Cedar Crest track and field coach Rob Bare would go 50,000 miles to help a kid

They say that the journey of 50,000 miles begins with a single stride, or something like that. They also say if you’re going to talk the talk, you better be able to walk the walk and that actions always speak louder than words.

Running 50,000 miles is an incredible physical and individual feat. But its potential impact as a motivational and inspirational tool, for modeling and for touching young lives, gives it the power to be an even greater social and educational accomplishment.

Now, that’s not to say that Rob Bare started running in the 1980s with some express intent of one day using it as a teaching method. Running has just always been a big part of how he lives his life.

But as a passionate educator and a diligent role model in the Cornwall-Lebanon School District, Bare is always searching for ways to reach young people, and sometimes opportunities simply present themselves. Of course, there are other times when opportunities are born from hard work.

What Bare says he means – he’s a man of his word.

“I truly believe our student-athletes can see that, especially when they’re going through the trials and tribulations of high school life,” said Bare, a 56-year-old resident of North Lebanon Township. “It’s not what you do in life; it’s how you do things. We’re all going to face adversity. It’s how you bounce back from those times. I’ve had trials and tribulations, and I hope the kids see how I’ve bounced back.”

Bare is the veteran head coach of the Cedar Crest track and field program and an assistant cross-country coach for the Falcons in the fall. He’s also a long-time health and physical education teacher at Ebenezer Elementary School.

Recently, Bare surpassed the 50,000-mile mark for his personal running career. That’s the equivalent of two trips around the Earth, as well as an average of 1,250 miles per year and 3.5 miles a day.

Or approximately 100,000,000 strides. Or 40 years of putting one foot in front of the other.

“We want things right away in life,” said Bare. “If there’s any lesson to learn, I want student-athletes and students to understand that you’re not going to get everything in life instantaneously. Sometimes it takes days, weeks, even years to get what you want to accomplish. I hope people understand that to get things, you have to put the time in and be consistent in your desire to be great.”

“Being a role model does mean a lot to me,” he added. “When I retire in a couple of years, I’m going to write a book about what I’ve learned. I’ve learned from the great ones, and I just want to share what it means to be a good role model. It’s important. When you coach you want to develop that family atmosphere. You want them (student-athletes and students) to go out in the world and be positive role models as well.”

On April 14, appropriately enough following Cedar Crest’s home track and field meet with Manheim Township, Bare and 250 of his closest friends – many of whom were current or former Falcon student-athletes – celebrated his 50,000th mile in the only way they knew how. With Bare in front leading the pack, the group ran four laps of Earl Boltz Stadium’s synthetic track as a show of support for the athletic achievement and its symbolic meaning.

Bare wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“It was a really good turnout. I was really blessed,” he said. “To me, it was just another mile. But when I saw all the people who were there to celebrate with us, it was really neat. I think what stand out to me is just the consistency of it. I’ve worked through some injuries. It was never easy, but that added to the challenge of it.”

About two years after beginning his running adventure, Bare began to document the miles he was covering. While most of his 50,000 miles were accrued during training, some were laid down during competitive races, including events in Harrisburg, Rehoboth Beach, and three Boston Marathons.

The documentation was less a result of some meticulous nature and more of a way to realize goals.

“It’s my chance to get away from the real world, or I’m constantly thinking,” said Bare. “It’s amazing the ideas I get when I’m out there pounding the pavement, whether it’s teaching or coaching or thinking of friends. That exercise always gets the brain going. Not every run is easy, but I get that endorphin rushes for every one.

“In 2010, when (wife) Tiffany’s cancer moved to her brain, running became my relief, my outlet. I needed it to get away from cancer. I’m glad I had that release. I got to go out there and hammer the miles. When I was finished, I was ready to go back into the house and be a cancer caregiver again. Tiff knew what it (running) meant to me.”

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The origin of Bare’s running can be traced to his scholastic days at Northern Lebanon High School when he used it as a training tool to get in shape for wrestling. Bare’s passion for it was sparked when he met the Vikings’ legendary track and field coach Jim Weaver.

“I never liked running at all,” said Bare. “But it got me in great shape for wrestling. Jim Weaver lit the fire inside of me; he was a big inspiration. He got me to understand what exercising is and what good coaching is. I just kind of stuck with it, and I can’t say enough good things about him. He taught me what coaching is about. You’re not just there for the good kids, you’re there for all the kids, including the ones from the other school.”

From Weaver, Bare also learned goal setting and the importance of keeping promises, even the ones made to yourself.

“Right now, the goal is to take it 1,000 miles at a time,” said Bare. “I know I can get to at least 60,000 miles, but I probably can’t get to 75,000. I have buddies older than me who tell me, ‘You’ll know when to stop.’”

“The journey begins by getting outdoors and putting one foot in front of the other,” concluded Bare. “You can do anything you want to do. All you have to do is make up your mind and go out and do it. But not every day is going to be easy.”