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Brian Becker

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Meet Brian Becker: Watch the video!

Where do you live?: Portland, OR

Day job: Leadership Consultant for High School Mentoring Program (Student Leaders & Mentors); Youth Pastor of Portland Harvest Church

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

Date of birth: April 4, 1976

High School: Touchet High School (Touchet, WA)

College: Northwest University, Kirkland WA

Personal Record(s): 10/07: Tri-Cities Marathon: 4:33:38; 06/07: Helvetia Half Marathon: 1:49:02; 05/07: Bloomsday 12k: 57:21

Events Currently Training For: Helvetia Half Marathon (6/14/08); Portland Marathon (10/5/08)

Miles run/week: 40-50

Favorite Brooks shoes and apparel?:  Trance^TM 7; Adrenaline^TM ASR^TM 4; NightLife Gloves

Why do you run?: Running gives much more than it takes. It gives inspiration, goals to accomplish, conversations with running partners, health to the body, a community to embrace, and so much more. I run mostly because it has helped me become the person I was meant to be: active, healthy, disciplined, and fun.

Who inspires you?: I’m inspired by people who do things they thought were impossible. The stories of people like Dean Karnazes running 50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states, or Brian Sell the blue-collar-like runner we can identify with making the Olympic team, are stories that show me I can accomplish much more than I ever realized!

The best thing about being an I.D. Member (besides the discount):   The best thing about being an I.D. member is being part of a community that shares a common value that running is more than an individual effort—it's an inspiration to be given away. Only things shared are ever found valuable and Brooks has created a pathway to share running with everyday people.

When did you start running?: I started running the day after I stepped on a weigh scale on Christmas Day in 1999 and found that I had reached the weight of 293.5 pounds. It was then and there that I realized I was becoming the very person I didn't want to be—not just in weight, but in discipline, drive, and outlook as well.

What challenges do you face as a runner?: The challenges I faced and still face are very real. At the time of weighing 293.5 pounds, it was a challenge to jog one mile. Then nay-sayers started telling me I shouldn't run because of my flat feet, (the flattest in the world by every doctor's opinion so far) despite the fact that doctors told me I would be fine. I also knew no one who was a runner. Most of my friends and co-workers were overweight and could care less about their health, much less becoming a running partner.

What do you like to do when you're not running?: I love my wife—we’ve enjoyed 10 years of marriage so far. I love sports—I’m an avid Seattle Seahawks fan!I enjoy the challenge of mountain climbing: I’ve tried to summit Mt. Adams four times and Mt. St. Helen's twice with my dad, and have not gotten to the top for a variety of reasons—but the adventure is great. I have two great dogs, including a new boxer named Loomis who is five-months old. I hope he can be my running partner in the future! Being part of running communities such as kickrunners.com, and the Portland Marathon Clinic.

Favorite type of event: My favorite type of event would be a race with lots of runners and lots of fanfare. I love Bloomsday because it has 40,000 runners, and lots of fans cheering, bands playing, and the whole town is into the event. My dad has run Bloomsday over 15 times, but was never able to break the one hour mark, so I set out to do just that and last year I broke it with a time of 57:21—a miracle, in my expectations!

Favorite race: See above for what I have participated in—but overall I would have to say either the Boston Marathon or the Marine Corps Marathon. Both have such an amazing amount of history and build-up—t's easy to be a big fan of both!

Favorite run: Forest Park in Portland has over 70 miles of trails and is one of the nations largest urban parks. I run on the Wildwood Trail which is recognized as a National Recreational Trail, and it begins in Hoyt Arboretum and traverses the entire length of Forest Park to its terminus at Newberry Road. The environment, trails, and wildlife are amazing!

Favorite pre- and post-race foods: Creamy Fettuccine with Peas and Ham; Pasta with Herbed Goat Cheese and Cherry Tomatoes; Penne pasta with Portobello Mushrooms and Chicken in a garlic/oil sauce. Mmmm. . .I'm getting hungry!

Anything else you’d like to add: I was a Group Leader for the first time for the Portland Marathon Clinic (4/1/2008). I led weekly Saturday long runs all over the city of Portland for people wishing to get the most out of their Portland Marathon training. It was great being an inspiration—especially for first-time runners! I've lost a total of 115 pounds thanks to running and have had the pleasure of keeping it off for a number of years now. My weight is no longer an issue that I deal with, just a memory from the past!