Rusch to Glory: Adventure, Risk, & Triumph on the Path Less Traveled

by Rebecca Rusch, Mark Burnett (Foreword), Selene Yeager (Primary Contributor)

Rebecca Rusch is one of the great endurance athletes of our time. Known today as the Queen of Pain for her perseverance as a relentlessly fast runner, paddler, and mountain bike racer, Rusch was a normal kid from Chicago who abandoned a predictable life for one of adventure. In her new book Rusch to Glory: Adventure, Risk & Triumph on the Path Less Traveled , Rusch weaves her fascinating life's story among the exotic locales and extreme conditions that forged an extraordinary athlete from ordinary roots. Rusch has run the gauntlet of endurance sports over her career as a professional athlete-- climbing, adventure racing, whitewater rafting, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking--racking up world championships along the way. But while she might seem like just another superhuman playing out a fistful of aces, her empowering story proves that anyone can rise above self-doubt and find their true potential. First turning heads with her rock climbing and paddling skills, Rusch soon found herself spearheading adventure racing teams like Mark Burnett's Eco-Challenge series. As she fought her way through the jungles of Borneo, raced camels across Morocco, threaded the rugged Tian Shan mountains, and river-boarded the Grand Canyon in the dead of winter, she was forced to stare down her own demons. Through it all, Rusch continually redefined her limits, pushing deep into the pain cave and emerging ready for the next great challenge. At age 38, Rusch faced a tough decision: retire or reinvent herself yet again. Determined to go for broke, she shifted her focus to endurance mountain bike racing and rode straight into the record books at a moment when most athletes walk away. Rusch to Glory is more than an epic story of adventure; it is a testament to the rewards of hard work, determination, and resilience on the long road to personal and professional triumph.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Outdoors, Adventure, Fitness, Memoir

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2014

Reviews

[Mindy W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in 24 hours. Loved it. Rebecca is amazing and inspirational. Thanks Tarah!

[Lois Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not sure if non-cyclists would find this as good, but I just found this so inspiring and I feel like future is so bright with so much to do. Thanks Rebecca!

[RaeLynn Zenzius · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true adventurer, Rebecca Rusch did what it takes to become a professional athlete, she sacrificed many things in order to follow her passions. It paid off and the story is told in an honest, sometimes raw and painfully emotional journey. I felt as if I was sitting in the room with Rebecca telling the story live. When I read about women like Rebecca Rusch I'm puzzled how books like "Wild" could ever lead a reader past page one....read this if you want to be inspired, to set high goals for yourself and to appreciate those who put in the truly hard work not for recognition but because it's who they are!

[Tarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I love the heart and grit of this woman. When I first started reading, I thought, interesting, the writing is simple and plain, a jock's writing, no flowery language or metaphor. It drew me in. I'm sure I enjoyed it more than some because of my active lifestyle and involvement in the community, though I share none of her sports on common. She's a badass with a big heart and I'm inspired by both.

[Camee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved reading about all of Rebecca Rusch's adventures. From river boarding in frigid water to riding a camel across the desert, there were so many of them I lost count after a while. I especially liked hearing about her dirt bag roots and her evolution from gym rat to crag chick. She also never stuck to one kind of sport - one thing always led to another until she became the well rounded athletic machine she is today. The best part was learning how Rusch didn't get into mountain biking until she was 38! As someone who wants to get into mountain biking and is afraid to try this was very inspiring to me.

Rusch is not only special in terms of her all her travels and athleticism, but also because she is a terrific role model for women and young girls. I loved reading about her efforts to get more girls involved in sports like mountain biking.

This is one of those books that if I have a daughter, I will be sure to push this in her direction. Even if you aren't into sports you will enjoy the tales of Rusch's awe inspiring adventures.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, Rebecca Rusch is clearly an amazing athlete and her many achievements should be celebrated. That said, I want to separate the woman from the book. It was not a great read. Perhaps it was Selene Yeager's writing that made this such a slog to get through.

As another reviewer here wrote: "Rusch's narrative goes sort of like this: I didn't think I could do it. I was scared. My [fill-in-the-blank] was hurting / bleeding / broken. I pressed on anyway, and we finished. I found this theme more repetitive than inspirational."

Taking on mountain biking as a new rider and winning the events she has won is certainly impressive. But that, too, followed a similar narrative, "I lacked the skills to do well, but I pushed myself. I was hurting and afraid to look behind me. I finished and I won!"

I don't know if it's because all these events blurred together, but I felt like many of them were covered in such a cursory way that it just got boring.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Rusch is a very successful adventure racer and endurance mountain biker, born in Chicago in 1968. Before reading this book, I had never heard of adventure racing. This involves a competition lasting many days over several hundred miles like 500, and involving some or all activities such as paddling, mountain climbing, biking, rafting, catching and riding horses or camels, in such countries as Borneo, Argentina, Kyrgyzstan or Morocco. Thank you, Hella, for recommending this incredible book about an amazing person.

[Chloe Holiday · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring book from the woman dubbed Queen of Pain, this novel looks at Rusch's journey from disillusioned cross-country runner to climber to adventure racer to endurance mountain biker. It's got a honest voice for the loneliness, self-doubt, and challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field, and it's fascinating to read the behind-the-scenes for the various races, and see the photos.

The narrative is a bit disjointed at times, but it's a book to read for the content, not the prose. It's a great story of determination and re-inventing oneself!

[Jeff Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not an avid bike rider. Rusch to Glory was recommended by a dedicated peddle-pushing friend and left me in awe of Rebecca Rusch. Her accomplishments in adventure racing were amazing enough, but this confidence driven athlete goes on to excel in whitewater rafting, cross-country skiing, mountain biking and climbing.

Rebecca pushes us to conquer our own fears and shines as an example of perseverance and the ability to face her personal struggles head-on. This is an uplifting read and sure to make you want to get off the couch and create your own accomplishments.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rebecca Rusch has some amazing accomplishments and has participated in many sports/activities. I was super excited to read this after having read "Hell on Wheels" and "Swimming to Antarctica" BOTH also highlight amazing women athletes, and are written exceptionally well. Unfortunately, although Rebecca has great accomplishments, it is quite the slog to read. It might be more interesting to read about her on Wikipedia. I was disappointed with this book.

[Madalene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book is mostly about how Rusch came into rock climbing and then adventure racing (and how tough and sometimes fatal adventure racing can be). The second half is on her move into competitive cycling, with a large focus on the Leadville 100 race and her very impressive achievements there.

There's not a lot of personal reflection or internal growth arc, but it's still a fun autobiography seeing how a non-traditional cyclist was setting records starting at age 38.

[Ryan Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebecca goes to show you that sure, she’s an incredible athlete, but what really separates the average from the incredible is mental toughness. We can all take note of this in all areas of our lives. We’ll all be dealt some tough times, but it’s how your mind reacts that will determine the outcome. And the mind takes as much training as the physical side does. Inspirational and made me want to get off my butt and get moving every time I picked up and read.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this really inspiring and have been recommending it to all my cycling friends. She is so tough and fierce and determined and writes very well about it all. I found her honesty about fear and self-doubt to be the most compelling and valuable parts of the book, but there’s also just a lot of really good race stories in here. Loved it!

[Teri Pitman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve admired Rebecca since the Team Montrail days when I’d ask my mom to record Primal Quest on a VHS tape and then getting to meet her that first year in Leadville made me giddy. Her toughness and ready-for-anything attitude totally inspire me! I sold my gravel bike years ago but think I’m ready to jump back in.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The accounts of racing were interesting, but the prose was stilted, the motivational advice was trite, and the timelines confusing. The takeaways, or what she says she learned from various experiences, felt tacked-on and forced. It kept my interest throughout, so I'm glad I read it (I previously knew nothing about adventure racing or endurance mountain biking).

[Brett Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I don't love suffering. But I'm not afraid to suffer. I'm not afraid to keep going. To me, going longer and farther means I'm en route to a new discovery. I like what I learn about myself and who I am when I push through to the other side."

[anna salkeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping and inspiring

What a colourful and adventurous life of grit, life, adventure, wins and losses. Couldn’t stop reading and now time to jump on my bike with a new determination!

[Maggie HambidgeHarvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

She writes in great detail the many races she did with outcomes that helped her personal growth and her plan for the next race. She comes into mountain biking later in her life, which ends up as a career changer. I liked how she gives back to her community .

[Anita Klimek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, inspiring read. If you're looking for a some motivation, read this. This woman is simply amazing.

[Jude Woodcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

she does not seem to realize what a great athlete she is?

[Nancy Zink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational book!

[Jen Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great adventure read for female athletes and anyone who wants an exciting story. Rusch is an amazing role model.

[Uros Abaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a life story! Very entertaining read.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the journey and developed interest in a variety of competitive events new to my experience.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most enjoyable reads in a while and I don't have any interest in "adventure racing", it was just a good read.She had a lot of heart.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Sincere, inspiring, informative. Adventure racing, endurance sports, mountain biking. Shows how will power is probably the most important asset for success.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rebecca Rusch is an amazing athlete. Hands down. This book started out strong with stories about Rebecca discovering cross-country and starting to climb. Then, somewhere along the way I became less connected/interested. Instead of a single chapter about three different adventure races, I'd rather have more depth - more details about a single race (what was Rebecca's training like, how did it feel to lose a fellow athlete during a race, how did she recover and do it again and again). Perhaps the challenge is that Rebecca has so many accomplishments, how do you choose? That said, at only 250 pages - I think more pages, more insight was possible.

[Isobelle Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book if you're into the adventurous sports and looking at life of a professional athlete. Rebecca writes so well, plus is awesome to follow her life

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and inspiring!

[Rauno Villberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild tales from a serious badass; hashtag inspirational.