Running
I’ve run three road races so far.
Great Race Pittsburgh 5K – you can read about it here and here.
Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot 5 mile race – you can read about it here.
Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Half Marathon – you can read about it here. You can find my training plan (courtesy of Hal Higdon) here.
Running has never been easy for me. In fact, no sport or athletic endeavor ever has. Sure I dabbled in rec softball, attempted to compete on the diving team and tried my best at hurling a javelin, but when it came down to it, I gabbed more than I practiced. I was purely in it to be social – and having a lot of jock friends, it was the best way to get to hang out with them through high school.
By the time I started college, the only running I was doing was in heels to catch the last bus back to my dorms after a night of frat hopping. I’d entertain myself with the occasional run through my hometown and lots of walks in the summer, but it was nothing serious.
Post-grad, I’ve gone back and forth with exercise. I’ve had times where I’ve been a gym rat and months where I’ve neglected getting my heart rate up unless I was dancing at my favorite club.
Last summer everything changed.
When I quit smoking – a terrible habit I’d been indulging in on and off since I was 18 – I knew I had to find a new habit that wasn’t going to break the bank. You see, I have an addictive personality and had traded Marlboros for the mall one too many times. Enter running. More specifically, a goal to run my first road race when I turned 25. Lucky for me, Pittsburgh’s Great Race was the day after my big quarter century celebration. I dubbed the mission “5K for my B-day” and The Twenty-Fifth Year was born. The rest is runner’s history.
Now I have fallen in love with running. I like the way I can do it anywhere. No matter the weather, I’ve braved it. No matter the day, I’ve done it. It’s portable. It’s challenging. I’ve come a long way – from not being able to run for more than a minute or two, to hating anything but the treadmill to taking it outside where I’ve invested in proper shoes, gear and equipment. Running is something that is hard work, but it reaps worthwhile rewards. I don’t do it for speed or records or medals. I don’t do it for bragging rights or talking points. I do it for me. For my life, my health and my well being. It’s pretty exciting to have found something I know will be a part of me for the rest of my life.
I have an addictive personality too so I can sympathise! You’ve picked a pretty great substitute for smoking & I will look forward to reading about your 1st half Marathon!
Good luck this weekend! I’m running the half marathon too. I’m just hoping the rain holds off!
I am so excited to have found your blog- I have run a couple of 5ks and am just starting to train for my first half marathon (I’m TERRIFIED but excited!) so I can’t wait to read about your journey!
I’m so glad I found your blog! That’s such a good idea 5k for your birthday!
I’m turning 25 in november…maybe I can find a race like that.
Hey Caitlin! I’m also a Caitlin (way to spell it the coolest way!) who is addicted to running. I just waved goodbye to my 26th year — it was a great one! Look forward to reading your journey
Hey hey! Just came across your blog! I’m from the burgh myself and I’m inspired by your running journey. I signed up for my first 5K on New Year’s- Race for the Cure. Ahh I am nervous, but excited. I’ll be the big 26 this year and it is my goal to complete a 5K and a 10K this year. Anyway, thanks for the inspiration and I love the photos of you running throughout Pgh. They’re awesome!
Erin
That’s an awesome story. I fell in love with running the first time that I was timed in the 800 in the 7th grade.
Inspirational! I’m just getting into running so I need all the inspiration I can get. Love your blog