Get to Know Brett

How long have you been involved with running?
Summer 2014
 
What got you involved with running?
The basic everyday life stuff was happening… I was getting old, getting fat and getting lazy. I also wasn’t playing team sports and was losing my competitive edge. I can say that something was missing in my life and I needed a change.
 
How many days a week do you usually run?
3 times a week (usually)… 4 times a week would be ideal.
 
What is the greatest distance you have raced?
Happy to say, 13.1 miles
 
What is one of your most memorable race/ event and what made it so
special?
My first under 2 hours half marathon… always chased the dream and after numerous failures I finally accomplished a major running achievement.  It was special for me because it’s not easy to run 13 miles.  It’s not easy to train for to train for 13 miles and it’s damn near impossible to train by yourself.  I would have never accomplished my personal goal without the support and advice of the GNRC members.
 
Do you always enjoy going out for a run?
No, never.  It’s literally the worse experience… like ever.  I don’t enjoy running, I don’t like the cold mornings, I don’t like running in the dark, I don’t like getting up at the ass crack.  I can honestly say that there’s not much I like about running.
 
What are some of the things that gets you out the door when you really don’t
feel like going out on a run?
This is a tough question to answer.  If you ask around… I usually DON’T show up for a run. I’m the first to bail on a run for the most ridiculously reasons.  The truth is, I’m just flat out lazy and I would rather sleep than run.
 
What are you working towards currently in your workouts?
Good question, I’m really not sure.  I’m currently taking some time off from running on a regular basis due to a back injury.  I’m running once a week (3 miles) and I’m taking Kickboxing classes at ILKB in Norwood.  It’s been a good change of pace.
 
What are some of your long term running goals?
I always thought that a full marathon would be something that I would like to add to my running resume.  I’m also very realistic and I’m not sure if that distance is in my wheelhouse.  Long term, I would like to get back to running 2 to 3 times a week and maybe getting back up to running 10 miles (for my long run).  However, for now, I’m going to listen to my body and just take it one mile at a time.
 
Can you share something about an obstacle you had to overcome and how you managed to get over it?
Injures are always hard to overcome.  I’m not sure if I’ll ever get over my injury.  I can tell you that I have the full support of a group of runners that always have my back.  They offer great advice and I can always count on GNRC members to be there if needed.  It’s not so much overcoming a personal issue or problem as much as it’s knowing that you have people that have been there and understand the pitfalls of overcoming many different obstacles.
 
How long have you been a member of GNRC?
I’ve been with GNRC since December 2014
 
What are some of the things you enjoy about being a member of GNRC?
I like the fact that I have people that will run with me and will tolerate listening to all of my boring stories (the boring stories seem to go on for miles at a time). I really enjoy running with a diverse group of people.  It’s amazing how different we all are from the outside but as you run with GNRC members you learn that you are extremely similar in many ways.  I don’t know if I meet the standard quote for cliché in this article.  I will honestly state that running is extremely difficult, boring, tedious and painful… but running with GRNC helps minimize the negative side effects of running.  There’s no chance that I would have stuck with running for so long without their continued support.  Plus I’m shocked that I haven’t been banned from the club based on my potty mouth.
 
Can you share a story that relates to you and the club?
I’ve had some pretty epic failures during some of my longer runs.  There have been 3 moments that I’ve never forget:
 

1. Finishing a half marathon during an injury.  Crossing the finish line and I damn near passed out.  Walking around half delusional and lucky for me an angel appeared out of nowhere to pick me up (literally) and talk me off the ledge.  That person was Jen… and she basically told me to calm down, suck it up and get some food.  Not as angelic as one would expect… but it was some damn good advice.
2. Running in cold weather… like 3 degrees cold.  I finished 6 miles with the club and I felt terrible.  I felt like there were needles in my stomach and I was hunch over in mega pain. Robie walked over to me to check up on me and helped me “straighten out” and walked me to my car.  At the time… knowing that someone was there to help and made sure that I was OK, was the best feeling, especially when the chips are down (and you can’t feel your fingers). 
3. This is the worse and it’s ultra embarrassing.  Running Ragnar in blazing hot weather and not pacing yourself AND knowing that you have a team of people waiting on you.  It all adds up to one of the worse runs of my life.  As I finally finished my leg of the race, I had to get away from the crowd in fear that was going to get sick.  No one wants to end up on YouTube for puking at the end of a race!!!  My boy Jeff was there for me.  Never left my side, helped carry me back to our van and most important told me that everything would be fine, it’s just a race and everyone has a bad run.  You can’t pay for that type of support… actually you can and it only cost $35 a year (plug, plug).

 
In what ways has the club made a difference in your running?
I think that the advice given by the GNRC members has helped me stay focused on my running goals and they all have help mentor me to keep pushing myself to strive for the next big race, event or PR.  The difference for me is even despite my hatred of running the club is probably the one reason that I keep going.  That and the fact that I still need to drop 10 pounds.  See you on the roads (assuming that I show up)!