Pittsburgh Half Marathon

I registered for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon before I even finished my first half marathon. I knew it was going to be a pretty awesome run and I loved Pittsburgh and I had a feeling running the 13.1 distance in the Steel City would be an awesome accomplishment.

I’ve done it again!

Chris and I got up at 4:45 AM this morning to eat breakfast (bagel & peanut butter), get ready and digest before the race. The race started at 7:00, so we left the house at about 6:00–and got there around 6:15. The sky was cloudy and the sun was just coming up. It also was slightly sprinkling.

We checked our bags, found our friend Jess who was also running the half, and headed to the starting line. I was pretty much in denial about running another half marathon…I just wasn’t thinking too seriously about it. I knew I wasn’t going to PR, so I just wanted to have fun.

I didn’t bring my camera with me during the race since it was raining ,so I have no course photos, but the course was pretty awesome! I will attempt to explain:

The first four miles took us through the strip district. We crossed our first bridge around mile 4.0 over the Allegheny River. Mile 6.0 took us over another bridge crossing the Ohio River into the West End. At mile 10 we broke off from the Marathoners to run back toward downtown Pittsburgh. From there we ran crossed the third and final bridge (at mile 12 ish) over the Monongahela River..and around the corner to the finish at Heinz Stadium. (yes, I read the map to figure out the neighborhoods, I never really knew where I was during the race. 😉 )

Since there was rain in the forecast, I put a layer of vaseline on my feet to prevent blisters. It worked for the first 9-10 miles, by then my feet were pretty wet and I could feel the blisters starting to form. By the last three miles my feet and legs were very sore and even though my hip was feeling fine, it was hard to run up the last bridge…but I pushed myself along and ran as fast as I could! Some Gu chomps at mile 5.0 might have helped that. Let me say it is pretty hard to open a package of chomps when your hands are wet from rain/sweat. It ended up sprinkling the whole race. It was a welcoming rain though since the temperature was pretty warm. (About 64 degrees?) Besides getting the blisters, it didn’t bother me.

I separated from Chris pretty early (after the first mile), and he finally caught back up with me during mile 12. He must have had more energy than me at the end because he sped up faster than me and finished a few minutes before I did. Next time I won’t eat my Gu so early.

In 2 hours, 11 minutes and 59 seconds, I finished my second half marathon! It’s not a PR, but I still had an awesome time running this race. It actually went by very fast.

Chris found me right at the finish line. He finished in 2:09. Great job, Chris! I am so proud of you! You’re the best running buddy a girl could ask for. 😉

A very well-earned metal, I must say. 😉

Jess finished shortly after and we met her at the family meeting zone! This was her 12th half marathon! She is a rock star!

We chugged some water and gatorade and also enjoyed a smiley face cookie. I think this is the best post race food I’ve had. 😉

It was all I ate, since I had to save room. We had lunch plans for Burgatory. TBC…