I don’t know if I mentioned it here on the blog before, but in a moment of insanity last fall, I signed up to run the Pittsburgh marathon this May. Yes, all 26.2 miles of it. I guess I figured since I’d done two half-marathons, I could just put those two together to make a whole. Right?
Actually, I think it came down to if not now, when? When would be a better time to try for it? I couldn’t come up with a good answer, so I signed up. Besides, I’ve always enjoyed running the streets of Pittsburgh and getting a different view of the city you normally can’t because of traffic. So, in that respect, I’m really looking forward to the marathon.
But in every other respect, I’m totally scared. Scared I won’t be able to do it. Scared of the big 2-mile hill in the middle of race. Scared that I’ll have to be picked up by the closing crew because I can’t finish in time. Fortunately, that fear has gotten me off my rear-end and out in the cold and snow to run these past couple of months.
And with me on most of those cold running days has been my faithful partner, Astin. But it’s not all roses and chocolates running with him. He’s both a blessing and a curse. Here’s four reasons why he is both a good and bad running partner:
1. Astin is a good running partner because he loves to go fast, and he usually pulls me (literally) up and down hills faster than I’d like to go.
2. Astin is a bad running partner because every bush, pole, or elevated surface is a siren calling him to stop, raise his leg, and mark his spot.
3. Astin is a good running partner because he is always excited to go running, no matter how cold or miserable it is.
4. Astin is a bad running partner because he doesn’t know how to pace himself. If I let him sprint in the beginning, I’ll have to drag him back at the end.
But overall, I’m glad to have my four-footed friend traversing the hills and sidewalks of Pittsburgh with me on my training runs. I’m always a little bit shocked that a creature who lays around for 22 hours a day can kick out a 6 mile run no problem.
I guess these paws were made for running.
by mary
Gerhard - Love it Mary!! Wish you lots of fun and training hours with Astin. Looking forward to the real thing happening and hear your stories afterwards.
Steve Hayward - Wow, Astin has some long nails! Good for you for getting out to run so much. We’ve just gotten a sheltie/collie pup, and I’m enjoying all the excercise I’m getting from walking him, although it’s hard training him not to pull me everywhere!
Milla - Love him (and you!)
Emilie - So cute Mary. You’ll be fine for the race. I did it 2 years ago, and the hill isn’t that bad, just take it nice and easy and get to the top. Then you won’t have to think about going up hills for the rest of the race!
Rachael Michael - LOVE Astin and his paws!
Brian Billeter - So I’m running the third leg of the marathon with my relay team (I know, the easy way out). At least it includes the hill you are talking about…