Episode 25: Gary Robbins, Being Present, Establishing Boundaries & Saying No, Relationships, Reciprocity, Family, Race Directing, Race Cancellations, Support Local, Virtual Races, and more.
04/23/20 • 112 min
In this episode of the Art and Science of Running podcast, we chat with Gary Robbins about running professionally, coaching, and race directing amidst the current coronavirus crisis. Specifically, we discuss virtual racing, reciprocity with partners, fellow race directors, and runners.
Gary has become a household name in the sport of trail and ultrarunning, but long before the Barkley Marathon, Gary was setting FKTs, course records at iconic races such as the HURT 100, and establishing himself as one of the best in the sport.
Perhaps, what makes Gary so endearing, however, is his humble, affable, authentic nature. In this episode, we dive into what makes Gary who he is and what he does to preserve his humanity, authenticity, and ability to be present.
Being Present by Setting Boundaries & Saying NoAnyone who has spent time with Gary – even if it is listening to an interview, or attending a speaking series, or watching him on the big screen recognizes his presence. Gary has the ability to be present in large groups while somehow also making each individual feel like he is present for them. He is present for his family, his wife, Linda, and son, Reed. He is present for his friends. He is present for the athletes he coaches. He is present for the thousands of runners who run his races and present for the millions of fans around the world who have watched his videos on YouTube.
We asked Gary how he is able to maintain such presence while ensuring that he is also caring for himself. Gary attributes his ability to be present with his ability to set and maintain boundaries. Especially after the Barkley Marathon 2017, Gary had to learn to say no so that he could continue to say yes to the people and commitments closest to him. In turn, this has enabled Gary to be who he needs to be to the myriad people who want him to be present.
This was Gary’s second podcast in three years despite countless requests to do so. He broke the silence recently on the Well – the show of fellow ultrarunner, Dylan Bowman. We are grateful that Gary took the time to connect with us and share some insight into what is currently motivating him and inspiring him to continue to lead our community.
ReciprocityGary stands out as a leader amongst race directors with his efforts to build community and establish ties of reciprocity. His recent initiative, Support Local, is not simply a means to keep his race series, Coast Mountain Trail Running, afloat, but an effort to rally the greater running community behind all local race organizers. This emphasis on community and reciprocity is not new for Gary or those who know him.
In addition to putting on world class events like the Squamish 50, Gary has organized film screenings and speaking tours assembling some of the biggest names and brightest personalities in the sport while bringing the community together, filling up theaters, to celebrate the sport. These events are not under the banner of Gary’s race series, but under the greater banner of trail and ultrarunning. Gary goes out of his way to bring other race directors and coaches into these events. As fellow coaches and race directors, we are beneficiaries and grateful to Gary for his emphasis on building community.
Find Out MoreMore on the Support Local initiative and how you...
In this episode of the Art and Science of Running podcast, we chat with Gary Robbins about running professionally, coaching, and race directing amidst the current coronavirus crisis. Specifically, we discuss virtual racing, reciprocity with partners, fellow race directors, and runners.
Gary has become a household name in the sport of trail and ultrarunning, but long before the Barkley Marathon, Gary was setting FKTs, course records at iconic races such as the HURT 100, and establishing himself as one of the best in the sport.
Perhaps, what makes Gary so endearing, however, is his humble, affable, authentic nature. In this episode, we dive into what makes Gary who he is and what he does to preserve his humanity, authenticity, and ability to be present.
Being Present by Setting Boundaries & Saying NoAnyone who has spent time with Gary – even if it is listening to an interview, or attending a speaking series, or watching him on the big screen recognizes his presence. Gary has the ability to be present in large groups while somehow also making each individual feel like he is present for them. He is present for his family, his wife, Linda, and son, Reed. He is present for his friends. He is present for the athletes he coaches. He is present for the thousands of runners who run his races and present for the millions of fans around the world who have watched his videos on YouTube.
We asked Gary how he is able to maintain such presence while ensuring that he is also caring for himself. Gary attributes his ability to be present with his ability to set and maintain boundaries. Especially after the Barkley Marathon 2017, Gary had to learn to say no so that he could continue to say yes to the people and commitments closest to him. In turn, this has enabled Gary to be who he needs to be to the myriad people who want him to be present.
This was Gary’s second podcast in three years despite countless requests to do so. He broke the silence recently on the Well – the show of fellow ultrarunner, Dylan Bowman. We are grateful that Gary took the time to connect with us and share some insight into what is currently motivating him and inspiring him to continue to lead our community.
ReciprocityGary stands out as a leader amongst race directors with his efforts to build community and establish ties of reciprocity. His recent initiative, Support Local, is not simply a means to keep his race series, Coast Mountain Trail Running, afloat, but an effort to rally the greater running community behind all local race organizers. This emphasis on community and reciprocity is not new for Gary or those who know him.
In addition to putting on world class events like the Squamish 50, Gary has organized film screenings and speaking tours assembling some of the biggest names and brightest personalities in the sport while bringing the community together, filling up theaters, to celebrate the sport. These events are not under the banner of Gary’s race series, but under the greater banner of trail and ultrarunning. Gary goes out of his way to bring other race directors and coaches into these events. As fellow coaches and race directors, we are beneficiaries and grateful to Gary for his emphasis on building community.
Find Out MoreMore on the Support Local initiative and how you...
Previous Episode
Episode 24: Jonathan Levitt, Nutrition, InsideTracker, Podcasting, Community, Mental Health, Love, Loss, US Olympic Marathon Trials, etc.
In this episode of the Art and Science of Running Podcast, we speak with fellow podcaster, Jonathan Levitt. While relatively new to running, Jonathan jumped in with both feet and has made an instant impact on the sport and community since he started running a few years ago.
Jonathan hails from Boston – home of the historic Boston Marathon. Jonathan became a runner right after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings and as they say, the rest is history.
Since he started running, Jonathan has dedicated himself to not only qualifying for the Boston Marathon, but also giving back to the community as an event organizer, team, and community leader. His podcast, For the Long Run, digs deeper into the lives of runners to understand their why uncovering the common thread that unites us all.
Show Sponsor: InsideTrackerMany thanks to InsideTracker for sponsoring this episode of the Art and Science of Running Podcast. InsideTracker’s recommendations are all backed by science, and are selected for you based on your preferences and lifestyle. Take the next step in your journey towards optimal health. Visit insidetracker.com for more information and to sign up for their newsletter. As a listener of the Art and Science of Running Podcast, you are eligible for an exclusive promo for 25% off when you use discount code ARTANDSCIENCE at checkout.
Shout Outs and Social MediaIntro and outro music GOIN 4 A WALK by Dallin Puzey. Now available on Apple Music and Spotify.
Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Please follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook and let us know what you’d like us to discuss in future episodes.
The post Episode 24: Jonathan Levitt, Nutrition, InsideTracker, Podcasting, Community, Mental Health, Love, Loss, US Olympic Marathon Trials, etc. appeared first on The Art and Science of Running Podcast.
Next Episode
Episode 26: Jamil Coury, Race Directing, Pivoting to Virtual, Entrepreneurship, Trail and Ultarunning, Content Creation, Leadership, Economics, etc.
In this episode of the Art and Science of Running podcast, we chat with world class ultrarunner, race director, and entrepreneur, Jamil Coury (@jamilcoury) about all of the changed taking place in the sport with the need to cancel events due to the global Coronavirus pandemic. Jamil is leading the way as a race director, pivoting from putting on over 30 trail and ultrarunning events per year across the American Southwest to offering a number of virtual options which extend beyond the US border and provide a sense of purpose and meaning for runners around world.
Aravaipa StrongWhat started as a means of engaging runners between cancelled or postponed events, Jamil and his team at Aravaipa Running created a virtual 10 day running challenge called Aravaipa Strong that allowed people to select a distance and try to cover it anytime during the 10 day window. But this event didn’t just draw in those signed up to run an Aravaipa race in the Spring of 2020 – it drew in runners from all parts of the globe.
Insomniac Night RunsAravaipa Strong was such a success that Jamil and his team decided to create additional virtual challenges that runners can tackle in the coming weeks. The Insomniac Series has been a night run series that Aravaipa puts on through the hot desert months in Arizona, but now people can do these events from anywhere and participate in a variety of categories, distances, challenges throughout the summer months through the Carpe Noctem Virtual Night Run Series Pass.
Limitless Vertical ChallengeIf running at night isn’t your thing, Aravaipa is also hosting a virtual climbing challenge called the Limitless Vertical Challenge. In this challenge, runners can take on challenges ranging from once up the Empire State Building to twice up Mt. Everest.
Personal TouchWhile Jamil’s personal running career has been extensive and rather accomplished (top 10 at Hardrock 100), one thing that sets Jamil apart in the trail and ultrarunning community is the artistic way in which he contributes to the community. Both as a race director and content creator, Jamil is an artist in every sense of the word. He incorporates elements of other races into his own, but definitely adds a personal touch to each event whether that is with the custom medals, unique overall awards, brick oven pizza, or professional video coverage – every event that Jamil directs is a world-class production.
In the case of virtual races, Jamil cut his teeth on virtual races while running a Helipad Marathon on a very small loop atop the roof of the Aravaipa Running headquarters the night before a stay-at-home order went into effect in the state of Arizona.
Behind the LensJamil extends his artistry from race directing to the camera – filming and producing some of the best running footage on the Internet and posts it to the Run Steep Get High channel.
In addition to the footage that Jamil has captured of others racing, he has also created a satirical YouTube news broadcast called the Mountain Outpost that highlights various aspects of the sport.
Shout Outs and Social MediaIntro and outro music GOIN 4 A WALK by Dallin Puzey. Now available on Apple Music and Spotify.
Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Please follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook and let us know what you’d like us to discuss in fut...
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