A couple of weeks ago, the great people at Penguin Group sent me a copy of Marshall Ulrich’s Running on Empty. Admittedly, the book sat on my bedside table for a bit — too many projects to finish, a long to do list, etc. got in the way. But, once I did settle down to read the book, I was instantly hooked!

For those of you who don’t know, the book chronicles Ulrich’s record-breaking run across the U.S. and gives a rare and unflinching look into the world of ultrarunning. But this is so much more than a book about running — it’s really a story of a man who finds himself through this incredible journey. Driven by the stress and grief of losing his wife to cancer, running becomes his escape, salvation and obsession. He pushes himself to find bigger and greater challenges — his list of accomplishments is other-worldly — yet his matter-of-fact writing style tends to downplay all he’s achieved. He’s very forthright in examining the toll his endurance achievements takes on his relationships with his family – the question of pursuing one’s passions while striking a balance with family life really resonated with me.

This book is a quick read and you do not have to be a runner to appreciate the themes of challenges/personal goals, achievements, loss, perseverance, drive, love and relationships presented.

I’m happy to say that thanks to the people at Penguin, I have an extra copy to share with one of you! If you would like to win a copy of Running on Empty:

• Be a follower or become one. 
• Extra entries by posting about this giveaway on your blog or tweeting about it. 

 Please leave me a comment for each. I’ll pick a winner via random.org on 6/3.