I first heard of Dean Karnazes when he appeared on the David Letterman show last year. I can’t recall why exactly he was on the show but I remember sitting down and listening to Dave guffaw at all of the miles Dean runs at a time. Dean mentioned that he was going to be running an upcoming race around the distance of 200 or 300 miles, I can’t remember which now. And Dave replied something like:"Where on earth can you run that many miles?" Dean explained that in order to get the miles in, he starts at the finish line and runs to the start line; then he starts the race with everyone else and re-runs the route.
Many of you know how much I enjoy running, despite my arthritis (ankylosing spondylitis). Many of you know too that I love long-distance running. I’ve completed 9 marathons. So when I saw his running memoir The Ultra Marathon Man: The Confessions of an All-Night Runner at Borders, I just had to pick it up for my 40 birthday.
I’m finding the book most fascinating. It’s a true memoir of how he started running as a pre-teen, gave up running because of a jerk high school track coach, and then re-found himself running again after experiencing an early mid-life crisis the night of his thirtieth birthday. Dean’s writing captivates with intriguing experiences, insights, and an overall heart-catching style. You might think to yourself that reading about someone’s running experiences would amount to reading a travelogue. Maybe it is the manner in which he approaches describing his races and training runs, because they come alive right before your eyes. If you are a runner, this book will call up all of your similar experiences like a flood. It’s hard not to feel the euphoria of his experience. This is motivational stuff. I dare say it has the magic to change your attitude on life and on your personal fitness.
I’d like to share one of my favorite stories thus far, one that he shared on the Letterman Show. On one of his weekend training runs, he was running from Calistoga (beginning at 5 PM) to the beach at Santa Cruz, a distance of approximately 200 miles. He was running to raise money for a little girl who was near death. He was carrying a picture of her, with "tubes and needles stuck all over her body." When the running became hard, he’d take the picture out and look at her. Even though she was near death, he thought her smile and face were vibrant. As he approached the small town of Petaluma, it was midnight and he was beyond hungry. He knew that if he didn’t get any food in him, his energy would fail him and he wouldn’t be able to accomplish his goal. So as soon as he had service to his cell phone, he called Round Tree Pizza and ordered one large Hawaiian pizza, a whole cheesecake, and a large coffee. Here is the conversation that occurs after:
"How long do you think it’ll take?" [I inquired.].....
"Let’s say twenty-five minutes," [replied the manager.]
"Then I’ll meet you at the corner of Highway 116 and Arnold Drive."
"What, right on the corner?" he asked. "That’s a pretty lonely stretch of highway. What color’s your car?"
"I’m not in a car," I said. "But I’ll be easy to spot. I’m the only one out here running."
"Running?" There was a brief moment of silence. "Is someone chasing you?"
"No," I laughed.
"But it’s midnight!" he said.
"Yes, it’s late. And that’s why I need pizza. I’m starving."
"Got it." [Long pause.] "Makes perfect sense...."
******
Exactly twenty-five minutes later, a dusty pickup truck with oversized tires came barreling down the road. My pizza had arrived. To my surprise, the young manager was behind the wheel.
"Dude!" he cried, jumping out of the car. "You’re mad. This is awesome!"
He pulled the pizza off the passenger seat and opened the box. It was masterfully crafted, almost as high as it was wide.... I paid the tab, thanked him, and prepared to charge on.
******
With the cheesecake stacked on top of the pizza, I started running again, eating as I went. Over the years I’d perfected the craft of eating on the fly. I balanced the box of pizza and cheesecake in one hand and ate with the other.... For efficiency, I rolled four pieces of pizza into one big log like a huge Italian burrito. Easier to fit it in my mouth that way.
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