So Lucy and I flew up to Pittsburgh on Thursday, bright and early. A nice, quick flight that left early and arrived early. Once they opened the door, though, I knew we weren't in North Carolina anymore--it was COOL! Nana and PapPap picked us up with a tea for me and a water for Lucy. And some flowers for Lucy! Very sweet! We headed out, and right into rush hour traffic heading down Greentree Hill, into the Fort Pitt Tunnel, into Downtown Pittsburgh. No worries, though, we headed out the Parkway East, and made a few pit stops along the way, picking up some gluten free yummies for Lucy at Giant Eagle.
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I did not run at all while at my folks. I really wanted to, especially the first day, when cool, but I worried constantly about my heel, and then my calf. I figured the calf was just 'worry pain,' being within the tapering process, but still, figured I wanted to rest it as much as possible. So at my folks, lots of icing and heating. We saw my grandma and some other family, so that was nice.
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Saturday we headed down to Pittsburgh. I needed to pick up my race packet at the David L. Lawrence Conference Center and just soak up some of the marathon atmosphere. What a LOT of people there. 16,000 runners, but then you forget that most of them will bring parents, spouses, children, and friends. A lot of excitement flew around that day. I did like being 'Dahntown,' for the first time in a while. Then we headed up to Granny's for dinner and some additional rest. The Uncles Gary and Al, along with Aunt Cheryl and Hope worked with my Dad to plot out their course of action. They wanted to see me EVERYWHERE, so I began to get a little nervous! Lucy and I decided to hit the sack for an early bedtime. Lucy slept on an inflatable mattress, so of course, every time she moved, she woke me up. Argh! But, I really would not sleep much anyway, so no worries.
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I woke up around 5:40am, and my Dad took me down to the course. I really liked seeing him so excited for this! He did not participate in my first two marathons, being in Charleston and Raleigh, so this was new for him, and I would think his excitement rivaled mine! He dropped me off in the Strip District to go back and gather the troops to see me at mile two or thereabouts. --
Even early, 6am, there was quite a crowd at the starting line. Still a little dark, but the buzz was apparent. I stretched, listened to music, and used the port-a-potties a few times. Kerry would've loved them--they had hand sanitizer right in them!! I really just tried to keep myself busy and visualize the beginning few miles. I still did not know how I would run, with the calf and heel, so it was just about staying calm.--
Eventually, 7:30 rolled around, and I found my pace group. I signed up for the 4:45 group, and knew I may not stick with them, but I wanted to start with a decent pace. The first mile started smooth, taking about 8 minutes just to GET to the starting line, with lots of folks running on the sidewalk to pass. I figured I would pass them much later. Mile 2 passed, the rain began, and no family. )-: I was surprised at how down this made me, but up ahead--there was my dad in his blue Penguins shirt. He did not have my hat, as I apparently did pass all the rest at mile 1, but he ran with me for a few blocks...heehee! Yeah, I mentioned he was a little excited!--
We then crossed the 16th Street Bridge, and I still felt pretty good. Another water break, then I hit the port-a-potty again. At this point the 4:45 group must have passed me, but I kept a decent pace through the North Side, back into Downtown, then back to the stadiums. I passed PNC Park, Heinz Field, and the new Rivers Casino, then over the West End Bridge. Whoever decided to make a bridge into two steep points should be shot! Much steeper than the other bridges.
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On the South Side, it began to rain a little harder. I stopped for the picture coming up Carson Street. With the large, Forbes Avenue hill looming in a few miles, I did not think Carson Street would be as tough as it was, but I definitely faced some rolling hills along Station Square. Not a lot of folks out, but I did see a neat group of military high-fiving runners. The half-marathoners peeled off, and just the relay teams and full-marathoners continued on. Over Birmingham Bridge, and the ascent began. Forbes Avenue is pretty steep! Cheerleaders greeted us halfway, but at that point, it was me versus that hill. Made it into Oakland, and a lady in sunglasses and a hat came over to me asking me if I wanted a towel, hat, and Gatorade. It was Hope!! (-: So I walked with her a few strides, saw Uncle Al and Uncle Gary, and then continued on. Couldn't help notice it was not the Hurricanes hat I brought, but a Penguins hat! They said Madison and Aunt Cheryl were in Shadyside, so off I went to find them. I thought I made a turn into Shadyside, but just onto Fifth Avenue. And Fifth, like Carson, is surprisingly hilly. Phew! Check the Blackberry, and it stopped working. )-: No more Plurking or photos. I saw Aunt Cheryl and Madison, passed off the Blackberry and hat, and continued on.--
Getting close, with some rolling hills before Bloomfield. Knowing I was getting to Bloomfield, the family, and eventually the end, I actually picked up the pace. The wall for me this time was definitely mile 9-15. Then I ran hard. Turned down Liberty, and knew I could do it. I stopped in Bloomfield with all the family there. Lucy, the Uncles, Gary waving a Penguins flag (and wanting me to carry it the last 4 miles--yeah right), and my folks, finally with a pair of shoes to change into!! I felt like a NASCAR driver, changing tires.
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The last four miles were actually enjoyable. Still no real calf or heel pain, while my feet were pruny, dry shoes and socks helped. I just coasted down and finished. Four hours, fifty-six minutes. Really wanted 4:45 before, but with the rain, the slow early pace, and those hills, I took much pride in finishing. Definitely a much tougher course then you would think.
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Spent the afternoon back at Granny's, watching the Penguins. Finally, I said my thank yous and goodbyes, put my Pittsburgh Marathon and medal on, and we headed back to the airport. More traffic through security this time, about 20 minute wait, but I saw other marathoners, so definitely cool. We actually had a husband and wife behind us on the plane to Raleigh, who just finished the half. Lucy fell asleep on the way, and we finally made it back home. A week later, my first run yesterday since the marathon, and I am already looking to the next one! While I really liked the atmosphere of a large marathon, I doubt I will travel to one again. But I will always remember that experience! And I LOVED my family watching. They REALLY helped!!
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