Apr 30 2009
But one local woman is running for the greyhounds.
Going Home Greyhounds volunteer and long-time adopter Teri Miller will be out to raise money for the oganization, which rescues former racing greyhounds. Miller also is the owner of Bow Wow Doggie Daycare in the Strip District.
GHG is asking greyhound owners to bring their dogs out to the course to cheer on Miller and the rest of the runners. There will be no fake electronic rabbits to chase, but believe me, it doesn't take much to hold a sighthound's interest.
In soliciting donations, Miller emailed her impressions for the race:
“The marathon is now only days away. [Boy did those 4 months go fast!] I guess I am as ready as I will ever be, but I am still both nervous and excited about race day. After running my 20-mile training run in 3 hours and 18 minutes, I have changed my goal to finish the marathon in under 4 and ½ hours. I am anxious to achieve both my marathon goals.
"To date, I have collected roughly $1,000 for Going Home Greyhounds. I know Going Home Greyhounds is very thankful for any amount raised, but I personally would like to try to reach my goal of $3,000. If you haven’t yet made a donation, I will be collecting monies through the end of May. Please send your check -- made out to Going Home Greyhounds -- to P.O. Box 513, Wexford, PA 15090. All donations are welcome and very much appreciated.
"I have to take this opportunity to thank my family and friends for all their support. Without them, this goal would have been a lot harder to reach. I’ll be thinking of you all as I cross over that finish line. To help me through the race, I will be thinking of all the Greyhounds who will be helped with the donations I have raised.”
Miller plans to dress all in grey. Look for her.
Smile for the camera
The Post-Gazette is going to collect photos from runners, walkers, family members, volunteers, greyhounds -- forget that last part, no opposable thumbs -- and post them online at http://community.post-gazette.com/media/g/pittsburghmarathon/default.aspx.
Apr 29 2009
And now for some small but very important details:
Runners can pick up their race packets at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center Friday (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Saturday (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) during the Health & Fitness Expo. Bring identification.
Here is the official word on race-course protocol (the italics are mine):
START TIME
Walkers and the ambulatory disabled will start PROMPTLY at 6:30AM. Do not be late. Walkers are not permitted at the 7:30 Runner's Start. Do not walk more than two abreast, and be very careful not to block the course for the runners. When runners begin to overtake you they will approach quickly. Keep your arms in and allow runners to take the quickest way past you. They have the right of way, and there is a large field of elite runners competing for prize money.
Walkers participating in the Half Marathon must be finished by 10:30 AM.
Walkers participating in the Marathon must be finished by 1:30 PM.
Runner's start time is 7:30 AM.We recommend that you ARRIVE AND PARK BY 6:00 AM. Take advantage of downtown parking -- 20,000 spaces in the Golden Triangle! Be sure to line up with the appropriate time group to ensure a smooth start process and greatest ease on the course. Remember, you are running for chip time -- your official time only begins when you cross the start line.
Music by the mile
Scheduled performers to play/sing along the marathon course include the following: Flounder, The Inconsiderate Few, Ben Alper, Gramsci Melodic, The Rooftop Trio, Melissa Babyak, Dublin Rising, Mo Nelson, the Carrick High steel drum band, The Deceptions, The Soul Shakers and The Green Slonimskys.
Other performers include Ethan Cramer, Brewer's Row, Gearbox, Ar Egean Gael, DJ Turnstiles, Gypsy Piano Blue, Cuz, Doodis, Surf Zombies and Obscured By Pink.
Apr 28 2009
Show of hands: who has at least a couple of pairs of gently worn running shoes cluttering up the closet?
Soles4Souls Inc. a nonprofit group based in Nashville, Tenn., will be collecting usable shoes at the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Health & Wellness expo beginning Friday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The shoes don't have to be sportswear, any shoes in good shape will do. So far, it has donated four million pairs worldwide, sending them to developing nations as well as disaster-stricken areas.
People in more than 70 countries, including Honduras, Uganda, Romania and the U.S. have benefitted from the collections, according to Soles4Souls sources. The company also accepts monetary donations. For more information, check out the Soles4Souls website.
Apr 28 2009
You've spent months, maybe years, getting ready for this race. You know what to eat this week, what to drink Sunday morning, which socks to wear -- everything, down to picking the flavor of pick-me-up sports drink, bar or gel.
So nothing's left to chance, right? One word of advice: double-check your gear. If God is in the details, when make certain you've gotten them right. Plan for good weather, plan for bad weather, bring your own toilet paper if that gives you peace of mind.
To wit, ultramarathoner and director of tortorous races Rick Freeman can share a few cautionary tales. Read and take heed:
"I once traveled to a 50-mile trail run with a friend. We left very early in the morning and he did not want to wake his family up, so he put his gear together in the dark. When we got to the race he discovered that he had a right shoe from one pair, and a left shoe from a different pair!
"He ended up running in the nice, new clean shoes that he wore to walk around in. Not a good race. Getting all of your gear together prior to the race is so important. When traveling to another venue, it is even more so.
"At Columbus one year, we got there on Saturday with temps in the low sixties, and windy. We were excited to have good weather for the race. The temps dropped during the night and it was in the twenties when the gun went off. Everyone was scrambling to find enough warm clothes to wear.
"Many runners carry items that can be worn to the start and then thrown away after they are warmed up. Many will be wearing "Pittsburgh Gore-tex" [plastic garbage bags] at the start. They are great when standing around, but don't wear them for very long when running. They trap too much moisture and once you are wet, you can't take them off without freezing.
"One of my running friends goes to the thrift store and picks up jackets for two or three dollars. We always wait to see what school or organization he will be representing on race morning. [Most items that are discarded at the start are gathered up by the race organizers and given to a local charity.]
"Other items to include in your gear bag are gloves and hats. Gloves are easy to carry and can be discarded at any of the water stops along the course. Hats come in handy, a warm one for cold days, or a ball cap for sunny days. Many runners start off wearing long sleeve shirts and long tights or running pants. If it gets warm, you can remove the long sleeve shirt, but you may not be able to remove the tights. You can also use long sleeves like the kind cyclists use. They just pull up over your arms to keep them warm, and can be removed easily.
"Sunscreen may also be needed by many runners. If you wear sunglasses, or prescription glasses, make sure you bring your favorite pair for race day. Don't rely on finding a comfortable pair at the dollar store. Many races now have energy gels available on the course, find out what type so you can try them in training. If they don't agree with you, carry your own.
"Another item that can ruin your race morning, is getting to the porta-john and finding it void of toilet paper! Take your own, just in case. If you don't need it, you can leave it for the next person.
"If you are from out of town, take a walk to the start when you arrive in town so you know where it is when there are thousands of people milling around. Take advantage of the drop bag service the race provides. Having a bag with warm, dry clothes at the finish is great.
"The space blankets are nice, but they don't cut it with me. Don't rely on family members to have these items, as they may not be allowed in the finish area, or you may not be able to find them in the sea of people.
"The most important thing to remember is the timing chip, without it, you will not get an official time. Make sure you have it fastened securely to you shoe. Most of the new chips are disposable, so don't be afraid to tie it on real good.
"Always remember, if you take care of the little things ahead of time, the big things that pop up will be only a small annoyance, not a crisis."
Apr 26 2009
Maura Weis of O'Hara Township is running the Pittsburgh Marathon, figuratively speaking.
Weis works in the marketing department for Philips Respironics, which is sponsoring the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon half-marathon (wordy, but accurate) this year. She had planned to compete until her training came to a "screeching halt" last fall, when she discovered she had to have hip surgery.
Instead, she will be coordinating Philips participation for the race and running the company's internal effort. With more than 150 runners/walkers and more than 125 volunteers, it's a big team. She was also the first to connect with Michelle Fetting to get the company involved in the event.
"Good news is, I am on track to start training again next week -- with doctor's OK -- and plan to run Boston in 2010. I got a deferment, so I know I am in," she said.
Weis, 46, said she was inspired to begin running when she watched the Pittsburgh Marathon 13 years ago:
"I guess I am what you might describe as a natural runner. It must be in my genes -- evidenced by the fact that both my teenage sons are good runners. [Side note, in their opinion, this is one of the few favorable traits I passed along to them.]
"The reality is, I never really liked to run. It was always a chore. Until my thirties, when a job, young kids and new town made me think about doing something just for myself . . . selfish, I know. In 1996, I saw my first Pittsburgh marathon and all of the different people running, jogging or just chugging along, and I thought, 'I should do this. This will be for me'
"I spent the next nine months training and 'visualizing' the race. To be honest, the visualizing helped the most, not only to get me through the hours of training but most of all to get me to the finish. I had seen it so many times in my head that there was no way I was going to miss it for real.
"I had a lot of other things swimming around in my head during those nine months of training and I soon found myself on a path to other new challenges starting with going back to grad school and onto a different career.
"All good decisions and ones I am not certain I would have made without the training experience and the immense feeling of 'I can do it if I try' after finishing the race. I look back now and truly can't remember any pain or fatigue or discouragement [ok, maybe just a little], but I do remember the sense of accomplishment and realization that this was just one small thing I could do if I tried.
"In reality, the small accomplishment of completing the race helped me move on to do bigger things for myself and my family. I guess that's why I keep running and even went back to do another marathon. And now, being involved in the Respironics half marathon sponsorship, I realize that this path I started back in 1996 has led me to a bigger opportunity for helping the communities I am part of -- the community where I work and the community where I live.
"Good running, and remember to just try . . . you might just be amazed at where it takes you."
And it helps to laugh
Respironics employees training for the races put together this "Late Night"-type list of "Funny Things We Have Learned About Training For The Marathon."
1. The incredible urge to have to go to the bathroom at the 2-3 mile mark.
2. If someone asks you to run a half marathon again, "run" the other way.
3. Learned not to take Aleve on an empty stomach before running 12 miles.
4. If it is raining, you still have to run.
5. Now I wonder why Phidippides did not just die after just half the marathon!
6. How important Chap Stick can be.
7. Check the Weather Channel before starting any outdoor runs to avoid accumulating snow on your face. [Weis said an employee went out for a lunchtime run and a sudden whiteout inspired this piece of advice].
8. Being chased by a dog can make you run up a hill faster.
9. 53 is not the age to begin training for a half-marathon.
10. Blisters can really be the size of a quarter.
11. Pittsburgh is not as flat as Florida [moved from Florida in August, 2008].
12. You don't really know how bad you can smell until after you're run 10 miles.
Apr 26 2009
More than ten thousand people out on the streets doing anything is going to be disruptive, but at least the Pittsburgh Marathon gives the locals plenty of notice.
Seasoned by years of dealing not just with marathon but Great Race traffic as well, many Sunday-morning houses of worship and business have adopted a "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" attitude. Shadyside Presbyterian Church, for example, has moved its weekly morning service to 4 p.m. but in its online bulletin announced it seeks volunteers to help pass out orange slices along the race course at Fifth Avenue.
Who else needs to get the word out? We'd like to hear from you. If you prefer to email the information, please send it to msciullo@post-gazette.com.
Street closings begin Saturday (you have been warned)
Here is a summary of closings, as reported by the P-G's Jon Schmitz in Tuesday's paper. The official marathon site also has valuable information on parking.
Apr 24 2009
Philips Respironics, an international corporation that creates products who suffer sleep or breathing problems, is sponsoring the inaugural half-marathon of next Sunday's Pittsburgh Marathon. One of its U.S. locations is in Murrysville, and employees were encouraged to enter the races. Here is one runner's story, from White Oak resident Dave Roney, a circuit board designer for sleep therapy products:
"I started running in December (2007) when a friend of the family who had a 5-year-old daughter developed brainstem glioma. Brainstem glioma is a type of tumor that arises in the lowest stem-like part of the brain.
"Woodland Hills High School had a 5K race fund-raiser to help the family pay their medical bills from Children's Hospital. I wanted to help the family out with something so I entered the race. At this point I was not able to run any more than 200 yards or so, so I started to train with alternating running and walking. I was not sure if I would be able to get up to running 5K (3.1 miles) for the race, but the day before the race, I started out my training and started to run.
"I got to the point where I usually got winded but something made me keep going. I didn't feel as winded as I usually did and I kept running and running until I ran 3 miles. The next day for the race I ran the full race in about 30 minutes [about a 10 minute pace]. It felt so good to finish this race and to be there to support the family.
"Ever since then I have been addicted to running. I have run a couple of 5K races and even a half marathon last year, I'm now down to 21:43 (a 7:00 minute pace) as my best time for a 5K. I can't believe that after only a year and a half of running that I'm going to attempt a full marathon, but I feel great and I'm up for a good challenge.
"If you are thinking about starting to run, then give it a shot, you might like it."
Runners, what inspired you to start hitting the roads?
Apr 23 2009
Final marathon training seminar is Saturday
UMPC experts will provide last-minute information and training tips at the Health and Fitness Expo, David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Topics include questions for race director Patrice Matamoros, a review of emergency medical services by the city's EMS division chief, Ron Romano, race-day preparations by Dr. Ron Roth, medical director for the race, plus a visual tour of the course by cardiologist Abe Friedman.
The event begins at 2 p.m.
Overall advice
A few tips from the folks at UPMC address two topics of particular importance to marathoners: race-day visualization and why you shouldn't wait until May 1 to begin hydrating yourself.
Strengthen your mental muscles
Mental toughness is just as important as physical preparedness when running a marathon. Aimee Kimball, Ph.D., director of mental training at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine offers the following tips to optimize your mindset:
It is helpful to visualize running strong on race day. Imagine “hitting the wall” but staying positive and continuing to push through it. Picture the pride you'll experience while crossing the finish line.
Get out the racecourse map and develop a mental approach for each stretch. Have “focus cues” already picked out to keep your mind in the right place. For example, when you see a playground, use it as a reminder to relax your shoulders. Every time you see someone throw their water cup, imagine throwing any pain away.
Develop a race day support system. Tell friends and family where you want them to stand and what you want them to yell as you run by.
Most importantly, have fun, be excited and embrace the challenge!
Practice fueling your body now
“If you are dehydrated or lacking energy, you will not finish the race,” says registered dietitian Leslie Bonci, R.D., director of sports nutrition at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine. “Practice fueling your body now, so that there are no surprises or factors that could hinder your performance on race day,” she said. Ms. Bonci adds the following pointers:
Get used to drinking plenty of water now – it’s too late to wait until the day of or day before the marathon. And the water needs to go into your mouth, not just poured over your face or head!
Assorted flavors of PowerAde will be available to runners along the course on race day. If you intend to drink PowerAde on marathon day, train with it now to avoid any discomfort and stomach upset on marathon day.
If you’re a salty sweater, add more salt to your diet. Eat salty foods like pickles or pretzels, or add salt to your sports drink.
For a good source of instant energy, small packets of sports gel or honey work nicely. Practice with these now, to make sure they work for you and you like their taste and consistency.
As medical sponsor of the Dick’s Sporting Goods/Pittsburgh Marathon, UPMC Sports Medicine had provided free training seminars to runners and will provide medical support along the race course and at the start and finish lines. With UPMC’s Department of Emergency Medicine and the City of Pittsburgh’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, UPMC Sports Medicine has assembled a team of more than 350 volunteers from UPMC, other local hospitals, and local EMS departments to provide medical care for more than 10,500 registrants. UPMC has provided medical coverage for every Pittsburgh Marathon since the first race in 1985.
Apr 22 2009
If you're a runner, you know about Bill Rodgers. And here's your chance to meet him.
Rodgers was the face of American distance running back in the 1970s and early 80s, winning Boston and New York and setting the American record (2:09.27) in 1979. He's gone on to establish a successful retail business -- the Bill Rodgers Running Center has a store in Boston as well as online, and he has written several books.
Bob Shooer, who owns Fleet Feet Pittsburgh Sports in Bethel Park's Norman Centre, will have Rodgers at his Bethel Park store from 3-5:30 p.m. on May 1.
"He's just going to be mingling with the customers," Shooer said. "We'll have some of his books and posters here and I'm sure he'll be glad to sign them."
"He's been a friend of Fleet Feet for an awfully long time. I've known him on and off throughout my running career, so when I knew we were going to be doing a thing for the marathon, he graciously agreed to come here."
It's a funny story how the two met. Shooer was a department store buyer 25 years ago, and in New York City for business. He went for an eight- or nine-mile run around the Central Park reservoir when darkness began to fall.
"The park was not as safe then as it is now," Shooer said. "I was a little bit nervous."
His anxiety increased as he heard rapidly approaching footsteps on the cinders behind him.
"I was a pretty good runner in those days, and I went faster but those footsteps kept getting closer and closer. Here, it was Bill Rodgers and he was with his little entourage. He taps me on the shoulder and says 'Lookin' good, guy' and keeps going.
"Years later I told him what an inspiration he was."
Apr 21 2009
Officials at the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon announced today there is still room to sign up for the children's event. Entries in the regular marathon, half-marathon and relay events, however, are closed.
The PNC Kids' Marathon is a one-mile fun run beginning at 10 a.m. May 2 at the David L. Lawrence Convention center. Online registration is still available at the marathon website. Cost is $15 per child through April 29, $20 after that until race day. If the event doesn't sell out, officials say, same-day registration will be available.
Each participant receives a "Finishers Medal," as well as a race-day goodie bag.
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