Community Spotlight  

Brook Gardner

Brook Gardner is the father of 5-1/2 year old twin girls, a runner, a triathlete, editor of RaceCenter Magazine and just an all-round inspiring guy.  We asked him a few questions about why he started running and competing in triathlons and here's what he told us:

Q: When did you start running and why?

I started running in 1995 - freshman year of college at Oregon State.  When I went to college I was 250 pounds.  I contemplated playing college football, but decided that I'd rather focus on school and have a good time than dedicate my life to the sport.  That's when I decided to take up running and thought I may be able to shed a little excess weight.  Two years later I was 60 pounds lighter.  One of my running friends suggested I run a marathon, so I decided to give it a whirl and ran Portland in '97, then my first triathlon in '99...  So I guess my goals went from getting in shape to chasing fellow age groupers at races. Now I just like to participate and enjoy keeping in shape and seeing all of my friends at events.

Q: What is your most memorable race?

My most memorable race was Ironman Canada 2000.  I trained for months and everything went according to plan up until race day.  I completed the swim portion of the race and exited the water to find out that my transition bag (with all of my bike gear, shoes, helmet, etc) had been handed to another participant.  I was frantic and thought that my race was over.  After scavenging through the men's changing tent, I heard a female volunteer calling my race number with my bag in her hand (which she found in the women's changing tent).  Once that situation resolved itself (and 10 minutes had ticked off the clock), I was able to pull it together and complete the rest of the race.  But finishing that race was truly a huge day in my life and I finished something I had thought was impossible.  I still have dreams about that race to this day, so I guess you could say that the memory is burned into my mind. 

Q: What advice would you give a beginner?

The best advice someone gave me when I started to run was to listen to my body.  If I felt tired, that meant it was time for a day off.  But as someone who did nothing but run for several years, I did feel that I needed a break from the monotony and pounding that running miles were putting on my body.  Cross training on a bike led me to the sport of triathlon, which I have really enjoyed.  Running with a group, especially when just starting out, was huge for me.  I made friends, felt committed to my outings with them, and greatly improved as a runner by getting out with others.   And whether it's running or triathlon, learning the ropes from others that are willing to share their experience is so valuable.  There are lot of "how to" books out there, but the best advice I've ever gotten has been from fellow runners.  My take -- run, ride, swim... whatever.  Just make sure you're having fun.  Life can be too serious at times, and I equate these activities to playing in a sandbox as a child.  I just traded in my Tonka trucks for a pair of running shoes and a bicycle.