Here's our group photo before the run. I had positioned myself right up in the front but some guy showed up last minute and ended up standing right in front me. With his bright reflector vest. Grrrr.
The run was relatively easy even though, I did keep up with him most of the time. Ok, let me rephrase that. He ran slow. Apparently, he just got back from the Sahara Desert on a 150 miler run. More on that later. I did get to admire his muscular calves for most of the run. Man, he has ropes of muscles for legs. I was just amazed at his powerful legs. (And, I usually check out other runner's legs. I have a thing for calves!) We got back and noticed that I was running about 8:20 min mile pace! Ok, so we weren't running so slow after all! (Well, "slow" and "fast" are relative words!!) Once we got back and stretched, Dean got settled in his spot and gave a short talk about his book. He was a great speaker and I really enjoyed his 50 marathons in 50 days synopsis. I cannot wait to read this book. Here he is talking about his new book...
I had asked him what his latest challenge was and he shared with us that he is running "five of the planet’s most inhospitable places on five different continents, all in one year." He's finished 4 deserts and has one more left: Antartica in 2 weeks!! And, he just finished running 150 mies of the Sahara Desert and just flew home yesterday. You can read more about his Desert Grand Slam here and about the desert race series here.
He is just amazing! After his talk, the book signing began and I made a bee line to the table. Here is Dean signing... (for someone else!)
And finally, here is Dean and me. Omg, I *heart* Dean!!! I love how we're right in front of the sports bras. Hehe. And he is such a cutie!
Meeting Dean Karnazes was quite an experience today. I am truly inspired and motivated. He said that if his book helps someone reach their dream then and "go far", he's done his job. Or something like that! I was so inspired, I went for another 2 mile run around my neighborhood after the book signing. I was supposed to get 7 miles in today. I didn't want to short change myself!
Dear Julianne,
Meeting Dean Karnazes was quite an experience today. I am truly inspired and motivated. He said that if his book helps someone reach their dream then and "go far", he's done his job. Or something like that! I was so inspired, I went for another 2 mile run around my neighborhood after the book signing. I was supposed to get 7 miles in today. I didn't want to short change myself!Dear Julianne,Keep on smiling. & keep on running! May you go far...
Dean
11-11-08
AGH - that stoopid Mr. Reflector guy! But hey, you got a great photo of the two of you - and the sports bra's make a great touch. :)
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that!!!! He is totally on my list of people I would love to meet. What a fantastic opportunity for you.
ReplyDeleteI would have kicked Mr. reflector guy. Ha! I am glad you got your own photo with him and the autographed book.
Thats awesome! I'm soo excited for you! He must come around a lot out there... maybe sometime he will come to michigan! That would be sweet!! :)
ReplyDeleteP.s. Mr reflector guy was totally RIGHT in the way..jerk! :)
Too cool! Glad you got the sports bra pic to make up for the one Mr. Shiny ruined :)
ReplyDeleteThis post just made me happy. Sounds like you had a great night.
ReplyDeleteI have a thing for looking at runners legs too, not sure why.
Very cool! If youever get a chance to see 50/50/50 movie go it's a real motivator!
ReplyDeleteOMG OMG OMG!!! I wish i was there! That is so very awesome!!! I still have to read Deans 50/50 book too! Its on my list, hopefully over thanksgiving I will get to it.
ReplyDeletethat's amazing! Except for the dude who stood in front of you!! I enjoyed the book, and oddly enough, my 10 year old asked me last nite if he could read it! Enjoy! And great job on the run :)
ReplyDeleteSo cool! I think you thought the run was slower than it was because you were lulled into a sexy calf trance!
ReplyDeleteSo cool!! Glad you had such a great night!
ReplyDeleteWow, he does have beautiful legs. Instead of calves, I'm more of a quad girl... :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome! I'm jealous but so glad you shared that story!
ReplyDeleteLove the story, hate reflector guy :)
ReplyDeleteOhmigosh, that is just too cool!! So glad you got your book signed & a pic!
ReplyDeletei also thought he looked shorter in person!! when we did our run tara and i just stared at his calves :) they were crazy muscley!! glad you had such a good time, i know it totally pumped me up too :) oh and you guys ran wayyyy faster than us - i think ours was like a 9:45 pace or something :) YAY for dean!!!!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! How fun! Ooohhh I lurve me some Dean (but yes he IS short. Not that I've met him in person or anything but you can notice it in the pics he has in his books. He's so short compared to the rest of the peeps around him LOL)
ReplyDeleteI would have asked him to help me try on those sports bras in back of you :P
The banner looks nice! I like the new colors. Ohh and to answer you question from last time. I can't remember where I got it (the new banner)?! LMAO! I just plucked off a Blogger Template site.
I'm incredibly envious. But I don't think I could have managed the pace, so I guess it's good it was you there and not me! (And adding 2 miles later to make your 7? Wow!) The picture of you two is great, too-- totally makes up for the jerk in front of you in the group photo.
ReplyDeleteSQUEEE! What a great event! Who runs 150 miles in the desert and just hops on a plane the next day? People who don't sit in cubes, I guess. :o)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recap.
Man that reflector guy really stole your thunder.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about Dean. When I met him he was so upbeat and inspirational. There were so many people that wanted to talk to him and have him sign their book or have their picture taken with him and he stayed until EVERYONE got to see him. He such a great person.
That is SO cool. I was there with you in spirit, cuz I watched him give a talk on YouTube last night and I ordered his first book. From mu couch, of course! ;)
ReplyDeleteHow fun!!! Inspiration is oozing out of your pores right now - go kick'em butt!
ReplyDeleteThat's freakin' awesome! I don't think I could have kept up...I know I wouldn't have been able to keep up with an 8:20 mm for 5 miles...way to go!
ReplyDeleteYou're right the sports bras are a fantastic touch!
Dude! In front of the bras! He he! that is the best pic ever!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed your run with him :) Dean has an awesome life...getting to see so many great places and go on so many adventures! :)
So cool! This is like better than a race report! :) I laughed so hard when I saw the reflector guy... gosh where did he get all that garb, seriously! :) Anyways, your pics are super cute and it sounds super fun! You should totally do a book review once you are done reading.. I want to read it too!
ReplyDeleteso cool! maybe you can photoshop out the vest man. how annoying is that? that man (dk) is amazing. antarctica?? i can't wait to see what his running outfit for that one will be.
ReplyDeleteseriously I could not stop staring at his legs when Aron and I ran with him!! insane muscles!! he is little too..hehe great motivation though! you guys did run fast!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're right about his legs -- when I saw him at the SFM expo, they were ripped beyond belief! And I got to see him 3 years ago at Western States when I worked the mile 78 aid station. He looked SO STRONG after having completed 78 miles -- I was in awe!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to get to run with him! I have both of his books, and I think I've read his first book at least 10 times. And sometimes I'll think of his runs when I'm struggling going long, as in "If Dean can do 200, I can certainly do 20!"
What a great experience, almost perfect in fact, except for that incredible douche baggy reflector guy. "Keep on smiling". So perfect.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun. Sounds like it was a great time.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like so much fun!! great picture too! Glad you enjoyed! and stayed up too!
ReplyDeleteHey, that's cool! BTW Dean has some massive calves. I'd be drooling through my run. :D
ReplyDeleteAwesome pic with Dean. I'm wondering if he positioned himself in front of the sports bra session on purpose?! Heehee! I'm glad you got to run with him.
ReplyDeleteLucky person you are. You should read his 1st book "ultramarathon man". That book got me running Ultra's..
ReplyDeleteNice pics. So time for some trail running!
Great picture, sounds like an awesome experience. The reflector guy needed to be booted! LOL
ReplyDeleteGreat pic of you with Dean + sports bras! Yes!
ReplyDeleteI met him a couple of years ago at a similar event at my local running store, I agree about his legs! (and he struck me a little shorter than I imagined also.)
Glad you had fun! (Ugh, and that reflector vest man, ugh!)
So awesome!! I am surprised how little he looks in those pics (except for the calves of course). The pose in front of the bras is priceless. And way to go on the 8:20 pace! Sounds like an amazing night:)
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! What great pictures, despite the big reflector guy. :) I clicked on the picture to get a closer view and all I could think was, "damn, look at his quads!!!"
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome that you got to run with Dean! I just got his book 50/50 out of the library and I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDelete