Listen free for 30 days

  • A Runner’s High

  • My Life in Motion
  • Written by: Dean Karnazes
  • Narrated by: Andrew Eiden
  • Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (38 ratings)

1 credit a month, good for any title to download and keep.
The Plus Catalogue—listen all you want to thousands of Audible Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks.
$14.95 a month plus applicable taxes after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
A Runner’s High cover art

A Runner’s High

Written by: Dean Karnazes
Narrated by: Andrew Eiden
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $31.44

Buy Now for $31.44

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best-selling author and ultramarathoning legend Dean Karnazes has pushed his body and mind to inconceivable limits, from running in the shoe-melting heat of Death Valley to the lung-freezing cold of the South Pole. He’s raced and competed across the globe and once ran 50 marathons, in 50 states, in 50 consecutive days.

In A Runner’s High, Karnazes chronicles his extraordinary adventures leading up to his return to the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run in his mid-50s after first completing the race decades ago. The Western States, infamous for its rugged terrain and extreme temperatures, becomes the most demanding competition of Karnazes’s life, a physical and emotional reckoning and a battle to stay true to one’s purpose. Confronting his age, his career path, and his life choices, we see Karnazes as we never have before.

For Karnazes, the running experience is about the runner and the trail. It is not the sum of achievements but a story that continues to be told each day, with each step. A Runner’s High is at once an endorphin-fueled adventure and a love letter to the sport from one of its most celebrated ambassadors that will leave both casual and serious runners cheering.

©2021 Dean Karnazes (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about A Runner’s High

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    23
  • 4 Stars
    12
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    18
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    19
  • 4 Stars
    8
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Just what you'd expect

Another well written insipiational story by Dean Karnazes. It documents his return to the western states 100 and coming to terms with being an aging ultra runner. Excellent story. The narration, although well read didn't seem like a good fit. The narrator's tone of voice and cadence makes it sounds like it's a murder mystery,. Kind of unsusal for an uplifting sports biography. Still would reccomend!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Encouraging

I am also a runner and can very much relate to what was said in this audio book. It delights me to know that someone else has the same ups and downs regarding this way of life. It definitely encouraged me.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Decent story/ content but terrible narration

There's only so much you can really do with a story about a guy running so I never expect too much. Still this guy is has done a LOT of running, all over the world and he can tell a story and keep it somewhat interesting. However...the narration is appalling ( to my ears at least ). This guy sounds like poor man's Clint Eastwood and John Wayne combined. The performance has almost made me give up a couple of times already and I'm only half way through! It's SO overbaked and cheesy....it's hard to take.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

It’s alright

Merely telling the story of one specific race which is fine i guess but there’s better books with more content. It’s not bad just not the best.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

excellent as expected!

An entertaining, inspiring listen we've come to expect from Dean. raw and real life emotions expressed along with the successes and struggles of the run!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Nathan
  • Nathan
  • 2021-05-01

Skip the Audible Version- Trust Me

This was my first experience with Dean, and while I’m sure he’s a great guy, as I finish this book I’m not a fan. That’s because the narrator is so bad that I’m struggling to separate Dean from the audio. Unless you like the idea of having Michael Keaton’s Batman (who often sounds like he’s from SoCal and that he’s high) read a book to you for over 7 hours, I strongly encourage you to skip this one.

As far as the writing goes, it’s just ok. It wasn’t until about chapter 8 or 9 that he actually starts to discuss Western States which is why I picked this one to listen to.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Mike N.
  • Mike N.
  • 2021-04-26

Almost couldn’t finish it

I am a big fan of Karno, but this was tough. The book seemed overly descriptive. If he had put the thesaurus away it could have shaved an hour or more off the read time with no elements of the story missing. The narrator was terrible. I prefer an audio book with no voices, like Andrew’s interpretation of Dean’s parents voices, etc. was brutal. He was so over the top, it took away from the already over the top story telling. Just eh.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 2021-06-30

The Book Is Amazing - Hold the Audio/Narration

The narration is abysmal, truly. Get the hard copy and pick another audiobook. Trust me on it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Scott Hansford
  • Scott Hansford
  • 2021-08-07

Narrator ruins it.

The guy reading is annoying as hell with all the silly dramatic nonsense he adds to the reading.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for karen caruso
  • karen caruso
  • 2021-05-29

Dean being transparent

Dean shares his successes and struggles. The struggles were relatable. The shenanigans made for interesting listening too. I liked learning a little more about his delightful family. Dean is really refining his skills as a writer.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for justin turnbow
  • justin turnbow
  • 2021-04-28

okay

Strange it seemed many times in the story the author just used eloquent words to fill dialog as a story that could of been told quicker. As for me sad Dean didn't read it because I rather enjoy his reading style but still a good book about entering the crossroads of a life once lived and one yet to be foretold.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Carla K.
  • Carla K.
  • 2023-07-31

Runners motivation and inspiration

I recommend this book to any runner looking for inspiration. I enjoyed Dean’s experiences with running and getting older and his views about the sport. I love his ending “running is forever “.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 2023-07-16

Mostly for runners I’d say

Pretty good. Nothing mind blowing but a fairly easy listen . Pretty well read as well

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Casper
  • Casper
  • 2023-05-24

Another great one

I love the stories, it helps when you day dream of your own races and feelings. Get out there and tear up a trail!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for T. Brian Bakeman
  • T. Brian Bakeman
  • 2023-05-22

Awesome Book

While I am a mire half-marathon runner I love the way he encapsulates the trials, tribulations and joys of running.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!