Boston Marathon Winner Amby Burfoot writes about the spirit of running forever in his newest book, just released. OK, we know that nobody actually runs forever. But, Run For As Long As Possible doesn’t really have the same ring. And when most runners are asked, they’ll say that they really do want to run forever.
In this episode we speak with the author of
Run Forever
, and the winner of the 1968 Boston Marathon, Amby Burfoot. Amby also worked for one of our recent guests, Bob Anderson, at Runner’s World and became Editor In Chief in 1985 serving in that role for 20 years.
Returning to Boston – A 50 year celebration of running to win
Amby has personally logged over 100,000 miles and claims the United States’ longest active race-road streak by having completed the Thanksgiving Day 5-mile Run in Manchester, CT for 54 consecutive years. He is still writing for Runner’s World and runs up to 30 miles per week.
Brain changes, body changes over the decades
Stephanie and Amby discuss his background, his experience winning the Boston Marathon, his perspective on the changes in the running world over the last 50 years, and why he believes the brain is the most important part of our running bodies.
Oh, and if you are participating in the Boston Marathon, please share YOUR Boston Marathon experience on an upcoming bonus episode of Run To The Top by clicking
here
.
Questions Amby is asked:
4:46 First Four:
- How old are you?
- Where were you born?
- Where do you live now?
- What is your favorite race distance or type of race?
8:40 Who was your high school cross-country coach?
12:52 What was it like being Editor In Chief for 20 years at Runner’s World?
13:57 How did you manage your running while working there?
16:57 What led you to run the Boston Marathon in 1968, what were your chances of winning and what was your winning strategy?
22:02 What was it like covering the 1984 Olympic marathon that Joan Benoit Samuelson won as an American, a journalist and as a man watching the first ever women’s Olympic marathon?
25:16 What can you tell us about your article in Runner’s World titled “White Men Can’t Run”?
27:54 Can you talk about all the demographic changes that have happened since you started your running career?
30:44 What was the impetus for writing your new book Run Forever?
32:38 What is your take on brain-training?
35:52 What about nutrition and running at any age?
39:58 What has running meant to you so far and where do you see it taking you in the future?
42:12 Is there a portion of Run Forever you could read for us?
46:53 Final Kick Round:
- What is your favorite local training run (location, starting point, parking, distance, terrain and safety issues)?
- What do you mean by ‘Motivation is a skill’?
- Advice for new runners?
- Favorite Quote?
Quotes by Amby:
“At Runner’s World, we did have time to do the running that we loved to do; nobody looked twice if you snuck out for an hour-long run at lunchtime.”
“You don’t win Boston on a bad day; you have to have a good day.”
“The women (running) pioneers had a tough battle getting to the Olympics, but it wasn’t because they had to overcome people like me or my friends who were running or ANY of the runners. The runners were ALWAYS in favor of having women participate in racing. We were all in Joanie’s corner.”
“Whatever your reason for running is, find it, focus on it and use it to keep you moving.”
“Train your brain first and the rest of your body will follow and take care of itself.”
“When I go to the grocery store, I see how often I can come home without something that’s packaged.”
Take a Listen on Your Next Run
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Mentioned in this podcast:
Run To The Top Winners Circle Facebook Community
Share your Boston Marathon Experience on a bonus episode of Run To The Top!
Order an autographed copy of Run Forever
Learn more about coach John J. Kelley
Joan Benoit Samuelson 1984 Olympics – The First Gold
Joan Benoit Samuelson 1984 Olympics – Women’s Marathon Finish
Learn more about Katherine Switzer
The 35 Greatest American Female Marathoners Of All Time
Book: Endure by Alex Hutchinson
We really hope you’ve enjoyed this episode of Run to the Top with Amby Burfoot and host Stephanie Kay Atwood
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