RunMichigan: How did it feel this year to qualify for the World Cross Country Championship?

Brinker: It felt great to achieve one of my main goals since joining the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project. To go there and compete well enough to finish 51st made the experience even more memorable.  

RunMichigan: What experience did you gain from running at this year's World Cross Country Championships and finishing as the 3rd American?

Brinker: Finishing as 3rd American only reaffirmed my position that you need to race the way that you train and make the most out of every opportunity that comes your way.

RunMichigan: How were you able to run at the World Cross Country Championships on March 21st and then turn around and run the 10000 Meter at the Stanford Invitational March 26th?

Brinker: Having built a 21 week base phase of training throughout late fall and winter allowed my body to handle two extremely hard effort races within such a close period. Looking back on my race schedule, the weekend of the Chicago Marathon I ran a 10K leg of the North American Relay Challenge in Akron, Ohio and then the very next day went to Chicago to pace the 2:12 group through 1:05.35 half marathon. This weekend might have played a key role in helping my body handle two races within 6 days.

RunMichigan: Congratulations on your 3rd place finish at the Standard Federal Reeds Lake 10K, what was the goal of the race and did the race goes as planned?

Brinker: Thank you. The goal of the race was to compete away from the track, while getting in another hard effort. Yes, Brian and I gave it our best effort, however finishing 1st and 2nd would have been ideal.  

RunMichigan: What type of training have you been doing to prepare for the Olympic Trials 10000 meters?

Brinker: The last couple of weeks we have started to taper. Our last segmentation of workouts has us doing two speed workouts and one strength workout per week. I feel the training has prepared both Brian and I very well.  

RunMichigan: How has your being part of the Hansons-Brooks Olympic Development Program helped with your success this year at the World XC Championships and qualifying for the Olympic Trials?

Brinker: I believe combination of Hansons and Brooks has taken our program to the next level. The training and coaching has always been first class. Now with top notch gear, such as attire and shoes, and performance bonuses, the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project is the best program going for athletes coming out of college who want to continue their quest for the Olympics.  

RunMichigan: How does it feel to be running in your first Track and Field Olympic Trials?

Brinker:  It feels great knowing that I have accomplished a life long goal, and to have a chance to earn a spot on the Olympic team. Being so close to the Olympics Trials standard in 2000 of 28:50 and running 28:55, it makes this experience that much better.  

RunMichigan: Since you ran at the 2001 USATF Track & Field Championship, how do you use that to help with the 10000 meter race at the Trials?

Brinker: This past experience does help in that I know the rules, regulations, and how the procedures follow leading up to the race. Going into the Olympic Trials with this knowledge will give me a better understanding of what is happening around me.  

RunMichigan: What are you doing over the next week to prepare for the Track & Field Trials?

Brinker: My training has already began to taper with a couple of shake out workouts. Mentally, I am preparing my race plan.  

RunMichigan: What has been the most difficult workout you have done to get prepared for the 10000?

Brinker: Probably the most difficult workout was a track workout consisting of 6x1200 (68-68-62 with random order). The workout in general wasn't that tough, but with racing a 10K four days prior made it feel tough.

RunMichigan: What do you do to relax from running?

Brinker: We watch movies, numerous hours of Sports Center, and beat up on Trent.

RunMichigan: Where is the best place to run in Sandusky, Michigan? And what did you like about going to High School in Sandusky?

Brinker: Since high school, my parents have relocated to beautiful downtown Snover, Michigan. My town loop consists of the Snover 5K course and running down to then around the Brown Family Pond. Attending Sandusky High School was nice in that it was a small enough high school that not only did you know everyone, but the teachers and the community could also be involved with students' lives. --