Dean Karnazes, Ultramarathon Man

[mrdlore1]

Damn! He ran 100 miles to get to the marathon!

[gwl1983]

I love running. I'm never happier than when I'm running.

[Thysical]

@gwl1983 It pains me to run, because i'm 14 and i'm 6'4'' so my bones are very thin and stretched, therefore being weaker. I can't even run 100m without my legs being in so much pain.

[EGarrett01]

Much like Kadour Ziani, he's so far beyond the normal human range in his attribute of note that he should be studied by science, especially after he dies, like an autopsy.

[cuzgandalfgothigh99]

@EGarrett01 there have been many humans that have been far beyond the normal human range... everyone has one way or another to do these incredible things, ever since we became a super intelligent species we have been seceeding our natural strength and endurance.. its just a few times media decides to take a random look at one of them, and show them to the ignorant public. :|

[MrGamingPhenom]

this guys amazing

[ODYSSEAS32]

Forrest Gump would own him

[TheGeeMu]

@ODYSSEAS32 I laughed

[lowdeno101998]

It's not exactly true that his body "doesn't produce lactic acid" therefore he is somehow blessed to be able to run further than any other people. He monitors his heart rate carefully to keep lactic acid production down, and a study found that his body had adapted to using lactic acid as fuel. Train the body, it adapts. Also, there are better ultrarunners, like Scott Jurek, and people who have run further, like Stu Mittleman who has one record which still stands: 577.75 miles in 6 Days.

[bishopsonniertv]

i was wattching stan lee super humans...can this guy really run forever

[StoryWB]

So inspiring 

[Imprezziveness]

99.9% will never run a marathon....yes, by choice

but almost anyone can be trained to run one.

[Manofsteel8640]

@Imprezziveness Do you even realise how hard training for one is? almost anyone cannot be trained for one at all...it takes a lot of mental and physical strength

[Imprezziveness]

@Manofsteel8640 Sorry, didn't mean to discredit Marathon runners. Just read in few articles about Evolution and Barefoot Running that humans may have evolved to run. It mentions one proof being that most human beings can be trained to run a marathon. Also, the natives in the Mexican mountains, TaraHumara, are known to be able to run distances greatly exceeding Marathon lengths.

How about I rephrase...It's not impossible for most people to train to run a Marathon.

[Manofsteel8640]

@Imprezziveness I do agree with you on that, running is something that's instinctive. But yes it's true it's not impossible - nothing is impossible...but it's just 90% of people now-a-days are so damn lazy they won't get off their ass and do something,

(training for stockholm 2012!!)

[terramar111]

His body does not produce lactic acid, which is the main reason he can run for so far without tiring. He has a lot of drive, but his body is also extremely unique.

[pdanderson24]

@terramar111. you just made that up. even if it were true, it wouldn't matter for what he does. lactic acid plays no part in the distances he runs. its shorter races: sprints, half mile, mile, and up to the end of a hard 5k or 10k. you won't produce lactic acid running at a slow pace. not discrediting his achievements, but this is a made up fact, and the same thing that people say about lance armstrong, which is also not true.

[thunderoad005]

what is the video at 1:49 from?

[HitTheTrailRunning]

Good guy. Keep running.

[PatrickMc1nerney]

@ 2:14 "Even though I've run 350 miles non-stop"... holy crap. What a beast!!

[lalalandlvr888]

omg wtf I run a mile in PE and I'm fucking dying.

[Trinitysx]

what the fuck is he running from ?

[ilikepie135792468]

when i first heard of him i thought of forrest gump @_@

[Cristti]

@FourSeasonRunner you are retarded and driven by pure jealousy. Calling this man a "fraud" just because there are other people on the planet that ran farther than him and didn't write a book about it? Fuck you.

...

...

And fuck you again.

[vvinblog]

He will live probably 100 years..

[narcolepticpug]

@vvinblog actually no. lots of distance running can cause heart problems like Bradycardia, or Cardiac hypertrophy. but those things wont stop me from completing my first 50. there are plenty of things in life that arnt great for you but still worth doing.

[thediracdelta]

That birthday story is amazing. On my 21st birthday I tried to run to the

[asro11]

I wanna be him one day. I run nothing compared to him but I'll get there, this guy inspires me to get better

[smaceira]

That's an amazing story...

[Kruezoraxe]

While many criticize dean for being a corporate sellout, he is a phenomenal runner. The man has taken second place at fucking Badwater.

[Joe85ification]

@Kruezoraxe i think he actually won, one year :)

[TheReptilianBrain]

I too share a similar love for drunken night-runs. I got back into running via running home from the clubs after about 7 drinks. Now I go on 10 mile runs for the fun of it.

Much love for the drunk run.

[boiswatching]

hope he has an ipod :D

[sinky101]

That weekend sounds really awful...I'd be fucked.

[TheSwingingSword]

This guy is slow as shit, most people can beat this guy.

[greendayrules15]

@TheSwingingSword D ok seriously bro? This guy has accomplished so much like up to 350 mile nonstop runs, and 50 marathons in 50 days, and you say he is slow? He has heart, determination, courage, and tons of perseverance. So what if people can run faster that him? You probably couldn't do 1/35th of anything he has done, or even come close. So how about you do us all a favor and stop trolling videos? Moron.

[TheSwingingSword]

@greendayrules15 He is lying about 350 miles non stop runs. And my marathon PB is faster than his, he has never run a sub 3 hour marathon the snail. And he lies and assholes like you believe him. He is hated by all real ultrarunners because he's a joke and his attitude suggest he's by far the best.

[greendayrules15]

@TheSwingingSword So you take the time out of your life to see a video of someone that you don't like, and take even more time by commenting on the same video?

[XxAvineelxX]

run forest run! now i feel like watching forest gump. then run a couple of miles

[reeeci]

heel striker.

ouch.

[peter4real]

Oh wait I thought this was Dean Karnazes, but now I see it was actually the real life Forrest Gump... Silly me...

[JoshLanzer]

This guy is such an inspiration

[AHun1743]

"Seems like a great weekend!"----I wish I was that brutal.

[Gab1n0III]

this dude is my inspiration

[TheSlurpeeCup]

Hilarious how many people are sitting at a keyboard bashing a guy who can run 300 miles. Lets see you fatties do 20.

[grinch96ek]

@TheSlurpeeCup lol lets seem then run 1! Hell im in great shape and even better in academy and 5 miles was rough.

[mypoopa]

@grinch96ek Huh... sorry buddy but if 5 miles is rough for you then you are NOT in great shape. I would say "alright" shape at best.

[grinch96ek]

@mypoopa it is when your wearing a 30lb weighted vest and toting your academy class number on a giant flag pole.

[mypoopa]

@grinch96ek Now that sounds impressive. Props to you.

[truthsmiles]

@TheSlurpeeCup or even 1

[sdnm86]

Dean Karnazes is an incredible runner and a very nice man who's willing to share his knowledge and expertise with anybody that's willing to listen. His accomplishments are otherworldly as well as the fact that he serves as an inspiration to countless people such as myself.

[hendybhoy]

I don't think anyone can discredit anything that Dean Karnazes has done he's said it himself he's not the fastest of the Ultra runners... but he's a machine... Of course you have quicker runners Scott Jurek, David Goggins, Yiannis Kouros who can do what Dean does even quicker.. but you can't discredit what Dean's done.

[TirnanUFC]

Febuary the 1st I'm going to run 18 miles for my 18th - ran 10.5 today in preparation.

[runnershigh3297]

Haha what a boss, running a marathon when he's 14.

[bfield15]

I think the only reason people disrespect him is because they are jealous and wish that they were as good as him!!!

[echoespaul]

FourSeasonRunner: Where in his book does he lie? When has Dean ever claimed to be quick or the quickest? When has Dean ever claimed to be something other people can't be? Why are you claiming you can run faster than he can? I'm not sure what your point is other than sounding pretty angry.

[TheGreenParakeet12]

I just finished his book :)

He's so amazing, such a sweet guy! And so...driven.

I'm 14 on the cross country team, he has inspired me so much.

:))) Dean Karnazes ♥

[hortolanyi]

I wanna see him do the Double Deca Ironman!:) tho its a triathlon:)

[pilantra2000]

my friend start running short races like 5 k's and 10 k's, one day he run a marathon and he loved, now 35 years back, from the day he started running, he can run as long as he's mind dictates, i mean he can beat karnazes in any distance, any distance, he tried the badwater in 2007 and demolished the previous record by one hour, and that because he had to walk for awhile and wasn't feeling very good and the pace was brutal, if you dont believe me his name is Valmir Nunes, go check it out

[marcus8357]

@pilantra2000 by an hour?? ya right!!

[Psycho888999]

@pilantra2000 lol I believe ya. Most of the really good ultramarathoners that can literally beat the living crap out of Karnazes like to keep low key. XD

[Tippet76]

This guy has the world record for doing the longest run in the world. Anybody who says he isn't shit is an idiot.

[FourSeasonRunner]

@Tippet76 you are an idiot because he hasn't documented that record. He SAYS he ran so long. I can say that I have run from Finland to China is is of no fucking relevance until I can prove it.

[FourSeasonRunner]

Dean, jogging at your grandma's pace doesn't make you an ultra runner.

[schafer18]

@FourSeasonRunner Ultramarathons aren't about pace, they're about finishing the race... crossing the line at the end of the challenge. You sound like a jealous adolescent trying to put down someone who is more famous, talented and wealthy than you will ever be.

[FourSeasonRunner]

@schafer18 If that's the case then why the fuck was he Athlete Of The year? Dean is hated by ALL real ultrarunners because he can't run for shit and writes lies in his books and brainwashes potential good athletes. Let me tell you something ultramarathons and marathons and 5ks and 100 meter races are not about finishing, they are about winning! And dean hasn't won shit, only once he won badwater and who did he beat? There was no fucking competition in that race.

[schafer18]

@FourSeasonRunner honestly I don't know a lot about the ultra scene, but I can guess that he was athlete of the year because of his accomplishments finishing races. (like the 50-50-50) Dick Hoyt is slow as shit but he's one of the most famous triathletes of all time. Also, I doubt the 'entire' ultra scene hates him, he has brought positive attention to the sport. Ultra runners might be a little jealous because he's a decent runner with a gift for writing best-sellers.

[FourSeasonRunner]

@schafer18 ultra runners aren't jealous. Why would they be jealous of that fraud? Jogging 42 km in 4+ hours every day is something that A LOT of people can do. I used to jog 30km (3 hours) every day slowly as a snail to lose 20 kilos in 6 months. I can jog a marathon every day for 50 days at snail's pace but I can't RUN 10 marathons in a row in 2 hours and 40 minutes. Do you even know the difference in pace between 2:40 and 4+ hours?

[FourSeasonRunner]

@schafer18 The only reason why his so-called best-sellers sell is that many people are not aware of his lies, many people are willing to believe that lactate levels can drop during a run and many other absurd unscientific bullshit that this fraud writes. My marathon PB is faster than this fraud's, and I bet I can run a sub 10 hour 100k which this fraud will never be able to do. Any sub 2:15 marathoner can run a sub 10 hour 100 MILER, that time will be TWICE faster than this fraud has ever run.

[Psycho888999]

@FourSeasonRunner I'm actually going to have to side with FourSeasonRunner. Dean Karnazes only got famous because he knew how to promote himself. A worthwhile allegory would be a freelance artist- the artist with the most flamboyant personality and a willingness to shamelessly whore himself to the media is the one that will get recognized, as opposed to the technically superior artist that keeps a low profile.

[FfDusEH2010]

he has greek blood in his venes, called ICHOR :)

[EGarrett01]

I don't understand this. How can he do it? Everything I've observed about the human body is that there's a limit to how much physical activity you can do in one stretch. Obviously he's got a heart like Secretariat that's freakishly oversized, but even so, how do his MUSCLES keep working? Even without lactic acid, he should be doing damage to himself or drop dead. I don't get it.

[MaroonVProductions]

@EGarrett01 It's because his bloodstream breaks down his lactic acid at a very fast unhuman rate which allows him to virtually run forever, the rest is because he eats healthy and keeps his body in shape.

[EGarrett01]

@MaroonVProductions

I believe that, but don't your muscles start to get torn and damaged after awhile? As far as I understand, Lactic acid exists to stop you from harming the muscles.

[pboisei]

@EGarrett01

its a mental thing

[angeltroea]

what the fuck this guy runs a lot

[xxxDAPROBLEMxxx]

dean k's western states pr; 4 hours off course record. good not great ultramarathon runner.

[Bluestard]

Chumly

[kritspa]

u run in clasical marathon in greece???no

u run in spartathlon???no

u r nothing men

u run only 4 money

u run only 4 sales books

[pilantra2000]

but some people have to actually work to make a living we have no sponsor to pay the bills like him...

[pilantra2000]

hes promoting the fucking Los Angeles Marathon, good way to make money sitting in his ass, smart guy...

[pilantra2000]

lactic acid build up reversal what a big bunch of crap...wait maybe hes an alien hehehehehehe.....people say weird crap, and dumb people believe in unreal stories...

[DaZoneRanger]

@pilantra2000 It's actually true. He was actually featured on The History Channel's "Stan Lee's Superhumans," and they hooked him up to machines in a lab and discovered that his lactic acid levels actually dropped, when he reached a certain point.

[pilantra2000]

@DaZoneRanger if this is true he can run forever then why stop....

[FourSeasonRunner]

@pilantra2000 "lactic acid build up reversal" is one of his many lies that he sells to IDIOTS who know shit about running.

[liberate26]

@pilantra2000 sorry your that stupid. this guy was actually studied and put on stan lees superhumans

[liberate26]

@pilantra2000 sorry your that stupid. this guy was actually studied and put on stan lees superhumans. way to go though, maybe the dumb people who believe the doctors and everyone who studied this guy will learn from someone smart like you.

[Jonlaco]

@pilantra2000 Dude, are you serious!? This guy has been running ultramarathons since around 1992, and yet you sit there and discredit him for what he says! Just because you don't understand what he is saying doesn't mean it's not true, so you should probably quit talkin!

[HeyitsBecca17]

when im old like him im going to be an ultramarathoner like dean. i love this guy hes officially my idol. GO KARNAZES!! :)

[Jkroflcopter]

I found out on the History channel that Dean Karnazes is actually biologically different from other people. When he runs, lactic acid does not build up in his blood like it does with normal people, and instead decreases. Lactic acid causes you to physically be able to run no more if enough of it builds up, but Dean doesn't have these limitations, so basically he could run forever if he was super motivated.

[pilantra2000]

@Jkroflcopter you have to train your body to limit the acid build up, but still builds no matter what you do...he's no different then you and me, the only thing i can think up is the high mileage he put on his runs... i guess the body adapts to the stress...if he can do it anybody can.

[LordJasonGarfield]

Dean Karnazes is overated. there are many better ultra marathoners

[chichikov8]

@LordJasonGarfield Dean is loved not because he is the best ultramarathoner, but because his book gave such an inside look into him as a human being. His story appeals to people, I think largely because he was dealing with the same 'society blues' that most deal with. Personally, I found him most impressive because he is also a highly successful businessman and has multiple degrees. For one person to have many accomplishments, to me, is extraordinary.

[LordJasonGarfield]

@chichikov8 okay mabey I was a bit hard on him!

[chichikov8]

@LordJasonGarfield I understand it, especially if you are a runner yourself, to see a guy who isn't 'the best' get so much attention while the real 'best' are unknown. I think these athletes could learn from Dean, though (IF what they want is recognition), because I think it's all about sharing your story so people can relate to you, you know? I think that's true across all sports. I respect all the runners; I am just seriously baffled about his non-run accomplishments in addition. take care.

[saltzjoe10]

@LordJasonGarfield It's the same with jugglers. Just having the best skill isn't going to make you the most well-known or well-liked. Dean has promoted himself and shared his story to millions and has had impacted so many lives positively. Perhaps, he's not the best of the best, but I think he's content with his talent and the inspiring and humbling influence he has on others. I've met him, and he's definitely a super person. He's showing and sharing what's possible.

[LordJasonGarfield]

@saltzjoe10 Good point, but I know many ultra marathoners that are much better than he and yet Dean gets all the attention. Does not always seem fair to me.

[saltzjoe10]

@LordJasonGarfield That's true. I know it's not fair. Same with juggling world, right? I have heard that most ultramarathoners enjoy the fringe-ness of their sport and aren't motivated by fame, so I don't see why they would care if Dean gets more attention. If he was claiming to be the best runner, then I'd see an issue. But he's not. He's actually putting ultrarunning on the map, which some ultrarunners see as shameless self-promotion.

[LordJasonGarfield]

@saltzjoe10 I also feel bad for those who have spents years learning a solid 7 ball cascade and yet those jugglers are not credited as much as they should be.

[saltzjoe10]

@LordJasonGarfield They're credited by the people who care about 7 ball cascades, which are a certain niche. Unfortunately, a 7 ball cascade by itself isn't going to be as popular as someone who can entertain and perform with juggling. It's like the oldest argument in juggling I think, so I am going to leave it as that. I am actually in that category of years learning the 7 ball cascade, except it's not solid yet :) I need to break out your tutorial on DVD again... :)

[saltzjoe10]

@saltzjoe10 Disregard last comment sentence ;) I forgot you're not really Jason...

[stubey32]

1:08 "you're drunk!"

[CTrotter21]

slow. not even good.

[campbpar]

Nobody runs the gay down like Dean.

[TheLiberalSoup]

@campbpar

aw, how bigoted of you. Nice to know that you care about what other people do in their personal lives.

[yourass117]

Does he like run all the time, does he go to work or is he like a model who just excercises for a living?

[nuketheunicorns]

@yourass117 In the book Ultramarathon Man he talks about having a normal, every day job. but I am pretty sure he's a professional runner now. he has a ton of sponsors, so I'm sure he's sittin' pretty because of all of them.

[yourass117]

@nuketheunicorns No doubt yeah.

[chichikov8]

@yourass117 I'm not sure if he's still working, but he has worked for several fortune 500 companies and holds numerous degrees. At least for a time, eh was doing all this stuff while still working in the business world. The guy slept 4 hours a night so he could maintain his career and train to run. That is what blows me away most about the guy. Being an ultramarathoner is amazing in itself, but to also have a high stress career int he business world? I can't help but respect the guy.

[thajamaicankid]

he forgot the part about him doing the run the night he was drunk was in his boxers

[code2high]

His booked saved my life. I now live a healthy life style ........running included !

[HarmonicsExplorer]

Chisel to the max

[glennosmansdeiros]

Take it easy, but take it.

[phonziee]

whats his marathon pace

[hiphopopotamus98]

thats my best friend's dad :)

[SVKmellow]

ask him how he manages to stay so ripped while running :D

I cant imagine gaining mass on the upper body while training...

[SunnyIllusion]

HGH or steroids, maybe?

[gbilios]

no way...he did 560km in 88 hours

[gbilios]

no way..he did 560 km in 88 hours without stopping.

[juliantb7777]

haha. hes gonna run 100 miles to the marathon. crazy. thats incredible.

[grazianodemaio]

Some Films and comics speack about Heros, in the Istory we find mitologic heros like Sansone or Achille..I understand that they are real man and not mite...Karnazes is one of them !

[soydebajamexico]

Hes my hero too! lol

[azucarmon]

this guy is my hero. his story is a lot like my story.

[Imahappyrunner]

Dean, You are absolutely amazing!!!!! without a doubt. I have only run 3 marathons thus far and sometimes want to use the excuse that I'm a tired old lady with 5 kids but I know that is just a lame excuse. I will be there monday and hope to run many more. Thank you for your amazing example of perseverance and enduring to the end!!!!!

[redstone0]

Awesome video