1 DOWN, 49 TO GO...

Lewis & Clark Marathon, Missouri
Elevation: 989’
Number of Runners: 3,400
Time: 3:50:52
Weather: 82 degrees, humid

The Lewis & Clark marathon was the perfect beginning to the tour. Surrounded by family and friends, and hundreds of fellow runners, I surprised (shocked is probably a better word) my wife by renewing our wedding vows. The service was performed by my best friend and running partner, Topher Gaylord, who promptly removed his Ministers gown following the ceremony and ran the marathon with me!

It was rather warm and humid during the marathon, with thundershowers moving in toward the end. The course was beautiful, much along the historic Katy Trail, and I met many terrific runners and volunteers along the way. My pace was a little quicker than what we’ll run during the recreated marathons during the week, promise. After the race, a number of messages came in expressing concern that the pace was much faster than anticipated, and that you wouldn’t be able to keep up. During weekday and Saturday events, I’ll slow down to accommodate runners of all abilities. The Endurance 50 is about inclusion and getting people out and participating, it’s about raising awareness about the importance of physical activity, so we’ll get everyone through it, regardless if it takes us all day to do so.

And on the point of raising awareness, specifically for kids fitness, the official charity of the Endurance 50, Karno Kids, had an incredible show of generosity from race participants and spectators alike. From today’s run alone, over twenty-five kids can now enroll on scholarship to after-school running programs! If we keep up at this rate, we’ll have this country back in shape in no time.

Hope to see you soon.

Best,
Dean

To view photo’s, go to: http://www.runnersworld.com/e50/slideshow/

Comments

[steve hearst]

Perfect timing! As I am leaving this post you are posting yours.
The wedding vows suprise was a great touch to remind you, and all of us, that the dedication of family is the way we get through the long race of life. They are the best support team.

Congrats! For one down, 49 to go!

[Eric Fritz]

You Sir are an awesome specimen. May you live a long great life. Keep it up.
Eric...Detroit Michigan

[Nic]

Dean! I had the pleasure of shaking your hand today before you got started (on not only the marathon but also the re-commitment to your lovely wife). It really was an honor to meet you, you are an inspiration and I'll be following your progress all the way! See you in Chicago!

[Adam Pratt]

Congratulations! Have a great week of running and I'll see you next weekend in Boulder!

[Roger]

Dean:
I ran with you today (1/2 marathon)in St. Charles for my first running event ever (1:49:51)! I had a blast!! I Also enjoyed the renewal of the wedding vows very much, you have been very blessed.
I started running in an effort to loose some weight and get off of blood pressure medication. Seventy pounds later and without the blood pressure medication I now run 3-4 days a week and lift weights on off days. However, about a year ago, at age 42, I had a pacemaker installed for a very low heart rate. While the pacemaker surgery did set me back a month or two it has not affected my commitment to stay in shape. If I can do it, anybody can, let's go!!!
Keep up the great job of spreading the word to encourage more people to take better care of their bodies/health. Good luck with 50/50/50 and God bless (Jesus lives!).

[Mr. Chase]

Mr. Karnazes,
Congratulations on your first run. My students and I are watching and will be in touch. Hopefully, you'll hear more from them soon. I showed them Friday how far you'll be running each day on the USATF Rout Mapping page and they were blown away. Get some rest.
-Mr. Chase, Sarasota, FL

[David Wilding]

Dan,

You are amazing! Congrats on a great first day with a great run and honoring your marriage. Well done!

I have been out of shape for 15 years and am on the road (started 5 months ago) to running the Chicago marathon (my first). Started at 6'1" and 230 and now am at 210.
I am pumped that you are running there as well.

Thanks for the encoragement and your amazing dedication to stretching the limits. Our contry needs more examples like you.

Enjoy the road!!!

[Holly]

DEAN! One closer to 50! My fiance and I read your entire book one day at Barnes and Noble because it was impossible to put down...that night Mark signed up to running a marathon in March (we would have done one of yours but we're in nursing school). We'll be checking your success each night to see how your doing! Your determination in powerful! You don't need luck, so I'll just say "have fun."

[Dustin]

I just finished your book. I am amazed. I hope to join you in Billings on Sept. 28th. Good Luck!

Dustin (Helena, MT)

[Dan Bickel]

You are an inspiration to us all. I wish more people in the world were as dedicated as you are. One down, 49 to go!

[Jason Rulo]

The Lewis and Clark was a great event! I enjoyed the run and the publicity your group brought to the event! Thanks for the experience!

Jason

[Yi Wei]

Hi, i'm from Singapore.. a sub 4 marathon is really a good timing.. Gd luck for the other 49 races.. you have inspire me to run even harder..

[Doug]

Dean,

Congrats on a great start to the E50! It was a pleasure meeting you in St. Charles, and I wish you luck(not that you'll need it) during the rest of your journey! Keep us updated!

[Tom]

Congrats on your wedding vows!

[Bill Gross]

Dean;

My heart and thoughts go out to you and your family as you embark on another feat of human endurance.

I echo the other sentiments from above. Family is crucial. I know your family has made sacrifices, we all have for the ones we love. And I'd like to thank your family for being so supportive.

You are an inspiration to me, Dean, and have helped me realize that I am much more than I think I am.

Godspeed,
Bill

[lesley]

YOU GO DEAN!!!!

[Roy Young]

Way cool on the wedding vow surprise! It sounds like it was a great start! By the way what was your pace for this marathon? I will be running with you in Portland Oregon on Oct 1.

Looking forward to meeting you and running with you.

Keep it up!
Roy ~ Gresham, OR

[Rachel]

Dean, my mother, sister and I ran the Lewis and Clark half today. It was my first, old hat for them. What an inspiration you were! Thank you. And, so nice. My mom and sister are running NY. I'm going to support them. We can't wait to see you there. Good luck!

[Jenn]

Dean- I appreciate your taking the time to shake hands, pose for pictures and sign autographs while taking on this epic journey. Getting a chance to meet you on my first ever half-marathon and having your autograph on my race number will be a great memory!!

Keep it up!

[Victor]

Dean,

I just want to say 'Go Karno go!' :) . I've got your book on my last visit to US and I find it very inspirational. I make a living as a manager in a Consulting Firm and I got into running a couple of years ago because I needed something meaningful to do besides work. I enjoyed so much reading your book and I also follow Endurance 50 through this website.

My kudos! Greetings from Madrid, Spain,
Víctor

[Jen]

Hi, Dean!

I really enjoyed meeting you today and sharing some laughs with you about carrying animals while running. My friend, thankfully, did not hand me anything furry, scaley, feathery, or warty at mile 11! I talked to 12 year old Johnny, the half's youngest participant, and heard how you ran him in to the finish line. Super! He was on cloud 9! Prayed for you early this morning and plan to each day until the challenge's end. It costs me nothing to spend a few moments asking the Father to bless you with success. All the best to your family!

[Justin Johnson]

Dean,
It was an honor to get to meet you after the race in St. Charles. Your book and accomplishments have been a great inspiration to me and finally gave me the drive to get back into running and complete the first of what will be many marathons and possibly ultras to come.

I also got the pleasure of meeting and talking to your father after the race for a while. I got to hear some great stories about you and also some of his running accomplishments. You have an amazing support system in your family and it was easily apparent where your motivation comes from. Good Luck in the remainder of the E50!!!

--Justin Johnson

[Jill Finklang]

Dean - It was an absolute pleasure to run the last five miles of the Lewis and Clark marathon with you Sunday! My thoughts are going out to you every day as I follow your journey. I hope to see you again in Chicago. Wishing you all the best!
Jill Finklang

[Kara Casagrande]

Dean,

You are an inspiration! It was a pleasure to meet you and your father after the race. Keep on running!

Kara

[Marc Scarbrough]

It was an honor to meet you and your family. Thanks for signing my Runners' World! Your dad was great, and your goal of showing us all what is truly possible for a human to endure is becoming reality. 13.1 miles or 26.2 miles is nothing! See you in Chicago! Marc P.S. Say hi to Wichita for me!