tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post3894776818610682615..comments2024-02-11T00:54:20.373-08:00Comments on A Trail Runner's Blog: What Scott Jurek REALLY thinks about Dean KarnazesScott Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096284778835123584noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-68747220125256002002016-01-15T06:52:30.325-08:002016-01-15T06:52:30.325-08:00Right on, David_Plastino! I completely agree. I ...Right on, David_Plastino! I completely agree. I read Dean's book, Scott's book, David Clark's book, Hal Koerner's book, Meb's book and others. And while none really compare to Grapes of Wrath; they all inspired me to run more. Dean's book was the first one I read - maybe because of his marketing sense.<br />I've also been lucky enough to meet a number of elite runners; Liza Howerd, Dominic Grossman, Joe Uhan, Nicole Struder, Jason Schlarb and several others. They were some of the kindest, most supportive people I've ever met. They also seemed to all be friends as well as compeditors. <br />I know Scott Jurek has had a rough time in the press lately, and perhaps the interviewer put him in an uncomfortable postion, but I hope he isn't really as jelous at the article makes him sound.<br />And as to who is the greatest (male) long distance runner; everyone knows it Kilian Jornet - or Zach Bitter - or Mike Morton - or Max King. At least for today.Spencer Templetonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-82930921670363969072015-07-24T03:15:04.311-07:002015-07-24T03:15:04.311-07:00I have read all their books and feel that their pe...I have read all their books and feel that their personalities are well represented. Dean sees life from "the cup is half full" mentality while Scott sees life from "the cup is half empty" point of view. Nothing is wrong with either views, but most of us are more attracted to the people whose view of life is more upbeat and find them very inspiring. The media and business owners who sponsor Dean are likewise attracted and inspired by him as a person and athlete. He doesn't need to keep winning all the races, but he had proved that he could many times. As an overweight person, reading Deans books helped me on my way into becoming a runner. Sure, everyone, including Dean has bad days, but he doesn't dwell upon it, he runs out of it. Maybe Scott should do the same.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-59895400312383467802015-04-13T15:28:55.530-07:002015-04-13T15:28:55.530-07:00You are right. Jurek is a pure ultramarathoner; Ka...You are right. Jurek is a pure ultramarathoner; Karnazes is more of an ambassador of fitness. Listening to Karnazes' interviews I never get the feeling that he cares to win the events he enters: he even admits that he is slow (a 2:42 marathon pr is still fast to me). He is kind of a Jack Lalane type of guy: a fitness icon. That he gets confused for an elite ultramarathoner is a function of media and public ignorance of running and especially ultrarunning.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07091254750434572364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-3755861195037005182014-09-22T05:24:43.359-07:002014-09-22T05:24:43.359-07:00You know what Scott Jerk? Dean also gives back to...You know what Scott Jerk? Dean also gives back to his community, country and humanity with his "marketing" and charity work. What about you. He uses his talents in other areas to promote the sport. I think if you got half as much pu licity as he does, you wouldn't criticize yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-66091262249830240352014-08-11T18:17:10.217-07:002014-08-11T18:17:10.217-07:00First and foremost I have nothing but respect for ...First and foremost I have nothing but respect for those who love running. Even more so for those who run ultras because it takes a little extra to will yourself beyond what most people would call a heck of a long way.<br />As for Scott and Dean - I have read both their books and they both came off a bit false modest at times but who wouldn't when writing about your accomplishments. With Dean, I was impressed by his drive to run further even if the emphasis isn't so much on the faster part as well as his overall enthusiasm and desire to encourage others to run. I was also impressed by his family focus (bearing in mind that his family members do a lot of sacrificing to make it work - but they do it together). With Scott - I was impressed with his desire for greatness. He wants to win. I however, was disappointed with his lack of commitment to his first wife. As I read his book I kept feeling like he was whining about not being free of all commitment as he constantly left his wife behind to train and race with Dusty (also bearing in mind that his wife probably wasn't willing to make as many sacrifices as he was asking). I just thought he treated his marriage as if it was a secondary thing and a burden and I lost a little respect for him. Lots of respect for his running but not so much for his priorities. I did also catch a few comments in his book that seemed to be stabs at Dean so he definitely has some resentment. We all have athletes we don't like for some reason or another but there should always be some measure of respect for their accomplishment, their ability, and their drive to succeed even if we find them to be scuzzy people (for me that would be Kobe Bryant).Jason Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-82309359340172298192014-06-20T12:23:11.932-07:002014-06-20T12:23:11.932-07:00Ok Scott, you are a Ultra Runner Elite, did you do...Ok Scott, you are a Ultra Runner Elite, did you do it for the money and the fame? of course not, so why let it bother you now. Marketing is marketing, and Dean is mostly in the marketing spot light because thats how it landed, accept it and move on.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08241644595003467815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-81053728553963549892014-01-06T19:37:23.637-08:002014-01-06T19:37:23.637-08:00Remember Scott was born and raised in northern Min...Remember Scott was born and raised in northern Minnesota. He's not "Minnesota nice" more like passive aggressive. Don't let Jerk fool you. Sounds more like jealousy to me. <br />-Jay Duluth, MinnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-7039456615448058492013-08-20T03:05:52.640-07:002013-08-20T03:05:52.640-07:00Dean doesn't come across as a humble man in hi...Dean doesn't come across as a humble man in his books. And he has a very good PR machine. I'm not buying anymore of his books.Running Junkiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030190877221295252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-88417779184671908122013-07-05T09:13:00.957-07:002013-07-05T09:13:00.957-07:00From the podcast, I believe Scott Jurek's poin...From the podcast, I believe Scott Jurek's points are the following:<br /><br />1. Promoting ultrarunning to the masses is admirable.<br /><br />2. Promoting ultrarunning to the masses through deceitful publicity is despicable.Kaloinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-24487126485162150902013-06-13T12:22:25.832-07:002013-06-13T12:22:25.832-07:00The running community should be happy for ANY publ...The running community should be happy for ANY publicity it gets. It's not the NFL or MLB, ya know. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-26308250309430736132013-05-07T22:09:21.310-07:002013-05-07T22:09:21.310-07:00I can totally feel where Scott is coming from. I ...I can totally feel where Scott is coming from. I also must say though that Dean was my initial inspiration to get into ultra's and took the time to correspond with me while I was deployed to Iraq. Dean is an exceptional runner and has many accomplishments under his belt. While I am now just as big of fan of many other of the top runners in the sport, I remain a Dean fan because he does much to inspire others to run and be fit. I can also not fault a person for turning his passion into a career. The media will always focus on those that can sell themselves and Dean does that very well. All I can say, is that in an obscure sport, if one wants media attention they will have to learn to market themselves. Dean is not a mid-packer though, even though he is not up to the performance of Jurek at this time either. Have learned a lot from both. Bob Boeder was also an initial inspiration of mine and I don't know if he has ever won any major race. Simply a man that marketed himself and wrote a book. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10517832990892132373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-4562206284878385932013-03-02T20:18:24.830-08:002013-03-02T20:18:24.830-08:00Scott said what other have been saying for awhile....Scott said what other have been saying for awhile. To all you Dean fans stop kicking one of the nicest people I have ever met. This is about the media not being real. Its a rare picture used to show Scott, He is usually smiling!<br /><br />Larry Willman<br />Silverdale WA.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-26931616051152549842013-01-09T07:42:41.688-08:002013-01-09T07:42:41.688-08:00Interestingly, Scott recently published a book of ...Interestingly, Scott recently published a book of his own. Certainly taking a page from the Karnazes PR machine. I was very curious as to how an ultrarunner could write a 200 plus page book and not make ANY mention of Dean Karnazes. I respect both athletes and Scott is certainly a true racer and has many more wins to his credit, but Dean has always maintained that he isn't the best in the sport. Scott's book is fantastic and shows that he does have a personality, but it did surprise me that he totally ignored the one person that brought ultrarunning to the mainstream. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-87319121903219656112012-08-21T20:31:44.774-07:002012-08-21T20:31:44.774-07:00He must be real mad because batting .500 would be ...He must be real mad because batting .500 would be just a tad better than outer worldly. Ted Kadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15252975056996316534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-73261906868104994382012-08-09T01:37:19.176-07:002012-08-09T01:37:19.176-07:00I used to respect jurek after this article. I eve...I used to respect jurek after this article. I even felt sorry for him after is wife left him. I knew. Scott was mean and bitter. Maybe if Scott was as nice, outgoing and personable as dean, then he would get the same attention as dean. Why dont they work together? Bottom line is......Scott is a (fill in the blank)!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-468394316872443312012-05-11T00:11:38.232-07:002012-05-11T00:11:38.232-07:00I would have to actually completely agree with Sco...I would have to actually completely agree with Scott's views on this. Dean, he's a great guy, but a definite self promoter. Don't get me wrong, Dean deserves the promotions, but it's a little pompous to give them to yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-22173552317691801182012-05-07T00:05:14.821-07:002012-05-07T00:05:14.821-07:00What have we got here?
Well, both Dean and Scott ...What have we got here?<br /><br />Well, both Dean and Scott are one of the best in one of the elite sports (alteast I consider it as). Scott is certainly better than Dean. Post my firt 50k run - I was curious to know about Endurance Running. What did I do? Googled about Endurance Running and Landed up on Ultra Marathon. What did I figure out? Dean Karnazes is the face of the Ultra Running, atleast for the guys new to the sport. I started an extensive research on Dean Karnazes and certainly he is my inspiration. Most of us have had desk jobs like Dean had. So, the story and life of Dean's goes well. Plus he is smart is letting the world what he is doing. Dean, has never claimed that he is the best in the business. He has always in all his books has been humble and ensured that there are better people than him in the business. But through his impeccible marketing and PR strategies, he is on the top. Scott on the other hand maintained low profile. In a sport like Ultra Marathon, you gotta let the world know what you are upto and that is Dean did. He was smart! No disrespect to Scott, either he should PR himself or just keep doing what he is doing at. If the new bees in the sport are knowing Scott, it is because of Dean. Well, I landed up on this page looking about information about Dean. :) Love you Dean ! All the way from India, Bangalore :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-33807902022438677122012-04-14T10:42:24.708-07:002012-04-14T10:42:24.708-07:00Your 100% correct Mike--Dean can run,you'd be ...Your 100% correct Mike--Dean can run,you'd be surprised at how many of his bashers don't realize he's raced and won the kind of races he has. The facade of Scott being the mellow good guy is gone.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11551251480915260826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-34916423294359265842012-04-11T10:07:13.326-07:002012-04-11T10:07:13.326-07:00I like Scott and Dean. Scott is clearly jealous of...I like Scott and Dean. Scott is clearly jealous of the attention that Dean gets. I don't think Dean is doing anything bad. He motivates people to run. Bam Margera is one of the world's most famous skateboarders, but is not the best skateboarder in the world. Travis Barker is one of the world's most famous drummers, but is not the best drummer in the world. Why are they popular? Because they're "exceptional" at what they do, they look good doing it and they have personality. And personality goes a long way. Dean is the same when it comes to endurance running. He is not the best, but he is exceptional, looks good and has a lot of personality. That is the formula, love it or hate it. I admire both Scott and Dean equally, but I think Scott's comments regarding Dean are a disappointment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-6839381278240607522012-03-08T16:59:09.485-08:002012-03-08T16:59:09.485-08:00Personal I think Dean is good at enduring pain and...Personal I think Dean is good at enduring pain and running long long long distances. Although I did the work and on athlinks 67% of his races are marathons. Are they training or what. Personally for me it displays a bad image of Dean when it shows him running eight and a half minute miles in a marathon and coming in 200th in his age group......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-42163697952463024112011-10-17T14:09:26.740-07:002011-10-17T14:09:26.740-07:00Honestly I see where Scott is coming from. If Dean...Honestly I see where Scott is coming from. If Dean is getting titles while other more accomplished athletes are not, then I can see the frustration. I think Scott probably recognizes that the publicity Dean gives to the sport is probably better than a lack of it, though.<br /><br />Scott probably should have kept his mouth shut but I don't see anything too wrong with his opinion, which he's entitled too... and I don't think detracts from his image. I think Dean, although a bit of stuntman and pr machine, is still inspiring people and deserves credit for whatever he accomplishes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-15177601898945868902011-09-14T08:53:49.234-07:002011-09-14T08:53:49.234-07:00Dean may not be the most experienced or the fastes...Dean may not be the most experienced or the fastest ultra-marathon runner there is out there, and he may well indulge in a bit too much self-promotion but hey, if I could get free gear or a bit of cash to follow my passion then bring it on. <br /><br />Dean shares his love of running with a global audience and inspires people to get off their butts and start running and maybe even tempts one or two to give a 100 miler a go. That's what makes him great - he holds nothing back to share a gift with anyone and everyone and if just one person has a better life for it then I think I am at least willing to endure a little Dean-o-mania knowing that there is one more sorry sole running through the night with a smile on their face because of it. It is a shame more ultra-marathon runners do not promote the sport, life and wonderful experiences that come with it.<br /><br />....and remember , regardless of the bling, pom poms, book deals etc he actually does do the distance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-12248560978420057362011-07-27T18:11:56.144-07:002011-07-27T18:11:56.144-07:00I agree with several of the commenters above that ...I agree with several of the commenters above that Dean's name is out there because he's willing to share of his own story. He's a positive, energetic, charismatic individual, and people like that. He inspires others to look at, get involved, or, like me, keep pressing on not simply in running, but in life and career, because of his willingness to share and engage with others. He's a dynamic character with a diversity of talents that he seems often to use for the sake of others (i.e. raising awareness and/or money). <br /><br />Why would people not focus on an individual like this ... in contrast to other ultra runners who remain reserved? Ultra running is not about 'winning races', particularly to the average person. It is about character, guts, limits, exploration, the hows and the whys. This is what people are drawn to and what they want to share in. If someone isn't willing to share this stuff - Scott for example - he/she is not going to be particularly interesting to the public/media.dagisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-18153346223414450182010-11-19T12:39:11.979-08:002010-11-19T12:39:11.979-08:00Dean is a fraud, he can't run for shit! Watch ...Dean is a fraud, he can't run for shit! Watch his latest video on facebook, he claims to be a superhuman because his lactate levels don't rise at snail's pace (8 mph)... Let the guy run a 400 or 800 then we can talk about lactate levels. he is also a heel striker, the commentator thinks it's a great running technique, what a sham.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06728662748329387630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-3152020491148992232010-06-22T19:47:43.792-07:002010-06-22T19:47:43.792-07:00I met Dean at the San Diego marathon a few years a...I met Dean at the San Diego marathon a few years ago. He was a really nice guy answered qs and posed for a million pics. His book inspired me when training for my first marathon. you can't blame guy for trying to make a buck and doing a good deed along the way. Jerk needs to keep his mouth shut and let his running do the talking. Take the high road brother.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com