Running Stories with Eric Bray and Dr. Leo Running Expert

Mind Body Marathon

In this episode of the MindBodyMarathon show, the Dr. Leo Kormanik Running Expert interviews Eric Bray, a renowned runner from Northeast Ohio. On March 6th 2019, he was diagnosed with urothelial cancer and given less than 1 year to live. He joins us today strong and with a grateful spirit ready to share some of his stories from running. He wanted to capture some of his stories on record for his friends, family, and most notably his grandkids.

Eric shares insights from his running journey, which he attributes to a mix of destiny and family background. He recounts how his wife, Betsy, a high school cross country coach, once advised a parent that for their daughter to become an Olympian, choosing the right parents was crucial, illustrating that genetics play a significant role in athletics.

Eric discusses his early struggles with polio, which affected his physical abilities, including making him pigeon-toed. His mother encouraged him to do exercises for recovery, which motivated him to learn to run as a way to keep up with his peers. By sixth grade, he was fast enough to compete at a citywide fitness championship.

He shares his experiences in high school track, where despite initial setbacks, he found success as a high jumper and eventually transitioned to marathoning. His path to long-distance running began after college when he was encouraged by fellow runners to join a training group.

Throughout the interview, Eric highlights pivotal moments in his running career and the importance of community and mentorship in fostering athletic talent.

In this conversation, Eric reflects on his journey as a runner, starting from his childhood on Hereford Street in Akron, where he learned to run. He shares his early challenges in the sport, including being cut from the team in seventh grade and sophomore year, before finding success in high jumping during high school. With the support of a strong coach and talented teammates, he eventually transitioned to long-distance running.

After college, Eric began training seriously when a friend, Bill Heidemann, encouraged him to join a running group. He initially focused on 5K races but later ventured into marathoning. His first major marathon was the Marine Corps Marathon, which he ran alongside his friend Tim McFadden. This experience led him to participate in the Cleveland Marathon, where he unexpectedly secured a national championship title.

Eric reminisces about the camaraderie and community spirit of marathons during his time, noting how the culture has changed over the years. He shares anecdotes about the Boston Marathon, highlighting the personal connections and community support that made the race special, such as families setting up water stations and cheering for runners by name. Eric's stories capture the essence of the running community and the personal connections that have enriched his experience as a runner.

In this conversation, Eric discusses the evolution of race nutrition and the significance of running in his life. In the late 1970s, runners primarily relied on water and a basic electrolyte drink called ERG, along with ice and orange slices for hydration. The use of gels and power bars was not yet common, and if runners felt they might "bonk," they resorted to Bit-o- Honey, a honey taffy.

Eric emphasizes the friendships he has formed through running, describing it as a unique sport that fosters lifelong connections among participants. He recalls how, during a race in Cleveland, he and a friend reflected on their shared experiences and the bonds they created as runners. He highlights the importance of community and camaraderie in the running culture, particularly at local events like the Boston Marathon.

As an accountant for tax-exempt organizations, Eric found running to be a vital stress reliever, allowing him to think clearly and creatively while on the road. He discusses the mental benefits of running, explaining how it enhances brain function and fosters novel thoughts.

The conversation also touches on the importance of listening to one's footfalls while running, noting how sound can indicate efficiency and pace. Eric reminisces about the differences in track surfaces over the years, from cinder and crushed brick to modern rubberized tracks, and how these changes have affected running dynamics.

Overall, Eric captures the essence of running as a means of forming deep connections, enhancing mental clarity, and adapting to the evolving landscape of the sport.

In this conversation, Eric reflects on his extensive running experience and shares insights on training, rest, and the nuances of competitive running. He recalls how long runs often turned into battles among runners, emphasizing the importance of listening to breathing rhythms and reading competitors' cues—a skill he feels is fading among modern coaches.

He stresses the critical role of rest in a training regimen. Eric argues that many runners, especially in earlier decades, overtrained and neglected true rest, often mistaking easy runs or cross-training for recovery. He shares a humorous anecdote about his wife advising an athlete that "rest means taking a nap," underscoring the idea that genuine rest is essential for performance.

For younger runners, he emphasizes the need to understand their limits and avoid overtraining, advocating for a balanced approach that includes speed work throughout their training cycles. He also advises older runners to maintain a consistent speed component in their workouts to avoid injuries, highlighting that their bodies require different care as they age.

Eric reminisces about the joy of running in various conditions, including winter nights, and appreciates the beauty of seasonal changes. He concludes by expressing gratitude to those who have motivated him throughout his running journey, emphasizing the friendships formed through the sport and the importance of community in running.

You can order Dr. Leo's book Faster Without Fail on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4eEsB7M.

Be sure to also check out Dr. Leo's Running Rehab YouTube page at www.YouTube.com/@RunningRehab.