[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
It<\/strong><\/span> seemed like international travel was something we could only dream of just over a year ago. But, this year, we\u2019re back hopping on and off flights, creating itineraries and chasing dreams.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Boston Marathon is a renowned and iconic event held in April every year. However, competing in this marathon for many is a dream rather than a reality. For the first time in 1,099 days, the Boston Marathon returned to Patriots Day with a total of 25,314 athletes (baa.org,22.) One of which was our very own Michael Roeger.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial portrait_width=”0px” portrait_height=”0px” _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”right” border_radii_portrait=”on|0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Michael is a three-time Paralympian, WR holder for marathon in T46 class and has endurance, speed, and passion like you\u2019ve never seen before. <\/strong>Michael ended up placing first in the T45-T46 category and ran a 2:25 overall, which is something here at Brooks we are incredibly proud of.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n We asked Michael a few questions about his trip to Boston and his travels.<\/b><\/b><\/b><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n Q: What was the environment like in Boston?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b>\u00a0Boston was a fantastic place to be in in the lead up to the iconic Boston Marathon. I haven\u2019t experienced anything like it. The Brooks Hyperion House was such an excellent experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blog.brooksrunning.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/xxxxxx.png” title_text=”xxxxxx” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” width=”48%” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-5px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n <\/b><\/p>\n Q: Oooh<\/b>! The Hyperion House, can you tell us a little more about what that was like?<\/b><\/p>\n A<\/b>:\u00a0The Brooks Hyperion House was on the bustling Newbury St, where all the shopping, cafes and restaurants are, which was an awesome place to hang out with like-minded people.<\/p>\n The downstairs of the Hyperion house was the retail side, where they had a cool range of apparel, footwear & accessories. As you walked in the door, you instantly felt part of the Brooks family; there were even free coffees with run happy mugs!\u00a0<\/p>\n Upstairs was where the events\/panels and talks were being held; the public could sign up for these sessions where they could listen and hang out with the guests. It was an inspiring space to be in and feel a part of something bigger than your run. I enjoyed meeting some of the other Brooks athletes, listening to Des Linden speak and meeting some team members.<\/p>\n Q<\/strong>: Marathon Day has come and gone; how did you feel after crossing the finish line?<\/b><\/p>\n A:\u00a0<\/b>In all honesty, it was hard to feel too disappointed when I finished the race.\u00a0<\/p>\n I know there is a lot more to give. The crowds and atmosphere were following levels. That is one thing I have noticed with the marathon family; it\u2019s an accomplishment to finish one, and whatever the result at the finish line, there is a real sense of comradery. But, of course, as elite athletes, we always want to get the best out of ourselves and run our very best in every race<\/p>\n Q: How do you acknowledge that maybe today isn\u2019t your day, but you\u2019ll try anyway?<\/b><\/p>\n A:\u00a0<\/b>I knew very early on in Boston it wasn\u2019t my day, with issues with my stomach and trying to get carbohydrates in, which was hard mentally at the time.\u00a0<\/p>\n I then decided to be in a positive mindset for the last half of the race and be grateful I was running the streets of Boston, and make sure to get to the Boylston St. finish line because I knew there would be so many people who would want to be in my shoes running the Boston marathon.\u00a0<\/p>\n It was a challenging route but a unique one I\u2019ll remember forever.<\/p>\n Q: After Boston you<\/b> headed to Seattle and checked our Brooks HQ,\u00a0 <\/b>can you <\/b>tell us what that was like<\/b>?<\/b><\/p>\n A:\u00a0<\/b>Brooks HQ, wow! The 5-story building, a grand exterior stairwell floor to ceiling glass, connect the four office floors with the street. For someone who loves shoes, this was a dream! Everywhere I looked over the five-floor building, there were shoes.\u00a0<\/p>\n New, old, prototypes, you name it. I couldn\u2019t stop smiling. I instantly felt part of the family. Meeting staff members from all the different sides of the business from retail, clothing, design team, HR team, footwear, and marketing.\u00a0<\/p>\n There were teams within teams through HQ that were all working collaboratively. It didn\u2019t feel like a regular workplace; it was fun and vibrant, with animations, quotes, and exciting quirks throughout the space.<\/p>\n Q: Did you retrieve any new information? Maybe something featuring in 2024<\/b>?<\/span><\/p>\n A: <\/b>I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of big and exciting things for the next drop and 2024, which will be a big year leading into the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.\u00a0<\/p>\n Another favourite part in HQ of mine was the biomechanics\/testing space. They had treadmills, force plates, cameras, and a very elite setup for testing footwear.\u00a0<\/p>\n We want to thank Michael for his time and insight into what Boston was like. We are so fortunate to be a small part of the journey and can\u2019t wait to see what is around the corner.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blog.brooksrunning.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MICHAEL-R-blog.png” title_text=”MICHAEL R blog” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” width=”66%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blog.brooksrunning.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/ooooooooo.png” title_text=”ooooooooo” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” width=”74%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n<\/h4>\n