Reader Athlete: Bridget Wiedl

Sky Barsch

BRIDGET WIEDL

Age: 28
Residence: Barre
Family: Murphy, dog
Occupation: Grant writer at Vermont Foodbank
Primary Sport: Running

VS: You’re recently moved back to Vermont. Why did you return?
BW: I left Vermont in 2005 and moved to central New York for about three years. I ran out there and tried to hike whenever possible, but it’s pretty flat, and the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains were a couple hundred miles away. The culture was different out there, too. Where I was in New York, there wasn’t a local running club or many outdoor events or activities. In Vermont, it’s easy to meet people who enjoy hiking and running and being active, and scenic and challenging running and hiking trails are everywhere and so accessible. I missed so many things about Vermont that just weren’t available where I was in New York; or at least I wasn’t able to find them. And I’ve always felt more comfortable and at home surrounded by forest and wooded trails. So, while central New York is beautiful in its own way, with its rolling farmland and pastures and some excellent views of the valley, I guess it never really stood a chance with me.

VS: Was it easy to get back into the running community here?
BW: Definitely. I have friends here who run, so it’s great to be able to meet after work or on the weekend and just go for a long run and decompress. And there are so many races and events on the weekends, I love it. One of the first things I did after moving back was pick up newspapers and magazines and look at the calendar of events—there are so many things going on—it’s great to actually have to choose between races on a particular day! Also, there are weekly organized runs in different places, like Hubbard Park in Montpelier, and people are so welcoming and fun that it’s easy to get involved and have a blast doing it.

VS: Tell me about a race you recently did.
BW: I ran in The Harpoon Octoberfest 5K on October 12 in Windsor. It was a lot of fun and for a good cause. Road races are always a good time, but this one included free beer, bratwursts, and entry to Harpoon’s Oktoberfest with the registration fee, so how can you go wrong? I’m was even able to figure out how to wear lederhosen and a hat in the race while remaining aerodynamic.

VS: Can you name some of your favorite routes to run in Vermont?
BW: Right now my favorite places to run are at Berlin Pond and on the trails in Groton. I used to drive by Berlin Pond all the time on I-89 and would see people biking and running there, but I never actually ran it until about two weeks ago. The route follows a dirt road for five miles around Berlin Pond and takes you by some beautiful old homes and farms, and the views are awesome. The traffic is minimal so it’s quiet and relaxing. There are some hills, so it’s a little challenging, but a good workout. There is also a hiking trail off the road, which is a steady incline and great for trail running. I also enjoy running and taking Murphy on the trails in the Groton Forest, particularly by Ricker Pond. The snowmobile trails there are great if you want a break from hill training; but there are also hiking trails near Groton Pond that cover a good distance and are fun and more challenging.

VS: Do you have your sights set on any marathons?
BW: No, I don’t see marathons in my future. I have a lot of respect for people who train for and run marathons, but I think the longest distance I would want to race is 10 miles or a half marathon, and it would be fun to run a leg of a marathon relay. But if I’m going to spend the time training, I think I would focus on sprint triathlons.

VS: If you could run anywhere in the world, where would you go?
BW: I’ve always wanted to go to Asia. If I had the chance, I would run the Great Wall of China half marathon and then travel around Asia to major cities like Tokyo and Taipei to do some sight seeing. I know the cities are congested and are known for high levels of smog and traffic, so to run and hike I’d probably try to find some rural areas. The landscape and architecture are so beautiful and different than here—it would be great to be able to take it all in during a hike or run.

VS: What are some of your other hobbies?
BW: Hiking and camping are probably my favorite hobbies, although I don’t camp as much as I would like to. Living in Central Vermont, there are plenty of nice hikes nearby, and more challenging hikes—such as Mt. Mansfield and Camels Hump—are just a short drive away. I also like hiking in New Hampshire, and the trails at Crawford Notch are close enough that I can drive there and back and get in a good hike in one day. I also enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, so I love this time of year. I have to say that fall and winter are my favorite seasons. Reading, painting, and writing fiction are also things I like to do. I always seem to be in the middle of a book or a project. I like to mountain bike, too, but nothing too extreme. I guess it would be considered more like “trail biking.”

VS: How is the fiction writing process going for you?
BW: The fiction writing process is an ongoing one for me. I had a goal to have some stories published by the time I was 25, and that deadline came and went, so I decided to give myself an infinite extension and put less pressure on myself. Right now, writing is something I do for fun; I’ll continue to write and submit my work to different places and hope that it gets picked up sooner rather than later. Once that happens, I’ll set my sights on the Pulitzer—but no pressure.

VS: What is it about drawing and painting that you enjoy?
BW: I love to draw and paint because it’s relaxing and because I can get lost in it for hours. I like painting with watercolor; I like the layering aspect and how the colors bleed into one another and the painting takes on a life of its own. I think watercolor is the best medium for capturing a landscape, and when there’s a great view of the mountains or a sunset, or a farm or town in the distance, I think about it as a painting and the colors that would go into translating that view onto paper. The only problem with painting for me right now is that it’s time consuming, and I feel like I’m always busy with something else. Maybe I should multitask and paint while I run.

VS: What do you like about your work?
BW: Everyone at the Foodbank is great, and I feel so lucky to be able to work as part of that team. Each day you know that your efforts are going toward helping hungry people throughout the state get the food they need. I love to write, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to direct that passion toward such an important cause.
— Sky Barsch