Brooks I.D. Program

I.D.ers…

In addition to age-group awards, parties, and free gear next year, we are implementing an incentive for positive media exposures in 2009. If you (I.D. member) mention “Brooks” or “Brooks Inspire Daily” in a published newspaper or journal article or have your picture published wearing Brooks gear, I’m gonna hook you up!

All you will need to do is complete a brief form that I will be posting on the Web site soon and include the actual article or a link to the article with the form. For many of you this will be free gear for something you all already doing!!!

Happy Running!

Steve

Mark Cucuzzella at the JFK 50 mile

Ed. note: Mark Cucuzzella is Brooks’ Featured I.D. Member for December 2008. He sent us this blog entry describing his experience in the recent JFK 50 Miler.

Most citizens of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, awoke Saturday morning Nov 22, saw the wind and the mercury at 20 degrees, wisely stayed in bed or brewed some more coffee, unaware that in their backyard the oldest and largest ultramarathon was taking place- the JFK 50 mile run.  An ultramarathon is any distance greater than a marathon, this one coming in at 50.2 miles.  Over 1000 runners enter the race, which is large for ultras.  This race is so popular all the spots were filled in early August.

The first JFK 50 Mile Challenge was held in the spring of 1963 spurred on by President Kennedy’s call for improved fitness for all Americans. Bobby Kennedy reportedly did a non-stop 50 mile hike in 17 hours (U.S. News & World Report, February 25, 1963). After the assassination in November 1963 the race name changed to the JFK 50 Mile Memorial. This was the 46th edition of the race.

The Washington County, Maryland course rises up South Mountain from Boonsboro, crosses the Appalachian Trail (AT) for 14 miles until a rocky descent to Weverton, cruises up the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal towpath for 26 miles, and then finishes with 8 miles of rolling rural roads to finish in Williamsport.  Most states in the country and several foreign countries are represented in the field.

This was my third attempt at the race.  The first one in 2006 was unsuccessful as my body shut down at Taylors Landing (mile 38). I had never run more than a marathon distance (26 miles) but the call of the local event was too strong.  I learned some running (and life) lessons from the experience; in second place at half way, in a car at 38 miles.

No runner is content after not finishing a race and the JFK was no different. My last DNF was the 1989 Boston Marathon, but I’ve returned successfully 15 times since. At the 2007 JFK 50 a conservative plan led to a 16th place finish in 6:57.  Content in having finished the race, the plan was to return again this year and attack it a bit more.

On race morning most runners awake in hotels, I had the luxury of sleeping in my own bed, making my favorite coffee, and giving the family a quiet goodbye while they slept in.  I would be 4 hours till returning to Shepherdstown at mile 30.

The bank thermometer in Boonsboro read 19 degrees, and the wind report was 20 miles per hour from the upstream direction of the Potomac.  That was of little concern now, the first challenge is surviving the rocky Appalachian Trail.

I rendezvoused with fellow runners Andy Mason of Hagerstown (last years 9th place finisher) and 2006 winner Pete Breckenridge. They were stripping down to shorts. Though they were more experienced at the ultra distances, they followed the “trust me I’m a doctor” advice and put some long running pants on.

The three of us started the climb to the South Mountain Inn together, and then separated on the AT.  Andy ran the most cautious on the trail, Pete went ahead.  Fifty miles later we would end up finishing within 10 minutes of each other in 9th, 10th, and 11th.

Running the Appalachian Trail is what separates this event from other faster road or trail races.  If one considers the C & O portion trail, this stretch is rock and ice.  The goal is to get through it without damage.  Even with gentle short steps and careful foot placement, I took two decent falls, but rolled back to my feet and kept going.  The last descent into Weverton is the most treacherous as you dodge the rocks down the switchbacks.  No letting up on the focus as a fall here could end the day.

At Weverton I was thankful that no train was blocking the cross over to the canal and that my stash of Powergels was where I left it the day before.  Physiologically a body can absorb 240 calories an hour while running.  That is 2 gels an hour, and I prefer the chocolate and double caffeinated latte Powergel varieties.  A 50-mile race is no time to try new things.  Having consumed the 4 gels I carried from the start, this new fuel would get me to my family waiting 15 miles upriver in Shepherdstown.  I did not understand this principle in the 2006 and took 4 gels an hour, and returned most of that back to the trail 22 miles into the race, along with a stomach of Gatorade.

The right turn onto the C&O necessitated a change in strategy. The wind was hard and cold into the face.  World Class Runner Johan Oosthuizen from South Africa was the first off the trail.  His goal was to break the course record, that goal would be impossible today.  He held on for a 4th place finish after the aggressive start.

I was about 25th off the trail, but confident that I could run down many of the fast trail runners.  My strength is road marathons, and the event was now a running race.  The stretch between Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown (WV) went as well as could be expected.  I averaged 7 minutes a mile into the wind and enjoyed the support of the crowds gathered in Antietam Creek Campground and along the Canal.  This was a bit quicker than prudence would dictate, but I had 8 family members waiting for me in Shepherdstown and was anxious to greet them.

After giving my wife, kids, nieces, and nephews a few high fives and hugs, it was now time for the lonely and challenging stretch of the race.  The soft surface of the C & O, although welcoming at first, becomes fatiguing.  There are 11 more miles of canal between Shepherdstown until you leave at Dam 4.

Taylors Landing at mile 38 is the real turning point of the race.  Those who continue on from here finish.  My wife Roberta and kids greeted me here with “energy hugs,” restocked my double caffeinated gel supply, and headed to the pizza parlor in Williamsport.  It would be over an hour and a half before I arrived.

Besides the fueling strategies another trick to get through the later stages of an event like this is finding the right “hybrid” effort.  Using fat as fuel is efficient and essential, this is electric mode.  If one goes too fast- the fuel is gas, easier to access but way less efficient.  Like a Prius, the transition is subtle….a little too quick and you are operating on gas and before you realize it you are running dry.

Another trick is developing efficient stride movement.  I use a technique known as ChiRunning which focuses on landing midfoot, avoiding the braking of heel strike,  using the core muscles as power generators, and employing a slight lean to get some gravity help.  It works for long distances as one cannot push off with the small muscles of the feet and calves for nearly 7 hours.

Dam 4 is a welcome site, now a change of surface and the 8 mile countdown on Dam 4 Road to the finish.  The strategy here is to run from mile marker to mile marker.  The first one you see is “8 to go.”  The mental ploy after jogging past is “only 7 miles and change to go.”  At marker “7 to go”…only “6 and change”…and so on, one at a time.  A JFK vet shared this wisdom now used by many.

Rounding the final turn to the finish at the Williamsport Middle School brings a final spring in the step.  You wipe the snot off, smile, hug and high five the waiting family, and cross the line.  Mike Spinnler the race director announced me in as the first Masters (age 40 plus) and first military finisher (this race has a long history of service runners) with a finish time of 6 hours 45 minutes, and 11th place overall. After the rough rookie performance, Mike kept the faith and invited me back.

The next finisher from West Virginia was another local, 44-year-old James Munnis, in a solid 141st place in 8:54.  This was James’ first attempt at the distance, so even more remarkable.

Hot showers were waiting in the school along with warm soup and pizza.  The hot water heater at the school is legendary as runners cross the line well into the evening, all greeted with ample hot water.  The volunteers are also legendary and in a race where brief rest is good, the runners stop and thank them.  As a rule runners do not litter the trail either–no city marathon drink and throw cup.

Our accomplishments are nothing compared to a few of the participants who have finished over 25 of these, and are now bringing their kids to run with them.  They are fulfilling what JFK envisioned in 1961:

“We do not want in the United States a nation of spectators. We want a nation of participants in the vigorous life. This is not a matter which can be settled, of course, from Washington.  It is really a matter which starts with each individual family…”
- John F. Kennedy, 1961 Conference of Physical Fitness and Youth

See you next year.

Mark Cucuzzella MD
Shepherdstown, West Virginia

P.S. - Special thanks to my sponsors Brooks Sports for the awesome warm and comfortable shoes and gear and to Powerbar for the gel power.

For 14 races in 2009 there will be age-group award packages exclusively for I.D. Members! Any Member who runs one of the following races is eligible for the award package. For every race there will be a men’s and women’s open (less than 35 years), sub-masters (35-45 years) and masters (more than 45 years) winner. There will also be a closest-to-time category and the athlete who runs closest to his or her predicted time will win an award package.

The package is currently undecided, but will consist of a few Brooks products and the custom-made belt-buckle seen below. Only category winners will be awarded these buckles (I’ve even said “no” to Brooks corporate employees requests).

This is the first of many new perks for the 2009 campaign!!!

Eligible Races:
Houston Marathon (1/18)
Disney Marathon (1/18)
Seattle St. Paddy’s Dash (3/16)
Carlsbad 5k (4/5)
Boston Marathon (4/21)
Indy Mini Marathon (5/3)
Bloomsday (5/4)
Rock n Roll San Diego (6/1)
PeachTree (7/4)
Rock n Roll Virginia (8/31)
Twin Cities Marathon (10/5)
Chicago Marathon (10/12)
Marine Corps Marathon (10/25)
Club X-C Championships (tbd)

Inspire Daily April 2008 Newsletter

Shout Outs!

We have an impressive list of Shout Outs this month! It’s very possible that I wasn’t able to include your result this time, so please email me if you had an exceptional result and would like to be included next month.

Todd Braje – Todd won the prestigious Way Too Cool 50k, considered to be the most competitive 50k in the United States! He even managed to beat Brooks-sponsored runner, Scott Jurek, who finished 4^th overall. Todd received an automatic entry into the Western States 100 miler that he is now training for. Great job, Todd!

Alice Kassens – Alice was the first female finisher and 3^rd place overall at the Explore Your Limits 5k. She even beat the course record by 20 seconds! Congratulations, Alice!

Alex Barth – Another experienced trail runner, Alex won the Hat Run 50k in Maryland a few weekends ago. Congrats, Alex!

John Reich – John accomplished an impressive three-peat, winning three Phoenix area 10k’s in the last month. All runners at the Runner’s Den, Foothills, and the DC Ranch Run for Life got to stare at John’s back for 30 minutes and some change!

Mike Bresson – Mike, a native of Spokane, WA, won the Snake River ½ marathon in a fast time of 1:10:23. From the picture, it looked like Mike was all by himself!

Leo Foley – Leo also finished in 1^st place at the Hilton Head ½ marathon in the time of 1:12:09. Nice work, Leo!

Events

The Boston Marathon and Women’s Olympic Trials Marathon are upon us! Many of you are planning to run the Marathon on Monday, and we have several women racing in the Olympic Trials Marathon on Sunday morning. Please join me in congratulating our six Inspire Daily women racing for a spot on the USA Olympic team next Sunday:

Lauren Mathews – Seattle, WA

Gwen Greiner – Seattle, WA

Susan Empey – Seattle, WA

Caryn Heffernan – Bothell, WA

Susan Graham-Grey – Greencastle, PA

Meghan Arbogast – Corvallis, OR

Brooks is organizing an on-course event to cheer for these women and our Brooks-Hansons women for this momentous event. A huge “thanks” to the over 20 ID Members who have volunteered to help at this event. I would also like to give an invite to anyone either living in theBoston area or planning to race on Monday to join our group. We will be cheering loudly on the corner of Mass. Ave and Bolyston Street!

Finally, best of luck to everyone racing on Monday! We have over 50 ID Members running the Marathon and you can rest-assured that Brooks will be on-course cheering for you as well!

ID Video

I just completed a brief field-trip crossing the United States filming a short video for the ID Program. Our goal is to demonstrate the unique, grass-roots positioning of this program for internal Brooks use and marketing on our website. The video will include brief profiles of several members and some information on the mission and vision of the ID Program. I’m very excited about this project and will let you know when it is ready for viewing!

Coaches’ Corner

I didn’t receive a submission this month for the coaches’ corner, so if you have any training tips, sports medicine, nutrition, or running-related advice for other members, please send it my way.

However, I do have a personal agenda I would like to promote. For those members unaware of athlinks.com, it is a website where you can lookup race results for anyone in the country, and it will generate a list of results for the past several years. Athlinks.com has a function similar to other social websites that allows you to chose “friends”, and one of those friends can be running shoe companies. Currently, Brooks is third on the list, but I believe with your help, we can be first. Let’s channel our efforts and make Brooks Sports the top “friend” on Athlinks.com! Thanks in advance for your help with this.

March Recap

• Infiniti – Brooks’ new Infiniti shoes are receiving rave reviews from retailers. The shoe features increased forefoot cushioning and falls into Brooks’ “guidance” category.
• Raceboston.com – Ray Britt, a Chicago ID Member, has created this website for anyone with interest in the Bostonmarathon. There is a lot of good information on training, logistics, tips, etc on the site!
• 2008 Membership – Membership requirements for 2008 will be the same as the 2007 campaign. Anyone who spends over $300 online receives an automatic renewal for 2009, and the minimum limit remains at $100. Exceptions for legitimate reasons are always considered.

Thanks, and Run Happy!

Liam Collins

Mark Cleary

Joe Gray

Craig Christians

Rosalba Bonilla

The ID Athletes from top to bottom are: Liam Collins, Mark Cleary, Joe Gray, Craig Chrisitans, and Rosalba Bonilla. It was a great day for some Cross-Country Championships in sunny San Diego on February 16th, and we had some stellar races!

Inspire Daily March 2008 Newsletter

Shout Outs!

USATF XC Championships in San Diego - we had numerous ID members compete in San Diego on February 16^th, and a lot of standout performances.  I would like to give a special shout-out to the SoCal Track Club, Team Nebraska, the entire Navy team, and our athletes in the Army, USMC, and Air Force.  Nice work everyone!

Diane Groff - Diane Groff is an ID member residing in Longmont, CO, and is the recent recipient of the “Colorado Sportswoman of the Year” award.  Diane completed the entire Danskin triathlon series in 2007, and is a 2-time cancer survivor.  Very inspiring, Diane!

Lance Winders - Congratulations to master’s athlete Lance for finishing first in the Cedar Frostbite half marathon in Tennessee!

Mike Heitzenrater - Mike is our first ID member to win a race AND send me his photo wearing the new ID singlet.  He won the Polar Bear 5k in Olcott, NY.  Lookin’ good, Mike!

Todd Braje - Congratulations to Todd for winning the Surf City USA Marathon, on a rainy day in Huntington Beach, CA in a solid time of 2:31!

Jean Pommier - Jean placed 2^nd overall in the Coastal Challenge ultra event in Costa Rica.  The Coastal Challenge is a 6-day race ranging from 200 to 250 km in distance.  Great job, Jean!

Rob Wiley - I missed Rob last month, but he finished as the 2^ndAmerican in the Houston Marathon last month in a great time of 2:31. Congrats, Rob!

Events

Calling all ID members for your help!

The Brooks marketing team is planning another big cheering section for the Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials, which take place Sunday, April 20^th, the day before the Boston Marathon.  We are commissioning local high school track teams to cheer for the Hansons women, and we need ID volunteers to help coordinate thess track teams on race day.

The time commitment will involve attending a brief overview with me on Saturday afternoon, and then helping out on Sunday morning from 7 - 11am.  Volunteers will get a free package of Brooks gear, and the opportunity to cheer on some really fast women with the Brooks marketing team.  Please send me an email if you can help!

Product Corner

We can’t keep them on the shelves!  If you haven’t tried the new Brooks Infiniti shoe, you’re missing out.  The Infiniti entered retail stores last month and we’re having trouble filling the demand for this awesome shoe!

Brooks’ new Infiniti is in our “guidance” category - for mild over-pronators who don’t need the support of an Adrenaline, but want a little more support than the Glycerin provides.  It has increased forefoot cushioning, containing our stacked MoGo and e2 forefoot polymer technologies.  The heel fit is more snug than with previous shoes, with great space in the forefoot to let your foot breathe.

I have personally run 250 miles in my current pair and continue to enjoy the smooth ride and cushy forefoot.

Coaches’ Corner

Ray Britt, a Chicago area writer, photographer, runner and ID member, has a detailed and compelling website devoted to training for and racing in the Boston marathon.  If you are planning to run Boston this year or at some point in the future, you’ll want to check out this Boston expert’s advice on tackling the course.

Visit Ray’s website at: www.raceboston.com

2008 Membership

I am happy to report we will not increase the minimum spending levels established last year, so the same ID membership requirements will remain for the 2008 campaign.  This means that anyone who spends over $300 online in 2008 will receive an automatic renewal for the following year.  Also, please remember that as members you are required to spend $100 minimum online to demonstrate support of Brooks, unless you have a legitimate alternative for obtaining Brooks product (purchase at retail store, receive better discount, etc.).

I would love to base ID membership purely on tangible involvement in the program and activities in your local running community, but there are simply far too many members to subjectively evaluate everyone by these standards.  Purchase dollars spent is at least one quantitative evaluative tool that lets me know you are wearing Brooks product, and that you’re still active and visible in your running community.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns you may have regarding 2008 membership requirements.

February Recap

1)      Singlets and Shimmels - I will be sending the new shipment out when it arrives in May.

2)      Run Happy is Back! - We will soon be launching our newly-revised campaign, Run Happy.  More to come…

3)      Product Corner -The Burn has been discontinued, but if you want another pair, call our Outlet store at (425) 402-1632 to order a pair for only $29.99!

4)      Yahoo Group - The member info-list file has been updated, and many of you are asking great questions and sharing within the community.  So far, so good!

Thanks, and Run Happy!

Inspire Daily February 2008 Newsletter

Shout Outs!

Our February ID member of the month is Cheryl Bellaire fromPennsylvania.  Cheryl has been a member since 1999.  In addition to being a competitive runner, Cheryl is a mother of three, a coach, and an OB/GYN.  Read more about Cheryl on the ID webpage at www.brooksrunning.com/id.

One of our triathletes and a 2007 Half Ironman age group champion, Crystal Pruit, has had several recent articles written about her accomplishments, including an article on Ironman.com.  Congrats,Crystal!

Gunhild Swanson, one of our ultra-runners, was chosen by ultrarunning.com as having the 2007 age group performance of the year for women.  At age 63, Gunhild ran the Lean Horse 100 mile race in 23 hrs and 13 minutes.  Very impressive, Gunhild!

Singlets and Shimmels

I have only received a minority of the screened ID singlets and shimmels I was supposed to last month.  Unfortunately, I am not scheduled to receive the remaining quantities until late May.  I have sent the ones I received to some members; if you did not receive one yet, please be patient - I will send you one as soon as I receive the rest of the order.

However, I do have the following sizes available on a first-request, first-serve basis:  Women’s shimmels size extra small (5), and small (13); Men’s singlets size extra large (2).

Note:  the women’s shimmels run small, and most women will need to size-up for a good fit.

Events

The San Diego XC Championships are next weekend!  Many of you are coming to watch and/or participate.  Jesse Williams (Brooks Sports Marketing Manager) and I will be having a course preview run at 4:00pm on Thursday (2/14) afternoon at Mission Bay Park.  We will also establish a cheering section during the races on Saturday where I will be taking pictures of racing members.

Also, I have a reservation at Pacific Beach Bar and Grill for Saturday night at 6:00pm.  17 members have RSVP’d for the dinner, and I have some remaining spots; so if you would like to join a fun group for some drinks and a meal (compliments of Brooks), please send me an email.

Run Happy is Back!

For those of you who loved the old Brooks advertising campaign, “Run Happy”, it’s back!  Our new campaign including print ads, posters, and web ads, will hit the market in the next couple of months.  We at Brooks are really excited about bringing back a slogan that truly resonates with runners of all levels and abilities.  I’ve attached a few jpeg pics of our new campaign logo as a “sneak peek” for you to see.

Product Corner

Where did the Burn go?  You might be asking yourself this very question, and with good reason.  Brooks has decided to discontinue the Burn, but the good news is that it is being replaced by several Neutral, lightweight trainers that will hit the market in the next few months.  The closest match to the Burn will be the Ghost, which hits retailers in June. I’m excited about this shoe and I believe many of you will love it!

For now, if you want to purchase the Burn 3, it is available at our outlet stores for the amazing price of $29.99! If you call (425) 402-1632 and ask for Melody, she can assist you in purchasing a few pairs.

Coaches’ Corner

This month’s coaching corner is not as much about tips or advice, but dealing with various media sources.  Many of you enter races as high-profile athletes, or produce exceptional results that solicit calls from newspapers, journals, television stations, etc.  If this is potentially you, an ID member in Colorado, Diane Groff, created an ID Press Release form to send to prospective media outlets prior to and following races.  I had our Public Relations Manager at Brooks look over the form, and she thinks it’s great.  Please download the attached form for future use as an ID member.  Thanks, Diane!

Yahoo Group

The Brooks ID Yahoo group has grown to 159 members and counting. I enjoy reading everyone’s posts which have ranged from snowshoe racing, to Iraq deployments, to Boston Marathon training.  If you haven’t joined, I want to re-invite you.  It’s a great place to get information and connect with ID members across the country!

Also, I have less than 10 people who have sent me their personal info. to be posted on the Group file exchange.  If you are interested in sharing your favorite quote, favorite race, or hosting out-of-town members, please let me know, so I can add you to the list.

January Recap

• Application processing has officially ended.  However, applications for new membership are always welcome and appreciated.
• Check out last month’s newsletter for triathlon racing tips from Spence Cocanour, a long-time ID Member.
• The ID webpage has several new updates including a member profile, Tom Mueller (Jan.), and links to Brooks product, the ID Yahoo Group, and much more.

Run Happy!