Name:     Paul Bulger
Message Board Handle: basalt61
Date of Birth: May 30, 1961
Place of Birth: St. Paul, MN
Height:  5’8”
Weight: 165

Before or after a marathon? 160

Before my next marathon? 160

Spouse and/or children?  Son Charlie, 16
Pets: cat Minnie
Best physical feature: legs
Worst physical feature: budda belly

Hobbies (besides running): most anything outdoors – biking, camping, backpacking, kayaking, hiking, blading, gardening, also music

Collections:  fuzzy memories – one of my life goals is to sample beer from every country in the world, seem to be losing track…so may have to start over

Short-term running goal:  run without a gimp

Long-term running goal:  be able to run at a decent pace in 20 years

Running achievement of which you are most proud:  Philly Marathon – BQ!

Personal strengths:  Diverse interests – gives balance and avoids obsession

Personal weaknesses:  Diverse interests – yields minimal improvements and keeps one in the middle of the pack

Running PR’s:
     Marathon – 3:32:11 Philly
     Half-Marathon – 1:36:37 Eau Claire
     25K – 2:07:00 Hyland
     10 Mile – 1:32:00 Frontenac
     10K – 44:07 Victory
     5K – 19:54 Golden Valley

Years running marathons: 4
Number of marathons finished:  4

Most memorable marathon finish, and why:  Philly marathon – awesome weather and finally able to hold pace, keeping leg and stomach cramps at bay.  Finished 2 minutes over goal, only to realize with change in age bracket snuck under the time.

Typical training week, a month or two before a major race: 50-60 miles total, 6 days per week.  Mix in speed work and long run of 20+.

Injuries: ACL couple of years ago.

Favorite running shoes:  Asics

Favorite food/drink during a marathon:  Cliff bars and Gatorade, with a couple electrolyte caps

Favorite place to run:  any route near water or on a trail..many favorites

Running idol: MN Red troops

Why did you join a running club (or MNRed)?  Sick of riding the bike solo and runners are typically chatty

Why do you run marathons?  I hang out with the wrong people and their sick habits

Advice you would give to other marathoners:  only run one if its below 60 F

Anything interesting you might like to share about yourself? Only compete with yourself, someone else is always faster than you and you are always faster than someone else.