{"title":"Michael Crawley","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the collection of works by \u003cem\u003eMichael Crawley\u003c\/em\u003e, an engaging author whose writings offer a window into the world of long-distance running and the compelling stories behind it. With a focus on biography and memoir, Crawley crafts narratives that are both enlightening and deeply personal, allowing readers to experience the life and culture surrounding this impressive sport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis notable work, \u003cstrong\u003eOut of Thin Air\u003c\/strong\u003e, presents an extraordinary exploration of Ethiopian running culture. Crawley, through his real-life experiences and intimate access to elite athletes, unfolds the lesser-known aspects of what it takes to be a top-tier runner in one of the most successful running nations. The book is a fascinating journey for those interested in understanding not just the sport but the cultural and personal stories that fuel these athletes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMichael Crawley's writing is perfect for readers who are captivated by real-life stories and the human elements of endurance and triumph. Dive into his works to explore the powerful narratives of ambition, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"out-of-thin-air-by-michael-crawley-9781472975294","title":"Out of Thin Air","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLONGLISTED FOR THE RSL ONDAATJE PRIZE 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Inspiring'\u003c\/em\u003e - The Guardian\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Excellent'\u003c\/em\u003e - Runner's World\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Fascinating'\u003c\/em\u003e - Publishers Weekly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Brilliant'\u003c\/em\u003e - Ed Vaizey\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Through reading this book you will come to understand that the heart and soul of running are to be found in Ethiopia.'\u003c\/em\u003e - Haile Gebrselassie\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Engaging, warm and humane… A delight'\u003c\/em\u003e - \u003ci\u003eTLS\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Full of wonderful insights and lessons from a world where the ability to run is viewed as something almost mysterious and magical.'\u003c\/em\u003e - Adharanand Finn, author of \u003ci\u003eRunning with the Kenyans\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEthiopia is a place where I have been told that energy is controlled by angels and demons and where witchdoctors can help you to acquire another runner’s power. It is a place where an anonymous runner in the forest told me, miming an imaginary scoreboard and with a completely straight face, that he had dreamt that he would run 10km in 25 minutes. It is a place where they tell me that the air at Mount Entoto will transform me into a 2.08 marathon runner. It is a place, in short, of wisdom and magic, where dreaming is still very much alive.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhy does it make sense to Ethiopian runners to get up at 3am to run up and down a hill? Who would choose to train on almost impossibly steep and rocky terrain, in hyena territory? And how come Ethiopian men hold six of the top ten fastest marathon times ever?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMichael Crawley spent fifteen months in Ethiopia training alongside (and sometimes a fair way behind) runners at all levels of the sport, from night watchmen hoping to change their lives to world class marathon runners, in order to answer these questions. Follow him into the forest as he attempts to keep up and get to the heart of their success.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOut of Thin Air\u003c\/em\u003e offers an illuminating look at a mysterious and magical running culture, where dreams shape reality and the art of running is a way of life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46036158218476,"sku":"9781472975294","price":22.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781472975294.jpg?v=1734775846"},{"product_id":"to-the-limit-by-michael-crawley-9781399403443","title":"To the Limit","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2025 SPORTS PERFORMANCE BOOK OF THE YEAR\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A fascinating and multilayered exploration of what it means to endure'\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlex Hutchinson, author of Endure\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Engaging... [endurance sport] comes to lyrical life'\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe TLS\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe author of \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eOut of Thin Air\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e, winner of the Margaret Mead Award 2022, journeys through different cultures to find out the meaning of endurance.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSo many of us are embracing endurance sports – whether it is running an ultra-marathon, taking on long-distance cycling events or even climbing Mount Everest. But what is it that makes us voluntarily do exhausting things? When we lace up our running shoes or jump on our bike, are we embracing freedom, or are we simply reproducing ideas about productivity and competition from the world of work? And what kinds of broader social and spiritual significance does endurance have indifferent parts of the world?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eTo the Limit \u003c\/i\u003esets out to rediscover the joy of moving together as a group – whether it’s running the length of the Lake District in a day, or navigating the descents of the Sindhupalchok International Trail Race in Nepal. It shows us how endurance activities can help bring people together, and even change the way we think about the natural world and our place in it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47289097322732,"sku":"9781399403443","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/6402493482686.jpg?v=1770587389"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/michael-crawley.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}