See, here's the thing. This time I actually read his book. I didn't read the posts from the "ultralist." I just read the book. Turns out it's pretty good. It would certainly help an aspiring ultra-runner understand why the grizzled veteran does it..
Do, I believe everything in the book? There's Hertz, and there's not exactly. But as my brother says, "I don't know if it actually happened, I just know that it is true." My view is many of Dean's trials and tribulations are greatly exaggerated, but I believe he accomplished each of the things in the book, and I believe the emotions in the book. I am not worried about the rest.
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It might help to understand that Dean had no idea that this book would sell. The only other books like it had not been big successes, so his is more grand. His gamble paid off, and now Dean is rich, and I'm glad. Because if you read the book you'll understand the "Karno Moment." My words, not his.
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In each of Dean's adventures he comes up against a point (usually more than one point) where it's sit, quit, or go on. That's the Karno moment. I wonder did Woody, Star, Scott, Spencer, Adam, and Gentleman Jim come face to face with Karno Moment at Umstead. I know that Julie did, and she made the right call. Not wanting to risk real damage to an ailing knee, she called it a day with 38 of her 50 miles completed. If you think it's easy to quit, your wrong. You always wonder, could I? should I? If you believe your health is at risk, please stop. If it's just pain, well, you should probably keep going.
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I have moments of self-doubt in every race. I ask why in every race, but I don't have the drama of a "Karno" moment in every race. But buddy when they come, it's a heck of a debate! Should I? Can I? What if? Who cares?
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If we look the moment of doubt in eye and stare it down we are ultramarathoners. It's coming, what will I do next, I truly don't know.
14 comments:
Aye, I've always said, folks who whine about Dean and his book are just, well, whiners. He did what many others couldn't do, wrote an entertaining book about the sport. That's all, it's entertaining, and if that helps encourage more folks to try it, that's great.
Yeah, I believed that jealousy from the "list." He don't really lie, perhaps (definitely) zagerates a smidge. But you are right, entertaining and informative.
Hadn't read it. I'm waiting for your book.
I think you're just trying to get on the guy's good side, since you'll be running with him soon. Anyway, when I read it, I hadn't completed an ultra, so I thought it was simple and entertaining and motivational.
I cannot remember a Karno moment on Saturday. Maybe around mile 17 or so...my usual meltdown mile. But there was no question that I was going to keep marching forward.
I only had 50 to go...so ask the Professor and Woody...I saw that look in their eyes when they left the camp after finishing 50 miles. I'm not sure how one goes on at that point...
I had a Karno moment at about 4am...I looked into the woods and I saw Dean operating the tilt-a-whirl. He was wearing a derby hat and a barrel and there were dancing monkeys all around him. I also saw a tuba. Maybe I just needed sleep.
Sounds like you're goofing Prof. But I love Chase's story of having his feet attacked by Rabbits at Bighorn. I believe he also had a Stanley Cup vision.
My best hallucinations turned out to be real. Airplanes landing at Ancient Oaks (it took me 60 miles before I realized the course was right next to the airport, and I mean right next to it! The fence that bordered the park also bordered the airport.) Also there was the Taranchula in Arkansas, also turned out to be real. Glad I didn't pick it up!
But really the Karno Moment is the moment of truth. Is is Safe? Can I do it?
If he comes to Vermont again, I hope to have a Karno moment around 80 miles.
That's where I envision passing him and asking polietly "Hey Dean, would you like me to wait at the finish to sign a copy of Hellgate for you?"
of course, if he asked me for the correct spelling of polietly, I would say "POLITELY"
That's similar to my plan for Vermont...at mile 70 I'm going to stop in the porta potty and take a nice big Dean...then I'll make sure I wipe my Karnazes.
Roger, that's funny! I bet he'd like Hellgate, hell, I'd like Hellgate, I've got money, how about a signed copy?
I agree with Chase. I read Karno's book. I wa working at Barnes & Noble and they let me borrow it. So no money spent. It was an entertaining book about the sport.
Will it encourage me to try it? NO! I'm not even going to run another marathon after April 21st.
Actually, I'm waiting for your next Marathon and Beyond article. I have the whole Andy Mathews collection! Personally autographed too!
What's the point of this post? Nothing; I just haven't written anything in a while.
Hey, I enjoyed reading it Arlene :-)
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