A fascinating glimpse inside the mind of an ultramarathon runner and the inspirational saga of his phenomenal journey running

across America.

he ultimate endurance athlete, Marshall Ulrich has run more than 100 foot races averaging over 100 miles each, completed 12 expeditionlength adventure races, and ascended the Seven Summits - including Mount Everest - all on his rst attempt. Yet his run from California to New Yorkthe equivalent of running two marathons and a 10K every day for nearly two months straight proved to be his most challenging eort yet. Featured in the recent documentary lm, Running America, Ulrich clocked the 3rd fastest transcontinental crossing to date and set new records in multiple divisions. In Running on Empty, he shares the gritty backstory, including brushes with death, run-ins with the police, and the excruciating punishments he endured at the mercy of his maxedout body. Ulrich also reached back nearly 30 years to when the death of the woman he loved drove him to begin running and his dawning realization that he felt truly alive only when pushed to the limits. Filled with mind-blowing stories from the road and his sensational career, Ulrich's memoir imbues an incredible read with a universal message for athletes and non-athletes alike: face the toughest challenges, overcome debilitating setbacks, and nd deep fulllment in something greater than achievement. Marshall Ulrich climbed the highest mountains, set records in the toughest and longest footraces, and then clocked the third-fastest time ever recorded when he ran across America. He credits his wife, Heather Ulrich, with the inspiration and support he needed to nish this unprecedented crossing at age 57. Ulrich chronicled all of this in his book, Running on Empty.

Nationally renowned nature photographer, activist, ecologist, educator, adventurer and one of Colorados greatest living treasures...

By Matt Kramer

John Fielder
During 30 years of photographing Colorados open spaces, Fielder became aware of the legacy of the states family ranches that were threatened by numerous economic interests. He learned that, unlike the big agribusiness farms, many of the ranchers use sustainable practices that help preserve their local ecosystems. Economically they were constantly struggling to meet costs and improve the marketability of their ranch products. For some, that work is starting to pay o; much of the organic beef we buy comes from these ranches. For those who dont feel a connection between ranchers and the food they put on their table, Fielder brings the message home: Our ranchers are conscious of holistic ways to bring beef to market. When I was photographing the plains of southeastern Colorado, I went to a meeting at Fox Ranch where ranchers were learning ways to raise and prepare beef organically, at the ranch, at the feedlot, and in the slaughterhouse. Thanks to the inuence and standards of Whole Foods, ranchers can combine sustainable practices and make more money at the same time. Continued Next Page
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CliCK HErE For a CHanCE To Win

a CoPY oF THE BooK

rUnninG on EMPTY

f there were such a thing as a typical wilderness photographer, John Fielder would defy the description. Synonymous with the title of photographer, it is necessary to add, at the very least, activist, ecologist, educator, adventurer and one of Colorados greatest living treasures. Whether hes facing big money interests and defending natural and open spaces, or driving 3,000 miles across a Roadless Zambian desert, Fielder does what it takes to get the picture without damaging the environment. Extreme backpackers who travel twenty-ve miles a day are amazed when they hear about the remote places he has been. In conversation, it doesnt take long before you realize his relationship with nature is not one way his thoughts and eorts are as much about honoring and protecting the land as they are about coming away with the best possible image. When asked what drives him, Fielder said, What I stand for: I love cameras and making a living. Im more a naturalist than I am a photographer. Being an environmentalist, I focus on being an advocate preserving and protecting biodiversity.

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John Fielder Continued Since leaving a corporate career to become a full time photographer, Fielder has published 39 books of his nature and wilderness photos. In 1992, he became a founding member of Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund (GOCO) -(www.goco.org) a non-prot organization that uses state lottery funds to preserve and manage Colorado wildlife and open space heritage. His ability to capture and share the stunning majesty of Colorados beauty helped GOCO in its mission to motivate Coloradans to get involved in protecting the open wildernessone of the states greatest assets. According to Fielder, Colorado is the only state in the union to assign 100% of its lottery funds to protect its natural heritage. In honor of the 20th anniversary of the founding of GOCO, two new Fielder books will be published in 2012: John Fielders Guide to Colorados Great Outdoors: Lottery-Funded Parks, Trails & Open Spaces and a picture book, Colorados Great Outdoors, The Best of Our Lottery Lands. As Fielder travels around Colorado and the nation, promoting wilderness and open space conservation, he sometimes shares the stage with another Colorado treasure, Zen cowboy performer and writer, Chuck Pyle. While Fielders photos are displayed in a slide show, Pyle sings songs that reect the message and feelings of those photos. Asked about working with Fielder in performance, Pyle replied, John is so eloquent, one of the most eloquent speakers Ive ever heard about conservation. Although his content is serious, he is gracious and has a good sense of humor . . . well, he likes my sense of humor. Fielder is happy to share his photography secrets; on his website you can choose from a number of workshops that will take you into the outdoors where his tutelage may help you shoot the best photos of your life. In the process, you will learn how to better understand your equipment, and how to use Photoshop not to articially enhance your photos but to bring out the reality of the scenes captured within your camera. Any decent photographer will tell you that a great photo requires an understanding of the nature of light. There probably isnt a square inch of the Colorado wilderness that has not been photographed by Fielder, not just once but in all the seasons, and through the changing light of those thirty years of days. If you cant make it to one of Fielders workshops, his generosity extends to his website, where he shares more than a thousand of his photos. Begin your journey there follow the light; it will take you to places you never dreamed you would see.

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