Two years ago at Spartathlon, the iconic 153-mile ultramarathon race that takes place in Greece every September, I met ultra legend Dean Karnazes, last year I presented him with a British Spartathlon Team shirt, this year he agreed to come on the podcast and talk about his nutrition strategies!
For those who don't know Dean, he is an ultramarathon running legend. Perhaps not the best runner ever, but certainly, outside running circles at least, the best-known ultra runner. His achievements include winning the 135-mile Badwater race, completing 11 finishes at the iconic 100-mile Western States race, running 50 marathons in 50 days in every state in the USA and transversing the US from west to east.
Dean is also an author who penned the NT Times best-seller Ultramarathon Man and, more recently The Road to Sparta about his attempt to follow in the footsteps of Athenian messenger Pheidippides by running Spartathlon on a diet similar to what the hmerodromos (day runner) would have done 2,500 years ago when he was sent by Athens to ask for Spartan help in the Battle of Marathon.
Here Dean talks about how he fuels both his runs and his every day life and gives an insight into how he got into running and what his greatest challenge has been.
Dean's books are a great read for those who want to know more about ultra running and Spartathlon. You can pick them up at the following links:
Ultramarathon Man
The Road to Sparta