Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner
by Dean Karnazes
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Book Summary Information
Author: Dean KarnazesBrand: Dean Karnazes
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-03-02
ISBN: 1585424803
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: Tarcher
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Book Reviews of Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner
Book Review: Get Off the Couch! Get Ultra!
Summary: 5 Stars
Pheidippides was the Greek runner who ran from the Plain of Marathon to Athens proclaiming the good news that the Athenians have defeated the Persians. Thus the marathon run (26.2 miles) was born. But Dean Karnazes, another Greek runner, reminds us of the rest of the story - Pheidippides died from exhaustion.
Another Greek runner is the most understated introduction for Dean Karnazes, author of the sports memoir, "Ultramarathon Man." It is like saying Michael Jordan is just another basketball player or Lance Armstrong is another bicycle rider. Karnazes will run a marathon on Saturday and then do another one on Sunday as training for his races that have been 50 miles, 100 miles, and 135 miles. Karnazes won the 2004 Badwater Ultramarathon (135 miles) in Death Valley, California in 27 hours and 22 minutes of nonstop running in 120-degree Fahrenheit temperatures.
Impressive or just plain psychotic as these achievements are, they are just the beginning for this memoir that runs along nonstop as Karnazes' running spirit. The writing is simple and straightforward as Karnazes relates his training, eating habits, difficulties breaking through the pain of running such long distances and how the heck he manages to balance being happily married, have kids and hold down a regular business job.
Karnazes' memoir is truly inspirational, even for those who have not run a single mile. It wasn't long ago when people thought it impossible to break the four-minute mile. Then an unlikely hero named Roger Bannister achieved the unthinkable and afterwards, once the mental barrier was removed, scores of athletes began breaking the four-minute mile. Karnazes has redefined the definition of endurance, always pushing himself to take it to the next level. This notion is what pushes the memoir forward to the finish line in record time. If you have become motivated to get off the couch, perhaps not for 100 miles, but want to increase your endurance, the paperback edition has an epilogue that includes more in-depth details concerning Karnazes' diet and training.
Lastly, at this point you have probably asked, "Why is he doing this?" Karnazes is well-aware of the proverbial "Why," which he acknowledges, but generally runs around the topic without answering the question till the memoir's conclusion, albeit a little cheesy, but nonetheless, honest. "Ultramarathon Man" goes the distance in showing how indomitable the human spirit can be. It is an encouragement to get out of one's comfort zone and get ultra in running or whatever area of your life you want to go the distance.
Bohdan Kot
Summary of Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner
In one of his most ambitious physical efforts to date, Dean Karnazes attempted to run 50 marathons, in 50 states, in 50 days to raise awareness of youth obesity and urge Americans of all fitness levels to "take that next step."
"UltraMarathon Man: 50 Marathons - 50 States - 50 Days", a Journeyfilm documentary, follows Dean?s incredible step-by-step journey across the country.
Ultrarunning legend Dean Karnazes has run 262 miles-the equivalent of ten marathons-without rest. He has run over mountains, across Death Valley, and to the South Pole-and is probably the first person to eat an entire pizza while running. With an insight, candor, and humor rarely seen in sports memoirs (and written without the aid of a ghostwriter or cowriter), Ultramarathon Man has inspired tens of thousands of people-nonrunners and runners alike-to push themselves beyond their comfort zones and be reminded of "what it feels like to be truly alive," says Sam Fussell, author of Muscle.
Ultramarathon Man answers the questions Karnazes is continually asked:
- Why do you do it?
- How do you do it?
- Are you insane?
And in the new paperback edition, Karnazes answers the two questions he was most asked on his book tour:
- What, exactly, do you eat?
- How do you train to stay in such good shape?
Ultra-marathoner Dean Karnazes claims "There is magic in misery." While it would be easy to write off his habit of running for 100 miles at a time?or longer?as mere masochism, it's impossible to not admire his tenacity in pushing his body to reach one extreme goal after another. Sure, it's gory to read about how he lost one of his big toenails from shoe friction during the Western States Endurance Run. But what registers more is that here's a guy competing in an event that includes 38,000 feet of elevation change--the equivalent of scaling the Empire State Building 30 times.
Despite his considerable athleticism, "Karno" argues that the first half of any race is run with one's body, and the second half with the mind. Without delving into excessively touchy-feely territory, he explores "the possibilities of self" as he completes an ultra-marathon in 120-degree heat in Death Valley, and later the first-ever marathon at the South Pole. It's an odd combination: a California surfer dude contemplating how, as Socrates said, "Suffering leads to wisdom." But Karnazes's self-motivation is utterly intriguing, and it's impossible to read this memoir without wanting to go out and run a marathon yourself.--Erica Jorgensen
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