Rich Roll

I read this book, coincidentally, in two spurts, each time on the train home from swimming. (a long train; the Manhattan pools were closed for some open house) and I hadn't been swimming in a while. This made everything Rich said feel so very true as I was completely high on endorphins completely opposite to the seasonal depressiapathy that's been getting to me the past few months. As such, this book was just an absolute delight to read and resonated entirely.

I then went and, the first night, consumed an entire wedge of cheese, and the other, a big CookieTime cookie the other, so the message obviously didn't sink in, but hey.

This was a pacy, well written memoir. I don't think it's in the same league as BORN TO RUN or NORTH but regardless was a good read. Roll can be quite full of himself, but he knows that, and I adored the way that he talked here and there about his family with such love and affection. What I so admire about Scott Jurek's (or, rather, his ghostwriters') writing though is that he never comes off as preachy. And Roll kinda does at points. Which is especially annoying because he tries to distance himself from the "political" and "hippie" vegans.

Side note: of course Rick Horgan edited this...… (meer)

Can't decide between 2 and three stars. Tempted to say the guy is a psycho. Who would want to do the things he did to his body? Doing 5 Ironman type competitions in 5 days? That is 100% crazy.

But

You can't help being impressed that he was 40 and out of shape and changed his lifestyle to be this superfit endurance guy.

But

His out of shape didn't really seem that extreme (maybe 30 lbs overweight?). And he was a competitive swimmer growing up. Yes I know you can be completely unfit and still not be obese, but having a mere 30 lbs extra is the difference between him before and after becoming (I assume) Mr. Zero body fat, extra lean guy.

But

He is a vegan. Which is surprising. As an not particularly healthy eating vegetarian of 27 yrs (yum! cookies don't have meat!), I am interested in what he eats to sustain himself through the grueling workouts.

I am intrigued, but doubt I will ever find kale and beetroot smoothies a great way to start the day.

But

You never know.
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