First published 2011
Dean Karnazes pushes his body to extraordinary limits, running continuously for days without stopping. He traverses the frozen wasteland of Antarctica, crosses the scorching Australian Outback, and navigates the urban maze of New Jersey's back streets. Each grueling journey tests his physical endurance and mental resolve as he confronts extreme temperatures, treacherous terrain, and the voice in his head that screams for him to quit. Along remote trails and city sidewalks, Karnazes encounters fellow runners, local guides, and unexpected allies who share pieces of their own stories. The pain in his legs becomes secondary to the connections he forms and the landscapes that unfold before him. Between blistered feet and cramping muscles, he discovers something larger than personal achievement. This sequel to Ultra-Marathon Man captures both the absurd humor of extreme athletic pursuits and the deeper questions that drive someone to seek meaning through movement and suffering.
Genres: adventure, autobiography, biography-memoir, fitness
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: endurance, found-family, personal-journey
Setting: Antarctica, Australia, New Jersey
272 pages · Hardcover · Rodale Books