Running Is Life Podcast Coach Aaron Saft

Hellbender 100 didn't go as planned. This episode goes into why. I also discuss my essay for my application for Badwater 135 (actual letter is below). 
Here's my Post from Facebook after Hellbender:
I’ve learned something over the 3 decades I’ve been running. When we line up for a race, no matter how much we’ve trained and prepared, the race and life in general owes us nothing. The reality is we owe running & life a tremendous amount for what it does for & to us! Running and many coaches, friends, family members, and mentors have transformed me to find my current mindset. A DNF does not diminish or define who I am or what I can accomplish. It makes me take a deeper dive into a. What happened? b. What can I do better? & c. How can I train smarter (not necessarily harder)? It also makes me reflect upon life, the choices I make, my priorities, and what I’m doing to make this world a little better. Running Is Life is a mantra. I live it, I breathe it, and I grasp to understand and apply it on a daily basis. Keep moving forward my friends!
 
Essay for Badwater 135:
It’s hard to create a story that’s still in progress! It’s also tough to tell a story that’s pretty darn common. Sure, I’ve done and experienced some amazing things in my life, but to be honest, so have many others. So I had to ask myself, what separates me from everyone else?
Let me go back to 2016, and humor me for a moment with a flashback. In said year, I was running Dr David Horton’s now defunct Beast Series. I had completed 3 50k’s by April and the remainder of my calendar for that year was as follows:June - Cayuga 50-miler & the Manitou’s Revenge 50-milerJuly - Canadian Death Race 125kOct. - Grindstone 100-milerNov. - Mountain Massochist 50-milerDec. - Hellgate 100kA Daunting & challenging schedule with the hope of winning both the Lynchburg Ultra Series & the Beast Series (which I did).
But that’s only part of the 2016 story. In the midst of all of this, I was in The Runner’s World Magazine Cover Contest. A finalist no less. A panel of judges had selected 5 male & 5 female contestants for the honor of being the winner of this contest and having their picture on the front of the magazine. I know for some, print media is dead, but I grew up with this magazine and eagerly read every article. To be a finalist for this was a dream come true!
So how did I get to that point?
Everything about my running stems from love. With and through running, I can do so much more than just go for a run. I can take an individual sport, and at times selfish activity, and make it about others. I created races that raised money for nonprofit organizations, I donated & sponsored races that did the same. I became a coach and mentor to younger and older runners. The point being is I tried to share my love for running and life with others so that they might do the same. To give the idea that life is about others and the change we can make and impact we can have when we put others first and use our talents and abilities to make a difference.
As the internet will show, I didn’t win, but I experienced something that changed my life and way of thinking. I met some truly amazing friends that have much more amazing stories than my own. And that’s what makes running so amazing. Each race we run has a limited number of runners. Those runners all have stories of how that got to that starting line. Badwater has shown this each year it’s run. 
Since the Runner’s World Contest, my professional life has gone from Running Store owner and race director to a running coach and podcaster. It took me a number of years to find a name for my brand that felt suitable for who I am, what I do, and what I represent. It wasn’t until I watched Ted Lasso and saw the joy the character Danny Rojas exhibited for life and fútbol that I understood and found a name that resonated with me… “Running is Life”! That simple phrase/name struck a cord so deep that it’s hard to ex

Hellbender 100 Miler is upon us! In this episode I take a deep dive into the course and some tips and strategies to employ if you're racing!
Good luck to everyone toeing the line & thank you to all the volunteers & race staff!
Volunteer for Hellbender Here - https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=115039
 
Flight of the Falcon 24 Hour Event - https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=115101
 
Aaron's information:
If you'd like to learn more about Patreon or to donate, please visit https://www.patreon.com/RunningIsLife
My Socials, Channels, & Newsletter:https://www.facebook.com/MRRUNNINGPAINSCOACHING
https://www.instagram.com/runningislifecoaching/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ6J512qA34z_N0KJSU4jfw
https://www.strava.com/athletes/18431982 

Email - coachsaft@gmail.com
Thanks to all of you for listening!
Please share the Podcast and please leave a review, rate, & subscribe if you haven't done so already!
THANK YOU!
Aaron Saft
Running Is Life Coaching & Podcast
I'd be remiss not to thanks to my Patrons for their continued support!
 

Tim Nooney runs for a couple of companies, but his main sponsor is La Sportiva. La Sportiva was my first contractual trail specific sponsor back in 2008. In this episode, we discuss what it means to be sponsored, and what are the responsibilities that come along with a sponsorship, and what the brands are doing to sport not only athletes, but our sport and our world in general!
Tim's been on other podcasts as well:
Adventure Jogger - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/tim-nooney-from-climbing-walls-to-breaking-through-them/id1512991688?i=1000653265500
Facing Vert - https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/034-lessons-learned-tim-nooney/id1683554617?i=1000638718873
Youtube Video from Psgah Players - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq0FUbjCyrw
 
Flight of the Falcon 24 Hour Event 
On Aug. 3, 2024, I'm excited to bring The Flight of the Falcon 24 Hour Event to the West Henderson High School Track!
This is a fundraising event for the West Henderson high School Cross Country and Track & Field Teams. Entry fee is $200 and we ask each participant to raise an additional minimum of $250 to go into a building fund for the athletes locker rooms (currently they do not have anywhere to change or store their belongings during practice).
25 Participants will have 24 hours to complete as much distance as they can. Running direction will switch every four hours.
Each Participant will receive:

One Pair of Goodr Sunglasses thanks to our friends at Foot Rx


A hooded sweatshirt with name & distance accomplished on sleeve (shipped after completion of event of course)


Food & drinks during the event

Awards:

Those that finish 50k will receive a local handmade mug


Those that finish 50-miles to 100k will receive the mug and a embossed belt


Those that finish 100-miles will receive the mug, the belt, and a race logo belt buckle

Participants are allowed 2 crew members at the event. Weighted 10 x 10 (no stakes) are permitted on the infield of the track.
Other Event Taking Place
West Henderson HS athletes will be running throughout the event. We'll have 2 hour blocks for them to participate in small numbers so as to not affect those running in the 24 hour event.
Facility
The location includes:-PA for music & announcements-Restrooms-Parking-Concession Stand for Food & Drink-Infield for each runners tent-Lighting for night running
Please come join us! If you can't, please spread the word!
Registration link - https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=115101
An online donation website is in the works.
If you'd like to volunteer, please let me know!
Please email me with any questions!
 
Aaron's information:
If you'd like to learn more about Patreon or to donate, please visit https://www.patreon.com/RunningIsLife
My Socials, Channels, & Newsletter:https://www.facebook.com/MRRUNNINGPAINSCOACHING
https://www.instagram.com/runningislifecoaching/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ6J512qA34z_N0KJSU4jfw
https://www.strava.com/athletes/18431982 

Email - coachsaft@gmail.com
Thanks to all of you for listening!
Please share the Podcast and please leave a review, rate, & subscribe if you haven't done so already!
THANK YOU!
Aaron Saft
Running Is Life Coaching & Podcast
I'd be remiss not to thanks to my Patrons for their continued support!
 

In this episode, I identify two ways you can establish a predicted finish time for your next 100-mile event. I suggest watching the video on this one as I go through my TrainingPeaks upload of my race at Heartbreaker to walk you through how I estimated my finish time for the 2024 Hellbender 100-miler. That video can be found here - https://youtu.be/v-UfHItgW6o
I appreciate Drew sending in the question that prompted this episode. If you have questions about this episode or anything else I may be able to answer, please don't hesitate to reach out!
As always, thanks for listening!
Aaron's information:
If you'd like to learn more about Patreon or to donate, please visit https://www.patreon.com/RunningIsLife
My Socials, Channels, & Newsletter:https://www.facebook.com/MRRUNNINGPAINSCOACHING
https://www.instagram.com/runningislifecoaching/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ6J512qA34z_N0KJSU4jfw
https://www.strava.com/athletes/18431982 

Email - coachsaft@gmail.com
If you found this episode useful, please share the Podcast. If you would, please leave a review, rate, & subscribe if you haven't done so already!
THANK YOU!
Aaron Saft
Running Is Life Coaching & Podcast
I'd be remiss not to thanks to my Patrons for their continued support!
 
 
 

My job as a coach, as Ted Lasso would echo, is to not only make athletes perform to their potential, but to help them become their best self.
 
How can one do that but to be present consistently. Show love and respect abundantly. And model how to present oneself through constant gestures of kindness & thoughtfulness.
 
We’re becoming afraid to tell one another we love each other. That is a mistake that can do more detriment and harm to our society than we can afford at this point in history. So with that said, I love you. I love you as an equal. I love you for what you bring to this world. I love you for your potential. And I love you for the light you can share with others.
 
I’ve lost a lot already this year. With the passing of my Grandmother and friend Hunt, my world dimmed for a moment as their lights were extinguished. It takes a moment for us to process their loss and realize we must shine brighter in their absence because that’s precisely what we miss. Their love and ability to make us feel loved. So again, I say to you I love you! And I ask you to let your light shine as bright as possible.
 
All you have to do is be you! Use the given talents and abilities you have to make this world a better place. Right now, you may be trying to find out what that is, & that’s great! It may also change over time. If anything in life, we must expect the unexpected and be grateful for every opportunity we’re presented with. The good and the bad as each will teach us lessons in life. It’s having the wherewithal to recognize each event in our life is a challenge, and we must rise up to that task and recognize we are not alone when facing obstacles, adversity, and fear itself. 
 
You are not alone in this world. To try to go at it by yourself is a mistake. Rely on those around you, those that love you to help you through the tough moments. I am here to help! I do love you!
 
When love is at the forefront of what we do, we set the intention of completing a task with others benefiting before ourselves. It takes a lot to recognize (and it took me a long time to understand), this world would be a better place if we put others before ourselves.
 
So here I am. I try to be present every day for you. To put your needs in front of my own. Not because I’m paid to do so, but because I want to help you. I want to share with you what I’ve learned. To make your journey in life fulfilling and meaningful. I want to give you hope!  I want to show you what you can do when you use your love for life and those around you as your guiding principle. 
 
My love for my family is my strength. I’ve accomplished so many things in which initially I questioned my ability to complete those events due to their complexity and difficulty. But I gained strength from my family. From their love and support. Not only was I not alone in facing these challenges, I knew I had their love and support to get me through. So find what gives you strength. Find what will support you when uncertainty has you questioning your ability to complete something! Remember, you don’t have to even do this part on your own. There are always those of us willing to help!
 
Let me conclude by saying you should never be afraid or ashamed to tell someone you love them. 
 
I love you!
-Aaron Saft4/17/2024
Aaron's information:
If you'd like to learn more about Patreon or to donate, please visit https://www.patreon.com/RunningIsLife
My Socials, Channels, & Newsletter:https://www.facebook.com/MRRUNNINGPAINSCOACHING
https://www.instagram.com/runningislifecoaching/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ6J512qA34z_N0KJSU4jfw
https://www.strava.com/athletes/18431982 

Email - coachsaft@gmail.com
Thanks to all of you for listening!
Please share the Podcast and please leave a review, rate, & subscribe if you haven't done so already!
THANK YOU!
Aaron Saft
Running Is Life Coaching & Podcast
I'd be remiss not to thanks to my Patrons for their continued support!
 
 

Hunt Brumby passed from this world on Sunday, April 7, 2024. He was a friend, an ultra runner, an athlete I coached, some one who I respected, and inspired so many! He left us too soon! He battled cancer valiantly. He continued to smile and be present. I was amazed at his strength. That was Hunt; Strong willed and determined to fight on! I'll miss him. The following episode we recorded after Hunt finished the Vol State 500k in 2021. The original episode was released on July 29, 2021.
I love you my friend! Thanks for making a difference in this world! 
-Aaron Saft
April 9, 2024