Report from Brooks Run Camp Part 1

Wow. What a weekend. I learned so much, ran some beautiful trails, and got to have deep conversations with amazing runners. Where do I begin?

After a red eye flight and a quick refresher in a hotel, I went back to the airport to meet up with the group. It was easy to spot the group of runners in the crowd: I just created a search pattern for 3D quads and calves. As I walked towards the group I started to get a little nervous since I didn't know a soul, but before the nerves could settle in two young men came right to me and welcomed me in. They were part of the Brooks Team, and quickly got me introduced to the group. After some small talk, we made our way to the bus to get a ride out to the Brooks headquarters in Bothel, WA (just outside of Seattle....I kept wanting to refer to it as Brothel, so I had to watch my mouth). As soon as we arrived a group run was on the schedule. Since I was the lone wolf without any Brooks gear to wear, I quickly got ushered away to find some suitable Brooks gear for our run. After I got the goods, I met up with the group. The feeling in the air was sort of like a junior high dance: everyone was excited to get the party started, but nervous as hell among their peers. Since I was in a rush, I didn't have time to grab the Garmin. I was running blind. The group took off at a respectable pace, and soon I felt like I was going a wee bit fast. I asked a fellow runner what pace we were at and she said it was around a 7:20 or so. Uh oh. Certainly can't keep that up for an hour. I backed off the pace a bit and let the guys with something to prove take off ahead. My job was not to puke on the first day. We ended up running for over an hour, but I pushed myself a bit too hard---okay, way too hard. The group environment was to blame, but I also think a huge factor was how dehydrated I was. Note to self: make sure to drink something between a red eye flight and a run.

After the run, we had lunch at the headquarters and then toured the offices. All I can say is these people have the best job in the world! Everywhere you turn people were either on their way out or returning from a run. It seemed as if sweat and endorphins oozed from the wall. You could tell that the employees were runners, because they were all so friggin happy---a little too happy, if you ask me. Whatever they have in their water cooler, I want it in my office!





We got to see the development offices, the shoe design offices, and (in my opinion) the coolest place, the shoe testing facility.


This is where they test out the wear pattens and physics of current shoe models,
use 3D digital technology to model future brands, and get all frankenstein-y with other brands. My inner scientist was sqealing with delight. Science AND running? I think I'm in love.

After the running pornfest, we herded back onto the buses for a long ride up the mountain. I sat by two amazing female runners--a 20-something from rural Michigan who had been running since she was 11, and a hot running mamma from Jersey who helps design replacement joints (think artifical knees and hips). We had a great conversation about running that ranged the gamut from serious to satirical. It was great to be able to talk about the various aspects of running from a female perspective. Before we knew it, we had arrived at the resort. Un-friggin-believable. I was breathless, and not from the elevation.


The best surprise was when I entered my room. This is what I was greeted with:


After I ransacked the goods as fast as possible, I met up with everyone for our first dinner. The centerpieces at each table consisted of a different model of running shoe---is there anything the Brooks people didn't think of?

After dinner, we got the official introduction to the camp. This was the inaugural year for the Brooks ID camp, and they explained why they brought us all together. All 65 of us were considered to be some of the main "running influences"--the members consisted of coaches, trainers, writers, medical professionals, and elite runners. All Brooks ID members (and there are 1300 out there!) are already running influences: people out there who embody the mission of Brooks and spread that mission to others. The mission? Run Happy! Brooks prides itself on being a company that is only about running. They don't make shoes or apparel for any other sport. The amount of money Brooks spends in a year on advertising is the same as Nike spends in a day. Basically, Brooks can't keep up with the big guns. So instead of trying to compete, they are trying to let their product sell itself. They only make apparel with the finest of fabrics, they only sell shoes at specialty running stores, and they rely on their loyal customers to provide product feedback. So, this weekend was for celebrating but working hard. A celebration of the hard work all the Brooks ID members have put into spreading the mission, but also a weekend of working with the footwear and apparel teams to help them create the best products possible.

After we got the 411 on the weekend, Scott Jurek spoke to us about his exploits with ultra running. In case you don't know him, he holds the current world record for the Western States 100-miler. He talked about how he embraces the pain during ultras, and how he focuses intently on his nutrition for injury prevention. He prides himself on his vegan diet, and believes it is the key to staying to healthy.

After his talk, we dragged our weary glutes to bed, only to rise a few hours later for a group run. I was concerned about running in the cold, but Brooks hooked me up with some cold weather gear. We all assembled at the lodge in the early morning fog

and took off down the hill towards the trails at a respectable pace (FYI: I was ALWAYS one of the last runners in our runs. Humbling to be so slow)



After a few miles of shin-crushing downhill pavement, we turned off to a trail in the woods.




It was so peaceful to be surrounded by the early morning chill and trees. Some of the more ambitious runners took off for a steep set of switchbacks. I joined them, but at a much slower pace. I was rocking some new Cascadia 4's (newest trail shoe) and wanted to give it a thorough wear test.

I actually felt very happy when the rest of the group bolted ahead. It was peaceful to run solo in the woods for a bit--a huge guilty pleasure of mine.

After I got off the switchbacks, I enjoyed the wide path along the mountain. Every quarter mile or so was another stream or small waterfall or landslide. A far cry from my usual palm trees in Hawaii.


Before I knew it, my wandering spirit got the best of me and I had to book it back in time for a shower and breakfast. Ah, I could get lost for hours in these woods....

Stay tuned for part 2 where I fill you in on all the cool shoes and apparel, tips on nutrition and sports psychology, and even more rave run photos and reports! Way too much to cover in one post!