Ultramarathon Man (30 page)

I'd like to thank
all of you who believed in me, even when I sometimes found it difficult to believe in myself. The list is long, way too long to include here everyone who's provided inspiration and encouragement along the way—the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run has some 1,200 volunteers, to each of whom I offer my gratitude.

Thank you to Carole Bidnick, my agent, who has been by my side through many marathons, even though she hasn't run a mile in the past ten years. Your insight and wisdom guided me, and your tenacity and fire got me across the finish line.

Thank you to Ken Siman, my editor, for constantly pushing me to do better, dig deeper, go farther. Though it was a different sort of ultramarathon, writing this book was a daunting challenge. You've been a great coach, mentor, confidant, and friend.

Thanks to my wife, Julie, and our children, Alexandria and Nicholas. Julie, you've been a source of inspiration for most of my life, and I continue to learn from you every day. Thank you to our extended family member, Valia Naumova. In caring for Alexandria and Nicholas, you've brought so much love, compassion, and laughter to our household that you're one of us.

To my brother, Kraig, and his lovely wife, Carolyn, you are the best. Thanks for putting up with my antics all these years. Some things never change. At least I'm consistent. I remain forever grateful for all the support you've given me.

There are many friendships I've enjoyed over the miles, but I am especially appreciative of those shared with Kim and Topher Gaylord, Jim Vernon, Tom Servais, Christopher Bergland, and Tim Twietmeyer. It's been a blast, and it just keeps getting better.

A special note of appreciation to Lessley Anderson, at
San Francisco Weekly
, for coming up with the moniker “Ultramarathon Man.”

Finally, thank you, Mom and Dad, for always being by my side.

An international bestseller, Dean Karnazes'
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner
has inspired both hard-core athletes and former couch potatoes across the globe. In 2004, Karnazes won the Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley, California—“The World's Toughest Footrace,” covering 135 miles in 120-degree Fahrenheit temperatures, in 27 hours and 22 minutes of nonstop running—and was also named one of
GQ
's “Best Bodies of the Year.” A columnist for
Men's Health
and the president of Good Health Natural Foods, Dean lives with his wife and their two children in San Francisco. Visit
www.ultramarathonman.com
.