How do you get your mind around 99,606 miles, the equivalent of running around the world four times? When we heard in July that Bob Figuli, of Marquette, was closing in on 100,000 miles, we knew this was a story for Michigan Runner TV.

Perhaps we could catch Bob running his milestone mile. But he pushed the pace a bit as he neared it. Our cameras caught up with him a few days and miles after 100,000, at the Lake Superior Shore Race against Tobacco Sept. 20 in Marquette.

Bob, 75, took his first step as a runner in April 1970. He has been going ever since.

The Log

We were curious about records. It takes dedication, perseverance and discipline to run 100,000 miles. Recording those miles requires similar qualities, plus, maybe, a streak of fanaticism.

When Bob said he had worked as an accountant for Northern Michigan University, we found it easier to fathom his record-keeping.

The Highlights

Bob considers running the Western States ultra five times the highlight(s) of his running experience. He has the bronze belt buckle given all who finish the 100 miles in fewer than 30 hours. Then there's the run around Lake Superior. Bob and friend Bob Olson spent the summers of 1978 and '79 running 50 miles each day (10 days the first summer, 20 the second) until they completed the 1,550-mile lake circuit on the roads.

He has run 84 marathons, including 29 Paavo Nurmis in Hurley, Wisc., across the border from Bessemer, Mich., his hometown.

Advice

How does Bob run so many miles without injury? He rotates two pairs of shoes and says he's "a shuffler." The most important thing, he says, is getting out the door every day. When you live in Marquette, that means running in lots of sub-zero weather.

For more of our interview with Bob Figuli, visit http://michiganrunner.t v/2003figuli/. MR