To make things fair, I used a Random Name Picker utility to pick the winners and recorded the drawing using free streaming video software called CamStudio.

Without further ado, here are the five lucky winners. Drum roll please….

• RoadBunner
• Bill Budge
• Andrew Is Getting Fit
• Mark
• Dpeach

Many congratulations to all the winners and thanks to everyone who entered the contest, took time to leave a comment and subscribed to the Run Bulldog Run blog.

Winners, look out for an email from me soon. I’ll need some information so I can arrange to have the books sent out to you all.

Of course, if you weren’t one of the lucky winners, you can always purchase Dean’s inspirational book at Amazon.com where they currently have it on sale for $16.49 (a saving of $8.50 off the list price – price correct 8/18/08 and subject to change).

Last time I checked there more than five of you reading this blog (must have been a good traffic day!), so the best thing for me to do is hold a competition to determine the five lucky winners. Don’t worry, the rules are simple and everyone will stand a good chance.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Subscribe to my RSS Feed (see the RSS link over in the top right corner?) You can either subscribe to my posts via one of the web-based readers, or if you’re more of an email person have my updates sent directly to your inbox. The choice is yours! Just leave a comment below to let me know which option you plumped for.
• Head over to my Motivational Quotes page, find one of the quotes by Welsh runner Steve Jones and send it to me via email (steve dot speirs at gmail dot com)
• If you author a blog or web site, please post about the competition and help spread the word. If you don’t have a blog or web site, just tell as many of your friends in any way you like. Feel free to let me know about your promotion techniques, but don’t feel obligated – this step is optional.

That’s it! The rules are fairly basic too.

• The competition ends at midnight EST on August 17th.
• Unfortunately the publisher can only mail the books to an address within the US or Canada. Apologies to everyone else! I’ll collect addresses from the winners once the competition has closed.
• If there are more than five entries, the winners will be selected randomly and announced on this web site.

Let me know if you have any questions and good luck with the competition! By the way, the book is fantastic – a great read. Watch out for a Run Bulldog Run review some time soon….

By the way, thanks to the Hachette Book Group USA for providing the prizes!

The soon-to-be-released book not only recounts the ultimate running challenge, but is littered with useful training tips and words of wisdom straight from the horses mouth.

By the way, watch this space for a more detailed book review and unique opportunity to win one of five hardcover editions of 50/50 that I’ve managed to secure from the publisher!

50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days, is one of those hard-to-put-down books and therefore won’t take me too long to finish. With this in mind I definitely need another fascinating book waiting in the wings, and luckily I think I’ve found it:

Conquering the Game of Life is a self help book recently released by a local orthopedic hand surgeon, who shares his health experiences and personal journey to help the reader capture and play the game of life they desire.

Dr. C. K. Hersh was diagnosed with cancer at a young age. Two years after his cancer treatment his unique insights were further accelerated by the loss of his father. Sadly C.K.’s mother died two years later. With many significant life changes in a very short period of time C. K. set out on a journey of self-discovery that he shares with the reader.

The unique book will entertain the reader and pose questions which will enable the reader to capture the game of life they desire. In addition, the included workbook can be utilized to help the reader structure and ultimately conquer their own game of life.

Dr. C. K. Hersh lives in an historic neighborhood in Portsmouth, Virginia with his wife and two children. On a personal level I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and supporting C. K. Hersh at several local running and multi-sport events, and can honestly say you couldn’t wish to meet a more genuine person.

Conquering the Game of Life is a journey of self-discovery and growth, generously sprinkled with sports analogies that help others learn to play the game of life they desire. I’m sure athletes and non-athletes alike will relate to the series of entertaining stories, exercises, and questions that empower the reader to find his or her game.

I have to say I’ll be sad when Dean’s 50/50 marathon adventure comes to a glorious end, but I’m really looking forward to delve into the 176 pages of self-discovery and personal growth. Who knows, maybe I can improve my own Game of Life?

The book’s title “50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days — and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance!” is almost as long as one of Dean’s grueling events, but the 304 page offering looks to be a great addition to my running bookcase.

In Fall 2006 Dean set off a remarkable journey to run 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 consecutive days. From the publisher:

Dean set off in a caravan packed with fellow runners, with nothing more than a roadmap and a determination that defied all physical limitations.

50/50 goes beyond the incredible story of these 50 marathons. It is a firsthand, fascinating story of what it’s like to push the limits of strength under grueling conditions — and how Dean Karnazes pulled off the extraordinary.

Sounds like my kind of book! I’ve already read Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner and remember having trouble putting it down after getting through the opening chapters. I’m sure this one will be the same.

The good news is, it looks like I’ll be able to pre-order 50/50 with Amazon.com – could be a great birthday gift to myself….

Take this one, for example, which focuses on “the marathon“. I wouldn’t dream of copying Dean’s article and posting it here, but I would suggest every marathoner take a few minutes time to read it. Both first time and experienced marathoners alike are sure to take something from his post.

Here’s an extract:

THE MARATHON

The Marathon is not about running, it is about salvation. We spend so much of our lives doubting ourselves, thinking we’re not good enough, not strong enough, not made of the right stuff. The Marathon is an opportunity for redemption. “Opportunity,” because the outcome is uncertain. “Opportunity,” because it is up to you, and only you, to make it happen.

There is no luck involved in finishing a marathon, the ingredients required to tackle this formidable challenge are straightforward: commitment, sacrifice, grit, and raw determination. Plain and simple.