Back in college, I worked late hours in a grocery store. When all was settled down and I was in the check stand, I would grab the magazines and aimlessly wander through the pages. One night I stumbled on an article in Time magazine about the man who would become my american idol.
Dean Karnazes isn’t your normal, average, sane American male. He runs. He runs far. He runs farther in one night than you drive in a week.
Before I give away any more of the goodness, let’s get to the Top 9 Reasons Dean Karnazes Should Be Your American Idol:
- He ran 30 miles in loose-fitting Jockey’s AFTER his 30th Birthday night out. This was the night Dean changed his life forever. He left his own birthday celebration at a bar in the late hours of the night and ended up 30 miles away in Half Moon Bay with the sun rising hours later. You try doing that after drinking and just wearing old yard shoes and silk business socks.
- He’s an 11 time Silver Buckle Holder for finishing the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run. Not only has Dean dominated at the Western States which is done during the heat of the summer up and down the Sierra Nevada Mountains, but the man has done it 11 times under 24 hours.
- He ran 50 marathon’s in 50 day’s in all 50 states. Just think of traveling from state to state over a 50 day period. Yea, that would suck and annoying. Now, think of having to run 26.2 miles every fricken’ day also. Dean did it.
- He’s finished the 200 mile team race called The Relay in Northern California…by himself…9 times. It has to be so tough to see college frat boys passing you in a race. Then you realize they are a 12 man relay team and you are a One-Man-Badass-Race-Wrecking-Crew.
- He has perfected the art of having pizza delivered and eating it while on the road. Dean has taught thousands of us crazy runners how to eat a Large Pineapple pizza while running a training run that’s anywhere between 70 and 100 miles. Who the heck knows that kind of skill or took the time and training to perfect it? Dean “I-run-100-mile-runs-for-fun” Karnazes.
- He won an ESPY and doesn’t play a “real” sport. Sure, you will see MJ, Tiger, and Erin Andrews at the ESPY’s. They all put lots of time and effort into their sports and win ESPY’s. Dean put in blood, sweat, tears, toenails, blisters, exhaustion, hallucination and so on forhis ESPY in 2007.
- He won the 4 Deserts Racing Series. Would you race a 2 mile race in any type of desert? How about 4 ultra-distant races in 4 killer deserts? Well, Dean said, “Ahhh, schucks…why not” and won this award in 2008.
- He runs for kids. He started Karno’s Kids which has the motto ‘No Kids Left inside’ which helps inspire and get kids to get outside and live a healthy lifestyle. He has helped many more foundations, but this is his true passion. Come on ladies, that ought to pull the heart strings a little.
- He inspired me to accomplish my life goals. When I heard Dean speak and met him at the 2008 San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, I was like a giddy schoolgirl checking out the Jonas Brothers. The difference between the school girls and me is that Dean was open to talk to everyone he could. Dean talked to me for about a minute about my goals and truly listened. He wrote on my poster of him words of encouragement to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I got injured during the race and didn’t qualify, but one day, I will accomplishmy goal and all thanks to the inspiration that is Karno.
Dean Karnazes has quickly became on of my biggest hero’s. The best part is that he is grounded and realizes he is one of us and not above us. This man can change the world. If we all can be a tenth the American Idol he has been, this country will be a much brighter and better place.
To get Dean’s two books, check out the following affiliate links:
&
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner
David Damron
LifeExcursion
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I’ve never heard of Dean Karnazes. What a machine! How can any human run 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days?! I’m sorry, but he must be related to Superman!
.-= Gordie Rogers´s last blog ..The Lifestyle Design Anthem: “My Way”. =-.
He is an awesome person on top of being a great runner. Definitely check out Ultramarathon Man to get inspiration to accomplish anything you want.
Dave
LE
Dave,
I’ve never heard of the guy, but he sounds like an amazing model for personal development and inner strength.
.-= Srinivas Rao´s last blog ..Shake the wipeouts of life, learn from them, and move on =-.
Hey Srini—
He is exactly that. I have never met a person so vibrant and accomplished. A great man to follow.
Dave
I love his story, especially how he found out he was a runner. He’s inspired me to run my first triathlon and despite half of it having to be some freak genetics…he’s a true athlete to follow. I appreciated this post, big time.
.-= Robert´s last blog ..Real Life | Limit Information Tactic “Electronic Armor” =-.
Him being Greek does help quite a bit. But his will and drive are far and above the reason he is who he is. That’s great he inspired you to do a tri. Congrats!
Dave
LifeExcursion
Living in Singapore, I’d not even heard of Dean Karnazes but now I know. I’ve always found running very difficult but I digress. He is indeed inspirational. Great list post, see ya at pb.com
.-= Dipankar Kuzzuk Subba´s last blog ..Blog Development And Launch Checklist =-.
This is an amazing man! It’s good to know that he’s as committed to being an excellent human being as he is to being an excellent athlete.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..The Post-Disaster Mental Health Check-Up =-.
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Has anyone read this guy’s book? He’s a complete tool. He frequently reminds you how awesome he is. Anyone know what sorta paces he “runs”? Try 14min miles…that’s walking. Lets celebrate real runners like Geb, Ritz, Bekele, etc. instead of someone like Karnazes who just wants his 15 minutes of fame.
I have to say I completely disagree with you ‘Member’. For example, Dean ran the NYC marathon in 3 hours as the last marathon to the 50-50-50 challenge. Sometimes his pace is 14 minutes but that happens to be in extreme weather and climate conditions. He speaks of his accomplishments to energize and motivate not to boast. I am sorry you do not feel this way, but Dean is definitely not the “tool” you claim him to be.
David Damron
LifeExcursion
David, it may just be that Dean is a VERY poor writer. I only know him as he portrayed himself through his writing. I assume that he realizes how he comes across in the book, and that portrayal is what he wanted (anyone seen the pic on pg 213? Why is that relevant?). I think the thing that bothered me the most was his attitude.
He comes across as arrogant a number of times. He offers irrelevant tidbits such as: “my car (which of course was a lexus).”
He also seems to be a poor competitor; in one of his races he “rams” himself between two other competitors to reach the finish line. That’s just wrong and NO ONE runs like that. Oh wait, actually Natalie Rodriguez(pro) did that in an 800m final this year and got DQ’d.
I also feel like his talks too much about his magazine promotions: “I channeled most of my focus into windsurfing…ending up on the cover of several magazines”—who cares???
Finally he comes across as a complete outsider to the general running community criticizing people for running focused track workouts and talking about their training outside of workouts.
I could continue this list. His book was so annoying that I actually annotated the whole thing with bothersome aspects.
Still disagree
In regards to…
He also seems to be a poor competitor; in one of his races he “rams” himself between two other competitors to reach the finish line. That’s just wrong and NO ONE runs like that. Oh wait, actually Natalie Rodriguez(pro) did that in an 800m final this year and got DQ’d.
He was in Junior high or high school. Are you saying you never did anything wrong during that time? He is simply explaining is drive and desire. In both books he also talks about where he failed. You must recognize that as well. And that by no means would be considered ‘pompousness’ in any situation.
In regards to…
Finally he comes across as a complete outsider to the general running community criticizing people for running focused track workouts and talking about their training outside of workouts.
He states that he is an ‘outsider’ in society and not just in running. What is wrong with not being ‘that’ or any ‘specific’ type. He goes into great detail as to the personality test he took in his old job and how they had never seen such a ‘loner’ score as his. That is just who he is. Every running coach and trainer thinks one way is right and every other way is wrong. Dean is just doing the same thing.
Lastly, if you didn’t like the book or him at all, fine. All I ask is that you let us speak our words of praise for him as you have now expressed your words of dislike for him. I don’t mind people sharing their thoughts on this comment board. But I wouldn’t come into your house and continue to knock your other guests over and over and over again. If I didn’t like them that much, I would just leave.
I hope you continue to enjoy LifeExcursion and I would love to hear your opinion on any and all topics discussed here, but the continued negativity is not what my main goal is here.
Thanks again for your comments.
David Damron
LifeExcursion
he comes across a little better here, but I still can’t get over his attitude in Ultra-marathon Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrdhjd5_0E4
Thanks for sharing this great video Member.
I appreciate it
David Damron
I think he is amazing! I read 26.2 first and loved it so much I am halfway through Ultramarathon Man ( in just a few days ). he is an inspiration for life in all capacities. He has encouraged me to take my running to a new level and PUSH HARDER. Running the Savannah marathon in 10 days and I am striving for a significant personal best.
I realize this is an old post but I couldnt help but share my enthusiasm over Karno.