50/50 - by Dean Karnazes (Paperback)

About the Book

In the fall of 2006, Dean Karnazes, known as the "Lance Armstrong of the running world," took on the ultimate challenge: running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 consecutive days. Dean set off in a caravan packed with fellow runners, with nothing more than a roadmap and a determination that defied all physical limitations. This book goes beyond the story of those 50 marathons: it is a firsthand account of what happens when your body defies all limitations, and it is a story of what it's like to push the limits of strength under grueling conditions. This book also reveals Dean's secrets and training tips, including what to do when you hit a wall, how to adapt quickly to drastic terrain, how to get motivated after a really tough day, and diet and exercise tips to improve your own best time.

Book Synopsis

Discover the secrets for super endurance -- from one of the fittest men on the planet!

Dean Karnazes has run 350 continuous miles through three sleepless nights, ordered pizza during long runs, and inspired fans the world over with his adventures. So what does a guy like this do when he wants to face the ultimate test of endurance? He runs 50 marathons in 50 states-in 50 consecutive days.

With little more than a road map and a caravan packed with fellow runners and a dedicated crew, Dean set off on a tour that took him through a volcanic canyon in Maui in high humidity and 88-degree heat; to an elevation gain of almost 4,000 feet at the Tecumseh Trail Marathon in Bloomington, Indiana; to a severed moose leg found alongside an Anchorage, Alaska, trail that compelled him to sprint for safety.

Now in this heart-pounding book, Dean reveals how he pulled off this unfathomable feat with a determination that defied all physical limitations. But Dean goes beyond the story of the Endurance 50 marathons to share his invaluable secrets and advice for athletes of all levels. These are the tips that kept Dean going during the 1,310 miles he covered and 160,000 calories he burned-while averaging sub-four-hour marathons and often sleeping fewer than four hours each night. Learn how to:

Recover more quickly
Adapt to extreme conditions
Prevent muscle cramps and overheating
Pace yourself when you "hit the wall"
Stay motivated.

Packed with practical advice and including training regimens, 50/50 will inspire you no matter what your fitness goal is, whether it's simply walking around the block, running a 10K, or completing yet another Ironman.

Review Quotes

"His new book appeals to a potentially broader audience [than his last]. It is packed with practical advice, from how to avoid getting sick during a race, to what to look for in shoes. Included are marathon-training plans for beginners and veterans." -Orange County Register

"Perhaps the most interesting aspect of 50/50, though, is that rare peek into the mindset and motivation of an extreme athlete... and wondering, along with him, what's next." -Bookpage

About the Author

Dean Karnazes has been called the "Quintessential Ultramarathoner" by Outside magazine. Winner of the 2004 Badwater Marathon in Death Valley, and recipient of the ESPN ESPY Award as the "Best Outdoor Athlete" of 2006, he is the author of the New York Times bestseller Ultramarathon Man. Dean lives with his wife and two children in San Francisco. His website is www.ultramarathonman.com.

Matt Fitzgerald is an endurance sports writer, coach, and nutritionist. He is a coach and spokesperson for PEAR Sports and former senior editor at Triathlete and Competitor. Fitzgerald has contributed to Men's Health, Outside, Runner's World, Shape, and other publications. He lives in Northern California with his wife.