Meet Beth Bridger, New Striders Club Secretary

Beth Bridger was voted in as the new Central Maine Striders secretary on January 12, 2016, at the club's annual meeting and banquet. Get to know this "born-again runner" and Strider better below.

​You can also join Beth and other officers at a monthly Striders meeting, typically held at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the Alfond Youth Center Boardroom, Waterville.

I'm a lifelong fan of track and field, with a special affinity for distance runners. In my youth, I hated running anything beyond a mile, but always admired those who found joy in covering long distances. Two of my three children followed my trackie footsteps as jumpers, hurdlers, and sprinters; the third child played baseball.

I've worked at Colby College for almost 20 years, 10 of those in the Admissions office. When I'm not running, reading about running, or trolling runners on social media, I enjoy reading, crocheting, and spending time outdoors. My second fitness passion is CrossFit: I love to lift weights. I love to challenge myself during my CrossFit workouts. My two fitness passions complement each other well. I love the energy and inclusiveness of the athletic community, no matter what the sport.

I'm a born-again runner. After one miserable high school cross-country season and a disastrous run on a hot, humid day in 1984, I swore I would never run again. Flash forward to 2012: While attending my 30th high school reunion I noticed that most of my classmates, including myself, had become somewhat "puffy" and out of shape. I had recently begun CrossFit, cleaned up my diet, and decided to add running to my new, healthy lifestyle. That summer, I walked and ran almost every race of the inaugural Quarry Road Summer Race Series. I joined Central Maine Striders and also became part of a group called "Central Maine Moms Run This Town."

Since then, I've completed more 5K's than I can count, a half-marathon, a couple of 10-milers, and a 15K. I've moved from almost-last to almost-middle-of the-pack. I run for me; I run for the fun of it. I run for the satisfaction of knowing that I can run a mile or two and finish a race, no matter what. I've volunteered at a few races. It's the only time I get to see the winners cross the finish line.

As a club officer, I hope to help increase membership and increase awareness of Central Maine Striders, our events, and of other local running opportunities. My main goal as a runner is to get others up and moving.

• Favorite Race: Cape Elizabeth Mid-Winter Classic
• Favorite Run: Bond Brook trails
• Favorite piece of running gear: my headlamp
• Favorite running advice: Pick 'em up and put 'em down. 
• Favorite running quote: "It really gets grim until the competition begins. You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement." —Steve Prefontaine