TCR061 | Amby Burfoot: I Wanted to Win the Boston Marathon & The First Ladies of Running

The Conscious Runner Podcast

Hey Conscious Runners! I’m so excited to bring you this episode. Today, I’ve got legendary runner, winner of the 1968 Boston Marathon, author and Editor in Chief at Runner’s World magazine, Amby Burfoot on the line with me. I was so nervous before recording this interview. I’ve heard the name Amby Burfoot for decades and was thrilled to have this opportunity to speak with him about his running career and his new book First Ladies of Running: 22 Inspiring Profiles of the Rebels, Rule Breakers, and Visionaries Who Changed the Sport Forever.

First Ladies of Running tells the inspiring stories of pioneer runners from 1958 until the moment when Joan Benoit crossed the finish line to win the 1984 first Olympic Marathon for women. In a special additional chapter, Burfoot runs the Marine Corps Marathon with Oprah Winfrey 10 years after Benoit’s Olympic triumph. Winfrey’s successful finish opened the floodgates for millions of midpack women runners.

By refusing to quit in the face of adversity, the pioneer runners inspired the next generations of women both on and off the track. First Ladies of Running is a tribute to the trailblazers of women’s running, and a gift of empowerment for female runners everywhere!

I completely enjoyed my chat with Amby Burfoot and know you will too.

What we talk about

• How he got started running
• Having John J. Kelly as a cross country coach
• His coincidence of having the best coaches and teammates with Jeff Galloway and Bill Rogers
• Winning the Boston Marathon in college
• Missing the American Record in the 1968 Fukuoka Marathon by 8 tenths of a second
• What’s changed in running over 4 decades
• How he transitioned from being an elite runner to everyday life
• The local Thanksgiving Race he’s most proud of (article from 2013)!

Links from the show

• First Ladies of Running (Website)
• First Ladies of Running (Facebook Page)
• Amby Burfoot (Website)
• John J. Kelly (1957 Boston Marathon Winner)
• Commrades Marathon
• Manchester Road Race (Facebook Page)
• The Conscious Runner Book

Inspirational Quotes

[Tweet “”What I wanted most was to become a marathoner and win the Boston marathon” – Amby Burfoot”]

“I get slower literally every single day and that will continue the rest of my life, but I can’t let that get in the way of the number of positive things running does for me every day, every week and every year.” ~ Amby Burfoot

Your Next Steps

• Visit First Ladies of Running
• Like the First Ladies of Running Facebook Page
• Give the show a review iTunes
• Join The Conscious Runner Academy for inspiration, motivation and good running conversation.

Until next time, run strong, run long and be happy.