Nowhere Near First: Ultramarathon Adventures from the Back of the Pack
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Nowhere Near First: Ultramarathon Adventures from the Back of the Pack Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Cory Reese (Author, Narrator, Publisher)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,161 ratings
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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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  1. Listening Length
    6 hours and 48 minutes
  2. Author
    Cory Reese
  3. Narrator
    Cory Reese
  4. Audible release date
    May 16, 2018
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Cory Reese
  7. ASIN
    B07D1CFS7H
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 6 hours and 48 minutes
Author Cory Reese
Narrator Cory Reese
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date May 16, 2018
Publisher Cory Reese
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07D1CFS7H
Best Sellers Rank #45,261 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#10 in Extreme Sports (Audible Books & Originals)
#38 in Running & Jogging (Audible Books & Originals)
#47 in Extreme Sports (Books)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
1,161 global ratings
Good read, but missing pages.
4 Stars
Good read, but missing pages.
Really enjoyed reading this book. If you're someone who likes reading about others race experiences, then you'll also enjoy this book. However...I can't give 5 stars because my book is missing pages! They aren't ripped out- they were never there. A little annoying, but seeing as it only happened once, not completely awful..and not worth the trouble of sending it back.
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Top reviews from the United States

MN
5.0 out of 5 stars Somewhere near first on the list of my favorite running memoirs
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2017
Verified Purchase
What sets Cory's book apart from similar running memoirs is his ability to tell a story in a way that doesn't feel forced - it's like heading out for a run on the trails with a friend, just talking about life, running, and everything in between. Cory is so...relateable. Oh sure it's amazing reading the adventures of runners like Jurek or Dean or Roll, but it's hard to read a story about what it's like to be suffering while leading Western States or Badwater 135 and know what that feeling is like. But reading about being stuck on a trail at night, or jumping into a van to escape thunderstorms - I know what that feeling is like.

Though I think that Cory would probably bristle at the term "elite," the fact is that he is an elite runner. You do not complete the Badwater 135 without being an elite runner. Yet it's an approachable kind of elite, even though that's a bit of an oxymoron. Cory's not writing about fueling his runs with chia seeds or listing off the powders and tinctures in a smoothie that would make the witches of MacBeth say "Whoa, you're putting that in there?"

I gave his book to a running friend of mine, a guy who runs but hasn't ventured longer than a half marathon. He handed the book back to me the next day - after staying up late reading it - asking what trail races were happening soon. That's the effect of Nowhere Near First - it's a book that makes you want to go out and punch through a wall and then race a cheetah. But in a way that it actually seems like it could happen.

Cory's writing style makes for a quick read, a verbal runner's high if you will, pages flipping along. It's an impressive debut, walking readers through his life and touching on some of the adventures along the way.

It's a great gift for the runner (or wanna be runner) in your life.
6 people found this helpful
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JasonM
5.0 out of 5 stars Reminded me why I run...
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
Loved reading this book. As a runner, much like the title of this book, I'm Nowhere Near First in almost every case. I do find myself however at times taking it entirely too seriously. Sure I want to push myself to see what I'm capable of, but I want to enjoy it too. Cory's book reminded me to not lose sight of that side of things, to slow down and enjoy the smell of the orchards (near my house) when running in spring, to take a look at the amazing sunsets and sunrises I encounter when I've dragged myself out there early in the morning or after a hard day of work, and so on. Not only do I run to be physically healthy, but also to be mentally healthy and a more balanced person for myself, my kids, my job, my friends, my life. Cory helped me bring that perspective back ~ even though before reading the book I wouldn't have said I'd lost it. I had. I became a much more avid runner because of some major setbacks in life (although nothing like Cory's story), but it was so nice to be able to connect with Cory's story of using running to overcome our fears and limitations and to do things we'd never have dreamed ourselves capable of doing. I'm running my 8th marathon in a few weeks. I'd nearly stopped training for this one because it had gone so miserably this time around. I'm actually looking forward to it now ~ not because my race time will be anything special, but because I'm blessed to be able to do it at all. Thanks Cory for the reminder.
5 people found this helpful
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john demorest
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun!
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2016
Verified Purchase
Humorous and insightful account of the joy, lessons, adventures, social network, healthy advantages psychologically well as physiologically ultrarunning affords. This is not an egocentric "all about me" book but rather a universal tale about how by the commitment of effort and getting in this game, we can all reap the reward of happiness. That is, it's an earned achievement of doing something hard and extraordinary

As an aging ultrarunner for over 33 years, I was very inspired by the theme
s articulated by this book. What hit home the most for me, was the point that while there may be winners (as these events are races), but almost everyone involved is pulling for each participant in their own struggle of endurance to the last finisher and everyone in between. Also, along with all the adventures afforded by ultrarunning, I have found no better group of people to be with from all walks of life with the shared interest in doing something so positively wonderful in so many ways. This book reminded me of this.
7 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars That is the best part of Cory’s story is that he is constantly ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2017
Verified Purchase
Two years ago I began running with the goal of a completing 1 mile. Fast forward to this year, I purchased Cory’s book prior to running my first ultra (50 miles). Nowhere Near First is hands down one of the most helpful pieces of reading I did while preparing. By sharing his stories he answered so many questions I had about training, race day preparation and what to expect mentally. I had read a lot of other books written by elite athletes and I had a hard time relating. That is the best part of Cory’s story is that he is constantly challenging himself, even when it’s hard. He also doesn’t sugar coat what it feels like to go through really long events and suffering. Suffering is part of the process and he embraces it. Every chapter is like its own story and it flows extremely well. If you start small, even with 1 mile, running an ultra can be possible. Cory’s book continues to inspire me to challenge myself to see what my limits are. I will continue to go back to his book as a reference as I train for my first international trail race and a 100K in 2018.
10 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read!
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
As a back of the pack ultra runner, I have read many books about trail running, but most are from the most elite of elite runners. While inspiring, it is hard to connect on a deeper level with what those runners are experiencing.
Cory does a great job sharing more of what it is like to be a mid pack runner and the day to day problems that come from running long distance. It was a really fun book to read.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Bart Cummins
5.0 out of 5 stars Before virtuals were a thing
Reviewed in Canada on May 19, 2021
Verified Purchase
Wow, Cory is ahead of his time. He was running his own virtual 100 mile races well before the Covid-19 pandemic made them more common. And he ran the events in conditions what would have led many people to quit and go home. The story is inspiring, insightful, humorous, and written in such a way that I'm right there with him.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for amateur runners
Reviewed in India on December 20, 2022
Verified Purchase
Nowhere near first is so near to my running journey that I completed the book in 2 sittings…it was like reliving some of my adventures in trail and ultra runs…the pain, the struggle, the effort of trying harder and harder by someone like me who is not gifted but is tenacious …has been brought about beautifully in the book. A must read for all those who want to pursue ultra running.
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Matt
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read about superhuman running strength
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2021
Verified Purchase
An excellent read, talking through the highs and lows of some pretty brutal ultra running. Cory’s writing style is engaging, funny and gives you hope that you could do what he could. Nowhere near first is a great story of one man’s strength and determination.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Muito bom para conhecer o que se passa dentro das ultramaratonas e da cabeça dos corredores.
Reviewed in Brazil on February 17, 2017
Verified Purchase
Narrativa divertida e introspectiva sobre o autor e o mundo das ultramaratonas. Tem agluns trechos repetitivos, mas vale a leitura, até mesmo para reflexão sobre as possibilidades do corpo humano e do que o corredor comum, fora da elite, pode realizar.
Não tem dicas sobre equipamentos específicos e as marcas/modelos que o Cory usa não são citados. Nem há qualquer tipo de planilha de treino ou informações sobre treinamento.
2 people found this helpful
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Truth Devour
5.0 out of 5 stars Winning All The Way
Reviewed in Australia on July 2, 2019
Verified Purchase
What stood out for me is the lovely supportive relationship Cory and his wife have. It's super important to have the ones you love be positive and allow the space for their partner to grow, fall, stand up and grow some more.

The fact that it took Cory years, circulating between a yearn to run, failing, quitting, then yearning again before he developed his mojo around running & eventually ultra running, is an awesome feat of persistence. What stood out for me was his wife never put him down, nor did she discourage him to give up, tease him about his previous unsuccessful attempts.

This book was an enjoyable read.
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