A Runner’s High

My Life in Motion

By: Dean Karnazes

Narrated by: Andrew Eiden

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best-selling author and ultramarathoning legend Dean Karnazes has pushed his body and mind to inconceivable limits, from running in the shoe-melting heat of Death Valley to the lung-freezing cold of the South Pole. He’s raced and competed across the globe and once ran 50 marathons, in 50 states, in 50 consecutive days.

In A Runner’s High, Karnazes chronicles his extraordinary adventures leading up to his return to the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run in his mid-50s after first completing the race decades ago. The Western States, infamous for its rugged terrain and extreme temperatures, becomes the most demanding competition of Karnazes’s life, a physical and emotional reckoning and a battle to stay true to one’s purpose. Confronting his age, his career path, and his life choices, we see Karnazes as we never have before.

For Karnazes, the running experience is about the runner and the trail. It is not the sum of achievements but a story that continues to be told each day, with each step. A Runner’s High is at once an endorphin-fueled adventure and a love letter to the sport from one of its most celebrated ambassadors that will leave both casual and serious runners cheering.

©2021 Dean Karnazes (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Dean being transparent

Dean shares his successes and struggles. The struggles were relatable. The shenanigans made for interesting listening too. I liked learning a little more about his delightful family. Dean is really refining his skills as a writer.

Skip the Audible Version- Trust Me

This was my first experience with Dean, and while I’m sure he’s a great guy, as I finish this book I’m not a fan. That’s because the narrator is so bad that I’m struggling to separate Dean from the audio. Unless you like the idea of having Michael Keaton’s Batman (who often sounds like he’s from SoCal and that he’s high) read a book to you for over 7 hours, I strongly encourage you to skip this one.

As far as the writing goes, it’s just ok. It wasn’t until about chapter 8 or 9 that he actually starts to discuss Western States which is why I picked this one to listen to.

Almost couldn’t finish it

I am a big fan of Karno, but this was tough. The book seemed overly descriptive. If he had put the thesaurus away it could have shaved an hour or more off the read time with no elements of the story missing. The narrator was terrible. I prefer an audio book with no voices, like Andrew’s interpretation of Dean’s parents voices, etc. was brutal. He was so over the top, it took away from the already over the top story telling. Just eh.

Motivational book

This book just makes me want to pick up my mileage to be an ultramarathon man myself.

Excellent

Dean Karnazes is an ultra marathon runner and a fantastic writer. His writing is light, touched with a hint of humor and drizzled with sarcasm. With that, he is incredibly descriptive and pulls you into the experience, as though you can see it and feel it.

Andrew Eiden is following his heart and staying in the pocket as he brings Dean’s words to the realm of audio. He knows how to deliver. What else can I say?

This book is a freakin joy to listen to!

See you out there!

wonderful adventure!

loved it! the story was suspenseful & kept me wanting more! the narration was wonderful! I felt like I was running WS right with Dean!

I had watery eyes in the last hour, truly a magnificent story!

thanks for sharing this story with the world.

It was worth a credit.

Short but could have been shorter. Felt like more words than story, short story material stretched to book-length. Still, an enjoyable way to pass the time driving.

If you run you should be entertained

Dean is the man but I thought this book may just be a money grab, and it is, but it was very entertaining and I really enjoyed it. The narrator does a good job although I can tell he's not from California as he mispronounces many local names, i.e. Marin county, Manteca and Placer high school...all butchered. I just thought it was funny, but how does that get by Dean or the editors? Anyway, it's a great account of what it's like to run ultras, although I do not think anyone can really know what it's like until they do so (I have not, but have run a few marathons). I've never even considered doing an ultra although perhaps this book has put a very slight inspiration of maybe, someday, trying a "short" one.

okay

Strange it seemed many times in the story the author just used eloquent words to fill dialog as a story that could of been told quicker. As for me sad Dean didn't read it because I rather enjoy his reading style but still a good book about entering the crossroads of a life once lived and one yet to be foretold.

Dean is a Legend

I enjoyed this book, simply because Dean is a great storyteller and has a lifetime of knowledge to share. As a runner myself, I find him inspiring, but the reader need not be a runner to find wisdom in his words. My only negative feedback is the narration. It didn't feel authentic to me. I don't think an author need narrate their own work, but it has to be a good fit. This didn't work for me, although it wasn't a deal breaker.