North by Scott Jurek

🚀 The Book in 3 Sentences

1. Scott Jurek is trying to find a former, livelier version of himself that he had lost in middle age, one that was able to win 100 mile races with gusto.
2. To do so, Scott decides the best challenge for him is to attempt setting the fastest-known-time (FKT) for running the Appalachian trail going north (hence the title).
3. Scott shares his journey and the lessons that he learned during his FKT attempt and how it changed him as a person.

🎨 Impressions

Scott’s writing style in North really helped the flow and felt like he was just talking to you during his runs. I enjoyed how candid he was about all that happened, not holding back about how terrible he felt and how scared he was of losing it.

Despite knowing he would eventually make it to Maine in the end, the sheer size of what he was trying to do made the book feel so tense and suspenseful.

Being somewhat of a runner myself, I really enjoyed the book and all of the running-specific advice. Even if you’re not a runner, there is lots of good life advice and proverbs to be found from what he talks about.

How I Discovered It

I had read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall a few years ago, and Scott Jurek was featured as one of the runners that took part in the main narrative. After looking him up, I found he had written a few books, including North. However, due to being busy with school and work, I hadn’t bought a copy of his book for a couple years.

Who Should Read It?

I think this is a great book for any runner to read and definitely inspired me to get back to running after a bit of a break. I also think it’s a good book for anyone to pick up as the lessons his journey teaches can be broadly applicable to other aspects of life.

☘️ How the Book Changed Me 

• North made me think of what my own Appalachian Trail might be, what obstacle I might need to face in order to find who I am deep down. I have yet to discover it.
• Scott’s writing also reinforced my respect for nature, in how cruel and unforgiving it can be if you are unprepared. Nevertheless, reading about Scott’s journey only makes me want to get out into nature more often.
• I also realised none of this harrowing adventure would have been possible without the help of his wife and the rest of the support crew he had. Like Scott, we also need our own support crew to help us get through difficult times.

✍️ My Top 3 Quotes

• “I jumped in, and, as clichéd as it sounds, I felt all my cares slip away and I floated on my back and stared at the rapidly clearing sky. We made it halfway! We had a crazy 1,095 miles behind us and other 1,095 to go. We had everything we needed—each other—and that was enough.”
• “The mind of a warrior (or anyone performing a difficult task) should be so attuned to the moment that thoughts and emotions do not impede proper action. A mind in this condition is thought to function so optimally that the right decisions come naturally and pain and fear disappear”
• “We often think we can’t go any farther and feel like we have nothing left to give, yet there is hidden potential and strength in all of us, begging to find it. We arrive at it via different means—sometimes reward, sometimes fear”