Storms were moving in when Dean Karnazes arrived at the American Airlines center in downtown Dallas. Running 50-marathons in 50-days covering all 50-states is staggering, but Karnazes is the man Men's Fitness called "the fittest man in the world."
“I read his book,” says Mike McMullen of Dallas “I loved it, so I thought I'd come out to meet him and run with him.”
Near the starting line, Karnazes address the 75-runners who have registered to run the race with him. “This has been the most amazing experience of my life,’ he says. “Incredible, and its not about me, its about you guys joining together so, thank you so much for being here. We've got a hearty group. We've got some weather, its going to make it all the more interesting.”
“I think he's crazy, but I think his mission to educate us on the inactivity of our youth, is an awesome mission,” says Andi Smith of Dallas. “It was great he could come to Dallas so we could do this.”
Karnazes finishes his talk to the small crowd as lightning strikes in the distance. “Lets go have some fun, let's eat, let's laugh, and let's do a marathon. So thank you all,” as cheers erupt from the runners.
Kanazes starting running his 50-marathons in a row on September 17th so Dallas was his 24th marathon in a row. For the first 15-miles or so, it rained hard, making the run even more challenging.
“The rain felt really good actually,” said Karnazes. “In fact, I talked to a lot of runners. I never heard one of them say I don't like the rain.”
To prepare for his 50-marathons in 50-days, Karnazes used ultra marathons to prepare for 50-marathons in 50-days.
“I've run a number of 100-mile races, 200-mile races, I once ran 350-miles, to train my body in order to do a marathon without too much damage,” he explains.
“Beyond a head cold, I feel like my body is getting stronger every day. It’s remarkable. I feel like my legs are getting stronger, I'm getting conditioned to doing this in a way, its almost spooky.”
Karnazes has inspired runners across the country with his mission of extreme fitness. Most of those running with him, have read his book Ultra Marathon Man.
“Inspiraion is a two way street,” he says. “People say to me, I inspire them, I hear some of the stories out here, and it brings me to tears. I'm just a runner. I'm just a normal everyday guy, that is passionate about what I do, and I think anyone could be doing what I'm doing. I really don't think I'm gifted in any sort of way. I'm just passionate about it, and I feel like I’m the luckiest man on earth,” Karnazes explains.
“What I want to do is inspire this country to get more active, to make physical activity a priority in their life. That is as important as any other activity. We have a huge health problem in this country and I think if we can collectively turn things around, we'd all be happier. I think together as a group, we're touching a lot of people in a very positive way,” Karnazes says.
Karnazes left Dallas with 26-more marathons to go. “Ha Ha Ha,” Karnazes laughs. I'm not doing it. When I signed up to do this, they told me there would be no math, so I'm not doing any math here.
That’s fine, but he’s still got a long way to go, and barring injury, he will run make it. By the way, 7-marathons a week adds up to a cool 183.4 miles. The 50-marathons in 50-days adds up to an amazing, 1310-miles.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Buck Showalter Fired as Manager of Texas Rangers
John Daniels has been the General Manager of the Texas Rangers for exactly one year, so replacing manager Buck Showalter on the anniversary of his promotion, was his toughest decision yet.
“Anytime you make a personnel change, regardless of the position or the level, its emotional,” said Daniels at an afternoon press conference. “This was a very tough decision on that front, one that I don't take lightly, one as an organization we don't take lightly, and one we thought through quite a bit before making a final decision.”
Showalter's first year on the job was the 2003 season. One year later, he won 89-games, and was named manager of the year. But when he signed on, Texas was a team that began cutting their payroll, a fact that many believe lead to the teams sup par performance the last few years.
Said Daniels, “I don't think the payroll is fair excuse for anybody, whether it’s in my position, or the manager’s position, or a lack of payroll. There are teams with lower payrolls in the playoffs right now.”
Despite spending less on salaries, Daniels felt the Rangers simply underachieved with Showalter as his field boss. The team finished with a losing record and third in the American League West three straight seasons.
“When I say we weren't an 80-or-82 win team, and this isn't just me, I think if you ask the staff or ask the players, I think they expected to be better.”
The last two times Showalter was fired, the teams he left won championships. New York was the first, and Arizona was the second five years later, bringing new meaning to the term, hired to be fired.
When he took the job in 2003, Showalter knew all about that track record. “That's okay,” he said shortly after being hired. “If that's the case, I'd gladly sacrifice that, as long as they save me a championship ring.”
The bottom line is the Showalter just didn't enough games for the Texas Rangers. Now it’s up to Daniels to find someone who will. It will be his most important decision since taking over as the youngest General Manager in the Major Leagues.
“Anytime you make a personnel change, regardless of the position or the level, its emotional,” said Daniels at an afternoon press conference. “This was a very tough decision on that front, one that I don't take lightly, one as an organization we don't take lightly, and one we thought through quite a bit before making a final decision.”
Showalter's first year on the job was the 2003 season. One year later, he won 89-games, and was named manager of the year. But when he signed on, Texas was a team that began cutting their payroll, a fact that many believe lead to the teams sup par performance the last few years.
Said Daniels, “I don't think the payroll is fair excuse for anybody, whether it’s in my position, or the manager’s position, or a lack of payroll. There are teams with lower payrolls in the playoffs right now.”
Despite spending less on salaries, Daniels felt the Rangers simply underachieved with Showalter as his field boss. The team finished with a losing record and third in the American League West three straight seasons.
“When I say we weren't an 80-or-82 win team, and this isn't just me, I think if you ask the staff or ask the players, I think they expected to be better.”
The last two times Showalter was fired, the teams he left won championships. New York was the first, and Arizona was the second five years later, bringing new meaning to the term, hired to be fired.
When he took the job in 2003, Showalter knew all about that track record. “That's okay,” he said shortly after being hired. “If that's the case, I'd gladly sacrifice that, as long as they save me a championship ring.”
The bottom line is the Showalter just didn't enough games for the Texas Rangers. Now it’s up to Daniels to find someone who will. It will be his most important decision since taking over as the youngest General Manager in the Major Leagues.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Mavericks Spend Preseason in Texas
NBA training camps opened World Wide this week. Examples include the Phoenix Suns who traveled more than 6-thosand miles to practice in Italy.
Or the LA Clippers who traveled just as far to practice in Russia.
Or the Philadelphia 76ers who will practice in both Italy and Germany.
Or the San Antonio Spurs who traveled 5-thousand miles to France.
But for the Dallas Mavericks, they couldn't find a more welcomed place to hold training camp than Denton, Texas. That’s right, Denton, Texas. Total travel time, 45-minutes by bus.
“Amazing,” said Amina Igeh, a Student at the University of North Texas. “I never thought this would happen to UNTTTTTTT,” she screamed.
terry
“We're in good old Denton, Texas,” said Mavericks Guard Jason Terry. “Ha Ha, go figure, but its good.”
“Its awesome, this is so amazing,” yells Kristi Lu, another UNT student. “It’s like not even a big place, but they came here anyway, so that's really awesome.”
The decision to stay in Texas was made by Head Coach Avery Johnson.
“Yeah, stay close to home, but get away,” he said. “Its only for a couple of days.
If it’s any consolation, the Mavericks are staying at a very nice resort, just a few miles away. The resort is across the highway from the Texas Motor Speedway. This may not be Russia, France or Spain, but as we're told, once the players finish two a-days, they're too tired to do anything but eat and sleep anyway.
“I would love to play in front of some German fans,” explained Mavericks Forward Dirk Nowitzki. “It hasn't worked out the last couple of years, and that's all right, but we're trying to get ready for an NBA Season. I would love to be there and represent the Mavericks over there, in my home country. Instead, we get to go to beautiful Pittsburgh this year.”
The Mavericks will play eight preseason games, followed by the season opener against San Antonio on Thursday, November 2nd.
Or the LA Clippers who traveled just as far to practice in Russia.
Or the Philadelphia 76ers who will practice in both Italy and Germany.
Or the San Antonio Spurs who traveled 5-thousand miles to France.
But for the Dallas Mavericks, they couldn't find a more welcomed place to hold training camp than Denton, Texas. That’s right, Denton, Texas. Total travel time, 45-minutes by bus.
“Amazing,” said Amina Igeh, a Student at the University of North Texas. “I never thought this would happen to UNTTTTTTT,” she screamed.
terry
“We're in good old Denton, Texas,” said Mavericks Guard Jason Terry. “Ha Ha, go figure, but its good.”
“Its awesome, this is so amazing,” yells Kristi Lu, another UNT student. “It’s like not even a big place, but they came here anyway, so that's really awesome.”
The decision to stay in Texas was made by Head Coach Avery Johnson.
“Yeah, stay close to home, but get away,” he said. “Its only for a couple of days.
If it’s any consolation, the Mavericks are staying at a very nice resort, just a few miles away. The resort is across the highway from the Texas Motor Speedway. This may not be Russia, France or Spain, but as we're told, once the players finish two a-days, they're too tired to do anything but eat and sleep anyway.
“I would love to play in front of some German fans,” explained Mavericks Forward Dirk Nowitzki. “It hasn't worked out the last couple of years, and that's all right, but we're trying to get ready for an NBA Season. I would love to be there and represent the Mavericks over there, in my home country. Instead, we get to go to beautiful Pittsburgh this year.”
The Mavericks will play eight preseason games, followed by the season opener against San Antonio on Thursday, November 2nd.
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