Brainsport Times June. 15, 2016

We are getting increasingly excited about Brainsport's upcoming 25th Anniversary! You have likely already heard, or read here in the Times, about the celebration we'll be having on July 13 (if not be sure to checkout the "Upcoming Events). This is going to be super fun evening of celebration!

We also have another 25th anniversary project in the works. Over the past several months Don Cochrane, with the assistance of photographer, Louis Christ and myself, have been working on a publication for Brainsport's 25th Anniversary. 

In this week's Q&A we learn more about the project from none other than Don, himself. 
 

Q&A Don Cochrane

Tara: First, a bit about you Don, and your relationship with Brian and Brainsport. You go way, way back making you a perfect fit to lead the way on this project. Would you mind telling us a bit more about this?
 
Don: I first met Brian more than thirty years ago when he was a grade 12 student at Bedford Road Collegiate…which means he is now as old as I was then! A mutual acquaintance suggested that Brian could use some guidance and coaching. I don’t know whether I was able to offer any guidance, but I did coach Brian for six months to prepare him for the Canadian national junior championships that June in Edmonton. He was ready. He ran a personal best in the 10K, finished third, made the national team, went to a national training camp in BC, and participated in a tri-national meet between Canada, USA, and Japan. Since I had been so successful in my coaching debut, I decided it was time to retire while I was ahead!
 
Tara: Where did the idea for this publication come from? And, what were the motivating factors to take on the project?
 
Don: I suspect that the idea arose from discussions between Brian and Ian Colvine. I think they drafted me because they knew I had written a good deal and edited a whole lot more. For my part, I showed up for the very first Wednesday night running club and have been a constant admirer of the whole Brainsport enterprise ever since. Brainsport is an extraordinary success story.
 
Tara: What are your hopes for the publication? What should readers expect to see?
 
Don: I didn’t want to produce something that was simply filled with photos that people would thumb through quickly and toss in the bin. Happily, Brian agreed. The heart of the publication is a quite lengthy interview with Brian about the early days that I am sure many will find most interesting and informative. And you will “hear” Brian’s voice through it all! It is a substantial piece. It is our one opportunity to record the store’s history. I won’t be here for the 50th and perhaps Brian won’t be either. This would be our one shot to tell the story before people and events disappear into the mists of time!
 
Tara: When will the publication be released? And, can you fill us in on any details of who will have access to it, or is that still in the works?
 
Don: We expect our publication will be published early in September. We are hoping to produce an online version as well which will be available on the Brainsport website.