Pittsburgh Half Marathon

Hi everyone!  Sorry it’s taken me a little bit to get this race recap up.  I just set up my new computer and I am loving it.  I had Windows Vista on my last computer which made everything a pain in the bum.  Running Windows 7 is now a dream.

Anyways, this past weekend was my fourth time participating in the Pittsburgh Marathon and Half Marathon events.  I believe that as long as I’m able to, I’ll participate every year.  I love Pittsburgh and this race has the best spectators.

The big thing for Pittsburgh is becoming a Runner of Steel.  Since it’s the steel city of course!!! Dad thinks it would be better to be a runner of titanium, it’s lighter.  Haha dad…very funny.  I would like my feet to be made out of steel and then blisters wouldn’t happen

I always have a blast visiting the expo.  It is crowded, which overwhelmed Mom and Dad, but I enjoy checking out all the vendors and seeing how much free stuff I can get by the end.  It’s like a game for me.  Anyone else do that?

After the expo, we headed over the bridge to PNC park to have some dinner at Atrias.  The place was crowded because there was Pirates game going on.  But the atmosphere was perfect, and the pasta tasted wonderful.  Just what we needed the night before a big race.

Did you know Roberto Clemente was a Pittsburgh Pirate?  I’m pretty sure we haven’t been good since he was on the team, but that’s beside the point.

I stayed with Aunt Traci and Uncle Keith at their hotel next to PNC Park.  Since I live about 40 minutes outside of Pittsburgh, this seemed much easier. 

We only had a 10 minute walk to the start line in the morning.  Poor Uncle Keith had a tough time getting out of bed.  Now I know that the whole not being a morning person is genetic between him and my mom   I got my Dad’s morning person gene!

It was the perfect morning!  The sun was shining and everyone seemed to be in good spirits.

The sunrise over the bridge was just too pretty to pass up.  I love Pittsburgh.

The race started at 7:30am, which gave us enough time for bag check, a porta potty visit, and to find our corral. 

Unfortunately, the porta potty visit didn’t do me much good, I had to stop at mile 1.  I guess I hydrated too much!  Oops!

I was surprised by how warm it was.  It has rained the past three years, which has made for a relatively cool day.  My arms warmers were off within the first two miles.

I was hoping to finish around 2 hours, however the porta potty stop pushed me back 3 minutes and I was trying to slowly make up for that time.  It definitely seemed possible within the first 6 miles of the race.

It was around this point that the heat started to get to me.  I usually don’t deal well with the heat and am pretty prone to dehydration and heat exhaustion.  A slight headache started to set in and I had to back off my pace a little bit.  I was craving water and Gatorade at each of the stops.

It was around Mile 9 that I got a little pick me up because I ended up seeing Mom and Dad!

I was so excited!!!  It was the first year that I actually saw them on the race course.  It only took us four years to figure this out

Dad was on one side of the street and Mom was on the other, just to make sure they saw me.  I had to dodge racers to see mom!

I gave her a quick hug, told her it was hot as hades out, and then continued to run.

Around this point was the split for the half and full marathoners.  I knew we had to cross a bridge and then we’d be on the home stretch.  I was ready for it to end.  I just wanted to sit in the shade.

I saw mom and dad real quick before the finish, but I had no energy to stop and then pick up again.  So Dad got a quick shot of me as I headed in for the finish.  The last mile of the race was pretty much down hill, so grateful for that!

The finish line stuff was all set up at Point State Park, which made for a nice open area to take pictures and stretch out.  I had time to visit with Girls on the Run, the charity I ran for this year.  I was able to raise $405 for Girls on the Run of Magee Women’s Hospital!  Thanks to everyone for the support.  They have over 60 sites in the spring serving over 2,000 girls! 

I’m still seeking my 1:59 and below half marathon.  After the race I got a little upset with myself.  My next one will be the one!  I will do it, I have to, for my own sanity and self-esteem!

After the race it was time to celebrate Mother’s Day and my birthday.  The two always end up around the same time every year, so poor mom has to share the spotlight.

I just want to say that I have the best mom in the world.  No one can beat her.  LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

I think I used up my lung capacity earlier in the day because I definitely couldn’t blow out all the candles!

Pineapple upside down cake with vanilla frozen yogurt, as per my request!  It was a beautiful cake.

Thanks to my TWO mamas (Aunt Brenda and Mom) for making it a fun evening!

It was definitely a fun weekend!  May is my favorite time of year.  This coming weekend I’ll be heading to DC to spend time with Mario!  Yay!

How did you spend your first weekend in May?