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Nowhere Near First
- Ultramarathon Adventures from the Back of the Pack
- Narrated by: Cory Reese
- Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins
- Categories: Sports & Outdoors, Extreme Sports
Non-member price: $27.79
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Into The Furnace explores the inner workings of bravery, hope, and passion. These themes are framed against the backdrop of the Badwater Ultramarathon - a 135-mile race across the hottest place on the planet, Death Valley. Cory Reese has walked into the furnace. He has faced adversity, both in running and in life. His book captures the essence of what it means to suffer, what it means to persevere, and ultimately, what it means to create a life of clarity and purpose.
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Top Story
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When barefoot running guru Christopher McDougall takes in a neglected donkey, his aim is to get Sherman back to reasonable health. But Sherman is ill-tempered, obstinate and uncooperative - and it's clear his poor treatment has made him deeply fearful of humans. Chris knows that donkeys need a purpose - they are working pack animals - and so when he learns of the sport of Burro Racing or running with donkeys, he sets out to give Sherman something worth living for.
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The most delightful book!
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Publisher's Summary
Long before Cory Reese strapped on his first pair of running shoes, he learned the key to being a successful ultrarunner: He knew how to suffer.
In Nowhere Near First, Cory shares his deeply personal story about experiencing his father’s suicide at a young age, and how this led to a career in endurance running and a desire to live life to the fullest.
Nowhere Near First is a humorous, captivating, and uplifting account of Cory’s memorable ultramarathon experiences. Not only does Cory’s entertaining and powerful writing allows listeners a unique perspective into the challenges and rewards of running, but it also inspires each of us to turn tragedy into triumph.
“Cory Reese writes with humor, humbleness and honesty. His story is both uplifting and real, and his tales of persistence and perseverance are sure to inspire, whether you’re at the front of the pack or nowhere near first. Regardless of the title, this book’s a winner!” (Dean Karnazes, author of Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner)
“Cory Reese’s book, Nowhere Near First, is an immensely entertaining and profoundly educational story about overcoming challenges to forge a meaningful life. Reese’s story is must-read for people looking to find meaning and purpose in modern-day society.” (Karl Hoagland, publisher, UltraRunning Magazine)
“Cory has penned a very personal account of overcoming hardship in his personal and athletic life. Nowhere Near First tells his story of perseverance and survival in a vivid, down and dirty way that peaks with his extraordinarily positive way of looking at life.” (Marshall Ulrich, author of Running On Empty: An Ultramarathoner’s Story of Love, Loss, and a Record-Setting Run Across America)
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What listeners say about Nowhere Near First
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- S. Oaks
- 30-08-2020
Great read, funny and inspiring.
Great voice, awesome stories. Really kept my interest on my runs and rides. Thanks for sharing it with the world.
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- Sarah
- 29-10-2018
Inspiration!!!
This book was pure inspiration on grit and determination. I certainly got more miles from it.
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- Nicole
- 05-12-2018
Narrator was TERRIBLE
THE STORY WAS GOOD. The writing is funny but the narrator was emotionless and monotone. It's too bad because it could have been GREAT. the narrator sounds like Stephen Hawkins' computer.
5 people found this helpful
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- Roxanne Conroy
- 11-07-2018
holy.cow.
What can I say other than, my entire perspective on running has changed. Thanks, Cory. I'm encouraged in my own journey.
4 people found this helpful
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- Ashley Michels
- 10-02-2019
HE WROTE THE BOOK!
It had good stories, but was so dry. I don't understand how the person reading their story sounded like he was reading it for the first time. No voice fluctuations or emphasis in any way. The humor was geared towards middle aged housewife contemplating being bad and having a 3rd glass of wine. I was expecting a little more from this book and found myself thinking of preciously read books on my long runs, rather than listening intently.
2 people found this helpful
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- Chrystall Ladlee
- 25-07-2018
Hilarious and Relatable
I’m nowhere near fast or first and just enjoy the experience. It’s encouraging to read a book from someone in the back of the pack too. I love that the author doesn’t take himself too seriously and really enjoyed the stories about friends, family and even strangers getting involved in his race experiences.
2 people found this helpful
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- McKenna Bleem
- 27-05-2019
Back of the pack runner.
totally worth my time and attention. I loved hearing from a regular guy doing regular running struggles in epic Ultra runs and getting them done. all too often we read or listen to the elites and all their accolades versus the stick-to-itiveness and Truth that comes from Cory. Love to meet him some day if I'm ever in Utah or maybe I'll bump into atta ultramarathon or rim to rim to rim. hey Corey what are you doing then September 2020?
1 person found this helpful
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- missy is awsome
- 06-02-2019
Fun and motivating! I’m so glad I gave this a try!
I didn’t know what to expect with this book and I ended up really liking it! At first I had to get past how the author reads out loud. I’ve been listening to so many professionally read books that I took their talent for granted! Either way this Audiobook is still worth listening to. I liked his training stories and especially loved hearing about how he influenced his family to run and train with him too! I’m signed up for my first 30k and 50k and my perspective has switched from “I can’t do this, what was I thinking “ to “just have fun and enjoy the process of training and running the trails” Thanks Cory for writing this book!!!!
1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 12-12-2018
useful if you plan to do an ultra
having done 1 Ultra, Cory is correct. his assessment of what its like is spot on. it takes me back to my 24 hr race and forward to my eventual next race. the pain and mind set are captured well here.
1 person found this helpful
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- Gomer44
- 19-07-2018
An engaging story.
Loved the story. Corey speaks openly about his personal experience with running ultras. Just wish he spoke a little more quickly . Listen at 1.25 and you will be fine.
1 person found this helpful
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- D. Cantu
- 04-12-2020
great book
I'm not an ultra marathoner but thoroughly enjoyed the story. His story definitely sounds like it's for the everyday runner.
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- Josh A.
- 09-10-2020
Great book!
Great stories of personal achievement that all runners can relate to. Humorous. A companion for your long run.
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- ElvistheBoy
- 14-12-2020
Painful Narration
Not the most exciting books by any means and narrator is shocking. Talks about 'running' 100 mile ultras in 30hrs (that's walking pace), taking photos of himself jumping all the time and uses Forrest Gump one liners. Really painful listen and would return it if I could. :-(
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- Anonymous User
- 29-05-2020
enjoyed the content
I enjoyed the content of this book but found the same tone all the way through quite difficult
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