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Relentless: Seven Marathons, Seven Continents, Seven Days

David Gething

4.15 · Rating details · 41 ratings · 6 reviews

The World Marathon Challenge--seven marathons on seven continents in seven days--is the ultimate race for adventurous runners. It tests the athletes to their limits, going from biting cold Antarctic conditions one day to dry desert heat another. To survive the onslaught of sensations--fear, fatigue, depression, elation--takes a special sort of determination and strength of ...more

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Hardcover, 230 pages

Published October 16th 2016 by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

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Sep 20, 2017 Sarah Baur rated it it was amazing

I have had the pleasure of knowing David Gething since 2008 as my dog's veterinarian. Imagine my shock when one morning in January 2015 I see him on the front page of the South China Morning Post as the winner of the World Marathon Challenge! What's funny is that I saw him for a checkup the previous week for my dog and I was worried about his health - he looked so thin! I had no idea he was training for this journey.

After seeing him in our paper, I emailed him to congratulate him and got a ...more

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Jun 02, 2017 Caren Michael rated it it was amazing

Very very interesting book esp for anyone who has run a long distance race. I can't wrap my mind around how difficult this must have been! Amazing!

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Mar 20, 2017 Rick Reitzug rated it it was amazing

Incredible book! A must read for anyone who has ever run marathons, ultramarathons, done triathlons, or participated in other extreme endurance sports.

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Oct 28, 2016 Cheryl P rated it it was amazing

Well, the fact that the book arrived yesterday afternoon and was pretty much devoured in one late-night/early morning sitting, is a telling testament to the book’s status as a real page turner. Intending only to skim over the first chapter and set it aside until I'd finished Jens Voigt's 'Shut up Legs', I ended up side-lining Voigt in favour of Gething, such was the compelling nature of his story.

For those that are interested in the personal accounts of the trials, tribulations and the general Well, the fact that the book arrived yesterday afternoon and was pretty much devoured in one late-night/early morning sitting, is a telling testament to the book’s status as a real page turner. Intending only to skim over the first chapter and set it aside until I'd finished Jens Voigt's 'Shut up Legs', I ended up side-lining Voigt in favour of Gething, such was the compelling nature of his story.

For those that are interested in the personal accounts of the trials, tribulations and the general psychology of endurance sports; be it triathlon or marathon/ultra running or cycling, this book hits the spot. For me, the book represents a refreshing departure from the usual sporting accounts where the author, generally a household name, is typically spotted as a junior and then goes on to have an illustrious sporting career. Predictable. Not so here. This is more a story about what drive, guts, determination, single-mindedness and sheer, bloody hard toil can achieve. Staggering, really. Truly inspiring for all the weekend warriors out there, chasing a PB or our Club nemesis. And whilst Gething eludes several times to his 'average Joe' status, (he started out as an unfit 30 something chubster, never far from a beer or fag) there is nothing average about his reserves of fortitude - he has that by the bucket load. It is, however, his unlikely starting point which gives the book great crossover appeal to the those sat on the sofa, pondering whether to attempt the seemingly monumental climb out of an unhealthy, middle-age rut and don the lycra. Gething’s account could produce just the shove needed. In fact, there’s probably another book in the 7 or so years of training and racing that brought him to the World Marathon Challenge. I was left wanting to know more about the stepping stones from the couch to the first triathlon, the nutritional overhaul, the lifestyle adjustments, the first ironman and then the podiums etc.

Although an amateur, Gething is as knowledgeable as many a coach and has obviously done his research. Those interested will find useful insights into training, preparation and recovery etc. A particular highlight, I enjoyed the frequent sidesteps into the comparisons and parallels he drew from the dynamics and psychological warfare between himself and his fellow competitors, with the legendary moments of sporting history, such as the great ironman faceoff between Mark Allen and Dave Scott and the darker duals, such as the attempted shafting of Greg LeMond by his team mate Bernard Hinault on the 1986 TdF. Gething has an easy style which enables him to narrate so compellingly and bring to life, not only his own story but these great (and not so great in the case of Hinault!) moments of sporting history. He weaves a tale which in equal parts both educates and entertains. I dare say if he were to comb through the history books for more psychologically charged sporting duals, he would have the premise for another page turner.

...more

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Feb 15, 2017 Lindsay Miller rated it it was amazing

A very honest and well written account of how someone turned their life around. The relevance of this book extends far beyond people interested in competitive marathons. It will be enjoyed by any one wanting to read a good story. The book is easy to read and gives insight into the grits and determination required to put the past behind and move into a new stage of life.

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Oct 09, 2016 Tim Gething rated it it was amazing

I am not a runner and did not expect this book to interest me. However, I found it engrossing and exciting and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The book is 'made' by the interplay between David and Doug (another competitor). Recommended to runners and non-runners alike.

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