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The Herd Edition 23
Valarie Ann Brisco-Hooks - Amateur to Olympic Champion
The Herd | Edition No. 23
Welcome back to this week’s edition of The Herd! This edition we’ll cover Valarie Ann Brisco-Hooks and her journey from amateur to Olympic champion. As summer heats up, we thought it’d be a good idea to provide summer heat running strategies to help you beat the heat!
PSA: Feel free to share ideas of what you’d like to see from this newsletter next! You can reply directly to us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!
Valarie Ann Brisco-Hooks
Valerie Ann Brisco-Hooksʼ journey from amateur to Olympian is a testament to resilience and relentless dedication. After her brother Robert was killed in a shooting on a Los Angeles track, Valerie took up running in his honor. However, her early career was relatively unremarkable. She married NFL wide receiver Alvin Hooks and started a family before beginning a serious training regimen. Under coach Bobby Kersee, her potential flourished. Valerie committed to grueling daily 12-hour training sessions, pushing through self-doubt and even taking a year and a half off from competition to focus on her family before returning with renewed determination (1, 2).
Her intense training paid off spectacularly at the 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials, where she qualified for both the 200 and 400 meters. At the Los Angeles Olympics, Valarie made history by becoming the first athlete—male or female—to win gold in both the 200- and 400-meter races at a single Games, and she added a third gold in the 4x400-meter relay (2, 3, 4). Her performances were marked by tactical brilliance and raw speed; in the 400-meter final, she surged ahead on the curve and held off her competitors to finish in 48.83 seconds, setting an Olympic record that still ranks among the fastest times ever run (4, 5). Valerie’s achievements not only broke barriers for women in track and field but also inspired countless athletes to pursue their Olympic dreams.
Beat the Heat: Smart Summer Running Strategies
Summer miles can be sweaty, slow, and sticky. Here’s how to keep running strong (and safely) through the heat.
🌅 Time it Right
Best times: Run early in the morning or after sunset to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
Midday sun in 80+ degrees? Skip it—save your effort (and your skin).
💧 Hydrate Like a Pro
Remember, real hydration starts the day before. Got a Saturday long run? Go easy on the Friday happy hour.
Start your day with a glass of water, even before your run.
On runs longer than 45–60 minutes, sip water or sports drinks with electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium).
Still sweating hours later? Rehydrate with a salty snack and a recovery drink.
👕 Dress for the Weather
Lightweight, light-colored, moisture-wicking clothes are your summer uniform.
A breathable hat or visor can help shade your face and keep sweat out of your eyes.
Don’t forget sunscreen—even on cloudy days.
🧠 Listen to Your Body
Slower paces in heat are totally normal. Your body is working harder to stay cool.
Dizzy, chilled, or nauseous? Stop. Walk. Hydrate. Heat exhaustion is serious.
Boy’s 4×800m High School Record
The Herriman Utah Boy’s 4×800m team made history Friday evening with a record time of 7:26.12, slipping under the 7:28.75 mark set in 2011. Brothers Jonah and Micah Tang set a strong pace for their team and Tayshaun Ogomo ran the fastest split in 1:48.94 to put the team in first place. Anchorman Jackson Spencer kept the momentum to solidify the historic time.
Thanks for tuning in this week! We hope you are amazed and inspired by Valarie’s drive and relentless pursuit of accomplishment, ‘cuz we certainly are. Don’t be caught off guard if you don’t see The Herd in your inbox next week - we’re taking a week off! (It is summer after all). Until next time, enjoy the miles, beat the heat, and fuel smart!
See you in two weeks! 👋🌴
