Feature Friday: This Long-Distance Runner Inspires Athletes Around The World

Every Friday we chat with one of our blog content network contributors to find out what most inspires them to be fit and find adventure every day.

This week we're chatting with Dane Rauschenber from See Dane Run.

Dane is an enthusiastic runner who blogs about running and the life lessons he learns through his inspiring adventures.  In 2006 Dane ran 52 marathons in 52 weekends, a project he named "Fiddy2" and for which he raised over $43,000 for charity.  

Read on to find out what inspires him most, how running ignites his passion for life and the craziest thing he recently checked off his bucket list.
—Katie Rosenbrock

The Active Times: How did you first become involved in running?
Dane Rauschenber: It goes back to jogging around a cinder track as a youngster in Titusville, Pennsylvania and realizing I had no speed whatsoever to do any sort of short-distance running. My involvement with long-distance running began mostly when I ran 52 Marathons in 52 Weekends in 2006.

What are the wisest words you ever heard about running?
We are all an experiment of one.

What spurred you to start your blog?
My website was created over seven years ago as a corollary to my first book.

Describe in 140 characters or less how you judge the success of your blog.
I judge the success of my website on how many people are motivated or inspired by what I do.

What is the greatest joy you get from running?
Running provides me with freedom. There is virtually nowhere my feet cannot take me.

What's the biggest challenge you've had to overcome while running?
I have had to overcome my own desires or fears that I must constantly one-up myself.

What is the one piece of equipment you'd never be without?
My Road ID.  I feel absolutely naked without.

If money were no object, what piece of equipment would you buy?
A jet to take me to all the wonderful places to run in the world.

What is the one book everyone should read about running?
Virtually anything by Joe Henderson or Roger Robinson.

Who do you think is the most inspirational figure in running?
I am inspired daily by those who make the right choices in life when given the opportunity to make the bad ones.

Are you passionate about any activities besides running?
I am passionate about life.  I love running but I mostly love running because it allows me to do so much more. See the world. Meet people. Be physically healthy so I can be mentally healthy. There is so much to see and do and know about the world and the more I do the more I know I haven't done anything.

What is your favorite quote, and what do you so like about it?
"Just because running is simple doesn't mean it is easy."  It encapsulates why so many people get frustrated with the sport, not realizing each day is its own challenge.

What is at the top of your bucket list when it comes to running?
The top thing on my bucket list is to never call anything a bucket list.

What, if anything, did you most recently knock off your bucket list?
I broke my consecutive streak of days being alive today. Hoping to do so again tomorrow.

What would your life be like without running?
I can't imagine where I would be without running as every aspect of my current life is involved in the sport and its culture.

Where is your favorite place to be?
In the moment. Right here and now.

Learn more about Dane on his blog at DaneRunsALot.Blogspot.com.