Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner Paperback – March 2, 2006

Like the massive amount of calories needed for a 100 mile endurance run, I devoured this book in two sittings. I would have read it start to finish the day I got it, had I not had to go to work. Yes, it is that good. Yes, it is that inspirational. Yes, Dean is a machine. Yes, Dean will enlighten you about how if you get off the couch and actually follow your dreams and commit to a certain level of resolve that you too can complete any task ahead of you! This book is an absolute breeze to read and the pages fly by almost too quickly. You feel yourself being drawn out onto the trail or road with each paragraph. This book makes you want to run. If you are already a runner, this book makes you want to run more. Why? Because as runners we all have something to prove...to OURSELVES! We can do it! We can go over the next hill. We can run all night if we have the drive and desire to do so. We can do all these things, and with Dean's inspiration, we will all find ourselves accomplishing more than we ever thought possible. Now, that being said, the haters are still going to hate. Who wouldn't want a $100,000 a year job? Who wouldn't want the media attention? Who wouldn't want the accolades? Here is the thing, if you want all those things, you CAN have all those things. Just get out there and do something unique and original. Push yourself to the limit. Don't hate on Dean because he did what so many people thought was impossible or AFRAID to try. Most people fail because they are not willing to make the hard sacrifices. Do you think what Dean accomplished (and continues to accomplish) was done without sacrifice? Hell no. The thing is, Dean does not dwell on those things in this book. Rather, he admits that he has sacrificed some things for his greater, more important (to him) personal goals. Those are his priorities. Don't hate because they are not your priorities. If you are going to be above average as a runner, you have to make sacrifices. If you are a runner, you know that there are times that you go for a run before doing ANYTHING else. Why? Because in the end, everyone follows their own path. What you think you are sacrificing for OTHER PEOPLE for delaying YOUR dreams will likely mean nothing when you are six feet under. Live your life for the now. If others do not understand that, or think they are more important, then maybe they need to re-prioritize their own dreams. I am not saying to be selfish, but I am suggesting that it is often the glares, words, and opinions of others that cause many to stray from their own personal goals. If this book teaches you anything, it will teach you how, with the right attitude and scheduling, you can have BOTH...if you are willing to make the commitment to your dream. If you are a runner and you do not read this book, you have truly missed a wonderful experience. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I had a great time reading this book and didn't want it to end. I was looking for a little inspiration, as I am a newer runner. There are days I still struggle to get past 2 miles and was hoping Dean would have some secrets for me. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself laughing out loud at times, as well as tearing up. There were parts I found so astonishing, I had to read them out loud to my husband. It was exhilarating to go on multiple journeys with this seemingly non-stop runner.I have read most of the reviews to see what others had to say. I wish if other ultramarathoners had something to contribute, they would write their own books as well. There weren't many books on running to choose from that looked interesting to me. I am glad this one caught my attention. Some reviews said the author didn't mention past runners of fame, or notable runners at current events. Maybe he could have, but I don't think the book ever claimed it was going to be about anything BUT him! It never occurred to me while I was reading this book that he was being conceited or focusing too much on himself. I was in awe! I am in awe of ALL of the ultramarathoners out there. And truthfully, I didn't spend much time looking at the pictures included except to note the surroundings, or the physical condition being shown. I didn't see this as being vein. I should also mention at this point that I was reading the Kindle edition of the book, and the tampon (/Gaylord?) incident that offended many was not included (that I know of). Interesting.I didn't find the secrets that I was looking for to help me run longer distances, although I believe the author honestly tries to explain his abilities. I think it all comes down to putting your mind and your heart into it - the same as facing most obstacles in front of you. That, and he IS a little crazy.

This is a great, first person look at what it is like to run amazing distances in sometimes extremely difficult conditions, such as in the Western States 100 where runners have to scale four mountain peaks in the course of the run. At the top of his first peak it was snowcapped and in the 30's, and at the bottom of the mountain he hit stifling heat in the 100's. He managed to trudge forward and finish the race, doing quite well in the process, but it was obvious that it taxed him to his very limits. The story of waiting out wind gusts and bitter cold in the Antarctic for weeks while waiting for the weather to clear and then go out and run a marathon in those conditions, all the while NOT wearing snowshoes (he loaned them to someone else and later regretted the decision) showed there was alomost nothng, not extreme heat, distance or arctic conditions that can stop this guy.That said, the book seemed to consistently concentrate on his acheivements, his likes and dislikes, and certainly was a testament to his athletic prowess, and often times the author struck me as self absorbed and arrogant. Granted, accomplishing what he has would probably require some of this, but I never found it in me to like this person, but I certainly marveled at his incredible athletic accomplishments.