|
David Broman, who ran the 1998 Richmond Marathon in memory of his grandfather, used to run a marathon David Broman heads east along Courthouse Road in Spotsylvania during a morning 10-mile run. The Fox Point resident is running 13 marathons this year to raise money for charity. |
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."
His goal is to finish each marathon in three hours and 40 minutes. He met the mark in New Orleans and missed it by a tenth of a second in Washington, D.C.
Broman is halfway through the schedule--but not that far along in fundraising. He's the vice president of sales for a company that makes filtration systems, but has a hard time asking others for financial support.
He has raised $3,000 so far.
Broman knows he'll have to step up the fundraising and training by fall.
He'll run seven 26-mile races in 12 weeks, from Vermont to Florida.
He picked cities close to branch offices of his company to save money on travel. He pays for all his expenses.
As much as Broman is focused on meeting his goals, he still plans to have a good time whether he is in Louisville or Wilmington, Palm Beach or Philadelphia.
Of course, that includes meeting the runners around him.
"Knowing David, he'll probably go up and talk to everybody like they're his best friend," said Scott.
Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425| 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." |
| More information on Life International, David Broman's charity, is available at lifeintl.org, or by e-mailing him at dbroman@wacofilters.com. |
