• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Marathon Handbook

Running + Marathon Training Blog

  • Start Here!
    • How To Start Running
    • Running Form Explained
    • 10k Training Plans
    • 7 Day Motivation Challenge
  • Blog
    • Running Injuries
    • Running Gear
    • Recipes for Runners
  • Half Marathon
    • Half Marathon Training Guide
    • Half Marathon Pace Charts
    • Half Marathon Training Plans
    • FREE Half Marathon Bootcamp
    • Couch To Half Marathon
    • Half Marathon Masterclass
  • Marathon
    • Marathon Training Guide
    • Marathon Training Plans
    • Marathon Pace Charts
    • FREE Marathon Bootcamp
    • Marathon Shoes Guide
    • Marathon Training Masterclass
  • Ultramarathon
    • Ultramarathon Training Guide
    • Ultramarathon Training Plans
    • Multi-day Stage Races
    • FREE Ultramarathon Bootcamp
    • Ultra Runner’s Playbook
  • Books
    • Marathon In 3 Months
    • 4-Hour Marathon
    • The Stage Race Handbook
  • About
    • Meet Us!
    • Work With Us

dean karnazes

Dean Karnazes on Stage Races and Running Far

Last updated on Jan 31, 2020 By Thomas Watson

Hey guys,

I recently published the Stage Race Handbook – a full-on, 200-page guide to every part of preparation, training and running multi-day stage races such as the 4 Deserts series and Marathon des Sables.

I was lucky enough to convince several well-known stage race runners and ultra-running legends to contribute to the book in one way or another – including Ryan Sandes, Dion Leonard, and Tony Brammer.

I also reached out to Dean Karnazes – a name you’re probably familiar with.   Dean has won Badwater, run 350 miles without stopping, completed 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days, and written a slew of books on his running adventures.

Dean Karnazes 2

Dean also won the 4 Deserts race series back in 2008.   So he was the perfect guy to ask to write the preface for my new book on stage races.

I pinged him an email a few months ago, with no idea whether he’d even read it or respond.

To my surprise, he replied promptly, and after a short discussion, he kindly agreed to write the preface to the Stage Race Handbook.   I thought I’d share what he wrote with you guys, as I’m knocked out by his willingness to contribute.

His generosity really bowled me over for such a busy guy.

Dean Karnazes 4 Deserts

Without further ado, here it is – Dean Karnaze’s preface to the Stage Race Handbook.


Running is my passion.  Not just running, but running far.

It wasn’t always like this, though.   There was a time when I was, like many people, caught up in a busy life.   The busy trap.   I had a great job, fancy car and was deep into the ‘rat race’.   On the night of my 30th birthday, I realized this wasn’t the life I had planned, so I ran 30 miles.   That night forever changed the course of my life.

I began signing up for weekend races – before I knew it, my calendar was full, and I found myself traveling to ever more extreme and exotic places to run. 

This is where stage races come in.  They combine a lot of my favorite things – running, adventures and traveling to amazing places.   When I completed the 4 Deserts Grand Slam back in 2008, those races took me to some of the wildest environments I’ve ever run in – whether it was the vast emptiness of the Atacama or living aboard a boat in Antarctica.

These races tap into that primordial feeling, which is the reason I run.   They allow you to spend a long time out in the wild with nothing but your backpack and your running buddies.  They have reminded me that there is magic in misery.  When you’re out in the desert, be it the Sahara or the Gobi, all you have is your own fortitude and willpower for company.   What’s not to love about that?

And the other thing about these races is the people you meet.   They’re not always what you’d expect.   I’ve seen grandmothers and college professors, war veterans and people who have never run farther than a half marathon all line up at the start line of stage races.   And they make it through.   They survive and endure and their stories are some of the most inspiring I have ever heard. 

I hope that this book serves to inspire you to push yourself, test the impossible and persevere.  May you run far!

 – Dean Karnazes

Take Your Running Further With Our Resources...

Half Marathon Resources

How To Train For a Half Marathon (Article)
Best Half Marathon Running Shoes
Half Marathon Training Plans
Free 5-day Half Marathon Bootcamp
The Half Marathon Masterclass

Marathon Training Resources

How To Train For a Marathon
Best Marathon Running Shoes
Marathon Training Plans
Free Marathon Meal Plans
Free 5-day Marathon Training Bootcamp
The Marathon Training Masterclass

Ultramarathon Training Resources

How To Train For an Ultramarathon
Best GPS Watches for Ultrarunners
Ultramarathon Training Plans
Free 5-day Ultra Runner’s Bootcamp
The Ultra Runner’s Playbook

 

Written by Thomas Watson · Categorized: Stage Race, 4 Deserts, Interviews · Tagged: 4 deserts, dean karnazes, Dean Karnazes 4 Deserts, marathon des sables, racing the planet, stage race handbook, stage races, ultramarathon

Primary Sidebar

THE MONDAY MORNING MAILER

Get my running newsletter every Monday Morning:

MarathonTrainingBootcamp
Half Marathon Bootcamp

MARATHON TRAINING PLANS

Couch To Marathon Training Plan
6 Month Beginner Marathon Training Plan
20 Week Rookie Marathon Training Plan
16 Week ‘First Time’ Marathon Training Plan
Sub 4 Hour Marathon Training Plan
12 Week Marathon Training Plan
Sub 3 Hour Marathon Training Plan
20 Week Advanced Marathon Training Plan
20 Week Advanced (INTENSE) Marathon Training Plan

View all of our marathon training plans

HALF MARATHON TRAINING PLANS

Couch To Half Marathon Training Plan
16 Wk Beginner Half Marathon Training Plan
12 Week Rookie Half Marathon Training Plan
10 Week Improve Half Marathon Training Plan
8 Week Improver Half Marathon Training Plan
Sub 2-Hr Half Marathon Training Plan
Sub 1:45 Half Marathon Training Plan
Sub 1:30 Half Marathon Training Plan

View all of our half marathon training plans

 

ULTRAMARATHON TRAINING PLANS

50k Training Plan – Just Finish
50k Training Plan – Improve
50k Training Plan – Compete
50 Mile Training Plan – Just Finish
50 Mile Training Plan – Improve
50 Mile Training Plan – Compete
100k Training Plan – Just Finish
100k Training Plan – Improve
100k Training Plan – Compete
100 Mile Training Plan – Just Finish
100 Mile Training Plan – Improve
100 Mile Training Plan – Compete

View all of our ultramarathon training plans

4-Hour Marathon
Marathon In 3 Months
StageRaceHandbook
MarathonTrainingMealPlans

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Marathon Handbook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.


Terms of Use / Privacy Policy     About         Contact

Copyright © 2021 · Marathon Handbook