Out and Back - by Hillary Allen (Paperback)

About the Book

In 2017, world-class ultrarunner Hillary Allen was at the top of her sport--and it felt like she was running on top of the world as she competed in Norway's Troms² Skyrace. Allen was nearly halfway through the 50-kilometer race when she fell 150 feet off an exposed ridge, fracturing her back and breaking multiple ribs, both feet, and both of her lower arms.

Book Synopsis

In 2017, world-class ultrarunner Hillary Allen was ranked #1 in the world sky running series when she fell 150 feet off a mountain ridge, breaking multiple bones and suffering a life-altering blow to her body and athletic career. Out and Back recounts Allen's fight to rehabilitate her body, rebuild her belief in herself, and return to the life and sport she loves.

"Powerful and affecting. Hillary is an indomitable force." --Dean Karnazes, New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned ultramarathon athlete

Ultramarathon runner and North Face-sponsored athlete Hillary Athlete felt like she was on top of the world in 2017 as she competed in Norway's Tromsø Skyrace. Then, nearly halfway through the 50-kilometer race, Allen fell 150 feet off an exposed cliff ridge, fracturing her back and breaking multiple ribs, both feet, and both of her lower arms. Beginning with the dramatic story of her nearly-fatal accident and remarkable rescue, Out and Back chronicles Allen's incredible road to recovery and how she navigated the physical and mental health hurdles along the way.

With vulnerability that reveals remarkable courage, Allen's memoir is a powerful reminder that no matter what setbacks you face in life--injuries, break-ups, job losses, rejections--you have strength inside that you never knew existed. Out and Back is an amazing story of resilience that shows how someone can nearly lose everything and then work hard to heal and come out stronger on the other side. Today, Allen sees her 150-feet fall not as an accident, but as a moment of enlightenment that allowed her to reevaluate her entire life, see the beauty and importance of community, and fall back in love with nature and the reasons she started running in the first place.

Allen's story teaches you that the path forward is not always linear, that healing takes time, and that the process of rediscovery is ongoing as you reach within and find what it takes to survive--and thrive. Out and Back is an inspiring read for anyone who wants to bet big on themselves, learn how to live fearlessly, and build the courage to reclaim your life, one day at a time.

Review Quotes

"Powerful and affecting. Hillary is an indomitable force."
--Dean Karnazes, ultramarathoner and NY Times bestselling author

"Hillary's story of tragedy and triumphant return will inspire you."
--Jason Koop, Head Coach for CTS-Ultrarunning, author of Training Essentials for Ultrarunning

"Hillary's story is blunt, raw, honest, and yet very positive and inspiring. I think anyone going through a rough time (accident, injury, depression, or simply just a low spot) would benefit from reading about Hillary's experience and how she was able to work her way back. The steps (both literally and figuratively) she took, mental challenges she overcame, and the new outlook she gained."
--Gina Lucrezi, Professional ultra trail runner and founder of trailsisters.net

"Hillary Allen takes readers along an exciting and harrowing journey as she passionately tells her story about how she achieved enormous success, overcame a near-death experience and then worked extremely hard to once again reach the mountaintop of success. Not only does she tell her story with fervor, but she also provides cues for the hard work, tenacity and authenticity that has always defined her."
--Brian Metzler, Founding Editor of Trail Running Magazine

"Hillary Allen is a model of resilience, grit, and strength who I look toward when I'm struggling to find those things in myself. The story she's lived and the message she shares are important reminders to control what you can control, keep calm in the face of chaos, and dig deep when the next step feels impossible."
--Mario Fraioli, host of podcast The Morning Shakeout

"It wasn't her innate passion and talent for running that brought out the best version of professional athlete Hillary Allen. Rather, it was the horrific accident she experienced whiledoing it that did. By so candidly chronicling her recovery in Out and Back, Allen teaches us all that the progress of life isn't measured by one's physical transit through time or space but instead by the inner journey that accompanies us."
--Meghan M. Hicks, managing editor, iRunFar.com

"The story itself, as a straightforward narrative, is fascinating. But what takes it up a notch is her attempts to understand what being an endurance athlete means to her--because you don't fight back from an accident like that without a clear understanding of your whys."
-Outside Magazine

About the Author

Hillary Allen is from Fort Collins, Colorado. She grew up in an outdoorsy and scientific family who not only encouraged her to pursue a career in science but also in sport. She earned a master's degree in neuroscience and physiology and structural biology from the University of Colorado. During her graduate studies, Hillary also discovered trail running and ultra-running. Her passion for the outdoors quickly led to success on the trails where she became a sponsored mountain runner for The North Face. Along with her professional running and racing career, Hillary also teaches chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology part-time at a small college outside of Boulder, Colorado. She also coaches other runners, again using her love of athletics and her physiology background.