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Title : Brooks and the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games
Subtitle : The Power of the Run (1:30)
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Meet Colleen and Andy
Brooks believes in supporting runners who compete at the highest level. From the 800m run to ultramarathons, we champion individuals who push themselves to be their best and bring out the best in others.
As part of that commitment, Brooks sponsored two runners who competed at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. Colleen Bryant and Andy Bryant (no relation) represented Brooks at the USA Games. Highly accomplished runners in the Seattle area, Colleen and Andy also embody the positive, joyful approach to running that makes up the very essence of Brooks.
Andy and Colleen signed on with our Seattle-based professional team, the Brooks Beasts Track Club. They were given personal training plans from coach Danny Mackey, met with our nutritionist, got tested for their VO2 Max performance, and trained with the team at their annual altitude training camp in Albuquerque, NM. After training, Andy and Colleen represented Brooks and Team Washington at the Special Olympics USA Games, winning medals in all of their track events.
Superheader:
Title : Meet Colleen and Andy
Body : Brooks believes in supporting runners who compete at the highest level. From the 800m run to ultramarathons, we champion individuals who push themselves to be their best and bring out the best in others.
As part of that commitment, Brooks sponsored two runners who competed at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. Colleen Bryant and Andy Bryant (no relation) represented Brooks at the USA Games. Highly accomplished runners in the Seattle area, Colleen and Andy also embody the positive, joyful approach to running that makes up the very essence of Brooks.
Andy and Colleen signed on with our Seattle-based professional team, the Brooks Beasts Track Club. They were given personal training plans from coach Danny Mackey, met with our nutritionist, got tested for their VO2 Max performance, and trained with the team at their annual altitude training camp in Albuquerque, NM. After training, Andy and Colleen represented Brooks and Team Washington at the Special Olympics USA Games, winning medals in all of their track events.
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Colleen Bryant, USA Games Gold Medalist
Though Colleen hated running in middle school, she joined her high school’s Special Olympics team (she was diagnosed with Autism in early childhood). Even then she only competed in sprint and field events. Over time though, her natural athleticism developed, and Colleen became more comfortable running longer distances. She gave up sprints for 800- and 1500-meter races.
Colleen’s persistence and positivity helped her develop into a strong runner. Those same qualities, along with her talent, earned her a place on the Brooks team. Colleen was a fierce competitor at the USA Games, and her hard work paid off. Colleen may have started as a reluctant runner, but now she’s a decorated medalist, winning gold in the women’s 1,500m and 5,000m races at the USA Games.
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Header : Colleen Bryant, USA Games Gold Medalist
Body : Though Colleen hated running in middle school, she joined her high school’s Special Olympics team (she was diagnosed with Autism in early childhood). Even then she only competed in sprint and field events. Over time though, her natural athleticism developed, and Colleen became more comfortable running longer distances. She gave up sprints for 800- and 1500-meter races.
Colleen’s persistence and positivity helped her develop into a strong runner. Those same qualities, along with her talent, earned her a place on the Brooks team. Colleen was a fierce competitor at the USA Games, and her hard work paid off. Colleen may have started as a reluctant runner, but now she’s a decorated medalist, winning gold in the women’s 1,500m and 5,000m races at the USA Games.
Andy Bryant, USA Games Gold Medalist
Simply finishing a marathon is impressive. Finishing 30 marathons? That’s extraordinary. Andy Bryant is just that type of extraordinary. He has raced the Boston Marathon ten times with a personal best of 2:55:23. His 2018 finish of the historic race marked the completion of his 30th marathon at only thirty-six years old.
Andy’s passion for running began early. Diagnosed with Autism at age three, Andy started competing with the Special Olympics at age five. Though at first he struggled to complete the assisted-walk events, Andy improved steadily over the years. He thrived under the structure of a training schedule and gradually realized his talent in the marathon.
At the USA Games, Andy won gold in the men’s 3,000m and bronze in the men’s 10,000m races.
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Media Right: True
Header : Andy Bryant, USA Games Gold Medalist
Body : Simply finishing a marathon is impressive. Finishing 30 marathons? That’s extraordinary. Andy Bryant is just that type of extraordinary. He has raced the Boston Marathon ten times with a personal best of 2:55:23. His 2018 finish of the historic race marked the completion of his 30th marathon at only thirty-six years old.
Andy’s passion for running began early. Diagnosed with Autism at age three, Andy started competing with the Special Olympics at age five. Though at first he struggled to complete the assisted-walk events, Andy improved steadily over the years. He thrived under the structure of a training schedule and gradually realized his talent in the marathon.
At the USA Games, Andy won gold in the men’s 3,000m and bronze in the men’s 10,000m races.
When Andy and Colleen visited headquarters, they were tested to determine their VO2 Max—the maximum amount of oxygen they can utilize during intense exercise. This information was used by their coach to create tailored training plans.
Colleen meets with her Brooks Beasts coach, Danny Mackey, to review her track workout. They also discuss her training and nutrition plans to prepare for her upcoming races at the Special Olympics USA Games.
Thanks to his marathon training, Andy’s stamina and perserverance is unmatched. During his first workout with Brooks Beast coach Danny Mackey, Andy’s 400m sprint repeat time was consistent across almost every lap, even improving over time.
The Beasts introduce Colleen and Andy to a new set of drills—a series of active warm up movements to prep the muscles for the difficult track workout ahead. B-skips and high knees were particular favorites of Colleen.
Colleen and Andy joined the rest of their team, the Brooks Beasts, on a long run in the hills outside Albuquerque. This was a natural step for Andy who typically trains with a weekly running group, albeit around a track.
More stories like this
Find more stories about how running changes lives on our Inspiring Stories Hub.
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Title : More stories like this
Body : Find more stories about how running changes lives on our Inspiring Stories Hub.
