Pittsburgh Great Race Recap
September 26th, 2010
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You’re all probably wondering where my Bare{foot} Essentials Posts have gone. Don’t worry, they’ll be back. They’re just on vacation right now! 
For now, I’m going to give you a little recap of the Pittsburgh Great Race.
First of all, it was a 10k and I have never raced in a 10k before, so I guess you could say that it is a PR, but what’s even more important is that it was Dave’s first race, a PR AND a PDR (personal distance record).
Dave is so hardcore. He didn’t train one bit for this race, in fact he hardly ran at all, but he was the one pushing me! Way to go, Dave!
Before I continue, I must warn you that I don’t have many good things to say about this race.
The race is NOT an out-and-back race, and I am not a fan of that all. We had to park in downtown Pittsburgh, a few blocks from the finish line, then shuttle to the start line in Squirrel Hill. Well, traffic was kind of annoying but what was worse was waiting outside for the shuttle in 50 degree, windy weather for about 45 minutes. By the time we got to the start line, our muscles were cold and stiff and we still had to wait for the port-a-potties! Not. Fun.
Also, runners had to pay $2 for a shuttle ticket! Um, excuse me? WHAT WAS THE ENTRY FEE FOR IF NOT TO INCLUDE THE SHUTTLE TICKET? I know it’s not much money, but it’s a rip-off. Runners already dish out a lot of dough for the entry fee, travel and sometimes lodging. Do us a favor and just include it in the entry fee next time.
It was obvious from the get-go that the race organizers were not prepared for the volume of runners. The race was capped at 14,000 runners which is almost incomprehensible… especially when you consider the sporadic shuttle buses and the whopping 10 port-a-potties by the start line!
It took us about 4 minutes to cross the start line once the race began, and we were both hungry and thirsty (and freezing!). Everything was just off. Surprisingly my cold/allergies didn’t really bother me…until afterwards. 
The roads were so crowded with people, Dave and I spent the majority of the first half running on the sidewalks, dodging trees, telephone poles AND BY-STANDERS, because there was simply no room for all of the runners on the street. Unbelievable.
And after crossing the finish line, they basically herd you to the “reception” area, where you had to push and shove your way through the masses to get to water… and then do the same to get to the food 100 yards away. There was simply no room.
Sorry, Pittsburgh Great Race, but you were less than great and I promise I won’t be running you again.
BUT, back to RUNNING.
Of no fault of the race organizers (surprisingly), I just couldn’t hit my stride. This is probably why:
One minute you were flying downhill, and the next minute you were climbing. There was hardly any flat part of the course, which is fine, but it wasn’t a good race day for me.
Around mile 4 I actually got a side stitch! I don’t remember the last time I got one of those, and man was it annoying. It was one of those races that you’re just DYING for the mile markers. I was definitely struggling and it was probably because I was running on empty!
Dave was a great encouragement, but I realized a number of things about my racing mentality during this race:
- I cannot talk about running when I’m running.
- I hate it when people say “you’re ALMOST there”, and I’m not. Or “the finish line is just around the corner”, and it’s not. Don’t lie to me.
- I also hate cowbells on the side of the road. They are too loud.
- Side stitches suck.
But enough with the complaints, I’ll give you the details.
Distance: 6.2 miles (10k)
Time: 54:58
Average Pace: 8:51 min/mile
Even though I told Dave that I wanted to pace under 9:00 min/mile, I am slightly disappointed with this time. 2 weeks ago I ran a half marathon at 8:59, I feel like a 10k should have been much faster. I am trying to remind myself that the circumstances weren’t ideal, and I was definitely slowed down by all of the people and obstacles. I guess that’s part of the racing experience!
I don’t have any splits because I forgot my Garmin (!), but look! I survived without it!
What’s your worst racing experience to date? Any horror stories? I want to know I am not alone in hating a race!
Categories: Uncategorized
My 5k this morning was VERY hilly as well. It so difficult to recover from so many hills! I was dying for mile markers too, but luckily I ran it with my sister so she kept me going. Today was my worst race to date, but my best time. Doesn’t make sense, but true.
Great time today! Don’t beat yourself up!
UGgggh, how annoying!! That looks like a great time to me! You are much speedier than I am
Must have been fun to have Dave next to you!!
Say whaa??? Race director sounds like he needs a lesson or two on how to put together a successful race.
Hills are a killer, I have a love/hate relationship with them. Sometimes they make my race times speedier and other times they just ruin the pace. but HEY, you PRed! That’s exciting
Congrats to your husband as well!
ya, I done those races before. Cold, rainy, blah! But you did awesome! And Dave, impressive!! I bet your glad now thats is all over. Happy Sunday.
Well this morning we were signed up for a 5k. John and I were in charge of the t-shirts for his big group of lab buddies so we got there around 8:30 … race started at 10 and the event registration was to start at 8. We thought we weren’t at the right sport for the longest time because the people didn’t start to get organized until almost 9! Turns out this was the first time this girl organized a race and things were definitely unorganized. The most disappointing thing was our “5k” was only 2.44 miles long… uh, what?
I had to say it was disappointing since it was for such a great cause and that’s the main reason why John’s work peeps got involved in the first place. I just thought it would be a little more organized.. no bibs, no chips, no winners. A man yelled go and we ran until we hit a sign and then turned around. It was nice to be with everyone though and then we enjoyed brunch.
Sorry your experience wasn’t the best either!
I hear ya when people yell at you that you are almost there…if I’m not in the finish chute please don’t tell me I’m almost there!! i would totally rather hear that I have 5 miles to go than have spectators lie to me!
And yes I’ve totally done a race like that, my first and only half-mary sounded exactly like that. Late november in Canada, the course had a 8km section of running downhill, course was running along a major highway which had been shut down for the day…no portapotties, and the shuttle was the same as your experience…ughhhh
good for you for getting through it, and can’t wait to hear about the next one (which will be much better organized!!!)
Well, considering this was my first race, I don’t have much insight on all this. But I will say, I enjoyed myself and cannot wait to so it again! The 5th mile was so rough for me…running up that hill. That was when my stomach started hurting hardcore. But I pushed through. And it was amazing.
And what great weather we had too!
What is it with Pittsburgh races?!? I remember the weather being pretty crappy last year and I’m sorry to hear it was worse this year! I think you kicked butt with your time and I literally laughed out loud with the cowbell commentary. You’re still my hero, Abby!
great job!
My worcester Half marathon was probably the worst race. ever. Horrible hills that I wasn’t prepared for – plus I mentally wasn’t ready for the run. Run = disaster!
Sorry for the bad experience! That’s definitely ridiculous that they charged the racers for the shuttle! Good job sticking it out though. You are way faster than I ever hope to be!
I had a terrible experience at a 10 Mile run in July…so bad that I thought I might give up running altogether. It sucks when that happens but I bet your next race will feel that much better in comparison!
Ugh. That race sounds terrible! You would think they would prepare more. My first half was sorta like this, we dodged trees and ran through lawns. It took us about 5 minutes to get past the starting line too! And at the end they were out of almost everything! All they had for us to eat were orange slices …def won’t do that one again :/
I totally agree with your crits of the race. At least the weather was nice! And congrats on finishing and making the most of it!
Yeaa that doesn’t sound like a “great” race at all. Having to pay for the shuttle seems really weird. I mean yea you pay to register, so why not just include that in the race fee. Weird indeed.
I have run the Great Race many times and I HATE the fact that the finish line is so far from the start. Such a pain!!!