This edition showcases Brad Delcambre in our Athlete Spotlight. Brad discusses his fitness journey and how it has influenced his life. We hope you find it as enjoyable as we do!

Athlete Interview Questions:

General:

• Can you tell us a bit about your journey in your sport? How did you get started and what keeps you motivated? I started running in May 2005 after finishing college. I was very overweight and my mental health was also not in a good spot. I ran the occasional 5K but was by no means a serious runner. The goal was ambitious considering I was about 70 pounds overweight. I signed up for the Houston Marathon in January 2006. As the weight dropped and the running continued, I told myself if I could run a marathon I could complete an Ironman. By 2010 I had just completed my 3rd Ironman and I was miserable. I hated everything about riding a bicycle and wanted no more part of it. Realized I just loved running and the rest is history.

 

• What are your passions outside of your sport? Within the past couple of years I have really gotten into weight training and strengthening. It’s very important to treat the rest of the body right with all the beating we put on our legs. And of course, human rights and dogs. 

 

• How do you balance your athletic career with other aspects of your life? Being single without kids makes it a little easier but I still have a busy family and work life. Most of my work vacation goes to races and training and my family is very supportive, often accompanying me to races. Knowing when to prioritize certain actions is key but I am always striving to be very vocal with my commitments and the impact they may have not only on myself but those around me as well.  

 

• Who are your role models or inspirations in the sports world? Most of my inspirations come from those who are promoting a positive attitude and great message with whatever adversity they may have overcome. Whether it be sobriety, weight loss, disability, you name it. Their message might sometimes be repetitive or overbearing but it's just because they are proud of their accomplishments and generally want people to believe these things can be fuel for what you can achieve. With the impact social media has on our daily lives it’s easy to get swayed by everyone's highlight reels and self promotion. Is the message about the power of believing in yourself or some new product. 

 

• What advice would you give to young athletes who are just starting? Goals don't always get accomplished overnight. Give yourself a roadmap of what is achievable over years and don't get caught up in that next big thing that's going to give you those Instagram results. Know your body through repeatable experimentation that gives consistent results. It’s ok to be afraid or nervous about getting out of your comfort zone when it comes to new challenges. The ultrarunning community is filled with great people who will bend over backward to help you with your aspirations to the point you will get sick of hearing us talk about it. Whatever we have accomplished we simply want you to know that experience and have an easier time getting there. 

 

Performance & Mentality:

• Describe a time when you faced a major setback or challenge in your sport. How did you overcome it? 3 years ago a combination of abusing alcohol and being in an unhealthy relationship. My running came to a halt, weight was gained, and I was back in a negative mindset. I ended my relationship with alcohol completely and began my journey back to the running space. My relationship ended shortly thereafter as my priorities were now focused on my mental well being. A new fire was ignited for running that I didn't know existed. For me, sobriety is no longer a choice or struggle. It just is who I am. It is the version of me I enjoy the most. The clarity I gain not only for myself but my relationships with others allows me to maximize my efforts in life as well as running. 

 

• How do you handle pressure and stay focused during a competition? When you are dealing with an endurance event there are just too many variables that can throw you off of your A game. Let your experience guide you and remember crossing the finish line is priority number one. If everything is good then go for it. If everything is bad then try to compartmentalize the issues in the best way that's going to get you to priority number one. 

 

• What is the most important lesson you've learned through your athletic experiences? Coach Brian posted something a few weeks ago about post-ultra blues. I wrote a comment to one of his points on redefining success. He replied with the single greatest lesson I feel one must learn to succeed at these distances. “The hardest distance to cover is the space between your ears.”

 

Sport Specific:

• What are the unique challenges and rewards of competing in an ultramarathon? Battling your inner self and learning what your mind and body are capable of. I’m sure one can determine those things in a number of different ways, but the important takeaway here is you are willing to push yourself to discover them. This is just how I choose to do it.  

 

• What are your thoughts on the current state of ultrarunning? Are there any changes you'd like to see? Let’s run. Big race, small race, short race, or long race. Everyone is unique, every race is unique. As long as things don't turn into a cash grab and participants are heading home with a positive experience, I'm good with it.  

 

• What are some of the most memorable moments you've had in your athletic career? Coming back to the sport after an unhealthy hiatus and finishing that first race. The older you get the harder it is to get out of self destruction and complacency.  

 

• If you could have dinner with any athlete, past or present, who would it be and why? Future… I want to talk to the one who is breaking the 2 hour mark.

 

• What type of athletes do you think would benefit from having a coach like Coach Brian? Anyone who wants to develop the tools and knowledge they will need to accomplish their goals. A coach gives you more than just a training plan, whether that's to finish your first marathon or hitting a specific time.