Longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2012. On October 14, 1989, driven by one of the most intense and lasting two-man rivalries in any sport, a pair of generational talents at the height of their powers ran a race that redefined human limits. The battle between Dave Scott and Mark Allen at the 13th Hawaii Ironman stands as one of the most dramatic stories in the history of athletics. The two greatest athletes of triathlon's pioneering generation raced side by side, literally, for eight straight hours at breakneck speed before Allen finally tore away from his longtime nemesis with less than two miles left in the 140.6-mile event. His margin of victory was a scant 58 seconds. So intense was the drama, the race came to be known as 'Iron War' - the single most awe-inspiring sporting event ever witnessed. More than a compelling story, Iron War is a fascinating exploration of how Scott and Allen pushed themselves and each other - and what it takes for anyone to break through perceived limits. Much as Christopher McDougall added depth to Born to Run by tying in new research on the evolutionary origins of humans as runners, Iron War shows how new discoveries in neuroscience explain how some elite athletes are able to literally will their bodies to do things that should be beyond their capacities. The book weaves an examination of the anatomy of mental toughness into a gripping tale of athletic adventure. With its emotional and intellectual depth, Iron War is a captivating and thought-provoking portrait of the human will..

Neal Bascomb, the New York Times bestselling author of Faster, presents the riveting, true story of the three world-class athletes who individually became the first runners to break the four-minute mile.

There was a time when running the mile in four minutes was believed to be beyond the limits of human foot speed, and in all of sport it was the elusive holy grail. In 1952, after suffering defeat at the Helsinki Olympics, three world-class runners each set out to break this barrier.

Roger Bannister was a young English medical student who epitomized the ideal of the amateur — still driven not just by winning but by the nobility of the pursuit. John Landy was the privileged son of a genteel Australian family, who as a boy preferred butterfly collecting to running but who trained relentlessly in an almost spiritual attempt to shape his body to this singular task. Then there was Wes Santee, the swaggering American, a Kansas farm boy and natural athlete who believed he was just plain better than everybody else.

Spanning three continents and defying the odds, their collective quest captivated the world and stole headlines from the Korean War, the atomic race, and such legendary figures as Edmund Hillary, Willie Mays, Native Dancer, and Ben Hogan. In the tradition of Seabiscuit and Chariots of Fire, Neal Bascomb delivers a breathtaking story of unlikely heroes and leaves us with a lasting portrait of the twilight years of the golden age of sport.

The perfect companions for exploring the National Parks. Walking guide to the Broads National Park, with 20 best routes chosen by the park rangers. Each walk varies in length from 2 to 10 km and can be completed in less than 4 hours. 20 best routes chosen and written by National Park rangers Walks from 2 to 10km Detailed description for each walk with highlights clearly marked on the map along with an accompanying map and photographs General information about the National Park plus basic advice on walking This and the Broads National Park Pocket Map (ISBN: 9780008439156) are the perfect companions for exploring this superb walking area of East Anglia.

In this inspirational and practical guide to country life, passionate and hugely knowledgeable countryman Alan Titchmarsh explores the heritage of rural Britain, its landscapes and wildlife, its traditions, customs and crafts. The Lost Skills and Crafts Handbook will help you rediscover your love of the countryside, including: - a checklist of British butterflies and where to find them - how to keep chickens, ducks, goats and sheep - how to make soap, candles and your own herbal remedies - how to track animals and forage for food - essential knot tying - how to build a campfire without matches - how to create a kitchen garden - the origins of country superstitions And much more. With beautiful line art illustrations throughout, this compendium of the British countryside and its delights will be an essential read for any nature lover in your life.

Public awareness of and sensitivity to questions of pain, risk and injury in sport is more acute than ever before. Whether it is questions of what sport (and fans) can realistically and responsibly expect of athletes, how revered practices almost inevitably culminate in suffering bodies, or the widespread attention being paid to injury outcomes (especially concussion), it is clear that sport in many settings currently operates in a climate that is both more scientifically and medically aware and more sensitive to risk 'outcomes'. This volume closely explores the full panorama of pain, risk and injury in the cultural, organizational and legal orbits of sport spaces. Aimed at students, researchers as well as applied professionals, the volume sets the cultural, structural and organizational context that gives rise to pain, risk and injury in the first place, provides substantive empirical examples from diverse sports arenas, looks at the key issues and dimensions of pain, risk and injury in the social consciousness today, and explores three different 'spins' on making sense of the subject matter -- from the position of the issue of consent and the courts, from the position of exploitation and corporate victimization, and from the understudied position of why athletes exit sport as an outcome of pain and injury and with what consequences. This timely and needed addition to the sport literature is an exciting 'on-the-bubble' treatment of a topic that is increasingly troubling authorities and affecting how and whether sport is undertaken.

When Anthony L. Copeland-Parker and his partner Catherine were in their fifties, they learned that he needed a heart-valve replacement, and she had early-onset Alzheimer's. Their past experience as endurance athletes lead them to react accordingly-to sell their home, retire from their jobs, and become nomads, running marathons and half-marathons all over the world. Anthony L. Copeland-Parker's Running All Over the World began as a blog written during his travels, a nonfiction account of his five-plus years of flying, running, walking, sailing, and sightseeing with his partner Catherine-from Atlanta to Antarctica and back again. Part travelogue and part medical memoir, Anthony's writing transports readers to exotic places like Madagascar, Bhutan, and the Great Wall of China while providing a look at the day-to-day realities of living out of a suitcase. Running All Over the World is an offbeat story about life and love, recounting the trials and tribulations of an ex-pilot with a passion for vistas and logistics and a woman so tough she walks a half-marathon in the Australian Outback mere weeks after breaking her ankle. During their years as nomads, Anthony and Catherine tested the physical and mental limits of their bodies and finished every race hand in hand.

One Breath is a gripping and powerful exploration of the strange and fascinating sport of freediving, and of the tragic, untimely death of America's greatest freediver Competitive freediving-a sport built on diving as deep as possible on a single breath-tests the limits of human ability in the most hostile environment on earth. The unique and eclectic breed of individuals who freedive at the highest level regularly dive hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface, reaching such depths that their organs compress, light disappears, and one mistake could kill them. Even among freedivers, few have ever gone as deep as Nicholas Mevoli. A handsome young American with an unmatched talent for the sport, Nick was among freediving's brightest stars. He was also an extraordinary individual, one who rebelled against the vapid and commoditized society around him by relentlessly questing for something more meaningful and authentic, whatever the risks. So when Nick Mevoli arrived at Vertical Blue in 2013, the world's premier freediving competition, he was widely expected to challenge records and continue his meteoric rise to stardom. Instead, before the end of that fateful competition Nick Mevoli had died, a victim of the sport that had made him a star, and the very future of free diving was called into question. With unparalleled access and masterfully crafted prose, One Breath tells his unforgettable story, and of the sport which shaped and ultimately destroyed him.

'If Ray Mears isn't a Great Living Englishman, then goodness me, who is? Ray is a persuader, pragmatist and populariser in the Durrell-Attenborough-Bellamy tradition.' - Robert Crampton, The Times Ray Mears is a household name through his television series Tracks, World of Survival, Bushcraft Survival, The Real Heroes of Telemark and many more. He is a private individual who shuns publicity whenever possible and would prefer to let his many skills tell their own tale - until now. In My Outdoor Life, Ray tells of his childhood and the formative years when he first developed a passion for both bushcraft and the martial arts skills that are central to his life. Having travelled the world several times over, he is no stranger to risk and has had more than his fair share of dangerous and life-threatening encounters to share with his readers. But his life is so much more than a tale of derring-do. Shortly after he returned to England having narrowly survived a serious helicopter crash, his father died. Just a year later, he had to face the death of his first wife Rachel. The book conveys the many sides of Ray Mears, taking us up to the present day - including the previously untold story of his involvement in the man-hunt for murderer Raoul Moat. My Outdoor Life gives us all a chance to share a life-story as rich and as inspirational as a walk in woods with the man himself, Ray Mears.

Handy little full colour map of South Downs National Park. Detailed mapping and visitor information to the National Park along with a selection of photographs. Map at a scale of 1:125 000 (1cm to 1.25km, 2.0 miles to 1 inch). This small map gives a great overview of the South Downs National Park, and is the perfect companion for exploring this beautiful area of South East England. Clear, detailed mapping Key park, tourist and travel information Ideal for planning visits to the National Park Index to help locate and plan your trip * Information on the South Downs Way, Miles Without Stiles routes, the Seven Sisters and other places of interest Discover more about the walking routes at this National Park with the South Downs Park Rangers Favourite Walks (ISBN: 9780008439118).

Longtime readers have come to understand that Outside's true gift is in chronicling misadventure. The Darkest Places chronicles mysterious disappearances, unsolved murders, and deadly disasters, taking us to far-flung places no sane person would want to go.

Eddie 'The Beast' Hall is the first Brit in 24 years to win the World's Strongest Man competition, beating The Mountain from Game of Thrones. Everything about Eddie is huge. Standing at 6'3 he weighs almost 30 stone, and to make it through his hellish four-hour gym sessions he needs to eat a minimum of 10,000 calories a day. He eats a raw steak during weight sessions. His right eyeball once burst out of its socket under the strain. He put it back in. In his remarkable autobiography, Eddie takes you inside the world of the professional strongman - the nutrition, the training and competitions themselves. This is a visceral story of sporting achievement, an athlete pushing himself to the limits, and the personal journey of a man on the path to becoming being the best of the best. Contains strong language.

**From the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of THE WALKER'S GUIDE TO OUTDOOR CLUES AND SIGNS and HOW TO READ WATER** 'Changes the way you experience the world' -- Sunday Times 'Wonderfully stimulating' -- Michael Palin Discover the lost art of reading nature's own signposts with this beautiful tenth anniversary edition of The Natural Navigator. Starting with a simple question - 'Which way am I looking?' - Tristan Gooley blends natural science, myth, folklore and the history of travel to introduce you to the forgotten art of finding your way using nature's clues, from the feel of a rock to the look of the moon. Using Tristan's expert insight and anecdotes, you'll develop a unique insight into the world around you. From learning why some trees grow the way they do and how they can help you find your way in the countryside, to discovering how it's possible to find North simply by looking at a puddle and how natural signs can be used to navigate on the open ocean or in the heart of the city. Wonderfully detailed and full of fascinating stories, this is the seminal guide to the rediscovered art of natural navigation. The Natural Navigator is user-friendly, practical and packed with beautiful illustrations to help natural navigators on their instrument-free journey. Beautifully repackaged, this edition includes a new tenth anniversary preface from the author, celebrating ten years of this seminal guide to nature.

Studies in Outdoor Recreation has long been a standard text in courses on parks and outdoor recreation and serves as an invaluable reference for park and recreation managers. The first book to integrate the social science literature on outdoor recreation, it reviews studies from this broad, interdisciplinary field and synthesizes them into a body of knowledge, providing an historical perspective on outdoor recreation research and developing its practical management implications.This fourth edition is revised to reflect current research and new concerns in the field. An essential resource for students, scholars, and professionals, Studies in Outdoor Recreation explores the theoretical and methodological issues in outdoor recreation and describes the management implications of outdoor recreation research. Contributors to the fourth edition include Megha Budruk, Kelly Goonan, Jeffrey Hallo, Daniel Laven, Steven Lawson, Rebecca Stanfield McCown, Laura Anderson McIntyre, Ben Minteer, Peter Newman, Elizabeth Perry, Peter Pettengill, Nathan Reigner, William Valliere, Carena Van Riper, and Xiao Xiao.

Plan a weekend of hiking, cycling, climbing, and paddling! Whether you're a novice or an experienced adventurer, you'll find a variety of outdoor pursuits to enjoy in Minnesota-from camping along the North Shore to canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to biking near the Root River. There's no need to spend hours researching the best destinations or go on long, expensive trips. This book is for hikers who love to climb, paddlers who love to pedal, and anyone else whose idea of unwinding is an action-packed weekend in the great outdoors. With a dozen exciting trips to choose from, you'll know where to stay and which adventures are truly weekend-worthy. The full-color guide features trip descriptions to the best destinations for weekend adventure, including opportunities for hiking, cycling, climbing, and paddling. Tips on lodging options, restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops further aid in the planning. Whether your next outing is for individuals, couples, families, or large groups, get maximum adventure out of your weekend with Minnesota Adventure Weekends!

Plan a weekend of hiking, cycling, climbing, and paddling! Whether you're a novice or an experienced adventurer, you'll find a variety of outdoor pursuits to enjoy in Minnesota-from camping along the North Shore to canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to biking near the Root River. There's no need to spend hours researching the best destinations or go on long, expensive trips. This book is for hikers who love to climb, paddlers who love to pedal, and anyone else whose idea of unwinding is an action-packed weekend in the great outdoors. With a dozen exciting trips to choose from, you'll know where to stay and which adventures are truly weekend-worthy. The full-color guide features trip descriptions to the best destinations for weekend adventure, including opportunities for hiking, cycling, climbing, and paddling. Tips on lodging options, restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops further aid in the planning. Whether your next outing is for individuals, couples, families, or large groups, get maximum adventure out of your weekend with Minnesota Adventure Weekends!

Handy little full colour map of Broads National Park. Detailed mapping and visitor information to the National Park along with a selection of photographs. Map at a scale of 1:91,000 (1.45 miles to 1 inch or 0.91 km to 1cm). The perfect way to explore this beautiful area of East Anglia. This small map gives a great overview of the Broads National Park. Clear, detailed mapping Key park, tourist and travel information Ideal for planning visits to the National Park Index to help locate and plan your trip This and the Broads Park Rangers Favourite Walks (ISBN: 9780008462727) are the perfect companions for exploring this superb walking area of East Anglia.

Land Between The Lakes Outdoor Handbook, by Johnny Molloy, is the only comprehensive guide to the magnificent Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area on the Kentucky-Tennessee state line. The handbook is divided into two sections water activities and land activities. The water section guides visitors to important fishing spots and lakes, as well as outlines one of the longest paddle trails in the Midwest the 85-mile-long Land Between The Lakes Paddle Route. Descriptions of all lake accesses and swimming beaches are also included. The land section offers detailed descriptions of more than 300 miles of hiking trails (including the 60-mile-long North-South Trail). Finally, the guide offers an extensive reference section, detailing alternate lodging possibilities, outfitters, and conveniences located in nearby towns. This new edition is completely updated and features new trails and new photos.

NOC Stories describes the Nantahala Outdoor Center's first 25 years, a time of explosive growth in whitewater sports and instruction. NOC Stories by Payson Kennedy and Greg Hlavaty presents a history of the Nantahala Outdoor Center as seen through the eyes of early leaders and some of its dedicated staff. This history spans the years 1972-1997 and approaches the story of the NOC's inception and growth in conjunction with the explosive growth of paddlesports and paddle instruction; in a very real sense, the great strides in paddle instruction and the growth of whitewater sports parallels the growth of the NOC. Many people today see the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) for what it has become: a seminal Southeastern paddling hub and profitable business. What they don't know is that the NOC started with a semi-utopian vision, the idea that friends could work together at pursuits they were passionate about, and that this endeavor would not only be profitable for the company, but also life-changing for the individual. That's not something many businesses can say, but in the case of NOC, it's turned out to be true. If you asked current culture-makers and business owners in the whitewater industry about their formative years, you'd find many were previous staff members, clinic participants, and visitors at the NOC. You'd likely also hear that the NOC was instrumental in refining their skillset and in inspiring them to become pioneers in their field. From rafting to river rescue, paddling instruction to Olympic competition, the one thing this diverse group has in common is the NOC. These people are the stories that have become the NOC's legacy, and this book is an attempt to collect and make sense of them. But the book also features a very human element, a tinge of adventure that sets it apart from your standard history text. The stories in this book, in addition to their historical value, offer a testament to the experiential aspect of working at the NOC, that ineffable change that has affected so many staff and that forms the basis for outdoor adventure programs. The NOC was, and is, a dream; these are the stories of its dreamers.

Adventurers cross deserts and row oceans, appearing to live the dream. Yet they also must pay the bills and carve out time to get away. Are you trying to make a career doing what you love, daring to go freelance in a creative industry, growing a tribe or curious about an unconventional career? What is it like to build a life from living adventurously? Whether you are adventurous, creative, or just curious, Ask An Adventurer answers your questions from behind the scenes, rather than the usual questions adventurers hear: there are no kit lists, practical expedition planning advice or daring deeds in these pages. Instead, Alastair tackles questions asked by readers on social media such as: How do you make a living? How do you make time for adventure? How do you stay motivated and focused? How do you deal with post-adventure blues? How do you deal with the dilemma of flying and travel? How has social media changed the way you tell stories? How do you become an adventurer? How much does an adventurer earn? How do you decide what you will or won't do for money? How do you find sponsors? How do you get your work done? How can we make the world of adventure better? How do you get a book published? How do you get paid to give talks? How do you become a better speaker? How do you deal with emails? How do you start a podcast? How do you launch an email newsletter? And more...

Calming to the soul and good for us all, spending time outdoors offers us precious breathing space away from the stresses and strains of modern life. This inspirational guide celebrates the life enhancing effect of nature and encourages you to try the pursuits that would have been second nature to previous generations - from walking in the dark with only the light of the moon and stars to guide you, to wild swimming, forest bathing and sleeping under canvas. It will inspire you to re-discover the joy of sky and clouds, night and tides, stars and silence. Photography by Finn Beales