In 1979 John David Fischer decides to take up running to lose weight and get in shape. He runs his first race, a four miler, in 1980. Just six years later he decides to challenge the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, the country's most well-known ultra endurance running event, a race run over the Sierra Nevada mountain range from the Squaw Valley ski area to the town of Auburn in California.

After months of intense training, he toes the starting line on June, 1986, at the age of 43 in an attempt to finish the course. An average runner, Fischer has many doubts about completing the course. This story takes the reader literally step by step through every section of his race toward his destiny with the finish line. You will relive his high and low points during the race, the physical and mental obstacles he faces, and his thoughts about the race and life as he runs on the trail.

Along the way you will discover what he learns about himself and how it has affected his life during the past twenty years. The many hours he spends during the day and nighttime hours is a memorable experience, one of great determination to reach the finish line. As he approaches the end of the race, he realizes the journey on the trail has become a metaphor for his own life's journey.

Signed by the author.

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