My First 5k

Ok, I did it! I completed my first 5k today!

It wasn't raining when I woke up this morning but it was raining pretty bad by 6:30 am and continued to rain right until start time at 8:30. Then the rain stopped until I was done and headed back to my car. This means that I didnt have to wear the thin, shortened poncho that I wore in lieu of a windbreaker. I also didn't have to wear the long sleeved shirt I had on. Anyway....

I am looking forward to seeing just how many people were running in the 5k. It was so crowded at the start line! There were people for as far as I could see. The race started in Oakland on Fifth Avenue right in front of those round tower dorms on Pitt's campus. I figured the crowd would thin out at some point, but it actually never did. I had to navigate through the crowd like I do when I am driving on the highway-weaving in and out of people.

Did I mention that some people were walking the 5k? So I had to navigate around them as well.

The cool thing is that I ended up running behind this tall guy who was running at a pretty good pace for me and was also weaving in and out of the people. I followed him for pretty much the last two miles. It was great to have him there at the end because I was really tired and wanted to slow down, but I wanted to stay behind him. The only bummer is that I lost him at the finish line and never got to tell him that I was following him the whole time. I was so happy to have him to follow!

It was also cool to run down Baum Boulevard. I have driven on that road so many times but I have never actually walked or run on it. This road goes behind Duquesne University and the Duquesne University band was playing right after the first mile. That was real cool.

Speaking of music, I didn't have my Ipod with me. I don't know why but I left it in the car. I am not used to running without music or listening to my Sportstalk station. So I had to entertain myself with thoughts like, "I hope they are not going to take my picture at the end. I am not looking very Flo-Jo today. Next time, I am going to wear cuter running clothes...."

Also, the course is not all downhill like they said, but it is not nearly as bad as a race in Pittsburgh could be so I am not going to complain.

Anyway, at the first mile, my time was 11:05. I was not happy about that. But at the second mile, my time was 20 minutes, which I was happy about. I believe I finished in under 30 minutes, thanks to my pace guy. :)

Although I am quite happy with my unofficial time, this run was much harder than my practice runs on the streets near my house. During my practice runs, I get stuck at lights half a dozen times so I get a little "break" where I jog in place. There are no traffic lights to stop at during the 5k so I ran the whole thing. I felt awesome at the end though. To be honest, I can't wait to do it again! I will have to find one in October to run. Anyone want to join me??

Oh and at the end, they had tents set up and were giving out bananas (yuk), oranges, fruit cups, bagels, really good pasta salad from the Spaghetti Warehouse and to my excitement, smiley face cookies from Eat n Park. (my favorite!)

Thank goodness for yesterday's yoga class too, by the way!

For some reason the results are not posted yet.....

I am so excited that my first 5k was in my hometown. Hopefully, next year, you can join me for the City of Pittsburgh Great Race!

The City of Pittsburgh Great Race

Well, tomorrow is the day. I decided early in the summer that I was going to run my very first running event in The City of Pittsburgh Great Race on September 27. I am starting with a 5 k. I finally started running 3.2 miles on a regular basis in August, and I average about 31 minutes. Not amazing but I am good with that for now.

I registered and picked up my number this afternoon. (#12680) I am excited, and I am looking forward to it. The course (starting in Oakland and ending at The Point) is all downhill, which is surprising in Pittsburgh. I would be a little more excited, though, if it was a tad warmer and if it had not rained so hard all day today. I don't feel especially prepared to run in heavy rain (and those of you that know me know that I don't do rain). I have searched everywhere for a windbreaker with a hood with no success. I am about to make one out of a poncho right after this. I registered, so I figure that I will be out there at 8:30-rain or shine.

Speaking of which, I better get ready for bed. Wish me luck! If all goes well, I am going to make running a 5k a monthly routine. (as long as it is not too cold outside. I already found one for Thanksgiving in Pittsburgh.

Outdoor Yoga in Pittsburgh

I slid into my hometown last night after the G20 rolled out. I am in town not only to visit my family but to run in the City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5k.

I felt very sore after a week of running, working out and sitting in the car for four hours. So I decided that I needed to go to a yoga class to prepare for my first ever 5k race. I looked up "free yoga in Pittsburgh". I didn't find anything but I did find the next best thing: $5 yoga in Pittsburgh.

It is usually an outdoor yoga class hosted by BYS Yoga on the South Side. But since it rained all day the class was held inside. This class, taught by studio owner, Kristi Rogers, is appropriate for all levels, and I felt much better after I left. I do plan on visiting them again when I am in town. If you are in Pittsburgh, check out their studio on the South Side.