Monday, April 12, 2010

Runner in the Spotlight: Eimear Goggin



Eimear is the Charlotte Running Club's webmaster. She works with the website and updates it on a daily basis. Enjoy!


Where do you work?
At UNC Charlotte, in the Office of Summer Programs.

What's your favorite restaurant in Charlotte?
I like the Crepe Cellar on North Davidson (((organic Normandy cider, mmmmm)))


How long have you lived in Charlotte?
Since 1994.


How did you learn to work with websites?
I took an evening class, 2 nights a week, in the Spring of 2007, at the University. My job even paid for it!


How did you learn about CRC?
I can't remember - maybe from the link on Theoden's blog?


Favorite place you've traveled and loved for running?
Barcelona. I learned some Spanish, and went for 2 weeks a couple of years ago. Running along the sea front in the mornings was magical. (I also swam in the Olympic pool there, in the "carril rapido" or fast lane, which made me laugh under water all the time; ate great food; saw tons of art; heard Ben Sidran play in a little club - it was all just lovely.)


When and why did you start running?
I swam a lot when I was young (still do). For a while a few years ago I was a member of the Y, and for a change tried out the gym - that Elliptical Fitness Thingy, and then the treadmill. It was a big deal when I was able to run a mile at 6 mph. It's kind-of addictive as you can see exactly how far and how fast you've gone. But running outside is best, of course! I think this is my 5th year running.


What do you love about running?
I guess it's more sociable than swimming! And faster too.


What’s the funniest or strangest thing that has ever happened to you on a run?
I think the strangest thing may have been that last year (at the advanced age of 52) I actually WON a race. It was the extremely cool White Squirrel 10k in the extremely cool town of Brevard, (where they really have a population of white squirrels) and I got the coolest medal in the known universe with, of course, a picture of a white squirrel on.


Do you lead any Charlotte Running Club group runs? What time?
It's hard to say I "lead" anything, because I have a broken foot and haven't run for ages; but I take care of a nice group who run from the Charlotte Running Company on Thursday evenings at 6:00 pm (4.44 hilly miles, at a random pace). Rumor has it the store will be restarting the popular "Thursday Speed Night" again soon, and we kind-of become absorbed with that.


What's your most memorable race and why?
Hit the Brixx 10k, 2009. I decided to try to go under 45 minutes for 10k last year, and with the help of Mark Carbone (who was working in the Running Company then, and made up monthly plans for me, and put up with me, and was kind enough to take me seriously), I did it at that race. I felt so competent and confident (for a while) afterwards that I found the nerve to volunteer to look after the club website!


Where is your favorite place to run in Charlotte?
Reedy Creek park which is pretty close to where I live; though I run a lot at the University campus (hilly 5k course), and also on the Mallard Creek greenway.


Favorite distance? PR?
10k, 44:12


What’s next on your race calendar?
I don't know when I'll be able to run again :-( but maybe something in June - the King Tiger 5k if my foot doctor lets me.


What do you love most about the Charlotte Running Club?
They let me play with their website!


Anything else interesting you want to add
I'm swimming in the NC short-course yards masters champeenships May 1 and 2 - go me!

5 comments:

  1. Where's the photo? We want a photo and we want it NOW!

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  2. Niamh, just wait till I get back to Ireland next. You'll be sorry ... there are advantages to being the oldest sister, you know!

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  3. You forgot to say that Eimear is a great CRC recruiter! She got me on the "hello" on the parking lot at the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center... :)

    -Laure

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  4. Love the photo! Em does a great job with our website. We get alot of traffic and inquiries and she is always on top of it. It is fun learning more about folks in the club.

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  5. You can run but you can't hide. I too took up running relatively late in life, but could never match your PR for 10k. Wow. I run Tymon Park when back in Dub.

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