I have a dream.
Ultra marathon! Someday!
Maybe it's every marathoners dream. A natural progression.
I carried this book while traveling to run a marathon.
Hoping it would give me some inspiration.
This is not that kind of book.
It does not give any tips on how to build endurance or strength.
No plans to prepare yourself for an ultra marathon.
Not the kind of diet plan or schedule to follow.
It's more about the races he runs, the hellish conditions, the support from family and an ego boosting journey.
The inspiration I gained was about never giving up. To complete against all odds.
True, he is a legend in the running circles for having attempted the various to hell and back races he has participated in and for running across all 50 states in the US.
Another Forrest Gump, but without the humour and simplicity.
I do agree that marathoners have a more disciplined, balanced life, but reading the book makes me wonder if with that kind of running, you would have time for anything else.
I struggle to balance training and work and family with my minimal running plans.
Promoting a 4 hour sleep plan, running in between meetings, seems extreme to me. He also talks about other extreme endurance sports interests of his.
He is completely immersed in his pursuit of passion.
Socialising, family time, TV time are also part of balance.
The energy you have can be expended in other ways too.
He seems beyond human at this point.
If you are looking for inspiration to run a marathon, maybe yes, this book may help, but without right guidance it remains a dream, not a goal.
What did resonate with me is that he does not talk about his running life at work, he keeps it separate. And it's like a secret life he leads.
It's my secret too, as much as I try and inspire people to lead a healthy life and stay fit and follow their passion,I try to keep my races to myself and avoid talking about it at work.
Towards the end of the book, we do see a purpose in his life, where he puts his running to good use for society.
This I liked and makes him more human.
“The human body has limitations; the human spirit is boundless.”
― Dean Karnazes, Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner
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