! We follow Vassos as he tackles smaller local events to those of greater renown, such as the Spartathlon, meeting and sharing struggles with fellow competitors along the way.
January 5, 2021
Another book by Vassos Alexander and another that reads really well. Just like the first one showed the stories of marathons, this one takes a look on trail running and especially ultramarathons. It features many well-known runners and a funny, yet informative look into the sport. Can't wait for the new Alexander's book! :)
January 12, 2021
Definitely an interesting delve into the world of ultras from the perspective of a non-pro. The formatting was confusing, how it kept jumping between races, back and forward. It would also change perspective when he was interviewing someone which wasn't clear most of the time until you're a while into the interview. Still, good stories and sparked an interest into reading more on the topic.
March 10, 2021
I'm not an ultra runner. In fact, my longest race is a half marathon. Yet, I enjoyed the book. I understand a lot more about ultra-running. I don't know that it will tempt me into running an ultra, at my age, but you never know! The book is a great read.
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Read More of my review
April 27, 2021
This book is essentially a series of accounts of ultra-running events and interviews with competitors, without much of a central narrative. If you're interested in running, it's worth a listen; I especially liked how it emphasised the great sense of community at running events, between the runners, the supporters and the volunteers.
July 13, 2021
I was so close to giving this a 5star verdict. His passion was engaging throughout as well as dropping many interesting and knowledgeable interviews. The way the interviews interspersed his book really helped it flow. it's quite helpful in keeping me motivated in achieving and pushing harder for my running goals.
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