I’ve been packing for Iraq the last few days. Kitty keeps sitting on my orders and of course sleeping in my suitcase hoping he gets to be a hideaway to the Middle East. Hard to believe I will be in Kuwait City in less than two days.
While I am in Iraq as part of the Warriors Tour, I will try to post to my blog daily and on the Runner’s World site.
Here is a link to a local tv segment filmed on Friday
Runner’s World’s Bart Yasso Supports Troops in Baghdad
by Running in The Warrior Tours
New York, NY — June 30, 2009- Bart Yasso, Runner’s World Chief Running Officer, heads to the Middle East on July 6th as part of The Warrior Tours: “America’s Races Salutes the Troops” (http://www.thewarriortours.com). Over the course of seven days, “The America’s Races Salutes the Troops” will visit seven U.S. military bases in the Middle East supporting the troops in the semi-annual Armed Forces Physical Fitness Test.
“When I got the go ahead for this project, Bart was the first person I called to come along,” said Rob Powers, America’s Voice of Running and founder of The Warrior Tours. “Bart is one of the best known names in running, has military ties, and is an amazing motivator. Who better to take along to support our troops?”
“My dad served in the Navy during World War II on the USS Oklahoma City, and to have the opportunity to tie my love for running with my family’s history, and support our troops is very special,” said Yasso.
At each base, “The America’s Races Salutes the Troops” will produce world-class running events including evening entertainment, professional digital tag timing, announcing, and race T-shirts and awards donated by more than thirty of the top running events around the United States. Competitors will be given a race T-shirt (from the race closest to their hometown), a finish medal, and have their results posted the day of the race on The Warrior Tours web site (www.thewarriortours.com).
Along with Powers and Yasso, other special guests on the tour include NASA astronaut Sandar Magnus, Olympic gold medalist and Runner’s World contributor Frank Shorter, UnderArmour’s (www.underarmour.com) Senior Manager of RUN Anne Bonney, and 2009 Armed Forces Entertainers of the year Catchpenny.
Yasso, author of the best-selling book, “My Life on the Run,” is one of the few people to have completed races on all seven continents from the Antarctica marathon to the Mt. Kilimanjaro marathon. The Warrior Tours will be the first time he will race in a live combat zone.
Yasso may be best known for the marathon-training workout he invented, Yasso 800s, used by thousands of runners across the globe. He joined Runner’s World in 1987 to develop the Runner’s World Race Sponsorship Program, creating a vehicle for Runner’s World to work with over 7,000 races representing 4 million runners every year. In 2007, he was inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions.
During the tour images, videos, and updates will be posted on the WarriorTours web site and through its Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Warrior-Tours/82328057349) and Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/thewarriortours). Yasso will also be contributing with updates onrunnersworld.com (http://www.runnersworld.com) and through his Twitter account–http://www.twitter.com/bartyasso.
The Warrior Tours, a pending 501(C)(3) nonprofit, connects the men and women of the US Armed Forces with the American people through physical fitness by teaming up stateside events with The Warrior Tours events at US military bases worldwide. While supporting the troops in their fitness programs The Warrior Tours connects US service men and women with their friends and families through video, text, and images that are posted on The Warrior Tours website and broadcast at domestic sporting events. More information athttp://www.thewarriortours.com
About Runner’s World:
Recognized as the worldwide authority on running information, the mission of Rodale’sRunner’s World is to inform, advise, and motivate runners of all ages and abilities. Runner’s World aims to help runners achieve their personal health, fitness, and performance goals, and to inspire them with vivid, memorable storytelling. Currently Runner’s World publishes 14 international editions. Runner’s World’s award-winning companion Web site,www.runnersworld.com, is the largest running community on the Internet, featuring interactive, searchable, and targeted content for runners of all ages and abilities.
It’s always nice to hear from runners I meet during my travels. At the Big Sur Marathon six weeks ago I was asked “Mate, could you sign my Footy Jumper?” I knew the Aussie wanted me to sign something for him, something I’d never signed before but what the heck is a “Footy Jumper”? I’ve since found out it was quite an honor to sign Pete’s running singlet.
Here’s an email message I recently received from Pete, the Australian runner I met at BSIM:
Referring to my blog post of April 30th, 2009: How Alexis Garcia Got To Big Sur
Some of you asked to see Alexis Garcia’s photos of hiskayak escape / rescue off the Florida coast. He just recently saw these photos for the first time and his wife Marlene was kind enough to can them and send them to me. I’ve also included some pix ofthe Garcia’s and me from Big Sur.
Coming to San Diego this weekend for the Rock n Rll Marathon or know someone who is? Stop by the Nissan Booth and Seminar Stage and say hello. I’ll be doing a book signing and autographs with Ryan Hall. I’ll also be hosting the Team in Training Past Party on Saturday night. And we’ll be at the Finish Line Festival on Sunday too. See you there!
My San Diego Schedule:
Saturday Date: May 30th, 2009
11:00-11:30: Training Tips Seminar with Ryan Hall
Seminar Stage at expo moderator me– San Diego Convention Center
12:00-1:00: Intro Ryan and autograph session Ryan Hall appearance at the Nissan Booth
6:00: Team in Training Pasta Party (Nissan master representative)
Sunday
11:30-12:30: Intro Ryan Hall appearance autograph session at the Nissan Booth
Finish Festival – Point Loma, Marine Corps Recruit Depot
50 Books – FREE to the 1st 50 runners @ the Gate City Striders workout in Nashua, New Hampshire (near Manchester) courtesy of Saucony.
I’m heading up there via Philly airport as we speak.
Me and Charles Elkins at the Medina County RR book signing.
Back to Cleveland, Ohio – home of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. The Cleveland Marathon, in it’s 32nd year is one of the 50 oldest marathons in the country. It’s a great weekend of events complete with a huge half marathon and 10K and a ton of race-realted activities to do before race day. I was one of four guest speakers including Doug Kurtis, Anne Audain and Bill Rodgers. Two nights before the race I spoke to the Medina County Road Runners (see photo of me w/Charles Elkins) and was introduced to a young high school kid named Patrick. Patrick reminds me of myself or myself had I been a runner in high school. His h.s. coach told him he could not run a marathon. Patrick said fine and instead he ran a 50K and later went onto run a 60K which he won outright. He’s been training with U.S. national 24-hour champ, ultrarunner Mark Godale. I’m impressed.
| From this weekend’s USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/10great/2009-05-14-road-races_N.htm?csp=34 10 great places for runners to hit the road |
| Updated 1d 14h ago | Comments 9 | Recommend 4 | E-mail | Save | Print |  |
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Boston Marathon
Boston
“This is the granddaddy of all marathons,” Yasso says. “It’s the most prestigious and historic.” The race — the oldest annual marathon in the country — takes place on Patriots’ Day, aMassachusetts holiday on the third Monday of April that commemorates the start of the Revolutionary War (next race: April 19, 2010). The entire city gets behind the runners, including the Boston Red Sox. The team always plays a home game at 10 a.m. so fans can cheer runners on as they race pastFenway Park before finishing in front of the John Hancock Building. 508-435-6905, bostonmarathon.org
Twin Cities Marathon
Minneapolis/St. Paul
The race, which also offers a 10-mile option, starts in downtownMinneapolis before leading runners along several lakes, the banks of the Mississippi, then through St. Paul before ending in front of the Capitol. “It’s run in October during peak foliage,” Yasso says. “And every time you look up, you’re near a lake. You get the combination of a really scenic course and a tour of the city. It’s spectacular.” This year’s date: Oct. 4. 763-287-3888,mtcmarathon.org
The Monument Avenue 10K
Richmond, Va.
This 6.21-mile race, to be held next on March 27, 2010, takes runners down tree-lined Monument Avenue, which is dotted with historic statues and surrounded by beautiful Southern homes. “You get the sense that Richmond really was the capital of the south,” says Yasso, who explains it’s also a very festive race. There are bands that play along the course and a costume contest. “It’s a big party,” Yasso says. 804-285-9495, sportsbackers.org
San Francisco Marathon
San Francisco
The marathon, which includes a half-marathon option, loops runners through the city’s funky neighborhoods, then out and back on the Golden Gate Bridge, this year on July 26. “On a clear day, you get the best views of the city,” Yasso says. “Every once in a while, it’s completely fogged in. You hear the foghorns on the ships below you, but you can’t see anything. It’s so surreal. That’s also part of the mystique of San Francisco.” 888-958-6668,runsfm.com
Miami Marathon
Miami
This race, to be held next on Jan. 31, 2010, starts before sunrise to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and takes runners across a causeway into South Beach. “All the art deco lights are lit up and the clubbers are just heading home,” Yasso says. “It’s funny to see these Paris Hilton look-alikes cheering for you. It really shows off what the city is about.” The race, which has a half-marathon option, also takes runners through Miami’s neighborhoods and past where all the cruise ships are docked. 305-278-8668, ingmiamimarathon.com
Vermont City Marathon
Burlington, Vt.
“It’s a hippie enclave and college town,” says Yasso of Burlington. The May 24 race, which takes runners alongLake Champlain and through the city’s neighborhoods, lets you experience the city’s free spirit. “Most people cheering for you are wearing tie-dye and playing the Grateful Dead,” says Yasso. “At mile 15, there’s a hill and they have this ensemble of drummers playing at the base to get the runners pumped. It all speaks to the artsy vibe of the city.” 800-880-8149, runvermont.org
Philadelphia Marathon
Philadelphia
“As a tourist, it would take a couple of days to see everything you see when running this race,” Yasso says. The marathon, which includes a half-marathon option, starts and finishes at the Philadelphia Art Museum with its “Rocky steps.” In between, runners see City Hall, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall before winding along the Schuylkill River and Boathouse Row. Next race: Nov. 22. 215-683-2122, philadelphiamarathon.com
Rock ‘N’ Roll Arizona Marathon
Phoenix
This race, to be held Jan. 17, 2010, takes runners through Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. “You’re surrounded by mountains, but you’re on the valley floor,” Yasso says. “You get to see the mountains, but you’re not running them.” Participants also pass beautiful hotels and spas like the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa. “After the race, runners spoil themselves with spa treatments,” Yasso says. “There’s nothing better than a mud bath and a massage after a marathon.” 800-311-1255,rnraz.com
Chicago Marathon
Chicago
Runners get a real tour of the city during the Chicago Marathon, which starts and finishes at Grant Park and weaves through almost 30 neighborhoods and along Lake Michigan on Oct. 11. In each neighborhood, crowds come out. “It’s a very spectator-friendly race,” Yasso says. “All the people who live there come out in droves and cheer. You feel like you have an intimate look at the city because you really see the people that make up Chicago.” 312-904-9800, chicagomarathon.com
Cooper River Bridge Run
Charleston, S.C.
This 10K race in Charleston, S.C., to be held next on March 27, 2010, starts outside the city and takes runners across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, the longest cable-strung bridge in the USA. “You get amazing views of Charleston as you cross over the bridge,” Yasso says. The race then takes you into the historic section of the city to Marion Square. “It’s one of the prettiest towns, and the race gives you both a skyline view from the bridge and a more intimate look at the city.” 843-856-1949, bridgerun.com
Break for lunch at Rusack Winery
What a great weekend in Santa Ynez for the Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon. Our arrival in Santa Barbara on Thursday was a bit surreal. We were enjoying a late lunch with ‘ritas on State Street as ash from the nearby fire was raining down on us. An hour later I was doing a book signing and talk at the Double Tree resort in SB – the beautiful beach and Pacific Ocean in front of us and a raging fire in the Los Padres National Forest behind us. We were able to do the short 30 minute drive up to Santa Ynez just before authorities close down Highway 154. (Highway 101 was open and a safe alternative throughout the weekend). My wife Laura got some spectacular photos from the passenger seat as we made our way to our B & B in Santa Ynez. Once in this beautiful wine country – also horse country - all else was fine and calm. Air quality was healthy and the races – far from the fire were a go.
The day prior to the half marathon and relay got started with a bike tour I lead which followed the awesome 13.1 mile race route the next day – Santa Ynez thru Los Olivos (much of the movie “Sideways” was shot here) to the finish in the little Danish village of Solvang with time for a wonderful lunch at the beautiful Rusack Winery. But the wining didn’t end there – we continued later that evening with a relaxing wine tasting and appetizers at the gorgeous Roblar Winery in Los Olivos. I showed my slide show as well. So those were the first two parts of my triple crown of running – after the Saturday events – which were sold out well in advance. Following the race awards ceremony which was staged with wine tasting on Solvang town square, Race Director Matt Dockstetter, race announcer extraordinaire Whit Raymond and myself hosted a tour that took us to half a dozen wineries for those who wanted to further dehydrate themselves after their runs – complete with chauffeur – and the perfect triple crown in my opinion – a great alternative for those of us who didn’t run but wanted to experience this very special part of California. Remember this race sells out fast so sign up for 2010 asap. Check www.runsantaynez.com for more information.
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