Pittsburgh 10 Mile Training Run

Training for any major distance event brings about the 10 mile anxiety run.  My 10 mile training schedule fell right on a busy, rainy, mothers day weekend.  I checked the rain schedule....ok I stalked the rain.  I checked every weather outlet for 48 hours working to identify a 2 hour time window with less than a 40% chance of rain.  They all seem to point to early Saturday morning.  So by 7:30 AM I was standing at the foot of one of my favorite training places in Pittsburgh.

My route took me from my familiar weekend running spot the Eliza Furnace Trail (parking at swineburg street).  Once I hit downtown I headed over the smithfield street bridge doing a few laps around station square and back over the bridge linking into downtown.  If you are not familiar, the Smithfield Street Bridge is one of the prettiest, most photographic bridges in Pittsburgh.  Running back across watching the sun wakeup the city is truly an amazing inspirational moment.  

From there I took a trip through Point Park running through the mist of the fountain and finding my new BFF hank the english bulldog.  

Running out of Point State Park traveling the edge of the city past the convention center to a Pittsburgh Saturday morning favorite, the Pittsburgh Strip District.  One of my favorite things about early morning runs are the locals I meet along the way.  The Strip did not disappoint.  I hit this stretch just as the shops were rolling the awnings down to open.  Further along Penn Ave I passed the local fire house using the nice weather to wash the fleet.  Everyone I passed gave a friendly wave making me feel like I was running an actual half marathon. 

Turning around I ran Penn Ave to Grant Street straight back to the trail head and traveled the Eliza furnace back to my car.   

I have said it many times but running through the city neighborhoods before 9AM is one of the most ZEN runs I can think of.  The city is just waking up with you, quiet streets, friendly locals and really shows you why it's a Pittsburgh neighborhood vs. a giant city. 

Breaking Up with Salt

 In every epic breakup we as girls sulk, think about going back and finally realize we are better stronger versions of ourselves without whatever his name was! Salt is no different.

Runners often hear the opposite of salt elimination and hoard salt in our pre race pasta dinners, sports drinks, recovery drinks you name it.  Sure we need long run prep but that does not give us the right to put what is equivalent to a salt lick next our bed and have at it.  We need to fuel right, fuel for the workout we are about to have.

Three months ago I spoke to a friend on improving my diet.  I eat lean protein, low fat, whole wheat but I was still open to improvement.  Like a great friend telling you your college bad boy boyfriend is dragging you down, she sat me down and told me I needed to end my relationship with salt. Ugh!

This she promised  would be my ticket to a flatter stomach. Deep down I knew she was right and set out to end it!

What I didn't know is that my ex was stalking me.  After getting rid of the obviouse salt shaker, low sodium chicken broth I thought I was on the straight and narrow.  Until I actually LOOKED at the side of my containers.  Have you peaked at the sodium content in your pre race marinara sauce?! That sneaky bastard!

Here are a few of my breakup secrets.  No salt added products and Mrs. Dash Salt Free.  You can still make your favorite easy weeknight meals using canned tomatoes, sauces and broth.  DelMonte, Giant Eagle and Hunts make some great versions of their products in no salt versions. A few of my favorite low carb, low fat, low salt hight protein recipes are: Microwave Chicken Fajitas, Stuffed Pepper Soup, Stuffed Peppers and Chicken Rice and Mushroom soup.  Stay tuned for the details in future posts!

Now my relationship with sugar...well it's complicated. We are seeing other people (Stevia) but haven't completely called it quits.