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Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner |  | Author: Dean Karnazes
Publisher: Tarcher
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy Used: $2.18
as of 9/9/2010 09:51 MDT details
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New (30) Used (47) Collectible (7) from $2.18
Seller: dcgoodwill
Rating:  168 reviews
Sales Rank: 151575
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 288
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.2
ISBN: 1585422789
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.42092
EAN: 9781585422784
ASIN: 1585422789
Publication Date: March 17, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
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Amazon.com Review
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 timeor longeras 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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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 168
 A MUST READ for extreme athletes...and weekend warriors, too August 29, 2010
CathyB (Los Altos, CA United States)
The reader is allowed to be in the author's head, body, world while he transforms himself into a super-athlete. For many who don't find life's normally-accepted challenges stimulating enough, Dean provides a physical outlet. Dean chooses running, and extreme distances at that, but any physically-taxing activity would do. It's fascinating to hear how his mind and body react to such challenges and how Dean chooses to respond. I plan to read this to my 3 children, all athletes of varying degrees, to show them what's physically and mentally possible when you set your mind to it.
 Ultramarathon Man : Confessions of an All-Night Runner August 5, 2010
Robags
I don't feel so strange now when I'm running in the middle of the night. This is an excellent read & a must for any keen runner!
 Interesting and inspiring July 26, 2010
Bobby T (South Riding, VA)
First off, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this book. It's GREAT read and one that will keep you interested throughout. However, it does get a bit redundant. He runs a marathon in the desert. He runs a marathon at the North Pole. He runs another marathon. Then another. Then another. Which to me got boring. It is very inspiring, though. No chance I believe his account of how he took a 7 hour run in his dress shoes one night on a whim, or whatever his tale was. Nonsense. I wasn't there, but I'm pretty sure he wrote that for shock value. But what do I know?
If you're a runner or an exercise enthusiast, definitely pick this up.
Awesome Book. Very Inspirational. Must read for Runners. July 14, 2010
G. A. Deliz (Honolulu)
Amazing stories from Dean. It's more nuts as the book goes on. Hard to believe there are people that do this stuff, but it's a very inspirational. I don't like to read, but this book will get you hooked for sure. Bought it after I saw his Ultramarathon 50 50 movie which was also great.
Great Exposure to the Sport for Non Runners April 8, 2010
J. Trujillo
I think without going into too much detail, it would be best to divide the book into two sections: Pt 1 - the Author's Background and First Exposure to the sport of Ultramarathons; & Pt 2 - Subsequent life for the Author since then.
Part I is what basically hooked me. Often (as a runner) it is quite hard to explain to others why I do what I do sometimes (running in the rain, ultra races, trudging through snow to complete my 5miles for the day, etc). And I believe in this book the author does a great job at capturing his personal reasons for picking up the sport. As he states off hand several times, everyone has their own reasons for running and perhaps that is what captivated me: reading one person's story and experiences; all the ups and downs. What I best loved about this section was the attention to details (somewhat) in what it is like to run extreme distances. The pain, the discomfort, the bodily functions, the joy, the walls, and the myriad of emotions in between. As much as I would like to say it is as easy as putting one foot in front of the other, the author here does a great job at showing it is that but also soo much more. The time required, the early and late night runs to maintain levels, the diets, the cramps, and the strong desire at time to just say 'screw this' and walk away. His description up through his first 100mile race is worth checking this book out.
Pt II however...this is where I agree with other reviews, it becomes apparent he is trying to market himself and promote this, how I would describe it, sense of superficial humility. He is not the first to do all of what he has done, nor is he the last. The dialogues he has with friends and family often come across as completely fabricated (in his defense it keeps the 'story' flowing) and I would have done without them. It is here that I had to force myself to finish the book. He blazes through the rest of his races without much detail other than self promotion for his belief of following his 'heart'. What he does not describe is the reality of the situations as he captured so well in the first half. The author must be financially secure and then some for very few of the ultra runners I know can even afford to do what he does. Trips across the country in a RV, entry fees, transpo, all the while keeping his family in tow are costly and he makes it sound as though us 'mere' normal runners do not do the runs he does because we are lazy. WHen in fact the simple truth is, one can not afford it. Everything has its price and he glosses over this fact while rubbing in the readers faces that not only does he have a Mercedes, a lucrative job with liberal leave, but also an RV to bring his team along. I am not trying to discredit the man (he IS very good at what he does and he IS inspirational) I was just disappointed because I thought the first half did an OUTSTANDING job at encouraging people and non active folks to get up and at least try.
All in all, I gave this a 4 star review. It is a pretty quick read and if you're not tempted to run at the end, you read it too fast. I would recommend this book for the first half alone, and say if you want to read the rest great, but the first half is what I believe will capture and inspire the mundane person into challenging themselves for something great; a pursuit of pleasure through a course of pain.
Shoot, inspired me to do my 50mile race in June 2010.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 168
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