Elite runner Brad Poore from Auburn, CA runs 2010 Bay to Breakers race

Brad Poore, an elite athlete from Auburn, CA warms up before the Bay to Breakers 2010 Race

UC Davis graduate Brad Poore (class Of 2001 and law school 2008) is a runner with a goal.

In 2008 he qualified for the US Olympic trials in the marathon. Now, he wants to qualify for the 2012 trials as well. To do that, he must complete in a qualifying marathon at or below the qualifying time of 2:19 (2 hours and 19 minutes). His marathon personal record (PR) is 2:21. "With injury free training, I am hopeful I can make it", offers Brad.

Brad ran track and cross country at UC Davis. Now he runs road races, where he excels.

Brad strained tendons in his ankle in 2007 after he qualified for the 2008 Olympic trials. And that injury constrained his training from then until recently. "My injury somewhat limited my speed work" he explained." But I am feeling better now, more pain free, and my running is improving."

Brad chose to test the status of his comeback training on Sunday, May 16, 2010, in running as an elite runner in the 99th running of the Bay To Breakers. This is a 12k road race in San Francisco. The race starts at the Embarcadero Center (Bay) and proceeds on city streets to Golden Gate Park on the Great Highway and Pacific Ocean (to Breakers). Brad ran as one of the 41 elite open and masters runners brought to the event by the organizers.

Brad took 19th for the men in the 2009 Bay To Breakers. And for 2010 he did better.. He finished 14th in an incredibly strong elite men's group. He ran 37:56 over the course, for an average pace of 5:05 (5 minutes and 5 seconds per mile). That is fast, and he looked healthy in his running.

Brad targets the December 2010 California International Marathon (CIM) in Sacramento as his goal race to qualify for the 2012 Olympic marathon trials. He has ordered his life in three key ways to make it possible for him to train at a high level to try and reach his goals.

First, he moved to Auburn, CA to live and train. "Lots of great running areas, with hills", Brad points out. Second, he found employment as a lawyer with the law firm of Leupp and Woodall also in Auburn. "The firm schedules my time consistent with my training and racing." And third, elite runners Jane Kibii and Valentine Orare from Kenya have taken up residence with Brad enabling all three to train together. And as Brad points out, "Jane and Valentine are highly regarded runners with outstanding racing credentials." "They are each racing this weekend in the Bay To Breakers as well." "Our group training helps us all, and I get real benefits from training with two of the best." Jane is sponsored in her running efforts by Luna Sports.

In the Bay To Breakers, Jane took 5th for the women in 2009 and 3rd in 2008. In 2010, she finished 6th and ran the course in 41:05, for an average mile pace of 5:30. This is Valentine's first time in the event. And he finished 12th in 2010, with a time of 37:10, for a mile pace of 4:58. Fast company indeed.

Brad explains that with Jane and Valentine living and training with him, he has learned to focus more on running and running details. "Focusing on important things in life", explains Brad," "clears the mind for training and racing, and I have learned much in this regard from Jane and Valentine."

After all the training in his come back, Brad smiles and notes that "we head to Monsters Of Massage" in New Castle (right next to Auburn) and get ready for the next day's workout."

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Frank Hagie assisted in the writing of this article. Frank is a Sacramento runner and writes for Examiner.com as the Sacramento Environmental Health Examiner.

Nancy Lancaster is a Sacramento run-walker and organizer of the Running Adventures Travel Club and Five Tool Fitness Running Club. She is also a Realtor for Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, CA. You can email Nancy at nancy@nancylancaster.com