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Local runner on way to 13 marathon races
Spotsylvania County runner takes on one marathon a month to raise money for charity
Date published: 7/16/2007
By CATHY DYSON
David Broman is "the happy runner," a bald guy in tank top and shorts who waves to almost every car he passes on Courthouse Road in Spotsylvania County.
"I saw him running that day it was 100 degrees and he had his hand out, waving, and a big ol' smile on his face," said Brian Scott, who lives near Broman in Fox Point subdivision. "Even in the neighborhood, when he's not running, he's out there smiling and waving at everybody."
As much as he enjoys the exercise, Broman doesn't just run for fun.
This year, he plans to complete 13 marathons to raise money for Life International, an agency that helps families pay for adoptions.
He picked that organization because a close friend supports it. Broman also agreed that the 143 million orphans worldwide don't get as much attention as more well-known causes.
His goal is $30,000.
"If I can totally fund one adoption, I'll feel like I did something," he said.
Broman, 44, trained for his first big race in 1998, when he ran the Richmond Marathon in memory of his grandfather.
Then, he did a marathon every other year--and watched his weight increase when training decreased.
He hit 265 pounds and decided he needed a motivation to stay in shape year-round.
That's when the idea of one marathon a month hit him. (He scheduled a baker's dozen in case one fell through, said his wife, Suzanne.)
Broman started working with Debi Bernardes, a coach with the Fredericksburg Area Running Club.
She holds his feet to the fire--or at least to the asphalt of State Route 208--six times a week, for a total of 50 miles.
She assigns a combination of six-mile jaunts and 12-mile treks, along with runs when he goes up and down the same hill several times.
"He's trying to stay consistent," said Bernardes, adding she has no doubt he'll meet his goal. "He's a great guy--a big guy--and he's got a good heart."
The 6-foot runner now weighs 205 pounds and is thrilled with how he feels.
"I've always known I was at my best when I ran," he said. "I feel mentally and physically sharp. It's been a great year."
| MARATHON MAN
David Broman ran six marathons from 1998 to 2006 and plans to run twice that many this year.
FIRST RACE: Richmond Marathon in 1998. Time: 4:10:02.
FASTEST: 2002 Richmond Marathon: 3:28:30.
SLOWEST: 2007 God's Country Marathon, Coudersport, Penn.: 4:13:45. "It's a long story," he wrote in his race report. Course included an 18-mile uphill grade.
HIS SIGNATURE: Closes correspondence with: "One small step one big guy, David."
HIS HOPE: "That I'll be able to continue to run marathons until I die because I never want to lose the euphoria that comes during the last two-tenths of a mile. May you all experience it at least once in your lifetime."
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More information on Life International, David Broman's charity, is available at lifeintl.org, or by e-mailing him at dbroman@wacofilters.com. |
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Date published: 7/16/2007
Most recent reader comments:
Dave's got hookspah!
(posted by
john1315
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
I coached Dave's son back in the late 90's and remember when he and I were both "big" guys, and he talked about getting back into shape but didn't know about the marathons. It's one thing to set a weight loss/fitness goal, it's another to realize the accomplishment of running a marathon. Congrats to you Dave and God bless!
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