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. 

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.

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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