I just bought and read Proctor native Scott Jurek’s new book Eat and Run and really enjoyed it. As you may know Scott is a dominant athlete in the weird world of ultramarathons and has won many major 50, 100, 135 and 150 mile foot races world wide. He also changed from a backwoods meat-and-potato childhood diet to become a vegan and world-class athlete. His story is an amazing journey of a person who really applies himself and finds the will to complete and win distances most of us cannot imagine running. The book is not an ego trip, preachy, nor attacks omnivores, but rather relates his story and personal thoughts about training, running and racing and the positive effects of a plant-based diet. He includes simple vegan recipes in each chapter.

I met Scott years ago but do not know him, but central to the book is Dusty Olson, who inspired, taught and trained Scott to race and who also paced him in the last 50 miles of many of his major wins. Dusty is often misunderstood and underrated by most people in our community. Scott’s words about Dusty, though often hilarious, will shed more insight to Dusty’s overlooked and misunderstood character and his amazing athletic abilities. Doctor Proctor from Positively Third Street bakery and other local characters are also included in his book.

If you are not a runner or vegan, you will still enjoy this book. If you are either, you will enjoy it even more. It is a fun and inspiring autobiography and I recommend reading it.

Eat and Run