Chevron Houston Marathon: Brett Gotcher Debuts in 2:10.35! by Larry Eder

Brett Gotcher, photo by Larry Eder
Brett Gotcher is an example of how the American system works. In high school, Brett was coached by Dan Gruber, a top California runner and a superb high school coach. At Stanford, Brett was coached by Vinn Lananna-and you know he has had some success! Post college, Brett Gotcher has worked with Greg McMillan and his training project.
A fine two miler in high school, on very low mileage, a strong cross country and 10,000 meter runner in college, Brett showed promise post college with wins over the U.S. champs 20k a year ago and a fine run at the Aramco Houston half last year.
On Friday, RBR took a few minutes to speak with Brett and he was poised, relax and ready to run. ” I will go out at five minute pace and see what I can do!” What a refreshing athlete! An what a great debut.
Greg McMillan also noted that Brett was ready and that he had done his homework, Greg was pretty confident of a good debut. Well, Brett and Greg
lived to their word!
Brett Gotcher went out smart, hitting the halfway just about 1:04:50, and was with training partner Andrew Limocello, a former British steeplechaser, who has run 27:58 for 10,000 meters, until fifteen miles. ” Andy did his job, helping me with the pace through fifteen miles.”
Once Andy did his job, Brett was running with fellow marathoners until 18 miles, when he went into the no mans zone. No one in front of him, and no one behind. Brett just kep churning away. ” It was tough running by
myself, ” Brett noted later.
But run, Gotcher did. Putting one foot in front of the other, just under five minutes per mile pace, Brett Gotcher did not give up, hitting 2:10.35 for his debut marathon!
When Brett hit the finish, he laid down right after the finish for a couple minutes, but was up and moving soon! When RBR spoke to him, Brett was happy, but tired. He recovered well in the afternoon, but he and coach Greg McMillan had alot to be happy about, a debut that is not too far off
the debut of one Alberto Salazar, Brett Gotcher has got the tools and the heart to be a great one! And in his first race, he finished seventh behind course record breaking Teshome Gelena’s 2″07:37.
One of Brett’s biggest supporters was Managing director of the Chevron
Houston Marathon, Steve Karpas. His predictions were fulfilled!
My guess is, there is are some even fast races in Brett’s future!

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