Oscar Pistorius, the elite South African amputee runner, is now a step closer to becoming the first amputee and/or physically handicapped-runner to qualify for the able-bodied Olympics.
Last Friday, Oscar set a new P.R. and broke his own 400m Paralympic world record (47:34) with a time of 46 seconds flat at the Yellow Pages Track and Field series meet. If Oscar is able to run the 400m about a second faster, he should be able to qualify for South Africa’s Olympic team.
Two days later, The Times reported that Tom Hanks, who won an Oscar for his leading role in Forrest Gump, will bid on the rights to Oscar’s incredible life story with the intention of producing a film via his Playtone label.
Forrest Gump (1994), a modern classic that earned six Oscars, demonstrated the obstacles faced by amputees through Gary Sinise’s portrayal of Lt. Dan Taylor and a love for running via Forrest Gump (Hanks).
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Today’s podcast features my interview with Dean Karnazes, the “Ultramarathon Man”‘ who earned national acclaim (and became the target of skeptical critics) for completing the Northface Endurance 50 (Fifty marathons in fifty states in fifty consecutive days).
After the NYC Marathon, his 50th and final race, Dean decided to follow in the footsteps of Forrest Gump and “just kept running”; making it all the way from New York City to St. Charles, MO!
His resume also includes a myriad of impressive (and unique) feats, such as finishing the first marathon on the South Pole, winning the 2004 Badwater Marathon (135-mile race through Death Valley in 120-degree heat), swimming across San Fransisco Bay and running 350 miles in 80 hours and 44 minutes.
Download the podcast to hear Dean respond to all the critics and discuss his past achievements, un-orthodox training routine, source of motivation and plans for the future.
Listen In
[MP3] Direct Download (Right click, select “save as”).
[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to youHost: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Dean Karnazes
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 20.1MB
Length: 00:29:23
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I have an odd habit. I try to run naked once a week. By “naked”, I actually mean “without a watch”.
We runners love our gadgets, and the sports watch is the grandaddy of all running accessories. Many of us literally feel naked without one. Take my iPod, GPS, HR monitor, and hydration pack - but leave me my watch!
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How do you go through 5 pairs of shoes, 18 pairs of socks and 3 toenails? Well, if you’re Dean Karnazes (aka: the Ultramarathon Man) you do it by running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 consecutive days. Karnazes has not only completed the feat, titled the Endurance 50, but is now also doing his best Forrest Gump impression; deciding to run home to San Francisco from New York City. Runnnn Deannnn, Runnnn!
Karnazes, beleive it or not, is not the first person to pull off the 50 marathons in 50 days challenge. Although clearly uncommon, others (such as Sam Thompson) have done it as recently as a few months ago. However, no one has even come close to attaining the level of publicity and fanfare that Karnazes enjoyed over his 50 days. The Endurance 50 and Karnazes made countless headlines and received lucrative corporate sponsorships from Toyota, Northface and Runner’s World. These sponsorships helped him to raise more than $100,000 for Karno Kids; a foundation to benefit youth fitness programs that was founded by Karnezes. Read the rest of this entry »
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