Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner

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!

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.

This is not the best book I've ever read, but it's a fast read and the book can be had for cheap. It is, I admit, the only book I've ever read in 24 hours or less. Some of the reviews here are too hard. Is he cocky? Yes, a bit. I detest cockiness, generally, so it was not so much that I couldn't tolerate it. And frankly I do like people who realize what they are. He did have a few over-the-top comments, like how he's "chizzled", but then again, HE IS chizzled. He IS cut like a prize fighter. Euphemisms are annoying, so he cuts to the chsae. One reviewer here said that Dean didn't balance family. That reviewer did not read the book. Dean said he's missed ONE baseball (I think it was baseball) game for his son ever. His family is engaged with this because they seem to like to do it. He does balance work, family, job. That's the key thing I got from this book. Some are too hard because I suspect there are not many ultramarathon books out there and people are upset that this one, one of the more popular, doesn't do everything to present the sport. I guess I'd say run 200 miles and then you can write your own book. The book is not boring, but it's short. I suppose there's only so much excitement one can build into an endurance event against oneself; only so many times the discomfort can be described. For the record I'm a runner, but not an ultramarathoner. I'm training for a marathon and having read this book it all feels so much easier now. 26.2 miles is nothing, right? :) I will agree with others that it would have been nice to learn more about the sport and its contenders instead of just dean. I think I may buy another book on this. I'm rather intrigued with it all but you'll hear few names in this book besides Karno.

I have bought this book several times throughout the years and have reread it multiple times, because each time it allows me to refocus on pushing myself in all aspects of my life. It’s the most inspirational and motivational book I have ever read and you can be a non runner and enjoy it as well. It’s a super easy read and I just recently let a girl at work borrow it and she brought it back 2 days later and was astounded at what was possible when you push yourself and she really loved it when she didn’t think she would. Haha, I told her it was awesome! I have run a couple of full marathons previously, (don’t anymore, I trail run and do weight training now.) The impact of the concrete will get to you. I also was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician in the Army for 10 years with several hundred IED’s rendered safe under my belt and his ability to focus and push on allowed me to do the same during deployments. Pushing myself both mentally and physically under tremendous amounts of pressure and stress, not to mention death at any moment. It was very relatable and encouraging to read at that time in my life.

I read Dean's books backwards starting with his latest 26.2, and then picked up Ultra Marathon Man. Dean has become a media sensation in recent years. I first read about him in Runner's World a few years ago when he decided to run 1 marathon in each state over a 7 week period and thought- how can anyone run that much??? Recently I heard he was running from California to NYC, clocking 50+ miles per day along the way. I was intrigued by this incredible determination and will for adventure and started reading his books... Ultra Marathon Man is a GREAT read. Although I'm a runner, I can not even fathom the distances and races that Dean puts his body and mind through on a daily basis. But it sure is fun to read about his journey from corporate executive to becoming the 'Ultra Marathon Man'. This book details his early running life in high school, the major running gap after encountering a negative track coach, the path he took on his 30th birthday to return to his passion for running, and ultimately his first endurance events. Dean talks of running with his feet, his head, and his heart and the story is a compelling one that will be enjoyable and inspiring whether the reader is a runner or not.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the most ambitious person in the world. I enjoy watching life unfold and I'm not too inspired by money or materialism; I am inspired by meaning. And whether or not you can relate, Dean Karnazes finds meaning and challenge in running distances that make me tired just reading the numbers. As I was reading this book, I kept telling my wife what Dean was up to next, just to see another head shake and a comment about how crazy this guy is. I agree with my wife, it IS crazy to run hundreds of miles in abominable conditions.....for us. Try as I might, I can't possibly discount this man's efforts as crazy and worthless, because it's obviously what he was born to do. The journey isn't about accolades either; I truly believe that Dean's goal is truly to challenge himself and expand his horizons. While I'm not planning on running any ultra-marathons anytime soon, I did draw trememdous inspiration from this book, because running is just the surface subject. Challenge, courage, discipline, persistence and expansion can apply to any endeavor and that's what this book is really all about. I respect Karnazes' internal drive tremendously and reading about his courageousness and willingness to constantly confront his fears and limitations. He then never stop until he moves beyond them. There are lessons here for anyone with an open mind. Very enjoyable read. keep it up Dean!

This book is an autobiography about Dean Karnazes, even though it may look like egocentric at first, his running adventures really keep you reading and wanting to know more, for those who rated the book with 1 or 2 stars because they are already ultra runners and wanted to find recipes and obscure techniques, too bad, this book, I think was for the general audience and wannabe ultra-marathoners (like myself, who has completed 2 marathons and I am for my third this year, I really found inspiration in this book to go for the 50 miles next year). The title was not even his idea, it was from Lessley Anderson from the San Francisco Weekly, he mentions this in the acknowledgments (evidently a sales and marketing strategy), I have not had the honor to meet the man, but in the interviews that I have seen from him, he's quite humble, not with a super ego. All things considered, Dean has been very clever on exploiting his fame and at the same time, he does not do it just for the ego (let's face it, we all have some amount of ego), he's also deeply engaged in charity (something, I have been inspired to do also),

This is a great, first person look at what it is like to run amazing distances in sometimes extremely difficult conditions, such as in the Western States 100 where runners have to scale four mountain peaks in the course of the run. At the top of his first peak it was snowcapped and in the 30's, and at the bottom of the mountain he hit stifling heat in the 100's. He managed to trudge forward and finish the race, doing quite well in the process, but it was obvious that it taxed him to his very limits. The story of waiting out wind gusts and bitter cold in the Antarctic for weeks while waiting for the weather to clear and then go out and run a marathon in those conditions, all the while NOT wearing snowshoes (he loaned them to someone else and later regretted the decision) showed there was alomost nothng, not extreme heat, distance or arctic conditions that can stop this guy. That said, the book seemed to consistently concentrate on his acheivements, his likes and dislikes, and certainly was a testament to his athletic prowess, and often times the author struck me as self absorbed and arrogant. Granted, accomplishing what he has would probably require some of this, but I never found it in me to like this person, but I certainly marveled at his incredible athletic accomplishments.