Monday, January 27, 2014

Life on the run: An evening with Bart Yasso

Never limit where running can take you - mentally, physically, geographically.

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The words, mantra, of Bart Yasso apply to everyone and their journeys but as he signed my copy of "My Life on the Run," I couldn't help as if it was something that I - I - needed to here on that day, in that moment. I just finished week one of training for the Athens half, got connected with someone who might lead me to another cool race opportunity and am looking toward some fall events as life spins its wily head.

I can't change things but I don't have to let them limit me either, ya know.

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Yasso was the keynote speaker at the Fort Wayne Track Club banquet, and the chief running officer of Runner's World magazine spent the weekend here - inspiring us, learning about us and being generally nice, warm and enthusiastic. He spent part of Saturday just hanging out at Three Rivers Running Company, my running store, and later talked with high school kids. He took photos and signed books, gave hugs and made us laugh.

All the while, he was reminding us not to limit our running and where it will lead.

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For him, it has taken him to East Africa, India, the top of the world (and the bottom). He has ran races in Death Valley in some of the toughest environmental conditions and a race in Colorado with a burro named Taco Bell that might have proven to be just as tough. There was the moment, surrounded by the picturesque parts of the world - Antarctica, when he discovered that penguin poo is among the most foul on the planet. It was not to be outdone by the time he learned he would speak at a spaghetti dinner and run a 5K in the buff. Thank goodness, it wasn't in the same place.

A lot of this is in his book, "My Life on the Run," which I've been manically reading since I got it Wednesday. It's well written and engaging and sort of makes you want to max out your credit card to do all the races.


One of the other things, just as important as his adventures, was the importance of the community. The group of runners, what it means in an area, to an event, to the world. He spoke of what it meant to be at the 2013 Boston Marathon and what he expects it to be. He shared what running means to others, around the world, and the upcoming "Finding Strong" movie that Runner's World and Saucony produced.



He said it's those stories - and our stories - that makes his job so rewarding and inspiring. Inspiring him. What a thought.

This year was my third time attending the banquet with my good pal Chris, and I think Yasso was by far the most engaging and entertaining speaker (past years have included Shalane Flanagan and Dave Wottle). I could probably just listen to talk to him for days - and it's quite possible since the winter weather here is delaying his return to Pennsylvania.

Bart, if you are reading this ... if you need lunch .... well, you know ... just kidding ... maybe.

14 comments:

  1. I love that your running club puts on this awesome banquet with actual cool speakers! Everyone I know who has met him talks about how wonderful he is. I should read his book. That is the type of book I like - true stories from people who are still living (that sounds awful, but what I mean is, not biographies, lol).

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    1. You should read the book! The chapters are really great - fun and descriptive without being superfluous. I find I can read one before Miles notices that I'm not reading "Llama Llama Mad at Mama" for the 500th time. Have you read Scott Jurek's book? I liked his as well.

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  2. He was such an inspirational speaker. I enjoyed listening to his approach on running and life. I agree, he is the best speaker our track club has had speak at the winter banquet. After listening to him I feel more motivated to push myself a little more. I enjoyed being able to talk with you and catch up on things happening in your life. Hope your training this week allows for more running outside. I know I'm hoping I can at least run once outside this week if even for a mile.

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    1. Fingers crossed for something outdoors! Soon.

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  3. Isn't Bart the best? So 'regular' and cool like all of the best runners seem to be. The last time I saw him he was spectating the MCM along the National Mall high fiving everyone. Pure awesome.

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    1. Definitely the best! He is very down to earth and nice, which is probably why he is so good at his job. The speakers have a lot of "duties" at our banquets, and he seemed cool with it all. I'd love to get a high five from him at a race.

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  4. He tweeted me one day when I tweeted about doing Yasso 800's. I felt like I'd arrived :) So awesome you got to meet him.

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    1. THIS! Yes. I felt so col when he tweeted me. He seems to really like interacting with runners, and he said that he likes to use twitter a lot - over FB and other platforms.

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  5. I need to get my hands on that book ASAP. So cool that you got to meet him!

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  6. I love that yiy met him! Also want to hear about the race opportunity and plans!

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    1. The most exciting is I might have an in for the Bourbon Chase, which is an overnight relay ala Hood to Coast but in Kentucky through - wait for it - Bourbon country. It's on my bucket list so the idea I might get to do it is awesome. It's not blog related - just a chance to join a team. The Huff is early this year, too, so who knows. I've done some hard runs this winter so I figure it can't be that bad.

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  7. I got to see Bart speak last year at our local running store and had dinner with him and some other fellow bloggers after. It was such a great experience. His adventures are amazing, huh? So glad you had fun and enjoyed it. xo

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  8. What an awesome experience. I would love to listen to a talk by Bart Yasso some day!

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