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John Brower
Ridgeland, Mississippi
31
Running Experience:
Advanced
Why should we pick you to go to the North Pole?:
I would love the opportunity to run the North Pole Marathon. I have been running now for almost 6 years, and have been running marathons/ultramarathons the whole time. In fact, the day I began to run was the same day that I quit smoking. I remembered the very few times that I used to run in High School, and how much fun it was. I got out on a track here in Jackson one day, and tried to run a lap. After stumbling through it, I began to remember the rigors of the sport, and decided that I wanted to return. I first quit the sport when I graduated from High School and went to college. While there, I began to experiment with drugs, and before I knew it, I was an addict. I did every drug out there, from pot to crack, and actually smoked crack every day for almost 3 years. My drug abuse escalated over the span of almost 7 years, to the point where I did not want to live anymore. I overdosed one night on the coattails of an angry binge. However, God was not through with me, and I came to in the hospital, holding my mother's hand. "I am tired" I said. She replied "I know...we will get you help." Thats how I found myself in Jackson, MS. I came here in 1999 to attend a drug treatment program, and have been clean ever since. Running is to me my witness to the world. After all that I have put myself through, I should be dead, but God has blessed me with health, and not only that, but has given me the ability to run, and bring Him glory through my efforts, and shine hope into the lives of others. This is me, and this is why you should pick me to go to the North Pole. I won't promise that I will win, but I will do my best, and be happy with my best effort, whatever that is. The joy of running for me is in the action of the sport. Sometimes I finish well, sometimes I don't. But each time I run, I pour my heart into it, and crossing the finish line, I am always reminded the grace that I have been shown. So therefore I run ""not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit" saith the Lord."
"Running is to me my witness to the world. After all that I have put myself through, I should be dead..." |
Offer some evidence that you can complete a marathon in harsh, sub-zero conditions at the North Pole:
Well, being from Mississippi, you would think that I would struggle in the cold. But to the contrary, my best performances have been in very, very cold weather. At the Mountain Mist (Huntsville, AL) 50k in 2005, I got sixth place, and the conditions were freezing temps, sleet, and ice. My time was a 4:30. I ran the Mt. Mitchell Challenge (Black Mountain, NC) in 5:30, and finished in 5th place. Once again, it was freezing and icy. I ran a 2:56 at the Flying Monkey Marathon (Franklin, TN), a PR, in the freezing cold.
Tell us about your cold-weather race experience:
See Above. Also, I am from East Tennessee, and each winter I run up Mt. LeConte, and on the trails in the Smoky Mountains.
Tell us about your marathon experience, including times, results, etc.:
2002 Mardi Gras Marathon - 3:55 (390)
2002 Tupelo Marathon - 3:39 (34)
2003 Dallas White Rock Marathon - 3:05 (77)
2003 Country Music Marathon - 3:05 (55)
2003 StumpJump 50k - 4:50
2004 Dallas White Rock Marathon - 3:19 (192)
2004 Tupelo Marathon - 3:09 (14)
2004 Goat Milk Marathon - No Official Times Kept
2004 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon - 3:21 (12)
2004 Big Butt 50k - 4:03 (1)
2004 StumpJump 50k - 5:33 (18)
2004 Mountain Mist 50k - 4:56 (22)
2005 Knoxville Marathon - 3:05 (23)
2005 Mississippi Marathon - 3:39 (40) - ran with wife
2005 Mountain Mist 50k - 4:30 (6)
2005 Mount Mitchell Challenge 40 mile - 5:30 (5)
2006 Tupelo Marathon - 305 (6)
2006 Flying Monkey Marathon - 2:56 (3)
2006 Mississippi Marathon - 3:05 (4)
2006 StumpJump - 4:24 (3)
2006 Mountain Mist 50k - 4:46 (13)
2007 Mississippi Marathon - 4:07 (41) - ran with wife
What do you expect your North Pole Marathon time to be?:
4:50
Can you write well? Explain:
I write daily for my job, as the PR and Marketing director for Belhaven College in Jackson, MS. I can easily convey all my experiences and emotions to my readers, creating the feel that they are experiencing it with me.
Tell us about your media experience:
I work in Marketing and PR for the college I work for here in Mississippi, so I have lots of experience with the media. I have been working in the PR capacity for 2+ years.
Websites:
mediacenter.belhaven.edu
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Robert Frost says:
John Brower is a man of tremendous character and a passion for running, his life revolves around pursuing excellence in this sport, from his eating habits to daily consistent training. John would be a stand out representative for the state of Mississippi and the country not to mention Belhaven College!!!!!!!!!!
Dr. Scott White says:
This man has totally turned his life around and has made running one of the key planks of his recovery. The same fortitude that helped him overcome addiction, complete a degree and change the direction in his life will be used to overcome the harsh conditions in this marathon. John eats, sleeps and breaths running. If anyone deserves a chance to show what he is made of in this marathon it is John.
John Garvilla says:
As the Director of Athletics at Belhaven College, I had the privilege of having John work in our department for two years and continue to work on a number of projects in his current capicity in the BC Integrated Marketing Dept. It would be difficult for me to find a more loyal and devoted individual. John is a man of passion when it comes to serving God, running, working for Belhaven and his faitfulness to his wife and friends. My only concern with John Brower running the North Pole Marathon is that he will probably make plans to run to the North Pole, prior to the race, from MS. He is a fanatical runner. Where others run for fitness and personal glory John runs for a higher calling.
Peter Mittwede says:
John is an amazing guy. He loves life, and this is very evident in the way he acts. He is more passionate about running than anyone I have ever seen. I run for Belhaven College, and I often go on runs with John, and we talk about running the entire time. I have days I want to go running and other days when I don't want to do it, but after a run with John, I'm incredibly motivated for at least a week. He's just like that. He is enthusiastic about anything and everything, but especially about running. He runs with heart, has an incredible work ethic, and is always crazily going around trying to find the race that will be the most challenging for him. He would be ecstatic if he were given the opportunity to run the NPM, and I don't think anything deserves to do it more than he does.
Dick Brower says:
Well needless to say I am a bit biased in my recommendation and support for my Son... He is truly a great young man whose life has certainly come a complete circle... I am very proud of his accomplishments both in running and in his life... His honesty about his past I feel tells you a lot about his inner character which has come to reveal itself in his life.... Recently married to a wonderful young lady, who is also a avid runner, he has established himself as a great family head and provider...His numerous promotions and career broadening job changes at Belhaven College speak for what his employer thinks of his abilities and devotion to the College....
He will be credit to himself and to Your Running.Com if chosen as your representative...
Glenn Lindsay says:
I have known John through the formative events of his life. His passion for running is a reflection of his faith, and the means he has chosen to honor his God in body and spirit. John is an extraordinarily focused and articulate young man. He will be an enthusiastic, effective spokesman for this event, as he is for the sport of running and for every endeavor to which he commits.
DeWitt Choctaw says:
John rules! I don't know what else to say! Brower rhymes with Power, and that's what he's got!
Jamie D. says:
Brower does rhyme with Power! John is a mental giant and posseses the emotional/physical courage of 10 men. If his life experience can't convince you of this, then try to hang on during a long trail run!
Levi S. Patton says:
John Brower is the epitome of grace and perseverence. If ever there has been a true inspiration in my life, it is that of John Brower. John has trully impacted, blessed and enriched my life through his encouragement, perseverence and just the way he lives his life daily to the fullest. He is a giver and I trully believe it is his turn to receive something amazing. He trully deserves a chance to run the North Pole Marathon. I can say with complete honesty that John Brower has been a great friend, inspiration and a role model in my life. Please allow him the chance to use this race as a flatform to continue to reach out to those who are hurting, broken and are in dire need of something/someone to give them hope. Please allow him this opportunity, Levi S. Patton
Josh Bower says:
John Brower is a dedicated runner, an extraordinary role model, and a captivating storyteller. His life testimony is truly inspiring. I have personally known John for four years, and have witnessed how his zeal for life and running overflows into peers. This is a man who constantly seeks out positive challenges, and then commits himself to conquering them. It is with confidence that I recommend John Brower for the North Pole Marathon.
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