ULTRA

A former top model recounts becoming an ultramarathon runner in this debut memoir.

“I’m not interested in running,” writes Graglia. “I want to push myself beyond…ultra running…beyond running.” The author’s life is in many ways one of extremes. Raised in Taggia, Italy, he worked in his family’s floral export business until a split with his girlfriend when he was in his 20s led him to search for a new life in America. In 2007, he flew to Miami, where he was spotted by the owner of a prestigious modeling agency. He was catapulted into a dazzling new career that saw him shot by the renowned photographer Steven Klein and in his downtime dancing on a table at a concert next to P. Diddy. Graglia later became jaded by the life of excess and sexual harassment that came with modeling and yearned for a change after contemplating suicide. Stumbling across a book on ultrarunning led him to train for the Keys 100, which demanded running 160 miles per week. Overcoming numerous setbacks, the author describes honing himself into an exceptional athlete who would go on to win the infamous Badwater Ultramarathon. Graglia’s memoir energetically fluctuates between describing his earlier days of hedonism (“This was à la Scarface when Tony Montana has a mountain of coke on a platter”) and his bond with nature forged later as a runner: “You’ll never forget when you popped out of that trail and a glacier opened up in front of you.” The author’s writing brims with optimism: “What I learned in the process is that you can transform yourself. You can reinvent yourself as many times as you want. That’s the beauty of the American spirit, and it had always attracted me.” But he is prone to repeating himself, such as referring to his one-man tent as a “coffin” more than once. Fans of ultrarunning may also be disappointed not to read a more up-to-date account of Graglia’s career—his 2018 Badwater victory is only mentioned briefly in the epilogue and his momentous 2020 Moab 240 win is not covered. Still, the author’s salacious insider view of the fashion industry, coupled with his enthusiastic discussion of ultrarunning, makes this a unique and compelling read that may inspire others to seek personal change.

A fast-paced, insightful, positive account by a world-class runner.