Valet Reader

Recently my older brother, Josh, who I’ve written about on more than one occasion in this blog competed in yet another athletic race. This time it was the Oceanside Ironman 70.3, for those you of that don’t know a “70.3″ is exactly half the distance of a full Ironman race (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run). For the third time in 6 months I have been up around or before 4 so that he could compete in one these f’ing crazy races. That point is irrelevant but I just wanted to put it out there so I would come across as a person of good will.

Later that night, after Josh and the rest of us has had taken naps, eaten (everything from ice cream to barley with walnuts) and played with the various puppies occupying the house, my brother, mother, father (sleeping) and I sat in our living room and began to talk. Our discussion eventually turned to another race that was taking place the same day as his 70.3. That race was the Barkley Ultramarathon.

Gary Cantrell, who began, designed and orchestrates the Barkley reminds me, in a way, of Dr. Peter Brown who is the title character in Josh Bazell’s book. Cantrell is seemingly demented, sadistic and yearly invites people to tempt fate in his crazy endurance challenge, Bazell has created, in Brown, that same demented and crazed personality. Before I get any more into it, I want to tell you a bit more about Barkley so that we, as a team, can convince my brother to give it a shot.

The Barkely is one of the most challenging foot races on the planet. But, why? Well, rather than get too far off from actually reviewing Beat the Reaper I’ll point you to this article which was in the Washington Post in 2007. But, because I know so many people won’t click I will tell you that the race has 52,900 feet of climb, since beginning in 1986 only 9 (there was one finisher this year) out of some 700 competitors have finished the race, race cutoff is 60 hours and because there are no spotters on the course racers must locate 9 paperback books along the course (on each of the 5 loops) and remove a page from each book to prove they have ran the circuit. If that little tidbit, along with the article, doesn’t indicate to you how potentially crazy Cantrell is I don’t know what else would. I guess convincing my brother may be a little tough.

Beat the Reaper opens up with a scene in which Dr. Brown is being mugged. In the process of disarming and mangling his would be assailant he provides the reader with a very precise description of the elbow and arm of the mugger turned victim as he breaks one of his arms and proceeds to smash his nose. It’s pretty clear from the get go that Dr. Brown is no typical doctor.

In what is one of Dr. Brown’s worst days in one of the worst hospitals in Manhattan, Bazell develops Brown into a type of character that we don’t see often enough. A character that’s demented, troubled, vicious all the while being humorous, willing to lick a patients foot and, if I had to take a gander, would have the balls to attempt the Barkley Ultramarathon.

Not only does this book take the reader though one of Brown’s terrible days at the hospital it also takes you through his own personal history of how he got to be a doctor in that hospital. From his days of being Pietro Brwna to how he got his nickname “Bearclaw” the story includes its fair share of violence, entertaining stories and Dr. Brown’s footnotes which actually do enhance the novel (I’m oft of the anti-footnote camp but in this instance am all for it).

The book is quick to read and pleasurable throughout. I really liked the way which Bazell integrated the backstory with the current story. What really makes this story more intriguing is the fact that Bazell is an actual doctor. If he operates as well as he writes I’d let him cut me open.

It may be hard for you to realize the similarities between Brown and Cantrell, I realize it may be a stretch, but here are two men, one fictional, one real, that like to do things the hard way. Two men who have had there fair share of excitement in the past and in a way are looking to see if others are up to the challenge. I guess my own desire to see my brother compete in the Barkley puts me in league with these gentleman. As for the people who actually compete in the race they’re certifiably crazy.

If you’re looking for an exciting, fun book to read, I’d push Beat the Reaper on you. If you’re looking for an exciting, fun and absolutely insane way to get some exercise, I’d push the Barkley on you. My guess is that you’ll just end up going with Reaper, which would be the better choice of the two. Although, I would love to hear your stories if you’ve got what it takes to take on Cantrell and his Barkley.

Some videos/stills of the Barkley in case you’re interested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofPHXyYOvvk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FmcYk2wv60