Bart Yasso has the runs. Yes, THAT Bart Yasso

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A celebrity installment of "People who have the runs"

"Running isn't about how far you go but how far you've come."

Why do you run? 
I run for the sheer joy of being able to run. I never take for granted how lucky we are to have the ability to run.

How long have you been running?  
I’ve been running 34 years I hope to be a runner for life.

How did you get started? 
I needed a change in my lifestyle. I gave up on sports I was living in a haze of drugs and alcohol. Running was my ticket out and I never looked back.

Why did you choose running over other activities? 
I’ve played lots of different sports I found running to be the most rewarding. I love the feeling of you against the clock and clock never lies.

How do you motivate yourself to run regularly?
Sorry to say due to Lyme disease I run very little these days but I cherish every mile I run. I cross train to supplement my running I stay as fit as possible.

What about on the days the weather is bad or your are feeling particularly lazy? 
In the old days I would run no matter what type of weather conditions. These days if the weather is really nasty I save my workout for another day.

Do you use a running coach, or read any books to aid in your training? 
I coach thousands of runners every year thru the Runner’s World Challenge program. I learn from the runners I coach. I always listen to their feedback about what part of the training programs worked to their advantage.

How do you fit running in with your daily schedule?
Working at Runner’s World running is part of my job description. I feel very lucky I always tell runners I have the coolest job in the world for a runner. I travel around the world, running races and meeting some of the greatest athletes on the planet.

Do your friends and family support your running or think you are crazy? 
My wife Laura and my immediate family always support my running. My wife Laura is a killer ultra runner.

What is your favorite running terrain (road, trail, treadmill)? 
I’ve always been a trail runner. Back when I would run 4,500 miles per year I always did about 50 % of running on trails.

What is the hardest race you’ve run to date? 
The Badwater 146 mile run thru Death Valley in the month of July. The race these days is 135 miles. Back in the late 80s the course was 146 miles. The race would travel from the lowest point to the highest point in contagious 48 states. The starting line at Badwater is 282 feet below sea level and the finish line atop Mt Whitney 14,495 feet above sea level

What is the most enjoyable race you’ve run to date? 
The Comrades marathon in South Africa, the oldest and largest ultra in the world. The course is 89k or 56 miles thru the grueling hills of South Africa

Have you ever been injured due to running? 
I’ve been very lucky I had very few running injuries.

What were the ramifications?
Lyme is not a running injury but it derailed my running career.

Do you use any music or run tracking devices when you run, or are you a naked runner.? 
I never run with music, heart rate monitor  or a GPS. I run by feel I love listening to my surroundings.

How do you get yourself through the difficult parts of your runs? 
We all have bad patches in races and training runs. These bad patches are what will define you as a runner. This is when the mind takes over. You must stay strong and overcome the adversity. The runners that give up move on to easier sports.

Do you have a personal mantra or do you just give up? 
My mantra comes from Deena Kastor run the mile you’re in. Don’t think so much about the miles down the road stay in your zone.

A lot of runners know that “Who has the runs” has a double meaning. How do you deal with the occasional “problem” that plagues every runner at one time or another? 
I’ve had very few issues over the years. If I’m really having a bad day and feel its harmful for my health I have no problems stopping.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up running? 
Start out slowly both distance and pace. There are no short cuts in running, you have to be happy with the small gains you make daily. Running isn’t about how far you go but how far you’ve come.

What is your next big race? 
I don’t have anything big planned at this time. I will run a few races in 2012.

What is your immediate running goal? 
To stay healthy and injury free in 2012 and write a sequel to My Life on the Run.

What is your ultimate running goal?  
Comrades 2013 would be a dream. If I can get my body to handle a few long runs I would love to return to my favorite race.

Do you have a way we can keep track of your progress (Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc)
http://www.bartyasso.com/
http://twitter.com/BartYasso
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bart-Yasso/118295040323