Brian Reynolds: Powerhouse on Prosthetics - 07/08/2020

Brian Reynolds -  World Record Powerhouse on
Prosthetics

 


Brian Reynolds is a world record holder in several running
distances despite not running until after college, and oh yeah,
he’s a double amputee. Brian initially didn’t even walk much,
never mind run, because he was convinced it just wasn’t possible
for him. Instead he pursued powerlifting, accomplishing a
deadlift of 485 pounds while weighing only 135 pounds himself.


 


How did Brian morph from powerlifter to running record holder? It
all started with a fundraising hiking challenge in the Grand
Canyon, an epic setting for a life-changing experience. Brian
discovered a love for endurance, which eventually led him to
running despite his prosthetic legs not being remotely suitable
for athletic pursuits. He persevered through the pain, and
incredibly, just three weeks after he ran his first mile, he ran
his first marathon. Brian emphatically recommends you not follow
this training plan.


 


Brian’s story is truly fascinating, and he also shares with Coach
Claire how he’s staying inspired and finding meaning during the
pandemic. He’s definitely not short on motivation! Brian also
discusses his approach to alcohol and training and talks about
his current work for the nonalcoholic brewing company, Athletic
Brewing, who is generously offering a 15% discount for listeners
of this podcast until August 10th. See the list of resources
mentioned in this podcast for the discount code.
Questions Brian is asked:

 


2:54 You have an amazing story of starting off in weightlifting
then transitioning to endurance running.  Your
accomplishments would be interesting in their own right, but they
are even more fascinating because you are a double amputee. 
Can you talk about your history, beginning with how you lost your
lower legs as a child?


 


4:29 Were you into sports and activities right away or did that
happen later in life?


 


5:51 How much could you lift?


 


6:08 What did you like most about weightlifting?  What did
it do for you?


 


6:43 What were the challenges of walking during the time you were
weightlifting?


 


7:40 How did all that change for you?


 


9:50 Why didn’t you quit running given the effects of running
with prosthetics not designed for a lot of activity? What was
inside your head that made you want to keep going through all
that pain?


 


10:44 When did you finally get new prosthetics that didn’t cause
you running-related problems?


 


11:39 Was running a marathon a few weeks after getting your new
prosthetic legs a good idea?


 


11:49 Tell me what that first marathon was like.


 


12:53  How sore were you afterward?


 


13:08 You’ve made a lot of progress since that first marathon.
You actually broke the world record at the time for a double
amputee in the marathon with a time of 3:03 in Chicago.  Can
you talk about your progress and how you went from
four-and-a-half hours to almost three hours? 


 


15:51 What have you done as far as training? Have you gotten a
coach, or how have you really managed to lower your time so much?


 


17:49 How has your training changed since the pandemic?


 


18:23 Do you have any tips for runners that are struggling right
now with motivation with no races?


 


20:23 You work for Athletica Brewing, a non-alcoholic beer
company that is becoming super popular lately.  Can you talk
a little bit about the company and what you do there?


 


22:38 What gave you the idea to not drink during training cycles?


 


23:29 Do you find it’s easier to be black and white about
drinking/not drinking versus trying to moderate drinking during
training?


 


24:24 Do you miss powerlifting at all? 


 


24:45 What is the line between lifting too heavy and just right
for an endurance athlete?


 


25:49 How many days a week are you lifting when you’re in running
training?


 


26:08 Are gyms opening up yet in New Jersey?


 


26:24 What is on your plans next? Any running-related goals that
you have in the future?






Questions I ask everyone:


 


27:26 If you could go back and talk to yourself when you first
started running, what advice would you give yourself?


 


28:17 What is the greatest gift that running has given you?


 


28:27 Where can listeners connect with you?


 
Quotes by Brian:

 


“It was definitely for me one of the hardest things I’ve ever
done going from not really walking more than a block here and
there to I think it was a 16 or a 17-mile hike in the Grand
Canyon.”


 


“The prosthetist said, ‘What do you want to do?’ and I said, ‘I
want to be the best runner an amputee can be,’ and he said, ‘We
can make that happen.’”


 


“The half marathon has always been my favorite distance. It’s
like the blend between the speed and the endurance.”


 


Take a Listen on Your Next Run


 


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Mentioned in this podcast: 

 


A Step Ahead Prosthetics


Team in Training


City Coach


Use code CLAIRE for a 15% discount at Athletic Brewing until
August 10th, 2020.


Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community


RunnersConnect Facebook page


claire@runnersconnect.net


 


Follow Brian on:


 


Instagram






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