Dean Karnazes

The majority of athletes perform their sport in obscurity. Some become famous, a select few become household names. Dean Karnazes should be a household name. He has performed some of the most incredible feats of athletic endurance any human has ever achieved. This book is a practical, humorous, and inspiring account of Dean's 50 marathons in 50 days Odyssey. Runners will no doubt love the book. And even the most sedentary of readers will admire Dean's positive message,that if a person gives it their all; they can accomplish anything.… (mehr)

Love love love love love! Love so much! I am being convinced that people who are just ridiculous athletes for the fun (or stubbornness) of it all are just happier human beings (how they can be when the world's dying is admirable) (I think all I learned in biology class was the word "endorphins.") Loved again the way that family played such a huge role, from Dean's sister to his parents to his wife (stop being so cute I can't handle it) to his kids playing catch with him as he runs. This one was well-written and not at alll egotistical, just kind of matter of fact and also incredibly tense, like a dramatic movie. I'm a sap and I know it (and I'm also quite sleep deprived right now) but I was tearing up multiple times during this book with the sheer exhilaration and emotion that came across the page. Also. the Antarctica aspect was absolutely astounding--cool! Who would've known?

I will say I still prefer Jerker's books partially because I missed the community aspect in this one--which is totally fine, a different lifestyle that I'd be more likely to be in personally, but Scott did talk so much about the people who paved the way around him whereas Dean just hangs out with his family so there's less of a greater context to the challenges he achieves.… (mehr)