Extreme runner Christian Schiester
in conversation

On 8 May the Wings for Life World Run (WLWF) will enter the next round with the support of Red Bull SPECT Eyewear. Once again, extreme runner Christian Schiester will be at the start. He has a very special sports history: from a former chain smoker and sports muffle, he has fought his way to become one of the best extreme runners in the world. With his change, he inspires others to change and knows how this can succeed.

Red Bull Spect Eyewear: You weren't always the extreme athlete you are today. In your 20s you were a heavy smoker and drank alcohol. However, at that age came your personal turning point. You decided to tackle your health and started running. What motivated and drove you back then?

Christian Schiester: Quite simply, a visit to a family doctor. He told me straight to my face: "You drink, you smoke, you're very overweight - if you carry on like this, I'll put it in writing that you won't live to be 30! I was 22 at the time - it was time for a change!

Of course, change takes time - your story is characterised by the fact that you never gave up even after setbacks. What advice do you have for people who are easily discouraged by setbacks?

First of all, I kept reminding myself how beautiful life would be when I had made it. That it pays off to go the hard way. Because only the arduous path makes you appreciate later, when you reach your goal, how brilliant it is to have made it. Setbacks are the cornerstones and pillars of a difficult path. The easy path that the majority takes has never been the goal for me.

With my current project #SailAndRun I am (typical for me and my philosophy) sailing around the world against the wind. That is, from west to east - and not with the wind like 99.9% of the world's sailors. Sailing against the wind means twice the distance and three times the time. 

You have already run in countless races all over the world and have been to New York, the Himalayas and Antarctica, among other places. What was your personal highlight in all these races?

It was my last competition so far. The "Oceanfloor Race 2014". I ran 256 km non-stop through the white desert in the Sahara. I had 48 hours and 44 minutes to think intensively about life. About sense and nonsense. I decided to sail around the world and really get something out of this adventure.

After you have already seen so much - what remains your personal favourite running route and what distinguishes it?

It's the run I started in 1989 (waddling along very slowly at the time). From my hometown of Mautern in Styria to Ehrnau Castle, then on to Kalwang and back again.

It is a beautiful cycling and running route in great nature. The special thing about this route for me are the memories of my beginnings as an athlete, my defeats and successes. In other words, my experiences through every single step I have run in these 33 years. In the meantime, I have run almost 200,000 kilometres.

What does running mean to you apart from physical fitness?

Running is not only sport. Running is an attitude to life, mental hygiene, my daily goal to feel myself mentally and physically. No matter how fast, no matter how far. But at every opportunity that comes my way.

What does participation in the WFLWR mean to you?

An ingenious idea paired with an even more ingenious meaning behind it: We run for those who can't (yet). All runners around the world are called upon to run with us. I am participating as a "WFL ambassador" and proudly so.

 

Do you prepare specifically for each race?

I run regularly anyway. But I've been doing the special sessions (training with the WFL Worldrun app) since February, since the competition mode woke up in me again after the winter.

What does the cooperation with Red Bull SPECT Eyewear mean to you?

It is a great motivation for me to have professional partners with perfect products at my side. Not only in running, but also far out on the oceans of this world, I could and can rely on each of my partners. And then there is also a portion of vanity. Because the glasses from Red Bull SPECT Eyewear score points with maximum Performance support and cool style.

What advice do you have for people who don't yet exercise regularly but have now set themselves the goal of running in the WFLWR?

Fortunately, there are many of them. Simply register and join in! Take a relaxed approach and be happy at the end - no matter how many kilometres you have covered. Because everyone who takes part has beaten the rest of the world, who stayed lazily at home on the sofa, on this day!

You were still turning the sail around for yourself at 20. What advice do you have for people who think it's already too late for them to change?

It is never too late to become what you could have been. Everything else is excuses. And as we all know, they never get you anywhere.

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