PTBA 5K Race Review

So this is Kelly pictured on the right.   Want to know why Kelly is so awesome? Kelly just started running in December on the treadmill and placed in her age group at the PBTA 5K on Saturday! Also, she was pretty awesome to talk to. One of the many reasons why I love the running community.  Shout out to my age group were Stephanie Kravetz took 1st and I took 3rd! (Yes I looked it up and there were more than three people in our age group:)) 

Although racing conditions were not ideal if your a runner they were actually enjoyable (45 degrees and overcast).  The rain held off juuuust long enough for us to cross the finish line and move to the post race party located in the church gym.  Great planning on the committees part!

Race Review for PBTA 5K: 

Course: 

A small deviation in the beginning through a single neighborhood road but otherwise out and back straight course. The terrain was paved for the entire route with rolling hills. I say rolling but I would categorize this as medium to hard.  The hills were consistant  with  only one large hill on the return trip.  

Crowd: 

The nice part about a community 5k that runs by houses is the crowd! There were families, kids and even the sweet smell of farm country lining the route.  The road closing was organized by the fire department and police department which means they were also lining the route.  It was a nice family oriented energy. 

Water Stops: 

One water stop was organized at mile 2.  Given this was an out and back course you hit the stop twice.  For a 5k there was no chance of getting dehydrated they had you covered! The water stop was stocked with both sports drink and water for whatever your preference.  I have to say it was by first 5k that had two water drops and a choice of either electrolytes or water.  A welcomed touch by all the runners! 

Swag:

I have to say I wasn't excepting much for a community 5k.  You know the basic race pamphlets and T-Shirt.  Well I can say I was very wrong.  The T-Shirt was a nice yellow and green (PT colors), accompanied by a reusable swag bag filled with first aid kits, water bottles and other goodies.  I have to say my FAVORITE was the local made organic granola.  I actually asked the bakery what they put in it because I didn't believe it was healthy! Update...it is.  They use brown rice syrup and almond butter.  (Grandma's Country Oven Bake Shoppe) Yum. 

Awards: 

The awards get 5 stars.  Honestly the best looking medals (see picture below) for a community 5K I have seen. Trophies were given to overall male/female finishers and medals were given to the top 3 per age group. 

Overall: 

Overall it was a well planned event.  The community business, fire department and police department all came out in support along with 100+ runners and walkers.  The post race awards celebration was flowing in a gymnasium with music, water, coffee and food.  A well organized fun event I would definitely run again.

Goals to Succeed or Goals to Fail?

Goals are a funny thing.  They can encourage us, motivate us, inspire us or make us give up.  Yes, that’s right the wrong type of goal can work in reverse.  I know personally if I set a goal that is either too hard or too easy it will make me not even want to get off the couch and work towards it.  For example running in the Olympics.  Ok it’s great to have goals but an Olympic athlete I am not. Unless they suddenly open a fashion division for  10 minute milers.  Then I’m your girl and I can represent the US.  

On the flip side if I make a goal that is too easy such as run around my house once again I would rather just sit on my couch. The fact is I KNOW I can do that so there is really nothing to prove to myself or work towards. Don’t get me wrong I believe fitness goals are ESSENTIAL to continuing a fitness schedule or workout.  Without a goal there is really no reason to stuff yourself into those spandex capris and get out the door. 

The important thing is to create the RIGHT goals. The right kind of Goals come in two flavors.  Short Term and Lifetime.  

Short Term Goals:  For me a short term goal is an achievable goal.  One that I can work towards and accomplish with the right mindset in 6 months or less.  I have a short attention span so if it’s over 6 months I will quit.  These goals are running a marathon, training to improve my 5k time, hitting a certain distance in my long runs etc.  These are both short term and semi long term goals that make each workout a reason to get you one step closer.

Lifetime Goals: Notice I didn't say long term?  Long term to me means I have a date, say 12 -18 months.  Lifetime Goals are the ones I have in the back of my head I’m afraid to write down on paper.  Could I do them? Probably.  Will they happen anytime soon. Nope.  They are what I day dream about during those weekend 10 milers that make me want to keep working hard.

My Goals are evolving constantly but here is a list of my current motivational Goals:

Short Term: 

1. Run a 5k in under 29 minutes. 
2. Weekly long run distance of 10 miles
3. Run one of the Disney Races
4. Run 500 miles in 2014

Lifetime: 

1. Train and run an Ultra Marathon 
2. Run a race in all 50 states 
3. Run a race through Paris, France

Spring Race Season

 

It's here!!!  It's here!!

For all the non runners out there spring marks the beginning of race season.  For us runners who have been pounding the pavement in the snow and building mileage on the on dreadmill, spring race season is our version of Opening Day.  There is a thrill that I can't quite describe as we line up to the first start line of the year.   Our minds in a panic, butterflies in our stomach, stress over what to eat for that race day breakfast…. as though we are prepping for the olympic trials that are the community 5k.  

After crossing the finish line we immediately turn to our friends in the midst of our shared endorphin high and suggest filling our entire spring weekend calendar with themed 5k events.  Whether it's a color run, charity run, mud run or just a run for fun we can't' imagine doing anything else from April through June.  Well at least in that 2 hour slot post race we can't imagine doing anything else…. until our 6am alarm goes off every Saturday morning for the next 5 weeks and we think, who suggested this again? 

Spring racing also means us girls immediately flock to the nearest athletic store to buy the latest neon shoes, running skirts and overprices running shirts.  Why?, because running in a matching brightly colored outfit will absolutely make us go faster… or at least look good while we are trotting along:) Running fashion is a whole post on it's own.  

Whatever your training when spring arrives and you step to that first staring line on a 55+ degree spring morning at 8AM to us it's the best feeling in the world.   

What am I running this year?  Well I'm glad you asked!  This year I was lucky enough to kick off Spring Racing season with the same group that got me to climb out of my nice warm bed to workout in  27 degrees and snow all winter.  To be fair they were there every weekend.  I was the "wimp" who refused to show up in anything less than 27 degrees. They are the Achilles International group.  A group of incredible athletes who meet twice a week for group workouts.  Most of the attendees are hand cyclists which works out great for the turtle trotter I am.  Running with a group actually gives me anxiety because I'm slow! (Yes, I do realize I just started a running blog.)  

Achilles International Pittsburgh hosted it's first 5K in North Park under the direction of Jeff Smith, race director and Monica Michna, chapter president.  It was an awesome event for all athletes and I didn't fall over from an asthma attack or finish behind the walkers.  This is what I call a successful race! 

Next up is a race April 26th for the Penn Township Business Association and a June Dirty Girl mud run for team "Save Second Base".  Yeah I thought it was pretty clever as well:) 

There are some great sites that list all the Pittsburgh 5k races. Here is a list below of my goto: 

RunHigh

RunningInTheUSA

EliteRunnersRacing

What are you running this spring? Leave us a comment and tell us about your favorite race or event! 

Hello #FitFam412!!

Over 12 months ago I found myself in a workout rut.  I was tired of running the same 3 mile loop around my neighborhood, eating the same low fat rice cakes and overall blah mood.  In January of 2013 I made a new years resolution to revamp my idea of working out and being fit.  My goal was no longer to make myself an emaciated angry person by calculating calories and miles but to figure out a way to be generally fit and healthy.  How did I do that? Well lets just say an artists work is never done:) I may not have it all figured out but I sure do enjoy getting out and about. Little did I realize I was living 20 minutes from a giant steel inspired jungle gym!  Pittsburgh and it's surrounding suburbs have become my playground.

I am by no means a picture of health or in any way resembling the girl you have taped to your freezer to keep you from eating that last bit of double chocolate chunky monkey ice cream.  I'm not a great cook, not an incredible athlete, I've never won a race.  What I am is a person who loves to find new ways to incorporate healthy ideas from recipes, workout moves and running routes to share with the greater community.  I have run two marathons, a half marathon and countless numbers of smaller races.  However, I also took 3 walk breaks in my 3 mile run last week.

This blog is for all of us runners: the elite, the beginners and the general population that just like to get out and move.  I think we can all learn something from each other no matter how long we have been running and eating healthy. 

On this blog you will find: 

1. Tried and tested healthy recipes.
I mean come on we all brows through tons of sites that tell me to make "healthy" chocolate chip cookies with 12 ingredients I can't find at my local grocery store.  What if there was a person who doesn't think the after taste of protein powder is something to rave about that could test them all out and let you know which ones are actually worth the trip and money to try? Yeah, I'll try and help you out there.  

2. Running tips tricks and Routes:
Of all the sports I have tried running seems to be my go to.  There is really nothing quite like the endorphin cocktail in the midst of a great run on a sunny afternoon.  One of my goals is to find new and inspiring parks, routes, trails through the Pittsburgh area and share reviews.  Lets break out of our running loop at least once a week or once a month to shake it up and get inspired. 

3. General Workout Tips and Tricks: 
Looking for new workouts for those recovery or cross training days?  Wondering what to wear to that first intimidating barre or cross fit class....yeah I'm a girl.  Well we have you covered. Yoga for runners, Barre toning, running all the steps at the cathedral of learning... we will try just about anything learn the tricks and post tips and reviews for you to try!  

4. Runspiration:
You let us know.  Some of the best articles I have read are about every day people that have used running to pull them through. Others are people that have overcome so much adversity and are incredible athletes from right here in Pittsburgh!! 

 I would LOVE to hear what you want to hear! Leave me a comment and let me know! 

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