Open Mic Friday: Meet Irish Cream

Last week Runners' Lounge was invited by New Balance to attend the 2009 preview of its line of fall/winter shoes and apparel in New York City.  Amy and I couldn't attend, so we chose some wonderful Lounge members who were just a subway or cab ride away to represent Runners' Lounge.  Taking in the sneak preview were Laura, Peter, and today's guest, Irish Cream.

Known for her enthusiasm for running, food, beer, and all things Notre Dame, she has an abundance of energy and passion that we enjoy in her blog Do It Irish Cream.  We also love her because she says what's on her mind and always with a flair.

You can enjoy her New Balance review, but today's interview is purely to get to know her better and introduce you to a great running and blogging friend. We're delighted to bring to you Bailey at Irish Cream!

How did you get started with running and fitness?

I was very active growing up.  I played soccer competitively and also found time to play basketball and run cross-country.  In college, I maintained this fitness level by continuing to run and joining the women’s boxing team.  After graduation, I began working in the independent film industry in NYC, where 14-20 hour work days are the norm.  Sadly, my demanding work schedule forced me to give up on fitness altogether and also led me to pick up the nasty habit of smoking.  After two years, I quit the film industry (and the smokes) and took an office job, which offered a discounted gym membership as part of its benefits package.  Figuring I might as well make the most of my job benefits, I joined the gym and started running and lifting weights.  What began as a goal to get back into shape quickly developed into a passion, and I ultimately decided I would up the ante and train for a marathon.  The rest, as they say, is history!

What’s the best part about running in New York City?

I think the best part about running in New York City would be the early morning long runs where it feels like you have the city all to yourself.  It’s actually true what they say; New Yorkers are almost always in a hurry.  On early morning long runs, though, you are finally forced to slow down and take your sweet time.  In addition, there are generally far fewer people out and about.  These factors combined with the gorgeous city scenery, which you actually have time to admire, make for what I consider to be the ideal running environment.  My favorite early morning run is over the Brooklyn Bridge, up the west side of Manhattan and back.  It is simply stunning!

What’s your biggest challenge with running these days?

What first came to mind was my current job and the crazy hours I continue to work.  But actually, I think my biggest challenge with running is my own clumsiness!  I do things like falling down the stairs—or tripping over the sidewalk—far more often than I care to admit.  These little escapades of klutziness can lead to frustrating injuries that unfortunately keep me from running and training.  Luckily, everyone else seems to be very interested in keeping me running.  A partner at my firm has jokingly (?) forbidden that I wear heels at work, and countless other individuals have commented that I should be forced to wear a padded suit at all times.  I think these folks may be taking it a bit far, but I’ll admit that I am probably one of the least graceful people you’ll ever meet.

What’s the greatest reward you get from your running?

I think the greatest reward running offers me is friendship.  I have met (both virtually and in real life) so many wonderful individuals through running, and they are all amazing people who have each had an immensely positive impact on my life.

What impressed you the most at the review of the New Balance line of fall and winter shoes and apparel?

I think what really impressed me was the presence of a trail racing flat!  I love that idea, and I think it’s wonderful that New Balance is really trying to embrace the needs of trail runners.  We were told that trail runners helped design the shoe, which I think is great (and necessary)!

We know from your blog you’re a huge Notre Dame fan.  Tells us more about that?

It all started with my paternal grandfather, who was a huge Notre Dame fan.  Way back in the day, he managed to snag season football tickets (back when they probably cost about $0.50 a piece).  While he never made it to college himself, he did make it to most of the ND home football games.  He loved Notre Dame so much that he worked two full-time jobs with the hopes that he could someday send his two sons to college.  And he did!  My father graduated from Notre Dame in 1970 and eventually inherited my grandfather’s season tickets.  I attended my first Notre Dame game when I was just 3 years old.  By the age of 10, I had a solid grasp on the rules of football and had convinced myself that I was going to be the first female football player at Notre Dame.  I also made a point of telling anyone who’d listen that this was the case.  Embarrassingly enough, this continued until about age 14.  To make a long story short, I dreamed all my life about attending the University of Notre Dame.  I still consider the happiest day of my life to be the day I received my acceptance letter.  It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.  And while I only make it back for 1-2 football games a year these days, I still consider Notre Dame to be a huge part of my life.

Tell us about your training these days and any races coming up.

I am currently in training for the inaugural Rock N’ Roll Seattle Marathon, which will take place on June 27, 2009.  I’m still pretty early in my training plan (only 4 weeks in), but so far, so good!  On the way to marathon day, I will also be running the Long Branch Half Marathon in New Jersey, as well as a few New York Road Runner races and the Sunburst 5K (I’m actually running this race with my mother—go Mom!).  I’m feeling pretty confident that I’ll PR at both the half-marathon and marathon distances, so I’m really looking forward to my big race days!

What’s the greatest compliment someone could make to you about your running?

I think one of the greatest compliments would be that I make running seem fun.  I feel like so many people see running as a chore or a necessary measure to stay fit and in shape.  But to me, it is so much more than that.  I try to share my passion for running with everyone I come into contact with, just in case it might possibly make a difference.  For whatever reason, it would seem that I have convinced quite a few people to take up the sport, and I just LOVE it when I see the same excitement and enthusiasm I feel about running emanating from newbies!

Who are some of your favorite blogging friends?

This is lame, I know, but I seriously love all of you!!  You are all so unique and bring so much to the running community through your blogs; there is no way I could pick even a handful of you as my favorites!  I am so grateful for all of the education, laughter, tears, inspiration and friendship I have received from the running blogging community, I cannot even put it into words!

Best race experience? 

This is a common answer, I’m sure, but it would have to be crossing the finish line at my first marathon, the 2008 Los Angeles Marathon.  To put things in perspective, everything that could possibly go wrong on race day did, in fact, go wrong.  I began suffering from the effects of heat exhaustion somewhere around mile-4.  I started contemplating the idea of dropping out at mile-8.  I was forced to walk a lot of the race and ended up missing my goal time by over an hour.  But still, the feeling of pride I felt upon crossing that finish line for the first time cannot and will not ever be matched.  It was truly a life-changing experience.

Any quirky running traits?

I always have to run with gum . . . always.  I’ve joked before that the reasoning behind this is that it gives me the hope that I might choke on the gum and, therefore, have an excellent excuse for not finishing my run.  But really, it just kind of throws me off when I don’t have gum to chew—like literally—as in it affects my balance somehow.  I only wish I was kidding . . .

What have you not done with your running that you’re still looking forward to?

I’m not sure I’ve ever admitted this before on my blog, but my dream goal is to qualify for Boston one day.  I’ve been ever so gradually working on increasing my speed, and while I know it will take a lot of work, I’m confident that someday I’ll do it.  I’d also like to complete a marathon in each of the 50 states, and I would really love to run the Comrades Marathon (55-ish mile race in South Africa) one day.

Favorite race?

My favorite race series would have to be the Sunburst Races in South Bend, IN.  For any Notre Dame fans out there, I have to recommend that you run one of these races at some point.  The races start in downtown South Bend (near the College Football Hall of Fame) and finish on the 50 yard-line of Notre Dame’s football stadium.  This means you get to run into the stadium through the tunnel (just like the team) with the victory march blaring in the background--it’s a very cool way to finish a race.  There are multiple race distances offered (5K fitness walk, 5K run, 10K, half-marathon and marathon), and they are all very well-organized.  Also, the post-race food is great and they let you hang out down on the field for as long as you want afterward.  Not at all a bad deal, if you ask me!

Non-running and non-blogging interests?

I am very interested in all things style, including fashion and home décor.  I currently author a style blog called Crap to Crave (craptocrave.tumblr.com), and I don’t want to toot my own horn, but it’s pretty awesome.  I essentially comb through all kinds of online shopping sites (the list is endless) and find cute but inexpensive women’s clothing/shoes/accessories; then post the corresponding photos and links on my blog.  I like to think of it as “economy chic”.  Anyway, it is super fun, and I’m hoping to expand it to home décor someday (but first, I think I’ll have to quit my job!).  Along the same lines, I spend far too much of my free time rearranging the furniture in my apartment and scheming up new and inexpensive ways to decorate.  What can I say?  I’m a designer (and a cheapskate) at heart! 

Also, this one might be rather obvious, but I am a huge sports fan.  I love college sports, the New York Rangers, the Chicago Cubs and, of course, da’ Bears (I was born and raised in Chicago)! 

Finally, I really love to travel.  I just LOVE seeing new places and getting to know different cultures, languages and foods!

Running hero?

This would definitely be my father.  He introduced me to running at a very young age.  I can remember him going out for runs along the nature trail near our house, and coming back what seemed like hours later, exhausted and dripping with sweat.  Upon returning, he would immediately plop down on our porch swing and down a nice, cold beer.  I like to think that I inherited this post-run recovery method from him.

What is one unique thing about you that most people don't know?

I was Robert Downey Jr.’s driver and personal PA (production assistant) on the set of A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints. 

Also, at one point in time, I had pink hair (I went through a “phase”, as my mother called it)!

Favorite running shirt?

I have a tech tank from the online shop One More Mile (onemoremilerunning.com) that reads “Will Run for Beer.”  It is my favorite shirt both because I love the saying, and because my father has one that matches.  I bought them for us back in 2007 when we were thinking about running the Honolulu Marathon together.  Unfortunately, I ended up tearing my left hamstring in a co-rec soccer game right before training would have started, thus spoiling our big plan.  But still, the shirt makes me smile every time I put it on.  I’m in the process of trying to convince my father (who is now 61 years old) to run his second marathon with me at Chicago this year (his first marathon was also Chicago, nearly 30 years ago!).  So perhaps if I’m successful in doing so, and the weather cooperates, we will finally get to wear our shirts together!

Best running advice you’ve ever been given?

“Somewhere someone busier than you is training right now.”

So if you were going to devise a first-ever running event, what would it be?   What would you call it?

My boyfriend, Wilson, recently ran his first marathon in Austin, TX.  While in Austin, we tried out this amazing open-pit barbecue place, The Salt Lick (I am salivating now just thinking about it!).  Anyway, it just so happens that The Salt Lick is about 22 miles outside of Austin.  Thus, we have made it our goal to devise a marathon route that would start in Austin and end at The Salt Lick.  Upon arriving at the finish line, your reward would be all-you-can-eat barbecue.  I think I would want to call this event the Meat Your Maker Marathon.

Do you know a runner you would recommend for Open Mic Friday? 

Pass along their name, contact info, and some background and we'll explore introducing them to the Runners' Lounge Community.

Send to Amy@runnerslounge.com or Tom@runnerslounge.com.

Comments

[Xenia]

Another gum-chewing runner? Yay, I'm not alone. :)