Runner’s World+ Member: Mike Brennan
Mike is a Runner’s World+ member. Join him and thousands of others chasing their goals with day-by-day training plans, expert advice from editors and coaches, and unlimited digital access. We regularly feature members online and in print.
Running isn’t meditation to me, it instead gives my busy mind a chance to unravel the rats nest of thoughts and emotions that collect over time. Before I took the time to run my life felt chaotic; like I was just moving from one task to another without a chance to appreciate anything. Sitting down and just thinking stuff didn’t happen with a never ending to do list, kids to raise, and a work day that’s never truly over. Getting up early and hitting a trail in the morning calm has given me the time I didn’t think I had to reflect on all of life’s nuance, and to go deep into myself and try to learn something new. One of the things I’ve learned is that I need a challenge or a goal to be shooting for all the time, and running gives me that. Even now with the race calendar totally shot, I’m still pushing to run longer distances or beat a PR on a Strava segment. Having a target to shoot for has been great.
I’m a big believer in supporting those things that you like and find value in. Free stuff is awesome, but in the end we all need to make a living and the folks at Runner’s World are no different. If we want these things that we love to stick around, you have to support them.
I’m searching for that edge. What am I capable of? What’s going to give up first—my body or my mind? I’ve always wondered what I was capable of and I intend on finding out.
Walpole, MA fortunately has lots of conservation land and trails that goes through. My favorite section is a three mile stretch of the Bay Circuit trail that we call the North Section. It cuts through a beautiful forest with lots of eskers and is typically pretty quiet. I’m also part of the town’s trails committee that maintains the trails and makes sure they’re clear and ready for anyone’s next walk or run.
My favorite piece of gear is my Osprey Duro 15 hydration pack. I love being able to set out for a long run with all the water and nutrition I need without having to do loops back to the house.
I didn’t get the tattoo for this reason, but I have a tattoo on my right arm of a route I really want to run. It’s a profile of the Presidential Mountains in New Hampshire. My wife and I were married with them in the background—we just love being in the mountains. Running the Presi is on my goal list for next year.
The big belt buckle from the Vermont 100 Endurance Race. I was hoping to tackle a 50 mile race this year to be able to apply for 2021, but race cancellations have put those plans on hold for a year.
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