The glowing red light of the digital clock changes to 3:36 as Russell Brown keeps his eyes fixed on the three numbers. Brown envisions crossing the finish line and having those same numbers blazing brightly on the screen. He always makes sure to look at the clock when it’s on the exact time he hopes to run.

This is one of Brown’s several pre-race rituals. The redshirt senior obviously knows what he needs to do before a race, being not only one of Stanford’s premier middle distance runners, but also standing at the top of the NCAA rankings.

A nine-time All-American and National Champion, Brown brings a spark to the Stanford track and field team — and hopes to make it brighter before he ends his Stanford career this June.

As a fifth-year academic senior, Brown is predominantly focusing on his running this quarter, as he only has two classes to worry about to finish up his co-term degree in sociology. Brown’s typical day at Stanford consists of running, making and eating meals, going to class, watching his favorite television show (“Law and Order”), doing work,

running more, and resting; he has to allow his body to recover to prepare for the next day of hard training.

Brown was first introduced to the sport of running by his elementary school gym teacher. He hopes to hang up his running shoes after only slightly more than four years as a professional runner. Aside from his several All-American honors, numerous school, Pac-10 and national titles belong to him.

These include a third-place finish at the MPSF Championships in the mile as a freshman, second place in the 1,500 meters at Pac-10s as a sophomore, winner of the mile at MPSF Championships as a sophomore, a third-place finish after running a career best time of 3:37.56 in the 1,500 meters at NCAA Outdoor Championships as a junior, another win in the mile at MPSF Championships as a junior, second place at NCAA Indoor Championships in the mile as a junior, and the highlight of his running career: winning a national championship in the distance medley relay at NCAA Indoor Championships in 2007.

Teammate, fellow miler and training partner Garrett Heath speaks highly of Brown, commending his leadership and passion for the team.

“Russell has been a great leader for this team over the past couple of years. He has been a key part in building up the extremely talented middle distance group that we have today, and that has allowed us to compete for national championships the last

couple of years,” Heath said.

“Having him around as a workout partner on a daily basis has been extremely helpful for me,” he added. “Being able to run and train with someone who has such high goals for themselves inspires you to run faster and train harder as well. The races that we have run together have been some of our best memories from college.”

A talented middle distance runner who can contribute in all the distance events, Brown will shortly end his illustrious and decorated Stanford career. When asked about his Olympic and professional potential, he had a lot to say.

“I want to be pro after I finish up my eligibility,” he said. “I am lucky in that I have a lot of friends who have already navigated this process, and I don’t think it will be too precarious.

“I hope to make the Olympic team this year, and in London, but it is going to be very, very difficult,” he continued. “I have to be top three at the trials this year, and honestly, the odds are against me. But I am due for a breakthrough, and I really do

believe I am capable.”

Brown has proven his capability thus far, but taking his running to the next level will be mentally and physically taxing. However, Stanford has prepared him well, and Brown credits the Farm for the environment and opportunity it has given him.

“There is no better place to be a runner and a student. I am given everything I could ask for to make me a good runner. They spare no expense for any of us, and I don’t know if many other schools can offer each one of their athletes that experience.”

Teammate and close friend Michael Garcia spoke of Brown as a runner, as a leader and a friend.

“It’s been a pleasure knowing Russell as a teammate and as a roommate,” Garcia said. “I’ve looked up to his dedication on the track over the last four years, and he’s been an inspiration for the whole team.”

As for the food that fuels him, Brown relies on a waffle. Well, it doesn’t have to be a waffle, but when he eats a waffle, he just knows that he will run well. The waffle is followed by a nap, and the nap usually involves a dream which consists of an incredibly poor run. Thankfully, Brown’s dreams are usually never indicative of his performance for the day; it just always happens that way, he claims.

But dreams are dreams, and Brown is ready to make some of his a reality. A runner to watch in the upcoming Pac-10 and NCAA Championships and perhaps even the Olympic Games in Beijing, Brown continues to run hard for the Cardinal. He will without a doubt continue to leave his mark on every track on which he runs.