Masters of Vision

Never stop exploring. If you’re not constantly pushing yourself, you’re leading a numb existence.

Dean Karnazes / Ultramarathon

I’m not a multimillion dollar athlete, so I don’t promote products if I don’t believe in them 100% — or don’t use them myself. It means more to be affiliated with people who stand for the same things I do. Like breakthrough technology and never accepting limits. Continuing to explore, create and innovate. I run all day — literally. When it’s bright out and you’re looking at a variety of different surfaces, if the sunglass isn’t perfect it stresses your eye muscles. They literally become tender to the touch. Not with Oakley.

A career spent redefining the ultramarathon world is the direct result of bad tequila. An epiphany wrapped in a birthday party tucked neatly into the riddles of exploration and adventure. Dean hadn’t run since high school, but on his 30th birthday, he left his boys and the bar to pound the pavement all through the night. 30 years. 30 miles. And Dean began playing the day-job vs. secret-obsession-with-physically-abusing-his-body game with increasing regularity.

Interview

Making it right with the rest of the world:

People knew I had this closet obsession with endurance sports. I tried to keep it hidden for awhile: I was afraid people would chastise me and question what I was doing. Over time, I realized that I just didn’t care. I know some people will always think I’m crazy — but there are a lot of like-minded people out there, too. Kindred spirits, cut from the same mold to do wild things and push the limits.

He got runner’s high:

It’s magical — the world is filled with possibility. You’re invincible. And I think you’re better because of it. You’re able to give more, you’re more tolerant of others, you look outward and it’s just a magical thing. You don’t filter everything on how it affects you — you’re selfless. So I think, ultimately, it makes you a better person.

And stopped running scared:

That’s the biggest factor that limits people: the fear of failing. People are so afraid to fail, they simply don’t try hard enough. I learned tremendously from failure — I learned to celebrate it. The only way to find out how far you can go is to push to failure. So when I fail, I celebrate. As disappointed as I am, I embrace the learning experience, look at the factors that came into play and ways I can improve. Then I implement those lessons. And I get better.

50 marathons, 50 cities, 50 days:

I hope people view me as a maverick. As someone who went out there and redefined what it meant to be an endurance athlete. And I also hope that people are inspired to test their own personal limits — whatever they might be. Maybe knowing that I did it will inspire them to get off the couch and run a mile.

Lens

VR50 Photochromic View Lens in Action

Enhances green and red light, increasing contrast to help spot irregularities on the trail.
Photochromic lens technology adjusts tint to changing light conditions. Tint adjusts from 50-10% for shaded terrain to direct sun.

Learn more about Photochromic Lenses

Frame

THUMP Pro

THUMP Pro combines three decades of Oakley optical innovation with the convenience and performance of cutting-edge audio. This isn’t just a state-of-the-art song player or a world-class optical instrument. This is a training tool that brings out the athlete in you. Its crystal clear sound bathes the brain in music that lets you endure the burn and take your training to the next level.

Learn more about THUMP Pro