If you’re like me you’ve never considered running in a marathon. I grew up with a runner in my family. I spent my elementary school years attending track meets and practices with my track coach father, the same father who more than once participated in marathons including ultra marathons (races of 50 miles or more). I was pretty athletic but just didn’t have (and still don’t have) the mental focus to run for a long distance. I just get bored. Amanda feels the same way despite being at the gym 5-6 nights a week.

We still can’t escape the impacts of marathons, though. For many years I had to cover marathons as part of my reporting in DC. I often hated it. The streets were closed and you couldn’t get around easily with the 50+ pounds of gear you usually had to schlep. But that doesn’t mean marathons are all bad, despite being  inconvenient for those who work and live in the cities where they take place. The Pittsburgh Marathon has the “Run for the Reason Charity Program,” and allows runners to run for free if they run for a charity.  The program established in 2009 has raised $10 million so far and is expected to raise another $1.5 million this year.

If you are not a runner, the GNC Live Well Pittsburgh Health and Fitness Expo is one of the many exciting events held on race weekend, May 5-6, 2017.  It’s free and open to the public. The expo will have products, services, entertainment and information. The Expo will focus on all aspects of health and wellness for people of all ages.

If you’re inspired, for some crazy reason, to run a marathon and don’t have much experience running, you’ll want start with a 5k and work your way up. Amanda gave running a shot years ago (and eventually learned she’s not a runner, either) and followed the Couch to 5k program.

Hydration and fuel to optimize your running performance

Jeffrey Lucchino MS RDN CSSD
Sports Dietitian
Director of sports nutrition, UPMC Sports Medicine
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Prevent and if not treat the top running injuries
Drew Grant, PT, DPT
Staff Physical Therapist
Centers for Rehab Services – UPMC Sports Medicine
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The marathon course will be open for six hours with a planned 14-minute mile pace the would have the runners cross the line about six hours after they started. In six hours I can leave my home in Pittsburgh, fly to the Bahamas, and be on the beach with a drink in my hand. I think that is a much better way to spend those hours, personally.

How are we actually going to spend the day of the marathon? Amanda and I will spend the morning hunkered down in our apartment until the road closures are lifted and maybe, just maybe, emerge from our domicile and face the day.