Travis Barker, the energetic drummer from Blink-182, not only gets his cardio fix during performances but is equally dedicated to maintaining his fitness regimen offstage.

After a life-altering plane crash in 2008 that left him with severe burns, the soon-to-be 50-year-old musician focused intently on his health and well-being. He now channels this passion into his venture, Run Travis Run, which organizes 5K races nationwide. The upcoming event is scheduled for Sunday, November 9, in Santa Monica. “We’ve featured mariachi bands, marching bands, drum lines, and more to keep participants energized throughout the race,” Barker shared with Us. These events attract a diverse group of runners, athletes, punk rock enthusiasts, and artists.

Barker recently opened up to Us about his passion for running and why he occasionally leaves his wife, Kourtney Kardashian, at the starting line.

Do you prefer running solo, or do you enjoy having company?
When my wife joins me, I’ll ask, “Hey, do you want me to run with you?” If she does, I match her pace. But there are days when I feel the urge to push myself, and I’ll aim for a personal best. Some days, I’m all about smashing my records, while on others, I enjoy a leisurely pace with family or Kourtney. I’m even considering getting a running stroller for our 2-year-old son, Rocky, so he can join in the fun.

Travis Barker can often be spotted running through the streets of Los Angeles, making impressive time on the clock. At 49, he participated in the Big 5 Sporting Goods LA 5K at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, March 15. According to photos shared by the LA Marathon’s official Instagram account, Barker completed the race in just 22 minutes and 31 seconds.

Will he be into that?
As long as he has his guitar in his hand, he’s fine. He’s obsessed with music, specifically guitars, and he doesn’t go anywhere without a guitar. He walks through airports holding a guitar.

Are you at all offended that he’s taking up the guitar over the drums?
Well, he plays drums a little bit too. But what it’s done is it’s challenged me to learn the guitar with him so I can teach him, so I play guitar every day right now. And my oldest son, Landon, plays guitar, so it’s something we can all do together.

You took up running when you were recovering from the plane crash. What about running specifically was so healing for you?
I was told after my accident that I wouldn’t run again. I was told I possibly wouldn’t play drums again, and this list — I just kept checking everything off one by one. I just believe the bigger the sacrifice, the bigger the reward, and I live my life like that.

What do you love most about the support you get from the running community?
It’s meeting people that have never run before or walked before, been a part of a 5K, and them telling me how much it did for them. On every event that I’ve hosted, I’ve met someone that’s pushed me or or ran alongside me, and we motivated each other and we pushed each other. And the places it’s taken me, whether it’s beaches in South Carolina preparing for a race that I had a few days later, or running through Chicago or running through New York, those are just experiences I wouldn’t have without running.

Travis Barker’s time with his kids! The Blink-182 drummer became a dad in 2003 and has been showing off his sweet bond with his little ones ever since. The rocker was married to Shanna Moakler when their son, Landon, was born, followed by daughter Alabama in 2005. The California native also acted as a stepfather […]

Are most of the people that come fans of your music and Blink-182, or is it a mix of everybody?
If I focus runs around a show that I’m playing, a lot of fans show up. But there’s people there in black metal makeup, there’s people in banana suits, there’s people in wheelchairs. It’s not a race. There’s Olympians there at the same time, right? So there’s people that are professional athletes — it’s really all over the place in the best way. And it was really important that my 5K’s and my races didn’t feel discouraging for anyone. Yes, you can go there and race. Yes, you can go there if you’re an athlete, but you can also go if you’re a normal person with kids and you just want to go walk and you want to be around people. It’s about bringing communities together too.

You’re turning 50 on November 14. How do you feel about that milestone?
I’m so proud of where I’m at at 50. It’s incredible. I’m healthier now than I’ve ever been, I’m in better shape now than I’ve ever been. I’m happier now than I’ve ever been. So it’s just, I just see it as a blessing. I love being 50. I love to say that I’m here. And I figured out so much that I didn’t know even five years ago.

When do you feel the strongest in your life?
Maybe after a cold plunge — cold plunge makes me feel so good. But I really don’t have bad days. I’ve been sober on and off for years, and I feel like I have no regrets with making my health and my wellness my No. 1 priority. It adds years to my life for me and my children, me and my family. To grow old with my kids and my wife, making good decisions and enjoying the benefits, it’s priceless.

Travis Barker might have another little drummer on his hands. Barker, 48, posted a carousel of photos via Instagram on Saturday, March 2, as Blink-182 concludes the Australia and New Zealand leg of their world tour. The post began with a rare photo of Barker and wife Kourtney Kardashian’s son, Rocky Thirteen Barker, 4 months, […]

How does touring look different for you now than it did back when Blink-182 was first starting out?
Oh, so much has changed. I mean, with me personally, I always had a hard time flying. So, I would self-medicate for years just to be able to get on airplanes, and that led to a really, really unhealthy lifestyle. Led to an addiction. It never affected my drumming, and I was still able to play drums the way I wanted. But wow, overcoming that and taking care of myself, and getting to the point where anything I think of in my head I could play — and I’m in shape to play. Anything I want to do, as far as exercise or anything I can imagine, I pretty much can pull off because I’m taking care of myself, and it’s a different lifestyle. I tour with my kids. I also got to live that part of my life, so I’m never, [like], “Oh, I missed out on this. I missed out on that.” I’m so thankful for the way things are now. And I thought everything was easy then, but it’s so much easier the way I live now, with a healthy lifestyle and taking care of myself and being sober and eating right and training a lot.

You’re sober, you work really hard to eat healthily, but what’s your biggest indulgence?
Coffee and matcha. I love caffeine. It’s my only vice. And overtraining — like, not running three half-marathons before [another] half-marathon. You don’t need to do that. It’s just an ongoing process. I feel like you never stop learning or figuring things out.