First steps: Beginning running {+ a book review}

Running is the simplest of sports, they say. You put on a pair of shorts and a shirt, lace up a pair of shoes and go.

It's exactly what I did for my first 5K - the Warbird 5K/10K in May 2008. I wore a cotton tank top with a long-sleeve knit lifestyle tee on top and cotton sweat pants. My shoes were a rugged pair of gray-and-pink Adidas that I bought from Kohl's because they were on sale and fashionable. Oh, and I wore cotton socks.

If I were dressing for a 5K now, especially one in May, the look would be a lot different - my new favorite Brooks Running shorts, moisture-wicking tank, shoes that I bought at a running store and Pro Compression wicking socks. Not that the change is wardrobe is bad or good - I just didn't know any better back then.

In fact, I didn't know anything. I had no idea about Gu, Garmins or glycogen. I thought the sole purpose of athletic wear was to be pretentious and self important. Black toenails happened when I dug into my high school days {read: my teal Caboodle} and painted them. Tempo applied to music, speed was a drug and fartlek made me laugh.

I thought running meant you ran. Period.

It wasn't until I discovered the world of running blogs that my eyes began to open, and I quickly began to see that I had been making some mistakes. Specifically, wearing cotton leggings from Target on cold winter days. Talk about freezing your ass off. Literally.

Runner's World is trying to make the sport more accessible and help newbies not do what I did with its latest release - "Runner's World Big Book of Running for Beginners."

From the publisher:

"The Runner’s World Big Book of Running for Beginners" helps readers foster a healthy lifestyle with aides such as:

• Five training plans to start walking, start running, run nonstop, run faster, and run longer 
• No-fail weight-loss strategies 
• Ideas for meals and snacks to eat before you run, on the road, and after you're done 
• Injury-prevention tips including a guide on which pains to run through and which pains demand surrender 
• Inspirational stories from people who used running as a tool to lose weight, stop smoking, overcome illness and heartache and manage chronic pain.

A lot of the stuff seems like, "Well, duh. Of course I am going to eat peanut butter toast before a race." Remember, though, runners were not born with that knowledge - it was discovered - whether by reading a blog, chatting with a friend or reading a book. I think it's important to have all of that basic information in one place, along with the inspirational stories, to make running less intimidating as the less intimidating it is, the more likely people will do it. The more people do it, the happier we'll be. The happier we are the less likely I am to say "stabby."

Moving on ...

I also liked the section on running safety, which included a breakout box on what to do when faced with a loose dog. I've been in the situation more than once and faced down everything from miniature (yappy) poodles to pit bulls to German shepherds to labradors - all of which are equally scary when you don't know the dog's demeanor. One of the best tips is to tell the dog to "sit" as that's one command most dogs are taught.

I do feel like there is too much of the book devoted to weight loss for my liking. I understand that many people pick up - and stick with - running to burn calories and lose weight. Heck, it was a part of my decision to run. I just don't think you can eat like a "runner" because there are so many approaches to a healthy, balanced lifestyle that one doesn't fit all. At least in my experience. Staying with that, I found it more important to develop an identity, as a person, as a runner to stay committed rather than merely develop an exercise habit.

If you make it through the book and are still laughing when you hear "fartlek," don't worry. There is a glossary at the end. And it's a funny word.

Disclosure: I was provided a copy of the "Big Book of Running for Beginners" for review but was not compensated for this post.

Life on the run: An evening with Bart Yasso

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

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.

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.

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.