50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days-and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance!

Dean Karnazes

Hachette,  August 2008

Discover the secrets for super endurance from one of the fittest men on the planet!

Dean Karnazes has run 350 continuous miles through three sleepless nights, ordered pizza during long runs, and inspired fans the world over with his adventures. So what does a guy like this do when he wants to face the ultimate test of endurance? He runs 50 mar­athons in 50 states -- in 50 consecutive days.

With little more than a road map and a car­avan packed with fellow runners and a dedicated crew, Dean set off on a tour that took him through a volcanic canyon in Maui in high humidity and 88-degree heat; to an elevation gain of almost 4,000 feet at the Tecumseh Trail Marathon in Bloomington, Indiana; to a severed moose leg found alongside an Anchorage, Alaska, trail that compelled him to sprint for safety.

Now in this heart-pounding book, Dean reveals how he pulled off this unfathomable feat with a determination that defied all physical limitations. But Dean goes beyond the story of the Endurance 50 marathons to share his invaluable secrets and advice for athletes of all levels. These are the tips that kept Dean going during the 1,310 miles he covered and 160,000 calories he burned -- ­while averaging sub-four-hour marathons and often sleeping fewer than four hours each night. Learn how to:

• Recover more quickly
• Adapt to extreme conditions 
• Prevent muscle cramps and overheating 
• Pace yourself when you "hit the wall" 
• Stay motivated.
  

Packed with practical advice and includ­ing training regimens, 50/50 will inspire you no matter what your fitness goal is, whether it's simply walking around the block, running a 10K, or completing yet another Ironman.