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December 14, 2008
Another Long Hibernation
I don't think anyone stops by Miles to Go anymore, but the writing bug has bitten my fingers again so I figured I ought to play a little tune on my keyboard and update my abandoned blog. It has been so long that I don't even know where to begin. I believe I last left this space after a disappointing finish at Grandma's Marathon, and a string of injury flare ups that sapped my running motivation; my summer literally evaporated into the Fall and after months of low mileage and too many rest days to count, I returned to the roads in September rejuvenated and ready to feed the fire.
I started my comeback with a 37:31 10K, and then continued it with new PRs in the 5K (18:04) and the half (1:20:40). I raced all of those PRs on extremely rested legs, and over the past few weeks, I have poured on the miles and increased the intensity of my workouts immensely. I should qualify "pour on the miles" to mean that I reached into the high 40s, mid 50s, and just this week, the 60s.
My focus right now is on the USA Half Marathon Championships in January in Houston. I barely made it into the elite field, and I would not be surprised if I am the slowest woman in the field! My workouts are pointing toward a 1:18 finish so I am going to cross my fingers and hope for a good day :)
Aside from running, my personal life has taken quite a turn. I resigned from my job as a university composition teacher in July and H. picked me up and employed me as a contractor with the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and Shamrock Shuffle. For his help, I am deeply grateful. I love the new gig (no matter how temporary it may ultimately be), and I am learning a lot . . . I am always up for a new challenge.
Shout outs go to Salty for the birth of Peanut, and I definitely need to stop by Mindi's blog and several others. I promise: no more disappearing acts. I have a bad habit of pulling a Houdini every now and then.
Hope all are well, happy and healthy :)
Posted by bridget at December 14, 2008 8:12 PM
Comments
hey! i can't remember how i found your blog but i added you to my reader way back when (sometime in the fall) and saw your post today. you are fast and those post-injury pr's are awesome! i'd like to run a 1:20 so any advice you want to share would be terrific. congrats on making it into the half champs too! good luck in preparation!
Posted by: lindsay at December 15, 2008 4:19 AM
hey! i can't remember how i found your blog but i added you to my reader way back when (sometime in the fall) and saw your post today. you are fast and those post-injury pr's are awesome! i'd like to run a 1:20 so any advice you want to share would be terrific. congrats on making it into the half champs too! good luck in preparation!
Posted by: lindsay at December 15, 2008 4:21 AM
Hi Bridget! Congratulations on your comeback races and good luck as you prepare for Houston! I'm glad you found a good job and I hope it isn't as time consuming as your previous duties. It's good to hear from you again!
Posted by: Alison at December 15, 2008 7:26 AM
hi bridget!!
so great to hear what you're up to! i added to to my google reader juuust in case you came back:) CONGRATS on all of your superstar running! i'd love to see you next time im in chicago. just 8 months till i move back. can you believe i will have been gone 4 years?? congrats again, and good luck in january!!
Posted by: katie w at December 15, 2008 12:47 PM
Thanks for the shout out, Bridget! It's great to have you back in the blogosphere. Best of luck with the training and way to go posting more kickass pr's! I'll be looking forward to reading about your running for inspiration as I attempt my post-peanut comeback :)
Posted by: Salty at December 15, 2008 3:45 PM
Way to go!!! Running is a lifestyle worth living. Good luck with all your running.
Posted by: salmiler at December 16, 2008 6:14 AM
Well III stopped by, and I'm glad to see you're back! AWESOME job with the 5K and half PRs - those are amazing times! And although temporary, congrats on the new job! I worked with some of the guys with the TC Marathon.. and I can see myself finding something in that field at some point. (Official medical director for Twin Cities Marathon? Maybe?!)
It's great that you're back. You're too inspiring to be gone for that long ;)
Posted by: Erika at December 17, 2008 2:44 PM
I stop by all the time but i missed this last one.
More than hibernation i'd call it Evolution.
If blogging less works, do it.
Merry Christmas Bridget. Well actually considering your blogging trend, might as well wish you a marvellously healthy and fast 2009.
Posted by: corrado giambalvo at December 23, 2008 1:13 PM
i noticed you didn't come in last! :) great job in houston, you ran a great time and hope you had fun out/down/over there in tx.
Posted by: lindsay at January 22, 2009 7:45 PM