Running the Long Path: A 350-mile Journey of Discovery in New York's Hudson Valley (Excelsior Editions)

FINALIST - 2016 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award in the Sports category. An ultrarunner's fast-paced narrative into the wilds of New York's Hudson Valley, as he attempts to set a new record for completing the Long Path, a 350-mile hiking trail that links New York City and Albany.. Have you ever considered running 350 miles in nine days? Kenneth A. Posner did just that when he completed a record-setting run along New York's Long Path, a 350-mile hiking trail that stretches from New York City to Albany. Running the Long Path'spage-turning narrative combines the thrill and challenges of Posner's extreme endurance feat with the stunning natural beauty and deep historical significance of New York's Hudson Valley.. A one-time casual runner, Posner shares his excitement of developing into a trail-runner and eventually an ultrarunner, as well as the pursuit of a "fastest known time" - a new dimension of extreme trail running, where some of the sport's fastest and most experienced athletes vie to set new speed records for important trails. Hikers, walkers, and runners will appreciate his detailed descriptions of planning, pacing, gear selection, nutrition, hydration, and navigation, which will help them prepare for their own adventures on the trails.. Interspersed with the running adventure, Posner relates the interesting stories of the Long Path and the places it passes through, which include some of New York's most important parks and preserves and the distinctive mountains and forests they protect. Throughout the book, he channels the voices of famous New Yorkers associated with the Long Path - Walt Whitman, John Burroughs, Theodore Roosevelt, and Raymond Torrey - who express their appreciation of the natural beauty of the region.. Running the Long Path is the story of what ordinary people can accomplish with a little determination and a lot of grit. Whether you walk or run, you will find inspiration in Posner's tale.. "This is a beautiful book, dazzling in its prose ... definitely do read it." - UltraRunning . "...this book is not about endurance records or racing. And, unlike some tell-all stories of athletic adventure, it is far from a tedious, play-by-play account of his athletic prowess ... What mostly sings in this book are the beautiful descriptions of the trails, the woods and the topography of the Long Path ... Posner's eloquence in dealing with the frustration of his monumental task leaves you feeling as though you are out there, alone in the darkness, searching for the elusive next blue disc ... a great book ... a must read." - Poughkeepsie Journal