RUN! Book Review

 

RUN! 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss (Emmaus, PA: Rodale, 2011), is Dean Karnazes' latest book about his life and running. While he's always been pretty good about giving credit to his supporters, he goes beyond that in this latest tome by actually having others write some of the chapters. His wife Julie penned a chapter along with his friend Topher Gaylord (president of The North Face).

If you've read and enjoyed Dean's other books, nothing in this one will surprise you, and, while some information has been repeated in pretty much every book (like ordering a thin crust, unsliced pizza which he rolls into a burrito for eating on the run), there is enough new info to make it a worthwhile read.

There are many detractors as well, who claim that Karnazes is simply a self-glorifying egomaniac, and there is probably some truth to that. However, as former person in this camp, I've come around to appreciating what this megafamous ultrarunner is doing to promote health and the sport of ultrarunning.

I, for one, might not be planning my first ultra this year if he were not such a motivating figure. While awed by him, my children see in him the limitless potential that they themselves have. Powerful stuff.

In short, if you're a fan you'll enjoy this book and if not, maybe give it a chance and if Dean can't change your mind. As he concludes the book, remarking on his dream of running a marathon in every country of the world in the span of a calendar year:

"That's my dream. Your dream might be a little less audacious, but that doesn't matter. There's a life out there  waiting for us. RUN!"