comments the coach ever said to Karnazes, who has stated that he lives by these words to this day. In 1976, as a high school freshman at San Clemente High, Karnazes joined the cross country team under Benner Cummings. Cummings' running theory was that running is about finding your inner peace; his motto was "run with your heart". That season, Karnazes was awarded "Most Inspirational" team member. Karnazes also ran his first endurance event that year, a fundraising run on a track for underprivileged children, finishing in just under six hours and raising a dollar a lap from his sponsors. While most students ran only 10–15 laps around the track, he ran 105, a full marathon. Karnazes was not compatible with his high-school track coach, and stopped running for fifteen years. Running highlights and race results Karnazes has completed a number of endurance events, mostly running events, but also a swimming event. Most notable achievements include: Ran in 80 hours and 44 minutes without sleep in 2005 Completed "The Relay", a run from Calistoga to Santa Cruz, eleven times Ran a marathon to the South Pole in temperatures without snowshoes in 2002 Ran a marathon in each of the 50 states in 50 consecutive days in 2006 Other athletic achievements include: Winner, Badwater Ultramarathon ( across Death Valley in temperatures), 2004 (with five other top-10 finishes from 2000 to 2008) Winner, Vermont Trail 100 Mile Endurance Run, 2006 Overall Winner, 4 Deserts Race Series, 2008 American Ultrarunning Team, World Championships, 2005, 2008 in 24 hours on a treadmill, 2004 Eleven-time 100-Mile/1 Day Silver Buckleholder at the Western States Endurance Run (i.e., better than ten twenty-four-hour finishes), 1995–2006 Ran across the United States from Disneyland to New York City in 75 days, running 40 to 50 miles (65 to 80 km) per day, 2011 Swimming across the San Francisco Bay Other honors include: Competitor magazine Endurance Athlete of the Year Award winner, 2008, 2006, 2005 ESPN ESPY Award winner, "Best Outdoor Athlete", 2007 Men's Journal, Adventure Hall of Fame, 2007 Outside magazine, Ultimate Top 10 Outdoor Athletes, 2004 50 marathons in 50 states on 50 consecutive days In 2006, Karnazes embarked on the well-publicized Endurance 50: 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 consecutive days. Beginning with the Lewis and Clark Marathon in St. Louis on September 17, 2006, it finished with the New York City Marathon on November 5. Eight