This is the twenty-first edition of The Duluth Runner Interview Series, where I get in touch with (mainly) local runners and athletes to share a bit of their story while inspiring others to pursue an active lifestyle.

Intro

Today’s guest has been putting in some consistent training the past couple years and his recent results definitely show it! I’ve been lucky to log quite a few miles with him and looking forward to sharing his knowledge/running story with you.

He lives here in Duluth and works in the Customer Experience department at Minnesota Power…today’s guest is Ben Brose!

Interview

Why is running important to you?

Exercise has been a fundamental part of my life. It helps keep me focused, energized and fulfilled. I grew up playing team sports year-round in very structured environments. All I had to do was show up and play. I also didn’t have a lot of things competing for my time.

Now, with a family of my own and work, my limited free time at 5 a.m. and an hour lunch doesn’t work well for team sports. Running fits the niche today. It’s a low-cost activity that is always available to me at the oddest hours, and it can be molded to fit what I need mentally and physically at the time.

Getting away from my desk and outside for a run, even if it is only 30 minutes, is a tremendous help in stretching my legs and getting my mind reset for the second half of the day.

What are the top two or three things that you do to prevent injury? Have you been susceptible to certain injuries in the past?

I was always banged up in high school. Every season I was playing a contact sport and it took a toll on me. Running is how I prevent injury. My transition to running, as well as mixing in some crossing training of various high intensity interval training and body weight exercises, is what I contribute to a reduction in injury.

Also, I’m not trying to break any land speed records. I understand my limits and listen to my body. I don’t stick strictly to trails or roads, flat or hills, speed or casual. If my knees are bugging me from running on roads, I’ll take a day or two off and go on the trails.

What keeps you motivated when you don’t feel like heading out the door for a workout?

I have a TomTom watch and track my runs on their website. Seeing what I accomplish each month and the year-over-year progress on the number of miles/hours I put in keeps the carrot out front.

Injuries and injury prevention aside, I don’t think there has ever been a time when I finished a run and told myself that was stupid, I shouldn’t have gotten out. But if I don’t make the time or find an excuse not to go out, more often than not I wish I had gone. Once I make it out the door and a half mile away from my home, getting out becomes worth it.

Who is in your running support group (training partners, people to bounce ideas off of, etc.)?

When our schedules permit, I join up with co-workers for a run during lunch. I’m grateful to work for a company that allows the flexibility to take the time to get on trails during lunch. Not everyone has that luxury and I try not to take it for granted.

While we don’t get out daily and our limited to connecting when our schedules permit, my renewed passion in running is credited to the crew I run with at work. Their enthusiasm for healthy living and running helps keep me motivated towards continuous improvement.

When/what is your next race?

I don’t put too much emphasis on races. I enjoy running three to four times a week without the pressure of having to get training runs in. On the flip side, I am competitive and enjoy pushing myself. I like to think I’m finding a balance of two half marathons a year. I just ran the Harder’n Heck Half Marathon and I like to run Grandma’s Half Marathon each year. So, Grandma’s might be my next race.

Do you prefer roads or trails and why?

It depends on what I need. If I feel like getting in some consistent and sustained speed work, I’ll hit the roads. If I need to let my mind wander, I’ll go on the roads as well. Also, I’m not a huge fan of running with a headlamp, so if my I’m running in the dark I tend to stick to roads as well.

Unlike on the roads, I hardly ever have sore joints when I run on trails, I don’t worry about getting hit by a car and I never have to wait for a street light. While running on the trails I have to pay attention to my footing and this requires my mind to stay engaged in the present. So, if I feel I’ve been a space case and need better focus, I’ll hit the trails.

What is your most memorable race or running achievement?

I had a lot of fun during my first trail half marathon recently. I ran on parts of the Superior Hiking Trail I’ve never been on and was grateful to have picture perfect weather and views. It was a really great atmosphere. I hope to run the Harder’n Heck again next year.

Name one racing experience you would like to forget (please describe).

Among all the sports I’ve participated in, running has provided the most mental roller coaster experiences during the same event. The roller coaster feeling was more extreme when I was in worse shape.

My one Grandma’s Marathon and a few of my Grandma’s Half Marathons after high school were pretty rough. I didn’t know how to train and did little of it. Each of those races had the highest of highs as I have ever had and lowest of lows I have ever had.

I wouldn’t say I would like to forget these races, but as the years have gone on and I’ve trained a lot more, my mental roller coasters dips and climbs are not nearly as extreme. If I hit one of the extremes now, I’ll know I was ill prepared for my race.

What is something non-running related you would like to share with readers?

I’m a proponent of continuous learning. It’s easy to tell how taking a long break from exercise impacts your muscles. The impacts from taking a break from learning is more subtle. We get caught in our daily routines which are mainly accomplished through habits.

Not until we are faced with a new challenge are we able to tell we are not as sharp as we once were. Creating a routine for exercising your brain is at least as important as exercising your body.

Closing

Many thanks to Ben for agreeing to stop by The Duluth Runner and share some of his knowledge/experiences with everyone. I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Interview Series – stick around for more to come!