St. Paddy’s Day Run…

… began with me deciding to get my behind out of my warm bed and head to the North Shore at the PGH MARATHON HEAQUARTERS FOR THE TRAINING RUN.  I’m a wimp – I signed up for the 3 miler.

The first time I DID THIS KIND OF TRAINING RUN it was a quick 2 miler out on the North Shore section of the THREE RIVERS HERITAGE TRAIL.

Part of the reason I wanted to participate this morning was to actually being in Pittsburgh and possibly – if I was feeling up to it – attend the PITTSBURGH ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE.  I’ve never been and in the training run info, they said that we could park there and walk into the City.

It’s always busy on parade days in Pittsburgh.  When I checked in for the run, I was surprised to see maps on the table outlining the different mileage routes.  We weren’t going to be running on the trail – but actually IN the City!

I don’t know about other runners, but I wasn’t in my  ‘indomitable runner mode’ willing to navigate a route on City streets WITH crowds because THIS was PARADE DAY**. [Part of the route took us right up Liberty Avenue.]  Unlike the first training run I participated in, there weren’t going to be folks who were along the route telling us which way to go.

Still, I lined up with my 3 miler group.  We walked out to the road and they started to run.  FAST.  A faster pace than I knew I could maintain.  I realized I needed to make a split-second decision, I could either have a miserable run through the City trying to ‘find the route’, ‘fight the crowds’ and ‘keep up with my group’ or cut away and run the trail route alone.

That’s what I did – I crossed the street and hopped on the trail.  3.41 MILES OF TRAIL with plenty of folks out running and biking*.  I was able to take my time – enjoy the morning, the sun on the river and the view of the City.

It didn’t matter to me that I wasn’t able to keep up with my GROUP.  I don’t want that kind of pressure – when I looked around at the other runners at the Start for the training run, I know I’m the oldest and slowest.  Doesn’t matter to me.  I’m there.  That’s what matters.

I was really blessed this morning with a beautiful run along the river, watching the City I love come to life for a fabulous St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

*I believe I saw STEELER JAMES HARRISON out for a bike ride on the trail – I passed him.  If it wasn’t him – no matter, it was my motivation for this morning’s run…

**Also, VP Biden was in town for the PARADE. Extra security, extra folks on the streets.