I first came to know of Doreen years ago on the streets of my home town. LDF Dora and I were on our way to an early 10 mile race at the shore, when we saw Doreen run by us at a stop light. Dora, who already knew of Doreen, was thrilled to have so easily fulfilled the good luck omen requirement of seeing a “really good runner” before a race (a very good sign that the race would go well). And indeed it had…that race still holds as my 10 mile PR. So it is serendipitous that Doreen be the first competitive runner to answer our “10 questions”.
Meet masters runner Doreen McCoubrie… At 48, her name inevitably would appear as the top runner of our age group in many of the local races…and never by marginal minutes, but by huge gaps of time. She is now training to secure her spot on the starting line of the Olympic trials in the marathon for the second time (she already qualified in 2008). She is a local hero to us forty somethings in our running community, so I am thrilled that she agreed to answer some of our questions.
Here is an excerpt from a recent Running Times article about Doreen:
“After competing in cross country at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ, McCoubrie went on to Penn State and recorded times of 4:16.9 for 1500m and 9:30.50 for 3,000m, earning All-American honors. She continued running after college and did her first marathon in 1999, a 3:12 in Maui, then broke 3:00 for the first time the following year with a 2:56:56 in Philadelphia. But the real improvement began around 2005, when she recorded 17:46 in the Freihofer’s 5K and 58:41 at Broad Street. “I didn’t really get serious about it until four or five years ago, when the kids were old enough,” explains McCoubrie, the mother of three teenagers. “I started putting in more mileage then.”
Although she recorded her personal best marathon of 2:46:33 at Chicago in 2006, she considers the 2008 Olympic trials in Boston her most memorable running experience.” (full Running Times article here)
10 Questions for Doreen:
1. Running skirt, friend or foe?
I personally don’t see myself ever wearing one, but I think they look nice. I just pull out whatever is on top in my drawer and hope it matches a little. Don’t usually think about what I’m wearing when I run.
2. What is your idea of the perfect run (details please…when, where with whom)
My favorite time to run is very early in the morning as soon as its light enough to see a little. No cars and you feel like you have the neighborhood to yourself. I live about one mile from Valley Forge National Park and I NEVER get tired of running there it is sooooo nice. I love to be alone in my head thinking about all different things or nothing at all and having a day when you feel like your run is effortless.
3. What are your running goals at this moment? 2012?
My most immediate goal is the Chicago Marathon and trying to qualify for the Olympic trials. The standard is 2:46 which would be a PR, so some luck is definitely needed, but its fun to try. Ironically, I just hurt my calf yesterday so I’m hoping its not serious. My next goal after that is to try an ultra if my body feels okay and up to it.
4. What training tools/items/gear can you not live without?
The only thing I really worry about is good shoes. I’m not a gear person, but I did finally get a Garmin and I like it just to keep track of distance. I pace myself mostly by feel and don’t even keep much of a log, just distances.
5. What trait do you most value in your training partners? Are they men or women or both?
I mostly train alone but that’s more because of scheduling than anything else. The best training partners just click. You push each other, but don’t race each other. It just feels very comfortable. And NO whining!
6. How has running affected you as you age, what if anything do you do differently? Take us through a typical training week in mileage…
The biggest thing is recovery. It just takes a little longer to recover from hard workouts or minor aches and pains. I’m just careful to be smart about it so little things don’t turn into major injuries. I don’t really do anything differently, a typical week during marathon training ranges from 80 to 95 miles per week. I basically train all year round to get to this point as the marathon draws closer. My training would include tempo runs, long runs of 22+, some track work such as mile repeats, striders to work on leg turnover and marathon pace runs. I have used Pete Pfitzingers book Advanced Marathoning for the last seven years. It’s a great book!!
7. How did training for the Olympic trials in the marathon effect your family life? Have any of your children caught the running bug? If so, do you run with them?
I try not to let my training affect my family life. Other than being a little tired I don’t think they notice too much. They are teenagers now so they are usually still asleep by the time I get done. Both daughters run track and have even run a couple road races with me.
8. What is your all time favorite pre-race meal?
I almost always eat pasta before a marathon, but anything resembling a carbohydrate!! And dark chocolate.
9. Describe your favorite all time running moment or specific race?
I have lots of favorite moments, from my college days any race at Penn Relays. From my master years it would have to be the 2008 Olympic Trials. Just being in a race with all those women was terrific.
10. How do you keep it together mentally in a tough race? Do you mantra?
In a marathon I try to break it down into smaller pieces and give myself something to look forward to like a gu at mile 12 or seeing family or friends at mile 16. I try to zone out in the early part of the race and run as comfortably as possible knowing that the end of the race will be hard.. I am periodically making a mental note of how I feel and try to always think of positive thoughts. If I start to think negatively, I’m done. I also just focus on competing in a race, looking ahead to try to catch someone or run with a group, things like that.
Thank you Doreen for sharing your experience and insights. We wish you all the best on your quest for the Olympic Trials!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow–she’s a stud! When I grow up, I want to be like her. ; )
Monica–Thank you so much for the goodies! What an awesome surprise. I am giving the cards to a running partner who is moving away…I think they are perfect for the occasion.
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Recovery–don’t skip it! =-.
She is such an inspiration to all female runners. I love to hear about what runners like her do and how they prepare for runs. I currently only run half marathons but I am looking to run a full in the next two years. I agree with the morning runs – although hard to get out of bed for them sometimes – once you are out there it is so peaceful.
Oh, I just loved reading this post! When Doreen lived here, our boys were in preschool together, and that was so long ago. I’m so glad to see that she is doing so well and am sure we will see her in 2012. Great interview!
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