“Never limit where running can take you.”

That’s what Runner’s World’s Chief Running Officer and running legend Bart Yasso told me last night. I didn’t just read those words in his book. They weren’t in one of his tweets I saw online. He told me that. In person. Face-to-face.

I met Bart Yasso. I ran with him. I had dinner with him. Yes … That. Just. Happened.

How do I begin to put into words what it was like to spend several hours with a man who has experienced – and accomplished – more through running than most of us will ever know in a lifetime? It wasn’t that he taught me something new about the sport that is suddenly going to make me a faster or more successful runner. Being with him simply renewed my sense of pride in being a runner. Bart is a living example that running is not about winning races. It is an outlet to achieve your best self. It is about being part of a community that you can only understand by joining it. And membership is free to everyone – whether you live in a big city, small town or a tiny village in Africa.

“Running may be the connective tissue, but the true essence of the sport is a passage to a bigger world. So open the door and run through. Just don’t be surprised if you arrive in a place you only dreamed existed.” ~Bart Yasso

Our evening started at Big Peach Running Company – one of my favorite local running stores in Atlanta. A group of about 50 set out on an easy 3.5-mile run. I was delighted to see some of my fellow Atlantans and running bloggers and meet others in person who I have only known on Twitter. The running community. Simply amazing.

Bart ran slowly toward the back of the pack. Sometimes alone. Other times with many of us around him, gawking asking questions and just enjoying being in his presence.

When we returned to the store, we had the pleasure of hearing bits and pieces of Bart’s running journey. He is one of a select few who has completed races on all 7 continents – more than 1,000 since joining Runner’s World nearly 30 years ago. He shared the ups, downs and lively adventures of races from Antarctica and Nepal to Boston and Death Valley. He even teared up telling us about his most memorable race in South Africa.

He also shared 3 of his top tips to being a successful runner, which you can watch here:

Most of us would have been thrilled for the evening to have ended there. But no. There was more.

My fellow Nuun Hood to Coast teammate and Atlanta running blogger friend Lindsay asked Bart on Twitter if he’d like to have dinner with a few of us after the run and seminar. He answered almost immediately.

Bart wanted Thai and lo and behold, there was a Thai place directly next door to the running store. I like to call that fate.

For the next 2 hours, we enjoyed hearing more about Bart. His life. His running adventures. His favorite races. Why and when he became a vegetarian. That he only gets about 4 hours a sleep each night. What it’s like to work at Runner’s World. What it’s like to be on a plane every week and in hotels 150 days a year. His thoughts on Twitter and Facebook (I think we may have talked him into getting on Instagram!)

He was funny and kind and open. He was like a next-door neighbor or a running partner you’ve had for years. He loves running and that’s all that matters. He doesn’t care if you’re an elite athlete, a well-known race director or a group of 7 running bloggers in Atlanta who are a bit awe-struck and completely inspired.

I left last night feeling more inspired than when I arrived. More fulfilled. More eager. More grateful to be part of this amazing community that is running. Because like Bart says, running can take us anywhere. There are no limits. Every day is a new adventure.

Have you ever met Bart Yasso? If so, tell me about it. What famous runner or member of the running community would you love to meet and run with some day?