Me, I’m working my way up to regular 3-milers again.

But imagine stepping out of your Seattle front door for a run, ending up in Olympia, and then turning around and running right back home. That, my friends, would make you an ultramarathoner, a.k.a. one of the baddest badasses to ever tie on a pair of running shoes.

But if you only ran to Olympia, you’d be nowhere near as bad as Dean Karnazes, winner of the 2004 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley, a man who has run 350 miles nonstop, 72 hours straight.

How does he do it? Why does he do it? And how does it feel to push your body past the limits of what 99.999% of the population could endure? If you’re as curious about what makes this guy tick as I am, here’s your chance for some insight: Karnazes will be at Seattle Running Company (919 E Pine Street) this Wednesday at 7 for a talk and book signing.