I love to hear runner stories. It is so awesome to hear everyone's different stories and how we all have this amazing bond from running. Another really fun thing to hear about is why runners choose to run certain races. Maybe they are trying to run all 50 states. Perhaps they are on a family trip and decided to add a race into the mix for some extra fun. Some run for particular charities that are close to their heart.
With the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon & 1/2 Marathon weekend coming up in just a few weeks, I thought it would be fun to share my reason choosing to add this race to my 2018 race calendar for a 4th year in a row. Traveling to races isn't cheap, so you know a race has to be good and your passion for a race has to be solid in order to repeat it multiple times (especially as a destination race).
I have been sharing my training with you the past few months, so I thought it would be neat to share my personal story as well.
My life started as a newborn with a collapsed lung. As a result, I ended up spending 5 days in the NICU at Magee Women's Hospital before being able to go home. The newborn that was born not breathing and who fought for her life the first few days of her life is now a Runner of Steel! For me, running the Pittsburgh 1/2 Marathon is a celebration of my life, my family, and the person I have become since being that NICU baby.
Over the long weekend that I am taking to Pittsburgh I will also get to meet some family members that I have never met or have not seen since I was an itty-bitty Brandi. Through the wonderful world of social media, they have seen me grow up on my parent's profiles but I cannot wait to actually get to meet them in person.
This was seriously one of my favorite race weekends over the past three years. The races are very well organized and the course support is absolutely amazing. I smile the entire way through both races just soaking in the support, sights, and memories along the way which is why I knew I had to add Pittsburgh to my calendar each! Of course with 2018 being the 10th anniversary, things are bound to be even more epic (if that is even possible)!
Now, who is joining me and becoming a Runner of Steel? GAME ON!