The thought of running a marathon is enough to induce stress in just about anybody.

Colin Brown found that to be true, but he found the perfect anecdote when he began training for this week’s Surf City Marathon months ago.

The Placer High senior is taking on the 26.2-mile challenge as part of his senior project. Though he’s battled painful shin splints, he’s found it to be a rewarding experience.

“It’s good for stress,” Brown said. “If you have a lot on your mind you can run it off. If I’m in a serious race I’m just paying attention to running form.”

He’ll be focusing on his form on Super Bowl Sunday as he runs alongside 20,000 others in Huntington Beach. His goal for his first official marathon is 3 hours, 36 minutes (8:15 per mile).

“That’s what I’m shooting for,” he said.

Brown said his younger brother Cameron was part of the inspiration for his idea to tackle a marathon. Cameron is a promising cross country and track runner.

Before this year, Colin’s track and field experience was limited to sprints and the pole vault.

Brown wrote a research paper on John Carlos and Tommie Smith, the legendary U.S. track stars who wore black gloves and raised their fists on the medal stand at the Olympics in 1968.

“I wrote about them and civil disobedience in sports,” said Brown, who works part-time at Black Oak Golf Course. “They were guys that were more intellectual and sports were a good way for them to express themselves.”

Inspired by his new challenge, Brown plans to run distance events for the Placer track team this spring. He chose to run the Surf City Marathon because the timing worked out well — track workouts begin later this month.

He prepped for the big race by running the Twelve Bridges Half-Marathon and running a relay leg at the California International Marathon in December. Placer assistant cross country coach Mo Bartley has mentored Brown throughout his marathon training. She set up a workout schedule for him and helped him refine his form.

“She’s run a lot and she really knows her stuff,” Brown said of Bartley.

Brown believes his senior project will have a lasting impact on his own life. He’s learned to overcome the pain of his shin splints and the monotony of training to achieve a long-term goal.

“Running and fitness are things that I can do throughout my whole life,” he said. “Just the knowledge of running that I’ve gotten has been really helpful.”