Monday, October 17, 2016

Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6K

The Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6K is a race that has been on my list to run ever since I moved back to Pittsburgh two years ago. Every October something prevented me from running except this year! I registered Brad and I a few weeks before the race and was super excited when my friend Lindsey decided to run too. 

 
{Photo from the race website}

On Friday afternoon we headed out to Wexford to grab our race shirts and bibs. The race provided multiple times/locations throughout Pittsburgh to pick up packets, including on race day. I think it's great when races attempt to accomodate all runners' schedules and I have learned to appreciate this perk with my busy lifestyle. 

An email was sent a few days before packet pick-up with a virtual goodie bag. I absolutely love when races do this because virtual bags are environmentally friendly and don't include things I would typically just throw away when I get home. This email included great coupons from ProCompression, Reebok, Fleet Feet Pittsburgh, and True Runner. We headed into the Health and Wellness Pavillion and easily picked up our bib, timing chip, and t-shirt. There were plenty of friendly volunteers to prevent long wait times so we were in and out within minutes. 

 

I personally love the t-shirts. Brad wished they were yellow but those were reserved for the walkers. 

I also love timing chips unique to races. I collect them and wish more events did their timing this way with a race specific design.

 

Race morning was an early one (aren't they all?). Lindsey met at our place and around 6:45am we drove the 5 minutes to get downtown. I love living so close to the city!

Parking was convenient at a garage between the start/finish line. We got there with enough time to snap a few pictures and make a bathroom stop. 

 

I looooved the course! We all did actually. I run a lot of races in Pittsburgh and this course was much different because it took runners across the Smithfield Street Bridge, onto back roads in the Southside, across the 10th St. Bridge, and through the Armstrong Tunnels leading back to PPG Paints Arena. 

 
{Photo from the race website}

Best part, high-fiving Mario Lemieux as we crossed the finish line!!

 

I've realized during my last few races a few things I have been doing wrong when running. I really don't care how fast I run a race, but I also haven't pushed myself to full potential. Brad and I have literally been practicing longer strides and picking up the pace a bit. It's been working and thankfully Brad and Lindsey helped me push the pace during this race. I fell apart during the last mile but overall ended up with a 10:02/mile pace which is the fastest race I've run in AWHILE! It felt so good :) 

 

After we got our medals (and bananas!) we admired the Stanley Cup and had waffles for breakfast at Waffles Incaffeinted off Carson Street. Perfect little Sunday Runday in the burgh!


 
 






2 comments:

  1. Congrats! I did this race last year & LOVED it! I would have done it again this year but it was the day after Buffalo Creek Half & there was just no way I could! The medal is great - & I loved high fiving Mario Lemeiux! Wish I could've seen the Stanley Cup. Great job!!

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  2. Thank you!!! It was such a great race, you're right! And congrats on Buffalo Creek :)

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