Fun is Abdi Abdirahman's Secret to Running Longevity

Run to the Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide to Running

Are you ready to be inspired? And maybe have some fun while we are at it? Then this is the episode for you.

For most of us, qualifying for the Olympics is a completely unrelateable accomplishment, right? Well how about qualifying for FIVE of them?

Abdi Abdirahman is the only American distance runner to qualify for five Olympic Games. At age 44, Abdi is also the oldest American runner to qualify for the Olympics, the oldest male to podium at the New York City Marathon, and the USA Track & Field master’s record holder in the marathon.

Born in Somalia, he came to Tucson, Arizona, at age 16 after his family escaped civil war. He became an American citizen in 2000 and has represented the United States as a 10,000m runner at the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Olympics, in the marathon in 2012, and has qualified for the 2020 Olympic marathon to be held in Japan this year.

Coach Claire Bartholic wanted to talk to “The Black Cactus” as Abdi is also known, not just about his amazing accomplishments, but about the things that are relatable and helpful to all runners--not just elites.

Because the truth is that we are all runners and while Abdi just happens to be one of the fastest runners on the planet, we are all just putting one foot in front of the other.

His new book is called, Abdi’s World: The Black Cactus on Life, Running, and Fun, and in it, Abdi not only tells his incredible life story, but he also talks about how he leads a fulfilling life that is not all about running.

It’s like a guidebook that is part life lessons, part training tips, part autobiography, and all uniquely Abdi.

Claire talks with him about his 5 rules of running that might just help you have a better run today. It’s kind of hard to believe that such a dedicated, durable and resilient runner like him sometimes has to convince himself to go for a run, but it’s true and she asks him all about it.

This conversation is as much about living a passionate life as it is about running and it’s hard to find someone more passionate about both than Abdi.

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