Welcome again to the 2009 Bridge Run blog. While you are taking a break from running and training, take a moment to introduce yourself and interact with other bridge runners!
This blog is for the 400 selected runners that after September 7 will share the memories of making the breathtaking five-mile run across the “Mighty Mac.”
Complete the runner’s survey by clicking “comment” below to get to know other run participants. Feel free to respond to all or some of the questions listed. But, keep our commenting policy in mind.
Runner Bio:
What is your name?
Where are you from?
What is your mile time?
Have you run the bridge before?
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan?
How many races have you participated in?
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share?
June 11, 2009 at 3:53 pm |
What is your name? Sarah
Where are you from? Chelsea (Washtenaw County)
What is your mile time? My mile personal record is 6:43.
Have you run the bridge before? No
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? I love running in the Waterloo Recreation Area which is very close to my home.
How many races have you participated in? 34: everything from a one-mile race to a full marathon.
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? Never, ever underestimate what you are capable of! Two years ago I was a back-of-the-pack 5K runner and next April I will be running the Boston Marathon!
June 11, 2009 at 9:31 pm |
What is your name? Lorenda
Where are you from? Jackson county
What is your mile time? depends, in a 5K, 7:40, In a marathon 9 mins.
Have you run the bridge before? I ran the bridge 2 years ago. I wanted to do it again this year because my birthday is on Labor day this year!!!
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? Traverse City (I don’t get to run there often) There are some great places to run in Ann Arbor too.
How many races have you participated in? I’ve lost count, many 5Ks in the last 5 years, a few 8Ks, few 10Ks, 2 25Ks, bunch of half marathons and 3 marathons.
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share?
Have fun and enjoy the bridge run. Don’t worry about going fast, look around and take in all the sights, take pictures. It will be over with so fast and before you know it you will be headed home. (and stuck in traffic heading out of Mackinaw City)
Get your hotel room booked.
August 18, 2009 at 5:22 pm |
Could you tell me where in Traverse City? I’ve been there 4 times this year.
June 12, 2009 at 11:46 am |
What is your name? Garn
Where are you from? Freeland (Saginaw County)
What is your mile time? 10 minute mile.
Have you run the bridge before? Never. This will be the first time.
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? Leelenau Penisula
How many races have you participated in? Too many to remember. I love running in local races.
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? Hydrate, carbo-load and respect your body’s need for rest and recovery.
June 12, 2009 at 12:05 pm |
What is your name? Chris
Where are you from? Augusta (west of Battle Creek)
What is your mile time? I average 11 minute miles.
Have you run the bridge before? No, this is my first.
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? I enjoy the Kal-Haven Trail.
How many races have you participated in? Alot! Anything from a 5k to the marathon.
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? Listen to your body and adjust your training as needed but also, have fun!
June 12, 2009 at 12:32 pm |
(Survey Submitted via email)
Runner Bio:
What is your name? Manette London
Where are you from? Chelsea/Ann Arbor area.
What is your mile time? Uphill…9ish; downhill 8ish
Have you run the bridge before? No
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? I would imagine the bridge might be one of them.
How many races have you participated in? Maybe 50.
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? Just enjoy.
June 12, 2009 at 1:10 pm |
What is your name? Cathy
Where are you from? Concord
What is your mile time? 7:45 trying to get it down PR was 6:15 in college for a 5k
Have you run the bridge before? no
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? I love to run in the UP when I am there in the summer, I also enjoy the new falling water trail in Jackson County that I incorporate in my daily runs.
How many races have you participated in? many I like the local circut in Jackson. Training for my first marathon this fall on the Falling Water Trail check it out at http://www.fallingwatertrail.org
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? You don’t need a reason, you need a road… believe in the run! I just got back into running about 3 years ago after running all through high school and in college, got married did the kid thing, it is never too late in life to run. The best thing about running is anyone can do it you just need a good pair of shoes!
June 12, 2009 at 4:52 pm |
Cathy, I am also from Jackson county and sometimes run on the Falling Water trail on the Jackson end. You will love running the bridge on Labor Day!! Good luck training for your marathon!
Lorenda
August 18, 2009 at 5:28 pm |
I love your quote!!
June 12, 2009 at 1:23 pm |
(Survey Submitted via email)
Runner Bio:
What is your name? David
Where are you from? Southwest Michigan
What is your mile time? 8:50
Have you run the bridge before? No
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? I’m sure there are many. I like Leelanau County and many places in southwest Michigan.
How many races have you participated in? 2
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? Looking forward to the Mighty Mac.
June 12, 2009 at 6:00 pm |
What is your name? Jeff
Where are you from? I live in Jackson
What is your mile time? My fastest was 7:30 last year now since i’m recovering from an injury it’s around 8:30
Have you run the bridge before? I ran it last year!!!
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? The Bridge
How many races have you participated in? 11
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? If you get a chance to run on the grates it’s pretty cool.
June 17, 2009 at 5:45 pm |
What is your name? Bill
Where are you from? Warren, Mi
What is your mile time? Since I’m over 60 I consider 10 min’s fast
Have you run the bridge before? Not this one
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? Anywhere in Michigan from Monroe to Copper Harbour.
How many races have you participated in? Less than 10
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? The winner of the race is not always the fastest. I may only get this chance once so I will take my time and enjoy it. Have fun everyone!
June 17, 2009 at 8:20 pm |
What is your name? Judy
Where are you from? Rockford
What is your mile time? 10 minutes
Have you run the bridge before? No! And I am really excited about this!
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? Leelanau Area
How many races have you participated in? Not that many…Maybe 10
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? I’m not running for time, I’m just here for the experience.
June 18, 2009 at 4:34 pm |
What is your name? Bill
Where are you from? Midland
Have you run the bridge before? Yes, last year.
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? The Bridge! I also enjoy trail runs at the Chippewa Nature Center, Midland City Forest, and Pine Haven in Sanford.
How many races have you participated in? Too many to count. Most of the local races in Midland/Bay City. Currently training for the Detroit Marathon.
To Sarah in Chelsea (first post in this thread): Congratulations on qualifying for Boston! That’s a huge accomplishment. A friend of mine just qualified when he ran Bayshore, and I’m hoping to do the same when I run Detroit in October. We’ll both be at the bridge on Labor Day — if you see us, be sure to introduce yourself. We’re the runners in this picture from last year’s bridge run:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30956533@N03/2905081194/
June 23, 2009 at 5:44 pm |
Thanks! I still have a hard time believing it myself. Not only will I be running Boston next year, but I will also be running the NYC Marathon in November! It’s been an amazing year of running for me.
June 19, 2009 at 5:33 pm |
What is your name? Steve
Where are you from? Flushing
What is your mile time? 6:30 to 7:00
Have you run the bridge before? No
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? Love running in my hometown, but have too many favorites to pick one place.
How many races have you participated in? Ran first road race in 1988, been going ever since.
June 20, 2009 at 6:11 pm |
What is your name? Mark
Where are you from? Originally Augusta
What is your mile time? 7 min
Have you run the bridge before? No
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? St Ignace on Highway 2.
How many races have you participated in? 50+
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? Just keep going.
June 20, 2009 at 10:15 pm |
correction.. Best mile is 7 min. avg is 8 – 8.5.
June 23, 2009 at 5:44 pm |
What is your name? Tom
Where are you from? Livingston County
What is your mile time? 5:20, 5K 6:00-6:20, Half 7:00
Have you run the bridge before? Yes in 2007
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? The Bridge, which is why I entered for this run again.
How many races have you participated in? A ton!
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? Run!
June 25, 2009 at 12:35 am |
What is your name? Jeff
Where are you from? Monroe
What is your mile time? 8:30
Have you run the bridge before? No
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? East River Rd., on Grosse Ile.
How many races have you participated in? 6 Started running one year ago.
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? Been over the Mac many times by car, looking forward to the run.
June 26, 2009 at 1:45 pm |
What is your name? Creig
Where are you from? Mt. Pleasant
What is your mile time? 10 minute
Have you run the bridge before? Nope
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? Lakeshore Drive near Brimley- it’s by my cabin…….
How many races have you participated in? Maybe 10 or 12
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? Keep moving forward- it all counts!
June 26, 2009 at 3:58 pm |
What is your name? Matt
Where are you from? Zeeland
What is your mile time? down to 8:22 as of my latest 5K race
Have you run the bridge before? No
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? I love running in Zeeland. You can enjoy the city streets and the downtown, or you can head out of the City limits to enjoy Holland or Zeeland Townships on the many miles of non-motorized trails.
How many races have you participated in? Will be running my 4th 5K race tomorrow in East Grand Rapids.
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? Looking forward to the different perspective of the bridge run (vs walking or driving).
June 26, 2009 at 6:01 pm |
What is your name? Jessica K
Where are you from? Traverse City
What is your mile time? depends… 8:50 for a (flat) half marathon
Have you run the bridge before? No, but I have walked it with my Grandma when I was little
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? Boyne to Boyne was beautiful… Traverse City and Gaylord/Elmira are nice, too.
How many races have you participated in? 25 maybe??
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? If I can do it…. ANYONE can do it! Have fun and enjoy the ride!
June 26, 2009 at 11:13 pm |
What is your name? – John
Where are you from? – Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti
What is your mile time? – About 10 minute miles
Have you run the bridge before? – No
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? – Done know, I haven’t run all of the place yet.
How many races have you participated in? – About 10
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? – Nothing really except that I love running with my kids.
June 27, 2009 at 8:13 pm |
What is your name? Mike
Where are you from? Hudsonville
What is your mile time? 8:30 for longer races, but just did 5 mile race at 7:40
Have you run the bridge before? No
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? Anywhere I can get outside to run
How many races have you participated in? 15+
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? Can’t wait, love to get out and have my time while accomplishing things I never thought I could.
July 25, 2009 at 6:07 pm |
What is your name? Mike aka Marathonfrek
Where are you from? Midland
What is your mile time? 5:26 PR for 5k 7:15 for marathon
Have you run the bridge before? Yes…Last three years
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan?
BRIDGE, Mackinaw Island 8 Mile, Norway to Iron Mountain and back at 5:00AM
How many races have you participated in? A Lot
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? Train in most adverse conditions and race day will be a breeze.
July 27, 2009 at 12:58 pm |
What is your name? Kathy
Where are you from? Woodland
Mile time? 11:30
Have you run the bridge before? No
Most Scenic? I hope the bridge
How many races have you participated? Many, longest was the Martian 1/2 marathon in Dearborn.
August 12, 2009 at 1:55 am |
What is your name? – Camilla
Where are you from? – Carrollton (Saginaw)
What is your mile time? – About 12 minute miles
Have you run the bridge before? – yes – twice
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? – Any where by the water
How many races have you participated in? – lost count
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? – I belong to the over 50 crowd so if I can do it – anyone can do it. I am more of a recreational plodder type but the bridge is so breathtaking that speed doesn’t matter – just take it all in.
August 21, 2009 at 12:51 am |
I’m with you Camilla!
August 15, 2009 at 6:22 pm |
What is your name? Pat
Where are you from? Clinton Township (Macomb County)
What is your mile time? 9:30
Have you run the bridge before? No, this will be my first time!!
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? The campus of Michigan State University
How many races have you participated in? One
August 18, 2009 at 1:09 am |
What is your name? Karen
Where are you from? Sparta (Kent County)
What is your mile time? 9:30
Have you run the bridge before? No – but I have walked it several times!!
I can’t wait to see the sunrise Labor Day morning.
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? By a lake close to my home.
How many races have you participated in? Around 10.
August 21, 2009 at 12:49 am |
Runner Bio:
What is your name? Francie
Where are you from? Livingston County
What is your mile time? 12:00
Have you run the bridge before? No
Where is the most scenic place to run in Michigan? I loved running over the Ambassador Bridge and back through the tunnel at last year’s Detroit Free Press Marathon
How many races have you participated in? 4
Do you have any tips/questions/motivational quotes to share? I’m just a “Steady Eddie”. I’ve been working on increasing my speed but I’ve only been running for 18 months and I did turn 50 in January. ” I may be aging, but I refuse to get old!!!”