My Best Runs founder Bob Anderson is the featured runner on Amby Burfoot's Lifetime Running website today
Bob Anderson is the featured profile today on Lifetime Running. Here are some excerpts from my interview.
As the founding publisher-owner of Runner's World magazine ("Making Tracks Since 1966"), Bob Anderson played a pivotal role in the American running boom. Less well known: He has been, and at age 71 remains, a passionate runner and racer. In recent years, Anderson has thrown his creative energy behind a Double Racing concept ("Running with a halftime break") and a free Running News Daily Headlines service.
When did you start running and WHY? I started running on Feb 16, 1962. My older brother went out for cross country because my dad ran some in the Navy and I wanted to give it a try. Could not run without stopping after a mile that first day.
Your best races and running achievements? One of the features on our Ujena Fit Club website is that it age grade all races. Five of my top races that I am most proud of would include when I ran a 1:25:24 half marathon at age 64. A 59:17 10 miler at age 53. A 17:09 5k at Carlsbad at age 49. A 3:32:17 marathon at Boston age 65. And a 2:08.5 880 at age 15.
But my greatest running achievement has to be when I ran 50 races in 2012 at age 64. My 50-race challenge was not just about finishing a race each weekend but it was also about achieving an average performance which would be at least 80% age graded. I raced 350.8 miles and averaged 6:59 per mile.
3 key tips for successful lifetime running?1--Run or walk each day outside covering at least one mile.2--Don’t worry about speed unless you want too. Make this your choice.3--Run at least a few races each year.
Favorite quote? Steve Prefontaine: “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” What are the biggest lessons (life lessons and running lessons) you have learned from running? Running is magical and makes everything possible. My day is not complete without a run. Running is just part of my DNA. If I had not found running, I can not imagine what kind of life I would have had. Age is only a number and even through the number is getting larger, I just don’t let a number tell me what I can or cannot do. We only live once, so why not enjoy it to the fullest? Running helps add meaning to every day.
After posting this on FB Gary Rush wrote: If not for Bob Anderson and his magazine ,and the stories and photos and dreams it inspired in my life- I likely would have not been a runner since age 14 or a marathoner since age 15...
(Photo with Linda Sereno at the San Juan Christmas 2018 Double Road Race. Linda was awarded the Best Double Racer for 2018 for night before.)
posted Thursday January 10th
by Amby Burfoot