Featured I.D. Gallery

Alisa Springman

Currently running in:

Addiction 8

Motion II Skort

Where do you live?: Mercersburg, PA

Day job: Teacher, Coach, and Dormitory Dean at a boarding school

When did you become a Brooks I.D. Member?: November, 2008

Date of birth: September 27, 1974

High School: Muncie Central High School, Muncie, IN

College: University of Notre Dame, BS; Duke University, MS

Personal Record(s): 50k: 4:53; 50 Miles: 8:20; 100 Miles: 23:02; 118 Miles: 24:45; 135 Miles: 37:21

Events Currently Training For: I will be competing in an ultra every weekend through the spring and early summer to increase my mileage base and general mental and physical toughness in preparation for: McNaughton 150 Miler in April, the Keys 100 in May, and the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon in July.

Miles run/week: 70-120

Favorite Brooks shoes and apparel?: The Addiction™ rocks my world (and is a perfectly appropriate name, too)! I wore only one pair of Addiction™s through all 135 miles of Badwater last year and had no problems with my feet. One new pair of Addiction™s also just got me though the LOST 118 Mile Race where I broke both the old men’s and women’s course records. On trails, the Adrenaline™ ASR™ is perfect for me. I went through so many makes and models in my first two years of ultrarunning that I was thrilled when a professional finally fitted me with Brooks. I love my new Motion II Skort as well.

Why do you run?: For me, there is mindfulness and joy in running long distances that is unlike any other part of my day. It is a gift to be able to run all day and all night without the demands and distractions of modern day life. In pushing myself beyond what many perceive as limits, I know and trust myself in a way that is not usually accessible. I love the ultrarunning community and the chance to see so many beautiful places on foot. My “full” response to this question is best answered in an essay I wrote that was recently published on the Badwater website: http://www.badwater.com/stories/2008/2008springman.html

Who inspires you?: There are so many wonderful stories in the ultrarunning world, that it would be hard to pick just one. But, Hailey Scott (now DeMaria), one of my Notre Dame Swimming teammates would top the list every time. Hailey’s back was broken in a tragic bus accident that claimed the lives of two of our teammates. Despite a poor prognosis, multiple spinal surgeries, and terrible complications, Hailey fought her way back to competitive swimming. Her mental and physical toughness and faith were awe inspiring to observe and always serve as a reminder that I am blessed and truly lucky to be a competitive athlete.

The best thing about being an I.D. Member (besides the discount): My teammates! What a supportive community—three Brooks I.D. Members, Phil Rosenstein, Bobby Gill, and Mike Bailey—were the first to volunteer to be part of my Badwater crew this year.

When did you start running?: I started running ultras about 5 years ago.

What challenges do you face as a runner?: During the fall and winter when I am teaching, coaching, and serving as dorm parent, it is sometimes difficult to find enough hours in the day to train the way I would like. I constantly worry that I could be doing more to prepare, but at the end of the day I remind myself that being able to run everyday and race multiple ultras each year is a gift. And when I’m dealing with mental and physical exhaustion at a race, I try to remind myself that this is my recreation and vacation. I shouldn’t complain because, after all, I signed up for this!

What do you like to do when you're not running?: SLEEP!! And once I’m caught up on zzzs, I love to read, see live music, road trip to see friends and watch college football. When I am able to get to the beach, do some SCUBA diving or fishing, I am a very, very happy girl!

Favorite type of event: I am currently enchanted by long, long races in hot, hot places but at the end of the day, I love a good 50 miler–roads or trails.

Favorite race: Mountain Masochist 50++ Miler with Badwater coming in a close second. Western States 100 was absolutely beautiful, but it was a monumental struggle.

Favorite run: Mountain repeat Wednesdays. I head to the local ski resort every Wednesday afternoon and run repeats of the access road that leads to the top of the mountain.

Favorite pre- and post-race foods: I MUST have a PowerBar and an Egg McMuffin before a long race. After—anything goes! (Though I do like to replace a least a few carbs with a cold, preferably German, brew.)

Anything else you’d like to add: I couldn’t have come as far as I have in this sport without my amazing friends and family who have been constant supporters, enthusiastic crew members and tireless pacers—thank you! The love for Brooks Running extends throughout the ultrarunning community and I am proud to be a member of the ID Program. I am thrilled that my sponsors Brooks and PowerBar recognize and support ultrarunning. Thank you! Run Happy!