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Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner Paperback – Bargain Price, March 2, 2006

by Dean Karnazes (Author)

4.7 2,829 ratings

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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 a California surfer dude contemplating how, as Socrates said,

Print length

304 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Penguin
Publication date

March 2, 2006
ISBN-10

1585424803
ISBN-13

978-1585424801
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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000HT2OXU
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin (March 2, 2006)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1585424803
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1585424801
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.2 ounces

Best Sellers Rank: #7,889,956 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,981 in Extreme Sports (Books)
- #7,515 in Running & Jogging (Books)
- #22,999 in Deals in Books

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4.7 2,829 ratings

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Dean Karnazes

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Dean Karnazes is the author of the bestseller Ultramarathon Man, 50/50, RUN!, The Road to Sparta. and A Runner's High. TIME Magazine named him one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World," and he has been featured in Runner's World, People, GQ, The New York Times, USA TODAY, The Washington Post, Forbes, and many others. He's also appeared on The Today Show, 60 Minutes, The Late Show with David Letterman, CNN, ESPN, NPR's Morning Edition, and the BBC. He lives in California.

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4.7 out of 5

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The Haters Are Gonna Hate

Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2013

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Like the massive amount of calories needed for a 100 mile endurance run, I devoured this book in two sittings. I would have read it start to finish the day I got it, had I not had to go to work. Yes, it is that good. Yes, it is that inspirational. Yes, Dean is a machine. Yes, Dean will enlighten you about how if you get off the couch and actually follow your dreams and commit to a certain level of resolve that you too can complete any task ahead of you! This book is an absolute breeze to read and the pages fly by almost too quickly. You feel yourself being drawn out onto the trail or road with each paragraph. This book makes you want to run. If you are already a runner, this book makes you want to run more. Why? Because as runners we all have something to prove...to OURSELVES! We can do it! We can go over the next hill. We can run all night if we have the drive and desire to do so. We can do all these things, and with Dean's inspiration, we will all find ourselves accomplishing more than we ever thought possible. Now, that being said, the haters are still going to hate. Who wouldn't want a $100,000 a year job? Who wouldn't want the media attention? Who wouldn't want the accolades? Here is the thing, if you want all those things, you CAN have all those things. Just get out there and do something unique and original. Push yourself to the limit. Don't hate on Dean because he did what so many people thought was impossible or AFRAID to try. Most people fail because they are not willing to make the hard sacrifices. Do you think what Dean accomplished (and continues to accomplish) was done without sacrifice? Hell no. The thing is, Dean does not dwell on those things in this book. Rather, he admits that he has sacrificed some things for his greater, more important (to him) personal goals. Those are his priorities. Don't hate because they are not your priorities. If you are going to be above average as a runner, you have to make sacrifices. If you are a runner, you know that there are times that you go for a run before doing ANYTHING else. Why? Because in the end, everyone follows their own path. What you think you are sacrificing for OTHER PEOPLE for delaying YOUR dreams will likely mean nothing when you are six feet under. Live your life for the now. If others do not understand that, or think they are more important, then maybe they need to re-prioritize their own dreams. I am not saying to be selfish, but I am suggesting that it is often the glares, words, and opinions of others that cause many to stray from their own personal goals. If this book teaches you anything, it will teach you how, with the right attitude and scheduling, you can have BOTH...if you are willing to make the commitment to your dream. If you are a runner and you do not read this book, you have truly missed a wonderful experience. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

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Steph M

I'm impressed!

Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2011

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I had a great time reading this book and didn't want it to end. I was looking for a little inspiration, as I am a newer runner. There are days I still struggle to get past 2 miles and was hoping Dean would have some secrets for me. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself laughing out loud at times, as well as tearing up. There were parts I found so astonishing, I had to read them out loud to my husband. It was exhilarating to go on multiple journeys with this seemingly non-stop runner.

I have read most of the reviews to see what others had to say. I wish if other ultramarathoners had something to contribute, they would write their own books as well. There weren't many books on running to choose from that looked interesting to me. I am glad this one caught my attention. Some reviews said the author didn't mention past runners of fame, or notable runners at current events. Maybe he could have, but I don't think the book ever claimed it was going to be about anything BUT him! It never occurred to me while I was reading this book that he was being conceited or focusing too much on himself. I was in awe! I am in awe of ALL of the ultramarathoners out there. And truthfully, I didn't spend much time looking at the pictures included except to note the surroundings, or the physical condition being shown. I didn't see this as being vein. I should also mention at this point that I was reading the Kindle edition of the book, and the tampon (/Gaylord?) incident that offended many was not included (that I know of). Interesting.

I didn't find the secrets that I was looking for to help me run longer distances, although I believe the author honestly tries to explain his abilities. I think it all comes down to putting your mind and your heart into it - the same as facing most obstacles in front of you. That, and he IS a little crazy.

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W. Chill

Inspirational and Motivational - It made me a runner!

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2009

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Having been in the fitness game for all my adult life, I was immediately drawn to Ultramarathon Man when I first heard about it's release. My fitness routine consists mostly of weight training with some running thrown in as a pefunctory cardio element, but after reading Dean's book, I got on an instant running kick. Dean brings the almost-secret underground world of ultramarathoning to the public where we get a first-hand account of Dean's transformation from a former high school cross-country jock to an accomplished ultramarathoner. This sport has been in existence for decades but I never heard of it until now. I never realized distances of 50, 100, and 200+ miles were even possible for a human....but Dean has ran them. The author, having not run in years since high school, takes you through that fateful night when he puts on his old, grass-stained sneakers now relegated for lawn mowing, heads out on the fly for a 30 mile run in the middle of the night. The langauage is matter of fact, and Dean comes across as a very likeable guy. The book unfolds as Dean tells his story of running ever-increasing distances culminating in his participation at the Western States 100. By the end of the book, you want to head out the door for a long run. Dean hits a tack with a sledgehammer when he recalls his old gym teacher's advice that "running is supposed to hurt." Once you come to that realization and cast away all other pretenses, running is a piece of cake. Although Dean has never won any big name races like the Western States 100 or has the credentials of a ranked ultramarathoner like Scott Jurak, he has become the new poster-boy for the sport. There are some who don't like Karnazes' popularity for just that very reason. The number of ultramarathon race entrants has jumped dramatically since Dean has arrived on the scene, bringing the quiet, obscure sport out of it's underground lair and into the public eye. But, I guess that's what happens when you write a good book.

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PJM

Inspirational

Reviewed in Canada on June 3, 2021

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An inspirational book for all! Great insight and great stories told by a great person. I met Dean Karnazes in San Diego at the Marathon Expo. He did a talk followed by a meet and greet. The line up was so long that the promoters had to cut the line and end his time to allow the next speaker to come on stage. Dean then directed the crowd over to the side in the corner to meet with and talk to EVERYONE who lined up to see him. I also read 50/50 and RUN! Super cool dude!

Partho Ghosh

Go Karno

Reviewed in India on August 7, 2021

Verified Purchase

Dean really inspires you while you're reading this book and makes running look simple.
We can push ourselves to the limit if we put our mind to it. I've taken to running more seriously ever I've read this book.
Count me in for team Dean. Go Karno.

andre

Inspirador

Reviewed in Brazil on December 6, 2019

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Dean faz façanhas sobrehumanas, ainda assim é humilde e "gente como a gente", com família, trabalho é demais compromissos. Sua paixão pelo esporte nos inspira, sua narração dos altos e baixos nos prepara e sua determinação nos motiva.

Excelente livro, daqueles que é difícil largar antes de terminar

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paolo felce

Un libro per tutti

Reviewed in Italy on July 21, 2018

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In questo libro si parla poco di tecnica di corsa e tanto di cuore, sacrifici e dolore !
Mentre lo leggevo la voglia di correre mi è salita di n volte, Dean è un matto ... ma matto di quella follia Bella e che ti emoziona !
Consiglio a tutti, anche ai non corridori !

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Sal

Superhuman

Reviewed in Australia on November 6, 2023

Verified Purchase

This man doesn’t seem real. How he managed to just run…and run…and run…and run. I loved reading this. It was exhausting. And I also felt quite lazy after I finished it. So I went to sleep.

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Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner Paperback – Bargain Price, March 2, 2006

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