Dean Karnazes

Most dreams die a slow death. They’re conceived in a moment of passion, with the prospect of endless possibility, but often languish and are not pursued with the same heartfelt intensity as when first born. Slowly, subtly, a dream becomes elusive and ephemeral. People who’ve lost their own dreams become pessimists and cynics. They feel like the time and devotion spent on chasing their dreams were wasted. The emotional scars last forever.

Dean Karnazes

Never, however, do I take shortcuts. There is no path of least resistance in my training. What I do equates to hard manual labor, disciplined grunt work. Once you permit yourself to compromise, you fail yourself. You might be able to fool some people, but you can never fool yourself. Your toughest critic is the one you face every morning in the mirror.

Dean Karnazes

Personally, I don’t stretch, I don’t get massages. Maybe massages would be useful, but I just don’t have the time for it.

Dean Karnazes

Runners are competitive folks. I think some might feel slighted they haven’t got more recognition. I think they have a point. In running, you won’t necessarily get noticed just for turning in good performances.

Dean Karnazes

Running back-to-back races requires a certain tactical prudence. Going too hard in any one race might jeopardize your performance in another. Maintaining proper hydration and caloric equilibrium also becomes increasingly critical.

Dean Karnazes

Running is a simple, primitive act, and therein lays its power. For it is one of the few commonalities left between us as a human race.

Dean Karnazes

Running is about finding your inner peace, and so is a life well lived.

Dean Karnazes

Some seek the comfort of their therapist’s office, other head to the corner pub and dive into a pint, but I chose running as my therapy.

Dean Karnazes

Struggling and suffering are the essence of a life worth living. If you’re not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you’re not demanding more from yourself – expanding and learning as you go – you’re choosing a numb existence. You’re denying yourself an extraordinary trip.

Dean Karnazes

The first thing I do when I walk into a hotel is find the gym, and if they don’t have a gym, I start looking for a handhold where I can do my pull-ups. Sometimes if a shower curtain rod is sturdy enough, I’ll do them there.

Dean Karnazes