New book (2008) by the man who invented the Yasso 800, dubbed the "Major of Running" and the chief running officer at Runner's World. The book chronicles Bart's conversion from drugs, alcohol and aimlessness to running. He recounts how he progressed from running to beat his older brother to the Boston marathon, Badwater ultra (146 miles), Bare Buns and racing in various continents.
Bart is frank about how he felt neglected by his father (who eventually became his firm supporter) in his growing years. He found redemption through running. He also has a high tolerance for pain, which helps explain how he excels in endurance events (never give up!).
The book contains many interesting events, adventures and misadventures as well as several heart touching stories. In Clean Streaks, Bart relates how he trained a team of 6 convicts from a rehabilitation center to run a 22 mile relay race in Pennsylvania. Running as a team was an alien concept to the ex-addicts. At the completion of the race, the team was ecstatic. "For once, they were receiving recognition for doing something positive and not being punished for screwing up, and they relished the acceptance of other runners."
Bart also described how he came up with the Yasso 800 training system when he reviewed his running logs when he trained to break 2:50 to qualify for Boston. He formulated his system in the mid 80s, but it was only in October 1994 that Runner's World published an article and dubbed the method the Yasso 800 (courtesy of Amby Burfoot). Bart is quick to note that the Yasso 800s aren't perfect - adjustments need to be made for a hot day or hilly course, and it has to be 10 800s in one workout five to six weeks before the race.
But a deserving credit to an icon in the running world!
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