THE BROOKS BLOG

You’re all going out with friends for a run to celebrate tonight, right?  Here are some pics from our Seattle St. Paddy’s Day Dash and Leprechaun Lap last Sunday. We were all feeling lucky because it wasn’t snowing like it did last year.

If you didn’t get to a race last weekend, get in touch with your local running store to see what’s coming up near you.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

How about some inspiration to take us into the weekend? This race report just came in from last weekend’s Tubbs Romp to Stomp out Breast Cancer snowshoe race—a gorgeous, challenging course for a worthy cause. Congratulations on a great race, Diane!

*****

Hey,

Here are four photos from this past weekend’s snowshoe race. I managed to win the same two divisions as last year: First Place Survivor and First Place Female Master.

The race day was challenging—three feet of sugar snow. I kept a front position, came in fourth overall, (47 racers) and second female. The off trail snow was not packed down. I had to keep my blanace and lift my quads high.

I did invest in Atlas Racer snowshoes and I ran in my Cascadias (they are under my neoprene booties in the photos). I wanted to race in my T6’s but decided the off trail condistions dictated the need for my “four wheel drive” Cascadias.

I wore my HVAC seamless shirt. Good thing too as snow was going down my back and front!

Diane Groff

Tomorrow morning (March 12th) Desiree Davila races the 3k at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar, representing the US for the second time. Here she talks about her amazing 2009 and what she’s looking forward to in 2010. Courtesy of Flotrack.

Rock ‘n’ Roll comes to Dallas this weekend—March 14th race day!—with the Rock ‘n’ Roll 1/2 Marathon™ Dallas. Come over and say hi before the race and check out our VIP Porta Potties (click here to see how you can get your potty pass).

Monday recovery day is also party day at Run On! and Luke’s Locker.  Be one of the first 150 to stop by on March 15 between 3 and 7pm with your race bib and get a free goody bag. We’ll also have specialty tech tees free with $50 Brooks purchase and free food and beverage for everyone.

*****

Run On!

5400 E Mockingbird Ln #114

Dallas, TX 75206

*****

Luke’s Locker

3607 Oak Lawn

Dallas, TX 75219

Coach Michael Sergi at Savannah College of Arts and Design recently sent us this email and these great pictures from Brian Sell’s recent visit to his cross country teams.

*****

Hey Guys,

I thought you all would like to see some of the pictures that we took this past weekend from our visit with Brian Sell. Just a quick recap: Each year our team does a fundraiser and I leave it up to the team to decide what they want to do with the money we raise. They went back and forth on many different things like a training trip, heart rate monitors, shoes, etc. I thought I could do better than that, so I promised them that if they leave it up to me that they would be happy.

Two years ago I asked the team if they could have any guest speaker in the world of running that they wanted who would it be. Without hesitation the consensus was Brian Sell. I reached out to Brian last fall, he agreed, and we began putting the trip together.

This weekend exceeded our expectations. We had a great time with Brian. In attendance were our men’s and women’s teams from SCAD, a few runners and coaches that I invited from a couple of area colleges, and a couple of runners from the area that I know along with Brooks ID runner Brian Welch.

Mr. Sell spoke of his running career from high school to the Olympics. He also talked about his key points that led to his success in running. Brian also showed us his 2008 Olympic Trials race in NYC and he took the time to answer every single question asked of him on Friday evening.

Our teams raced on Saturday at our first track meet of the outdoor season and Brian went with us to cheer on the SCAD Bees. He ran with us at practice on Sunday before I took him to the airport too. It was a great experience for the runners and one they will always remember.

Brian is more than a great runner. He is a great role model and outstanding individual. He is the perfect example of someone that my runners can look up to. Brian has proven that you can be a great collegiate runner and student. Even as important, Brian has proven that you can continue to accomplish big things in the world of running after college and live a balanced life. He was a positive influence on my team and an excellent representative of Brooks.

Take care,

Michael

Name : Keely O’Neill

Job at Brooks : Territory Representative

Your favorite apparel item : Viva Capri

Why you love it : I love it because they are cozy enough to wear to bed, grocery shopping, and especially on my runs. Also, I like the flare a little below the knee, so they feel light enough and not constricting while running. Sidenote: I tripped on a reflector during the Disneyland Half Marathon and skinned my knee and hands up pretty badly, but the capris weren’t damaged at all! Pretty durable!

Favorite sport : Water polo

Favorite movies : Gangs of New York and Dumb and Dumber

Favorite book : Naked by David Sedaris

What are you currently training for : Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll full marathon

Favorite shoe : Ghost 2 …excited for the Ghost 3 this summer!

Greenbiz.com, a leading online news source for the “greening of mainstream business” recently posted a review of our environmental efforts. The article, titled “The Running Shoe Leading the Race to Sustainability,” gives us props for the Green Silence, BioMoGo, and our very cool, very green shoe box among other things.

An excerpt:

As a social responsibility professional who enjoys trail running, seeing more athletic companies pick up the pace on sustainability is a welcome trend. One business at the front of the pack is Brooks, whose modest marketing approach has left its efforts less known than peers.

It’s likely that will change with the launch of the Green Silence, a shoe that exempifies its commitment from heel to toe, bringing visibility to a successful example of sustainability leadership.

>>Read the full article.

>>Visit our Green Room.

Last weekend was our first time as an official partner at a Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon & 1/2 Marathon event. Without a doubt, New Orleans was a fantastic way to kick it off! Thanks to everyone who showed up - we hope you had as great a time as we did. To those who couldn’t make it, there are still plenty of Rock ‘n’ Roll races coming this year (check them out here).

And now for the photos:

Setting up the expo.

*****

Last minute pre-expo instructions.

*****

Open the doors and see all the people.

*****

This is Dave. He’s in charge.

*****

The famous Brooks VIP porta potties. Yes, that sign says “Pee like a Rockstar.”

*****

Brooks Run Happy® Mile 9 arch.

*****

Katie!

*****

Thanks to New Orleans for a great run. Next stop: Dallas, March 14.

We’re very happy to announce that our Brooks For Her program raised $27,000 for breast cancer research and support services in 2009. Throughout the year, 6.25% of the retail price of each Brooks For Her item sold was earmarked to go to three breast cancer charities. The percentage of money going to each charity was determined by you through online voting.

And the results are in!

• Young Survival Coalition (YSC) received 66% of the votes. This international non-profit organization is dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women and breast cancer. YSC offers resrouces, connections, and outreach so women feel supported, empowerd and hopeful.
• Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center received 21% of the votes. This group brings together world-renowned scientists and humanitarians to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other diseases. The Hutchinson Center’s Brooks For Her donation will be used for breast cancer research.
• Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation received 13% of the votes. This group grants wishes and memory-making events for metastatic breast cancer patients while continuing to support, educate, and increase awareness.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this program a success in 2009 by purchasing Brooks For Her apparel, voting for the charities, or just making yourself more familiar with these wonderful organizations.

Encouraged by the accomplishments of 2009, we are extending the Brooks For Her program through 2010. Voting has been reset and the donations are being tallied starting from January and running through December.

>>Click here to learn more about the Brooks For Her program and to vote.

>>Click here to see the entire Brooks For Her apparel line.

Thank you again for your support and participation!

We recently received this photo from Pam who’s been running in the Adrenaline™ GTS Series for close to 10,000 miles. Those miles included 10 marathons and 30 pair of shoes. Way to go, Pam!