In 2013, three wheelchair racers set out on a bold adventure, attempting a feat of athleticism rarely paralleled as a team -- taking on the challenge of 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 weeks. Join Paul Erway and his fellow racers Grant Berthiaume and Aaron Roux on the final 36 race courses of this one-of-a-kind odyssey. Be inspired and entertained as Paul recounts the exhilaration and exhaustion of pushing his body, spirit, bank account, sense of humor, and frequent flyer account to their limits. His is a story of "I think I can" and "I'd like to help others" -- a saga of breathless finish lines and heartfelt visits to rehab institutes, where other survivors of spinal cord injuries were challenged to think
they
could too.
Lessons for Us All
You don't have to be a marathoner to find inspiration and strength in Paul Erway's perspectives on the gifts he's been given. His unique take on competition, adversity, human connection, goal-setting, perseverance, teamwork, respect and joy will leave you wanting to set your own audacious goals, overcome your own greatest fears, and to find something remarkable to reach for.
"What are most critical to success and happiness are belief, attitude, perseverance, character, and ultimately gratitude for the abilities you have. Paul Erway's book epitomizes these intangibles and provides a great lesson for athletes of all ages and abilities."
-- Jason Dierking. Director of Sports Performance, University of Louisville Athletics
50 Abilities, Unlimited Possibilities -- Racing to the Final Finish Line
is more than just a story of strength in the face of adversity, even though Paul Erway's racing career followed a car accident that left him suddenly paraplegic at 21, and despite the fact that a second major accident in his racing chair required a come-back to take on this challenge. Paul's two books are a personal chronicle about life itself. Each race taught Paul something new -- about himself and about human nature. He learned about forgiveness and acceptance, faith and communication, patience and integrity, time management and discipline, limitations and love and life itself.
"Paul is my hero. His incredible life journey inspires a new kind of thinking for achieving one's potential through perseverance and self-belief."
-- Cheryl Hart, Sport Psychology Consultant and Owner of 2nd Wind Motivation
Read this book if you are a:
-Foot runner
-Wheelchair racer
-Aspiring athlete
-Race coordinator
-Enthusiastic spectator
-Spinal cord injury survivor
-Physical rehabilitation professional
-Man, woman or teen seeking inspiration in the face of difficult times.
1,310 Miles of Pavement Under Their Wheels
50 Abilities, Unlimited Possibilities -- Racing to the Final Finish Line: From Salt Lake City to the Mountains of Montana
is Book #2 of 2 in the "50 Abilities" series by Paul Erway. Book #1 chronicles the first 14 races, from Jackson to the Boston Marathon bombing. And this second and final book takes readers to the remaining 36 marathons, from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Billings, Montana, revealing behind-the-scenes details about what it takes to cross finish line after finish line, week after week (while still working full time!), without losing focus or faith in what is possible. It is a book that will keep you grounded while also lifting you up ... a book like no other about a marathon of marathons for unlikely competitors who you never saw coming.
With a foreword by Craig Virgin, 3-time Olympic distance runner, and the first and only American man to win the I.A.A.F. World Cross Country Championship.