Endurance Is

14 DOWN, 36 TO GO…

Seafair Marathon, Washington
Number of Runners: 48
Elevation: 50’
Time: 4:07:52
Weather: 58 degrees, overcast

Today was surreal. If someone had said to me a year ago that I’d be running the Seafair Marathon on a random Saturday with 48 other runners and police escorts blocking traffic to hold the course open for us, I would have said “no way.” But that’s exactly what happened today.

And beyond that, I had so many of the runners afterward thanking me, saying things like this was their most enjoyable run ever. Imagine that, people thanking me for running. I should be thanking them, and I hopefully I was able to adequately express my gratitude, because I am forever grateful to those 48 individuals for making today so special.

Not everyone had intentions of running the full marathon. Some ran a few miles, some ran a half-marathon, some did twenty, and a few who had originally said they were only going to do the half, ended up completing the entire marathon. There were three first-timers that finished the marathon today, and a number of folks that PR’ed. When you think about it, that’s absolutely remarkable. It’s been astonishing to watch people rise to the occasion during these runs and go farther and faster than ever before. It’s a phenomenon I can’t quite explain, so I’ve stopped trying to make sense of it. All I know is that it’s been about the most inspirational experience ever witnessing the things I’ve seen people do over these past two weeks.

The runners today were spirited and determined; proudly, almost half were women. Initially I was concerned that 48 people would be able to hold together closely enough, especially given the fact that we were traversing some heavily trafficked roads. But it all worked out, and we ended up getting more car honks of encouragement than anything else.

The stories I heard today could fill this blog for the next year. One runner had lost 120 lbs. and had run seven marathons (this was his eighth). Another had a tradition of running one marathon a decade, but decided to run two when he learned about this event. A mother of four completed the marathon, and then ran, quite literally, to a child’s birthday party. My dear friend Topher Gaylord (who performed the wedding service before the first marathon) was represented by two of his brothers, one who had never run a marathon before, and his sister-in-law, and we all ran the marathon together. Then there was the college student who this morning at 5:00 AM got up the courage to sign up, and ended up completing the marathon.

Overall, this was the biggest event of the tour thus far. And if today is any indication, the running spirit is alive and well in the Pacific Northwest. My thanks to you all.

Sleepless in Seattle, and thoroughly enjoying every second of it,
Dean

P.S. Some pretty scary things are still coming out of my nose, but I think my cold’s on the mend.

---
Click here for Endurance50 pictures.
Click here for Endurance50 videos.

13 DOWN, 37 TO GO…

City of Trees Marathon, Idaho
Number of Runners: 18 (the group swelled to 31 people at one point, plus a dog).
Elevation: 2,659’
Time: 4:08:51
Weather: 75 degrees, clear

I’m not overly suspicious, but the number 13 has a certain aura surrounding it. I woke up this morningthe sorest I’ve been since the beginning, hopeful that this was just a coincidence and not related to the 13th marathon. Then I did a radio interview in which the host asked how far my marathon would be today? When I responded that all marathons are 26.2 miles, he asked if today would be my longest. Weird.

But the second I walked outside and smelled the fresh Idaho air, I knew things would go well today, despite the oddities this morning and it being marathon #13. There were 18 terrific runners waiting at the start, one of which I had just met last night and she decided at three in the morning to join us. There was a runner from San Francisco that had flown out, a runner from New Mexico, and a runner that had traveled from Alabama to run with the group.

With a boisterous sendoff from the crowd, we headed off down Main Street through the central section of town. There was plenty of diversity in the crowd today, from some younger ultrarunners, to some seasoned marathon veterans, to a Minister who was running his first marathon. Our armed forces have been well represented throughout the Endurance 50, and today we had an esteemed member of the Special Forces running with us.

The course proceeded through some beautiful, tree-lined residential districts that shaded the road and helped keep temperatures lower. There was almost no wind whatsoever, so the air warmed quickly as the day wore on. We moved along at a comfortable pace, the group holding together through the halfway point, swapping stories and sharing laughs. At just past mile sixteen and at mile twenty, a couple neat things happened. The following commentary comes from an email the Race Director, Jeff Ulmer, sent to the Endurance 50 event manager, Jim Anderson (Jeff, I hope it’s okay to use this):

"Jim,

That was one of the coolest events I have been involved with… Two things that hit me during the Boise event.

1) It was the 13th race, we ran down 13th street, to one of my running groups favorite hangouts, Lucky13 Pizza. Everyone stopped running and stood by the Lucky 13 sign in their #13 bibs and Deans #13 singlet, and snapped a group photo, awesome!

2) Dean was high fiveing, shaking hands, and talking to kids along the course, but at mile twenty there was a group of Catholic school kids waiting for him who were on a field trip just to see him. They were all standing kind of in a half-circle awaiting his arrival. He ran over and got down on one knee so he was eye to eye with them and they immediately closed ranks around him and were slapping hands, reaching out just to touch him or pat him on the back. It was a wonderful moment, I looked over at my friend who was in my jeep with me, and her eyes were welled up, I asked her if she was making fun of me and she said no I was just checking to make sure you were seeing the same thing I was seeing. Yep my eyes were already teary. Very cool, very touching, and something I will always remember."

At the finish, my daughter and son were holding the ribbon across the line, and we runners ran through hand-in-hand, united as one. Jeff, my eyes were teary too. It was another remarkable moment that I feel blessed to have shared with a terrific group of uplifting and positive individuals. Running brought us together, and the spirit that we shared out on the road today—the highs, the lows, the struggles and the triumphs—formed a bond between us that will last forever.

Inspired in Idaho,
Dean

---
Click here for Endurance50 pictures.
Click here for Endurance50 videos.

12 DOWN, 38 TO GO…

Montana Marathon, Montana
Number of Runners: 14
Elevation: 3,648’
Time: 3:56:44
Weather: 71 degrees, clear

Let me start by saying how bizarre it was driving 26.2 miles out from Billings on a country road andcoming across a dozen of the fittest athletes imaginable gathered to run a marathon. The Montana Marathon is a point-to-point which starts at the small outpost of Molt and heads back to Billings. The weather was crystal clear and the sky was, as they say, big.

Today’s runners were fit. There were a couple of powerful looking firefighter’s, several triathletes, two ultrarunners, a pair of tough as nails (and funny as heck) Canadian’s, and an elementary school teacher running, which I only discovered after he finished, his first marathon.

The pace of the group was aggressive from the start, and even as temperatures rose during the latter parts of the run, the tempo didn’t slow. For my part, I basically hung on as the group pounded out the miles. It got pretty warm starting around mile 18, and it wasn’t easy keeping up. Luckily our support vehicle was nearby for the entire distance, and we burned through a ton of water and Cytomax.

At the last mile, the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students of Central Heights Elementary School lined thepath. The teacher and coach, who was the one running the marathon with us, had made arrangements for the kids to join us for the last mile. They had been tracking the Endurance 50 as a lesson plan, and they all had on t-shirts with the typing on the back, “Endurance Is…” and they had each hand written their own definition. They ran the last mile to the finish with us, screaming and cheering the entire way.

People have asked me if this whole thing is becoming a blur? It’s not. In fact, I remember every minute of the past 12 days vividly. The dozen runners I spent some time with today are unforgettable. Their strength and power carried me through the run, and I will remember each and every one of them not just for their athletic prowess, but for their compassion and graciousness.

I read the backs of a lot of the kid’s shirts at the finish, and probably my favorite was a little girls that simply said, Endurance Is…Always trying your best.

From the land of Big Sky, trying my best,
Dean

---
Click here for Endurance50 pictures.
Click here for Endurance50 videos.

11 DOWN, 39 TO GO...

Fargo Marathon, North Dakota
Number of Runners: 18
Elevation: 891’
Time: 4:16:22
Weather: 55 degrees, overcast

Conditions today were absolutely perfect for running. I was greeted at the start by a very enthusiasticgroup outside the Fargodome. They had a lighted billboard welcoming me to Fargo, and I could tell right away it was going to be a lively run.

There were several first time marathoners, including an eighteen year old, and one 52 year old runner who was running his first marathon since 1980! One runner had driven down from Canada, another had worked all night and come to the starting line with no sleep. There were a couple of local running groups represented in the group, including: “Women High on Running.” We started off on our way and the banter began almost immediately. It was a fun way to ease into marathon #11.

Just after the five mile mark, we heard some loud cheering and up the road was a large group of school kids waiting for us to come through. They yelled and high-fived as we passed, and kept the cheering going until we disappeared well down the road.

The spirit in Fargo today was just terrific, and there were people along the course cheering and providing support almost the entire way. I know I’ve gone on and on about the stories I’m hearing out here, but it’s been the most heartwarming and inspirational experience I’ve ever had. Today was no exception, and I heard about overcoming illness, overcoming obesity, overcoming addiction, and overcoming fear.

The course was a mixture of residential streets and wide footpaths. We paralleled, and eventually crossed, the northern-flowing Red River which borders North Dakota and Minnesota. It was a scenic and flat course, so I was able to talk with the other runners much of the way while keeping up a steady pace.

When we reached the final stretch, they had opened the Fargodome to allow us to finish at the actual finish line inside the dome. There was a group assembled inside awaiting our arrival, and we covered the last hundred feet to the congratulatory cheers and hoots of the crowd.

To me, each finish festival has been become so memorable. I’ve met hundreds (maybe even thousands now) of great people, and I get to spend some time with the other runners taking pictures, signing books and t-shirts, and exchanging stories. This is the one area where the extensive training program Carmichael Training Systems put me through is yielding big results. Running the marathon is one challenge, but meeting with the press, doing interviews, talking, taking pictures, meeting kids and signing posters, is another marathon in its own right. I’ve been able to complete these marathons with enough energy reserve to thoroughly enjoy hanging around the finish for a couple hours and meeting people.

It was nice to be at lower elevation today. Although this was the coldest temperatures I’ve run in, the warm people of Fargo made up for that, and then some.

Best regards,
Dean

---
Click here for Endurance50 pictures.
Click here for Endurance50 videos.

10 DOWN, 40 TO GO…

Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon, South Dakota
Number of Runners: 1
Elevation: 5,100’
Time: 3:53:34
Weather: 66 degrees, dry and breezy

Today was the first trail run, and a great way to celebrate reaching double-digits with the number of marathons completed. I love trail running, and the tree-lined Mickelson Trail was absolutely stunning. We spotted white tail deer and wild turkeys along the way.

The first half of the course was challenging, climbing up to 6,100’ with a stiff headwind starting around mile seven. But the company was good, and we swapped stories as we ran. Amos (her real name is Amy, but her friends call her Amos) is an accomplished marathoner with a personal best of 3:30. But that only tells part of her story. She is a cancer survivor and didn’t run her first marathon until after surgery in 2003. Since then, she’s run nearly 50 marathons! And from our conversation, I gather she has no intention of stopping anytime soon.

We were met along the trail by a group of students from Spearfish Middle School. They crewed for us at several points, and later a few of them joined in and ran alongside for a stretch. The pace was strong throughout the marathon as we needed to get to the finish quickly so Amos could return to work that afternoon.

At the finish festival, the 4th and 5th grade classes from Deadwood Elementary School ran over fromschool to the event. They had a million questions, their energy and enthusiasm for the Endurance 50 blew me away. A couple of them asked if they could join me for the rest of the journey. I asked one little boy what his parents would think of that? He said, “My dad’s a runner, he’ll understand.”

With a smile on my face, we pulled out of town with kids lining the street waving and yelling goodbye. It was another great day to remember.

All the best,
Dean

P.S. To the many of you that have sent ideas and suggestions for getting over a cold, thank you. I really appreciate it, and am trying them all! Unfortunately the cold has spread into my ears, so it will be good to get down to lower elevations tomorrow to alleviate some of the pressure.

Click here for Endurance50 pictures.
Click here for Endurance50 videos.

9 DOWN, 41 TO GO…

Casper Marathon, Montana
Number of Runners: 9
Elevation: 5,200’
Time: 3:54:12
Weather: 65 degrees, very dry

Under clear and cool conditions, we started down the road on the Casper Marathon to the cheers and hollers from the small crowd that had gathered to see us off. Today’s group was smaller, with not all runners intending to do the entire marathon. As we covered the first few miles, herds of antelope bounded through the fields and across the roadway ahead of us. With the deep blue sky above, and the miles of open expanse ahead, it seemed a fitting start to a marathon in Wyoming.

After winding through the hills for several miles, the course dropped down to the Platte River and followed a path along the water for much of the way. The mountain peaks in the background were still covered in snow from a storm that had passed through the area last weekend. Temperatures were cool with very low humidity.

The group today was strong, all of the runners being experienced marathoners or ultramarathoners. We moved a good clip, especially given the elevation. At the half, one of the runners, who had just run Boulder Backroads with me the day prior, peeled off. He looked good, but wanted to save his legs for another race.

The second half was flatter and we ended up running a slight negative split. The tempo was much fasterthan what I had envisioned, but the group seemed comfortable running at this pace, even as I gasped for air trying to keep up. When we got to the finish, the 4th grade class of the North Casper ElementarySchool was waiting for us cheering. After crossing the line with the marathoners, I circled back and did a dash to the finish with the kids, which they loved, but I think I loved even more.

The racers all received their finishers Medal, and we spent some time chatting and snapping photo’s. It was a great group, four of whom had driven from out of state to run today. The stories I’m hearing of overcoming adversity and perseverance continue to amaze me. Every runner has a story, and today in Casper I was reminded of how much strength and inspiration we can garner from learning about each others struggles and triumphs.

Keeping the spirit alive on the long road to South Dakota.

Best,
Dean

Click here for Endurance50 pictures.
Click here for Endurance50 videos.

8 DOWN, 42 TO GO…

Boulder Backroads Marathon, Colorado
Number of Runners: 2,200
Time: 3:46:56
Weather: 61 degrees, cool and clear

Boulder Backroads is a marathon that’s long been on my “to do” list, so I was looking forward to today’s run with great anticipation. I’ve been told it’s a very scenic course, and after experiencing Boulder Backroads firsthand, I couldn’t agree more. With the snow-covered Rockies off in the distance, the beauty and grandeur of the setting was spectacular.

Other than arriving a few minutes late to the start, the run itself went smoothly. Certainly the altitude was a factor, but the dry air helped clear out my sinuses. The support along the way was terrific, so I was able to drink frequently and remain hydrated. I ran with some super cool people, two of whom are driving to Wyoming tomorrow to run with me (and a third overheard our conversation and is also driving up to join us tomorrow!).

The biggest bummer with this particular marathon is that I couldn’t stick around longer at the finish. I really wanted to hang out and chat with people, but we needed to get back on the road for the drive to Casper. This definitely won’t be my last Boulder Backroads, so hopefully next time I’ll get to hang around longer.

A final note, thanks to you all for the well-wishes you’ve been sending my way. Many of you have asked about my cold. Unfortunately it’s still raging, but I’m trying not to let it set me back. Luckily I’m not a very fast runner, so that’ll help keep it from spreading to my chest. Yes, going slow has its advantages :-)

Best to you all from Interstate 25 heading north.

Dean

Click here for Endurance50 pictures.
Click here for Endurance50 videos.

7 DOWN, 43 TO GO…

Lincoln Marathon, Nebraska
Elevation: 955’
Number of Runners: 21
Time: 4:15:34
Weather: 64 degrees, partly cloudy

Last night was miserable. Not from the running, but from the cold I’ve come down with. Perhaps it comes as a result of the abrupt climate changes we’ve been running in over the past few days, or maybe I caught a bug during all the travel; either way, I was up half the night with a raging head cold.

It was difficult dragging myself to the starting line at 7:00 AM this morning, I really wasn’t sure how things would go today. That all changed when I met the other runners and got swept up by their energy. Originally I was told there would be 15 runners joining me in Lincoln, though upon departure from the start at the Nebraska University Coliseum, there were 21. Many had no intention of running the entire distance, they just wanted to come out and show their support while running a few miles. Others were dedicated to covering the full marathon distance. And boy did they!

Three of the group had never run a marathon before, two had run more than a hundred marathons, andone just ran the Lewis & Clark with me last weekend. Conditions were absolutely ideal as we progressed along what proved to be a very scenic course. By the 20 mile mark, however, we were all feeling the strain. I’m not sure how to define what happened next, but it is a phenomenon that’s been occurring during these marathons around the 20 mile mark. My best description of what happens at mile 20 is that the group collectively bans together as a single working entity. Everyone seems to feed off each others energy and a sense of renewal pervades, even among those that are struggling.

The last 6.2 miles were covered with guts and passion, and we crossed the finish line hand-in-hand as a team. The three first timers were just amazing throughout, and watching them finish brought tears to my eyes. Two of the group set marathon PR’s, and one of the seasoned veterans who was initially only going to run a half-marathon training run decided to go the entire distance.

The athletes I met today were so warm and cordial, each with a unique and remarkable story, and I enjoyed my run with them tremendously. There wasn’t always a bathroom in the right spot, food and beverage wasn’t at every mile mark, we had to stop for traffic periodically and share the path with bicyclist, yet I didn’t hear a single complaint from any of the runners. Literally not even the slightest hint of a gripe.

It was all positive, and that’s how I’ll remember the great people who shared some miles, and some kinship, with me today in Lincoln, Nebraska.

May you go far,
Dean

Click here for Endurance50 pictures.
Click here for Endurance50 videos.

6 DOWN, 44 TO GO…

Des Moines Marathon, Iowa
Elevation: 1,205’
Number of Runners: 35
Time: 4:06:33
Weather: 68 degrees, partly cloudy

The weather today was perfect for running, but the people were even better. The stories I’m hearing continue to astound me: A runner who flew down from Alaska to run the Des Moines Marathon with us, a surgeon who cleared his morning to run, and had patients starting at 3:00 PM (with a two-hour drive back to the office), a Pastor who leads a congregation of runners, and collectively probably more than 1,000 lbs shed between the group, including one runner who had lost 150 lbs!

At mile 10 the course does a lap around the famous Drake University track, and standing there to meet us were the Drake University Mascot and fifty elementary school students from nearby schools. The kidsran the lap around the track with us, cheering and high-fiving much of the way. I’ll never forget a quote from one little boy who I complemented on his swift pace, “Mr. Karnazes,” he said between pants, “I run like I mean it.”

Plenty of people lined the route and rooted us on as we passed through the streets of Des Moines. The pace today was way faster than predicted, but the entire group seemed to work well together, feeding off each others energy. We probably would have gone even faster had there not been such lively banter between us the entire 26.2 miles.

Remarkably, five first-time marathoners crossed the line! Not all came in at 4:06:33, but impressively they weren’t that far behind.

Upon crossing the finish line, we were met by the Major of Des Moines, Franklin Cownie, who presented me with a City of Des Moines Proclamation for hosting, “An event that will help transform Des Moines into a healthier, more pleasant community in which to live and work.”

If the thirty-five runners I met out there today are any indication, the community is well on its way. Keep running like you mean it!

All the best,
Dean

To view photo’s, go to: http://www.runnersworld.com/e50/slideshow/
Click here for Endurance50 videos.

5 DOWN, 45 TO GO…

Wichita Marathon, Kansas
Elevation: 1,544’
Number of Runners: 21
Time: 4:23:18
Weather: 62 degrees, gale winds and driving rain

I’d like to personally thank each and every runner for your bravery today. The weather was nothing short of intense, with driving rain and torrential downpours. Kansas is know for its wind, and today was a monumental display of Mother Nature in all her glory.

With the long drive last night and just a few hours of restless sleep, I was hoping today would be an easy one. Such was not to be the case.

The rain began just before the start, and when we entered McConnell Air Force Base at mile eleven the showers had begun to intensify. We were met at the gate by twenty military officers and personnel who ran the eight mile section through the base with us. And that’s when things got really interesting. By mile 14, the rain was coming down sideways, stinging your face and body as it hit. The wind was whipping across the open expanse, making forward progress nearly impossible in some stretches, and blowing you off course in others. Trying to open your eyes to see where you were going was a painful experience, so we ran with our heads down, tracking off the line in the road to keep your bearings.

The group showed a grit and resolve that goes beyond words. During the peak of the torrent, we would just exchange periodic glances as a way of reaffirming our commitment to keep foraging onward. No words were necessary. When the rain finally did let up at mile 21, running the last five miles together seemed more like a victory march than a run, as though we had prevailed through the worst conditions imaginable and emerged intact and still moving forward.

Three first-time marathoners crossed the finish line. How they were able to accomplish this remarkabletriumph in conditions that tested even the most experienced runners is astonishing. They say the human body can only go so far, well today the human spirit showed us all that nothing is impossible.

Thank you to the great athletes and people of Kansas. Heading down the highway toward the next marathon, your spirit lives on in my heart.

Warm regards,
Dean

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