Some of you guys had mentioned this woman in other threads about her book, so I thought I'd throw this question out.  What's your thoughts on her?  Like her?  Don't like her?  I have not read her book, but have read articles in Runner's World and Outside.  Perhaps my perspective on her will change if i read the book.
 
I have mixed thoughts on this one.  On one hand here is a woman, I believe has won Badwater, that can level the playing field between men and women.  We have a sport where men and women can compete on the same playing field.  She can inspire women to do things and ignore what people say if they think "a women cannot do those things".  Watch her!
 
On the other,  I was put off when she and Dean Karnazes were going back and forth on the consecutive miles without stopping.  I think competition is a good when you race against someone, an opponent, the clock, etc.  When one is doing feats for the sake of publicity and glory, which I believe is the case here,  I think I have a problem with that.
 
So holla back IVSers!  Wanna hear from ya!
 
The Big Willi Style asks

bws,
 
i read the book when it first came out and i frankly thought it was terrible.  she spends far too much time whining about dean k and detailing her own personal demons, not enough time talking about her running.
 
the article she penned about her badwater win in "marathon and beyond," probably sometime in late '03 (i have it if you want to read it) is far more worthwhile than her book.
 
that said, she was fun to follow during the badwater years, although if you look at results from other races, pam reed probably isn't one of the top women ultrarunners.
 
if you want to read about a truly great female athlete, check out ann trason.  now there was a woman who could literally level the playing field on all surfaces.
 
-devil

I've never talked to her, but I have been lapped by her at the Ultracentric 24 hour.  She finished with 112 miles (not a good day for her; the female winner got 145 that day).
 
http://www.doitsports.com/newresults3/client/153747_181093_2007.html
 
Of course, I had a really bad day; you have to scroll pretty far down to find me.  
 
The one thing about the good ultra athletes is that, in the very, very long races, they don't what that "wow" style of running.  They are merely very, very, very efficient and they look more or less the same 100 miles into it as they do in the start, whereas the rest of us look like death warmed over.