Congratulations to those who have been selected for the 2009 Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run!
We are very excited for the event this year and hope you are too. There will be many opportunities for bridge run participants to interact and contribute to the blog. If you have a suggestion on a topic you would like to see or that you would like to discuss e-mail marketingevents@michiganfitness.org Planned topics from some “featured runners” include:
-Training tips and links
-Helpful hints from past bridge runners
-Motivational words
-First time bridge runner questions, concerns, anticipations
If blogging just isn’t for you, feel free to post comments or questions, or email them to marketingevents@michiganfitness.org, and the staff at the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness will respond as quickly as possible. You can also browse our links on the right hand side to view helpful information, pictures and related links.
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We are looking forward to this year’s run, and are excited about your interest in the event! The Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run is, as many past runners can tell you, an exhilarating experience. Check back soon, as we will be posting information regarding the Fitness Ambassadors for the 2009 Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run.
Again, congratulations, and see you at the bridge!
June 2, 2009 at 1:58 am |
I was pleased to learn today that I had been selected in the lottery to run the Mighty Mac this Labor Day! I was fortunate enough to participate last year, and it was one the greatest running events I have ever done. The view from the bridge is amazing, and the entire run was fun and well-organized. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to run again this year.
Are there any other runners from Midland who will be participating?
June 19, 2009 at 9:15 pm |
I am a bay city runner. I was picked to run this year. I am looking forward to it. I normally run 5k. I have been upping my running to 3 and half and 4 miles. It is good to see the weather getting warmer.
June 2, 2009 at 3:39 am |
Thanks so much for choosing me! I am very excited to be part of the Bridge Run this year!! My birthday is on Labor day this year!! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate my birthday than seeing the sun rise while running across the Mighty Mac!!
LF
Jackson county
June 4, 2009 at 1:09 pm |
My Son and I will be running the bridge for the first time. Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated.
June 4, 2009 at 10:26 pm |
williek56–Just have fun!! The year I did it everything went just as outlined on the information sheet.
L
June 5, 2009 at 12:31 pm |
williek56: You may be concerned about the incline of the bridge. Since I live where it’s flat and don’t have the opportunity to train on hills, I was concerned about that part of the run when I did it for the first time last year. I found that the slope is so gradual, I barely noticed it. You may want to do some training on hills or on a treadmill with a 2-3% incline just to feel more confident, but I wouldn’t worry about the incline of the bridge. I just received my new issue of Runner’s World, and it has some great training tips for your first or fastest 5K. You might want to check that out for more training tips for a run of this distance. But as “runnin4fun” said, just have fun. The bridge run is a great event — enjoy the experience!
June 11, 2009 at 1:10 am |
I am excited about being selected to run the bridge with everyone. I am wondering what is the average pace for the run?
June 11, 2009 at 5:33 am |
run4mykids, Don’t be too worried about pace for this. There is so much to see. When I did it a few years ago my average pace was about 9:30. I was in no hurry, I wanted to see everything and take it all in. I took pictures. It took me 42 minutes but it was over with so fast. It seemed like the fastest 4.5 miles I had ever run but it was actually the slowest!! People will be running all paces, I had a few fly by me like it was a race and I passed people going even slower than I was!!
L
June 11, 2009 at 2:45 pm |
I am planning on running (jogging) the bridge at 10:30 miles which I would believe more near the norm than 6 to 9 minute miles. Plus there is a rumour that half the bridge is downhill.
June 11, 2009 at 12:29 pm |
Don’t worry about the average pace. There will be fast runners who cross the bridge at a sub-6:00 pace, along with runners who cover the distance at 8:30 or 9:00 minutes per mile. The majority will be somewhere in between. The key is to go at a pace that you have properly trained to run so that you have a safe, enjoyable run.
If they organize the event the way they did last year, they’ll move us onto the bridge in groups of about 30 runners at a time, and the governor will tell each group when to start. You take off with your group but run at your own pace. The only guideline is that you must keep moving so that the bridge does not become congested as more athletes start their run.
Remember, running isn’t about speed, it’s about having the courage to step up to the starting line!
June 23, 2009 at 5:47 pm |
Pace yourself as you see fit. This is not a race, but a run! I will plan on 6:00 but know of others that are planing on 11:00. Just enjoy it, the experience is awesome!