I didn’t sign up for the EQT 10 miler until after I ran the Chicago Marathon….that’s only three and a half weeks before the race! – Very unlike me but, I didn’t want to jinx it. Also, I was nervous. I have never run a race so close to finishing a marathon before. I know plenty of people who run races after marathons, within the same week. It’s just something I have never done before and, I wanted to make sure I was feeling good and not putting myself in a position for injury. I finished Chicago, felt good, and immediately signed up for EQT. Usually, EQT is a peak race for me. I ran my 10 mile PR there, three years ago, in 65 minutes. It is my favorite race that Pittsburgh provides and, it is a lot of fun! I just couldn’t miss it. I had absolutely no goals for this race – which is also very unlike me. I decided that I would treat this as a fun, last race of 2018. No training, no strategy, no specific pace, just pure fun. I am glad that I didn’t put much pressure on myself for this race because, on the Friday before the race (Sunday), my boyfriend and I made the last minute decision to drive to Baltimore to take care of some business (Max owns a charming row house there). Since I am on a break from training, the fact that I had a race in two days did not derail me from enjoying an orange crush and some cocktails at our favorite bars in Charm City. In fact, I set a record for how late I was up. We didn’t arrive in Baltimore until 11:35pm….we helped close a bar down at 2:30am and, enjoyed some pizza at 3am. Crazy but, I was really happy to let loose and have some fun that is usually a big no-no for me in training! We got back to Pittsburgh 22 hours later, where I showered, got my things ready for the race, and went to sleep. My body naturally woke up at 5:30am … I was not planning to wake up until 6:20am so….I was a little disappointed. I laid in bed for some time, relaxing and wondering why it was so light out already. When I did get up, I got dressed and went to the kitchen to eat some breakfast. That is when I noticed that the time on the oven and microwave read “7:45” , not 6:45 like my phone. I totally freaked out because, somehow, I thought that the time was not supposed to change until Sunday night! I had a freak-out and called an Uber to take me to the start of the race, just in case this was an iPhone glitch and it really was 20 minutes until the start of the race. Eeks! I also texted my best friend Megan to ask her what time it was. When she responded, it truly was 6:45 and, I was relieved. I got to the area where the race was being held, and chilled for thirty minutes inside, before heading out into the cold (46 degrees and frosty). I ran into a lot of friends and laughed at myself for forgetting about the time change. The race started 20 minutes later than planned, due to some security clearances. They had a moment of silence for those who lost their lives in a recent tragedy that took place in Pittsburgh, the anthem was sung, the elite athletes were announced, the handcycle athletes were off, and so were the runners! I was seeded in this race, and happy to get started!
I cruised the first five miles, enjoying my favorite neighborhoods and the fall foliage all around my city. It was a beautiful morning. Mils 5-8 felt really long and slow…I knew that I would see Max near our apartment, at mile 7, so I looked forward to that. He surprised me and showed up at mile 8 and the finish! I love seeing him at the finish because, we enjoy cheering for other runners and, walking back home (when the race is close by). I sprinted to the end, giving a big kick and enjoying the cheers from the crowds at the finish. I was really happy that it was over and, that I had enjoyed the whole thing!
Max gave me a big hug, let me finish his coffee, and we walked a mile and half home, along with the course, cheering for runners and saying hi to so many people that I know! There was so much support for the victims of the Synagogue tragedy, it truly was heartwarming. I love my community!
We stopped at our favorite coffee shop along the way, picked up cappuccino’s, and hurried home to watch the NYC marathon!
Overall, it turned out to be a jam-packed weekend, full of fun and running! Thank you, Pittsburgh for always putting on a great EQT 10 miler!
Happy Running,
❤ A