Less than 12 Parsecs - Star Wars Rebel Challenge Part 1 - 10K

It wasn't that long ago, but Southern California does seem very far, far away.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....   Disney hosted the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend!  As a fan of both runDisney and Star Wars, I knew that I would have to be part of this event.  As an added bonus, the Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend gave me an excuse to visit the Mouse for the first time in his West Coast home at Disneyland!

In so many ways, Disneyland is the polar opposite of its East Coast sibling.  At Disney World, the sheer size of the property is both its greatest blessing and its greatest curse.  I'm pretty sure I've woken up at 2 in the morning for Florida races just to take a 45-minute bus ride to arrive at the starting line on time.  At Disneyland, I didn't even stay on property, but I rolled out of bed at 4 am at my Good Neighbor Hotel, changed into my Han Solo inspired Rebel gear, and enjoyed a brief 10-minute walk to the starting line.  The 3-hour time change was an added bonus for this East Coast girl.  Waking up at 4 am for a 5:30 race start still seems a tad daunting, but waking up at 7 am for an 8:30 race start is a piece of cake!

10K is my favorite race distance so I was thrilled to participate in my first-ever RunDisney 10K as part of the Rebel Challenge, a back-to-back 10K and half marathon event where runners earn extra shirts, medals, and bragging rights for completing both races within the time limit.

The time limit is enforced by the infamous "balloon ladies" whose names stir fear in Disney runners across the land.  The balloon ladies mark the back of the pack, keeping a 16-minute pace from the last corral.  During my previous two runDisney events, I had a healthy fear of the balloon ladies.  The Princess Half Marathon in 2013 was my first ever half and I had some nervousness about finishing.  The Goofy Challenge (half marathon and full marathon) in 2014 was my first back-to-back challenge and I had some anxiety about having the energy to carry myself through.

But here in 2015, at the Rebel Challenge, I finally had both the experience and the confidence to know that I could finish.  I was healthy, I had been training, and I knew that even if I saw the balloon ladies, I could outrun them with ease.  For this reason, I decided not to run the fast, flat course for a PR or for speed, but to stop as early and often as possible for character photos and whatever other silliness I encountered.

The race started in the Lilo parking lot outside of Downtown Disney.  The 10K course was incredible, as the majority of it looped within the Disneyland and California Adventure parks.  I knew coming from Disney World to Disneyland that not all of the course would reside within the parks, but I was pleased to see how much of the Star Wars 10K course really ran through the parks.  Miles 1-2 raced down some of the Anaheim resort area streets.  No characters yet, but plenty of cheerathoners and cast members encouraging runners along.

Right around Mile 2, we sped into Disneyland Park and down Main Street, USA.  The course didn't run through Sleeping Beauty Castle, but did circle past it for some great views and photo ops.

On a hunt for some characters.  But first, let me take a Castle Selfie!

Past the castle, the runners turned towards the New Orleans Square section of the park.  I could see that we were approaching a line, and figured that the first character must be close by.  I knew I wanted to stop regardless since I was making great time, but it was a fun surprise to see who the character would be!  The closer I got, I realized that it had to be someone good, because the line looked like this:

Longest line I have EVER seen in a RunDisney race, and that includes the always-lengthy queue for the princesses at Cinderella Castle in Disney World.  The line made sense though, seeing that the character at the end of the line was not only a fan-favorite, but also the poster-Wookiee for the entire race weekend - Chewbacca!

I was beyond happy to get my pic with Chewie, however, any runners plotting out character stops for future Star Wars races need know that the line was about 30 minutes long as I approached it from Corral B, the 2nd of 5 corrals.  It may have been shorter or longer for runners who started at different times.  I enjoyed the wait though, watching the sun come up over the Rivers of America and chatting with other runners.

Continuing into Tomorrowland, the next line appeared for another favorite character, Darth Vader.  I hopped into the back of the line, excited to meet another character, when a cast member informed everyone at the back of the line that, if we waited for Vader, we likely wouldn't have time to wait for the final "major character."  Who was that mystery character?  The cast member was super helpful letting us know that Boba Fett was waiting in the California Adventure park!  I figured I'd meet Vader tomorrow, and sped off to meet my favorite bounty hunter, running at a quick clip out of Disneyland, through a couple of back lots, and into DCA.

Totally worth it.  Boba Fett appeared coming towards the Paradise Pier section of the park, and while the line was lengthy, it was quite a bit shorter than Chewie's.  I knew that he was the final major character, but, as I ran past California Screamin', some random Jedis appeared.

After this, the course diverted itself out of the parks and into some of the back lots.  While the parks reliably prove to be the most exciting part of runDisney courses, the back lots are awesome, as they are where the men behind the curtains, the places where the magic are made.  Runners are treated to rare sights such as maintenance bays and this car from the Golden Zephyr.

The course turned back for a short stint past Cars Land, and then back out into the lots for the final mile.  At this point, I knew that my time was going to be slow, but I was thrilled with my character stops and knew I had plentiful energy to cary me through both the finish line of the 10K and the duration of the half marathon the next day.

My choice to make frequent stops and earn a "slow" race time?  Best.  Decision.  Ever.

Deciding to embrace the character stops made this race feel more like a scavenger hunt than a normal 10K race!  With the threat of the balloon ladies still in the back of my mind, that meant that each time I made it to the front of the line for one character, I sprinted as fast as I could to find the next.  Sprint. Wait in line.  Sprint.  Wait in line.  This game added such an extra element of fun to my race that I never would have predicted.  The race became not just about taking photos with characters, but about the chase to unlock as many character achievements as possible in the time allowed.

My official time ended up being TWICE my normal 10K speed!  And it was worth every one of the 3,600 additional seconds.  I crossed the finish line, collected my awesome Storm Trooper medal, and soldiered on, ready to explore Southern California just a little bit more, and tackle my Half Marathon the next day.

Fall Friday Five

I don't typically post a "Five things Friday" on my blog, but it seemed appropriate today, what with today being not only Friday, but also the 5th, and the foundation of my favorite season - Fall!  I don't believe in ushering seasons in months before they arrive (Christmas section at Macy's, I'm looking at you),  but school's in and we're just two weeks away from the fall equinox.  I'm ready to celebrate five things about this impending autumn.

1.  Last week, I deferred my registration for the 2014 Marine Corps Marathon.  It was a difficult decision and one that initially felt disappointing more than celebratory.  Yet in the wake of mourning this marathon, I'm excited to focus more on shorter races.  My speed has plateaued lately, and I hope that focusing on shorter distances will lead me to some new PRs.  10K, 10 miler, and half marathon, I'm mostly looking at you here.

2. Next weekend is the Erie Half Marathon.  Most of my recent races have been through some sort of city streets, whether Pittsburgh, DC, or Disney's Main Street USA.  I'm thrilled to tackle 13.1 in picturesque Presque Isle State Park along the beaches of the lake.

3. Speaking of Disney, Rebel Challenge training starts on September 16th!  I'm loosely following the Jeff Galloway training calendar as published on the RunDisney website.  More details to come, but I'm planning on drawing from both the Rebel Challenge training plan and the Half Marathon Time Improvement plan.  Maybe I'll even complete a run in less than 12 parsecs!

4. When I'm not out working or working out, I'm halfway through reading Laura Hildebrand's book Unbroken.  If you aren't familiar, it's the true story of an Olympic runner turned World War 2 airman who encounters some impossible-seeming survival scenarios.  It's fascinating thus far, and also is being released this Christmas as a movie.   (Bonus, the screenplay was written by two of my favorite creative Hollywood minds, Joel and Ethan Coen.)

5. Things to look forward to?  Apple has announced their next media event will be on September 9.  While I have no idea what they'll be announcing, I'm a huge fan of utilizing iPhones, wearable activity trackers, apps, headphones, and other gadgets during my runs.  I can't wait to see what's next!

Ready to run in Pittsburgh last Fall for the EQT 10-miler.

Let's hear it for Autumn!  Who else is looking forward to something new this Fall?

Why I'm Goofy, and You should be Too!

Runners!  Disney enthusiasts!  Zany, Goofy individuals!  There is still space to register for the Walt Disney World Goofy Challenge!  I want to take a minute to tell you all about why I'm Goofy, and why you should be too.

Channeling Malificent the morning of the Half Marathon.

Earlier this year, I participated in my first Goofy Challenge as part of Walt Disney World's 2014 Marathon Weekend.  Marathon weekend is one of eight runDisney events, four of which occur within the Walt Disney World property in Florida, and the remaining four of which are run in and around Disneyland Resort in California.  runDisney enthusiasts know that the Disney Magic is amplified by  tackling the challenges - which mean committing to anywhere from two to four events and 19.3 to 48.6 miles over the course of the weekend.  The Goofy Challenge is one of the more intense multi-race events, requiring participants to finish both a half-marathon and a full-marathon within the span of two days!  Needless to say, you have to be at least a little bit "Goofy" to participate in such a challenge.

Prior to running Goofy, I had participated in two half marathons and one full.  One of those half marathons was my other runDisney event, the 2013 Princess Half Marathon, so I knew firsthand the two truths that a non-Floridian runner learns upon first running Disney World:

1. The course entertainment is unparalleled, with character photo ops at least once per mile, thousands of spectators cheering along the way, and the breathtaking scenery of castles and coasters along the course.

2. Florida is the most humid place in the world.  Period.  Even at 5:00 in the morning.  (Seriously.  We even get some pretty good humidity here in Pittsburgh at times.  I can't imagine the shock coming to Florida from, say, the aridity of Arizona.)

I knew I could finish a full marathon.  I knew I could finish a half marathon in the Florida heat and humidity.  I knew that runDisney races have the slowest median finish times of all half marathons in the US.  But I did not know whether I could complete the Goofy Challenge.

I did it!  Crossing the finish line of the WDW Marathon to complete my Goofy Challenge.

The answer ended up being "yes."  Very slowly, very carefully, but yes.  One of the most magical things about runDisney races is that very few people are in it for either a place on the podium or a personal record.  Instead, nearly everyone, even those who are striving to achieve some specific goal, is there to have fun.  Tutus, sparkles, costumes and mouse-ears are the norm!  Runners stop to to take photos with favorite landmarks and beloved characters.  Many utilize the Jeff Galloway run-walk-run plan while others, like myself, simply apply liberal walk breaks when necessary.

The Walt Disney World marathon is an unparalleled experience in itself, one that I'd recommend any distance runner or Disney-lover add to his or her bucket-list.  The marathon is the only runDisney race that allows runners to experience all 4 parks, the Atlanta Braves training field at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, and the speedway at the Richard Petty Driving Experience.  The WDW Marathon is the only race I have EVER heard of that allows runners the chance to ride a roller coaster!  (It's not advertised by Disney, but savvy runners know that the Expedition Everest in Animal Kingom could be theirs for the riding.)  The Marathon is a must-do.  So why run Goofy?   Goofy gives Marathon runners the extra challenge, extra excitement, and extra camaraderie.  Walking around the park throughout the weekend, other runners recognized my configuration of wristbands, my race shirts, even my trademark exhaustion.  There was something magical about being part of that elite club, regardless of how much I wanted to crawl back into my bed at the Port Orleans resort when the alarm went off the second morning.  If you're an achievement hunter, like myself, Goofy gives runners an extra medal and an extra shirt at the end of the line.  Bling, bling!

I loved my Goofy experience, but I will offer the disclaimer that I ran both events much slower than any of my previous races.  PR hunters need not apply for a Goody medal.  In fact, I added almost an hour on to my best half marathon time to complete my Walt Disney World Half.  Potential Goofy participants should expect a fun experience, but a challenging one.  Not only must the runners complete 39.3 miles worth of race, but they must wake up between 2-3 in the morning to reach the start line by 5:00 am!  Additionally, I would not recommend the Goofy Challenge to runners who have never run a marathon.  The twenty-six-point-two adventure is such a uniquely challenging endeavor in itself.  I would never suggest for someone to tackle that for the first time after running 13+ humid miles the day before.

Running down Main Street USA.  One of my favorite places on the WDW Courses as runners enter the Magic Kingdom.

If you are feeling prepared for the challenge, Goofy still has over 10% of its slots available!  This may not seem like a lot but, considering many runDisney events sell out within 2 hours, it must be Disney Magic that this race is still open to the hundreds of runners that will still register.  I am tempted to register myself, but don't know if the pocketbook and the work schedule will let me - I'll be journeying to Anaheim the week after Goofy to use the Force in the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend!  As for Goofy, I hope to recap my specific memories from each individual race at some point leading up to next year's event, but, in the meantime, may you be as Goofy as I!


*All photos in this post courtesy of Marathon Photo.

The Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6K Run and Family Walk

How many differently distanced races have you run?  Millions of people have participated in the most popular race distance - 5K.  Other popular distances include the 10K, the 10 miler, and the 13.1 mile half marathon.  But have you ever participated in a 6.6K?

6.6 kilometers is roughly 4 miles and it is certainly a unique distance for a race.  So why run 6.6?  Pittsburghers and hockey fans recognize the significance of the number 66.  Penguins' center Mario Lemieux wore number 66 from the time he joined the team in 1984 until he played his final game in 2006.  Lemieux is an inspiration to any athlete.  Not only was he a skilled hockey player who led the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in the 1990's, but Lemieux also proved his tenacity when he returned to the game after battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Lemieux raises the cup.  Photo from penguins.nhl.com.

The Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6K Run and Family Walk celebrate the spirit of Mario Lemieux by challenging athletes of all ability levels as the events raise money for two Pittsburgh charities, The Mario Lemieux Foundation and The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation.  The former raises money for cancer research and patient care, as well as to create playrooms for children and families whose members are currently receiving treatment in medical facilities.  The latter promotes physical fitness and teamwork to young people through hockey and other activities.

The 6.6K run, and corresponding 1 mile walk will be held on Sunday, October 5, starting and ending at the Penguins' home stadium, Consol Energy Center.  It is an urban race, running through Pittsburgh's downtown streets, so there should be plenty to look at along the course, ample crowds to cheer runners along, and only minimal, gradual hills.  Children and adults of all ages are invited to participate in the 6.6K event.  The 1 mile walk also welcomes participants walking well-behaved dogs.  (Dogs are not allowed in the 6.6K.)  Both distances welcome children in strollers, though the 6.6K asks those pushing strollers to please stay at the back of the pack.

The afternoon sun christens the newly built Consol Energy Center during the opening game in 2010.

The event itself is fun and supports two worthy causes, but there are other activities in store for participants.  The Penguins are hosing a unique post-race party to punctuate a uniquely distanced race.  After the events, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome all participants and volunteers to stay and watch the team's open practice starting at 11:00 am.

Early bird registration for the 6.6K ends TODAY, August 15, with fees of $30 for participants age 14 and over, and $20 for participants 13 and under.  Starting August 16, registration will be $35 for 14 and over, $25 for 13 and under.  Registration for the 1 mile walk is $20 regardless of age or date, but families of 4 can register for the discounted rate of $70.  Children age 5 and under are free with a participating adult.

Celebrate the spirits of Pittsburgh, the Penguins, and Mario Lemieux by running, walking, or volunteering as part of this race.  If nothing else, you will get to cross a great new distance off of your list. (And earn a PR, provided you haven't run 6.6K before!)  If you ran the 6.6K in its inaugural year last year, you already know what a special event this is.

Registration closes September 28th.  Not interested in running or walking?  Volunteers can sign-up here.  The Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6K Run and Family Walk is sponsored by Consol Energy.

Awesome Running Mix: Volume 1

Ever since I saw Marvel's The Guardians of the Galaxy last week, I've been completely enamored with the soundtrack.  The 12 tracks, which represent both hits and one-hit-wonders of the 1970's, were hand-picked by the film's director James Gunn.  I love the soundtrack, first and foremost, for the way it captures the adventurous, irreverent spirit of the movie.  I knew immediately that I wanted to incorporate these songs into my running mixes.  According to a handful of interviews, actor Chris Pratt also listened to these songs while training for his role in this movie.  Pratt now-famously lost 60 pounds during this training period, so, obviously, working out to this soundtrack yields results!  Whether trying to get fit, nail a PR, or just have a blast while running, I've comprised some of my favorite tracks from the bunch. 

To Channel your inner Space Cowboy

"Come and Get your Love" - Redbone

For those unfamiliar with the term, Space Westerns are a sub genre of Science Fiction that feature elements of a Western - exploration of uncharted lands, archetypical heroes and villains battling on the fringes of civilization, and other hi-jinx in the "Final Frontier."  Guardians of the Galaxy kicks itself off with our hero,  Peter "Star-Lord" Quill, dancing to "Come and Get your Love" as he explores an uninhabited planet in search of a mysterious artifact.  The scene sets the tone for the movie perfectly, and the song has just the right joie de vivre of the lovable outlaw who aims to misbehave.  The song is catchy, upbeat, and ideal for a lighthearted run exploring a new route or appreciating the character of an old one.

To Rock Your Way to a PR

"Cherry Bomb" - The Runaways

If "Come and Get your Love" is Star-Lord's song, "Cherry Bomb" belongs to Rocket.  The raccoon-like creature embodies the relentless energy and wily strategy necessary to achieve a personal record in a race.  The girl-power punk-rock anthem has both the driving guitar and the powerful vocals to propel any runner speedily towards a new goal.

To Endure the Middle Third of a Long Run

"O-O-H Child" - The Five Stairsteps

Cool, calm, sunny, and steady, this track is practically designed to be rocked during a long run.  The lyrics alone are enough to make this the mantra of the distance runner mid-workout:  O-O-H Child, things are gonna get easier.  

To Crush the Final Third of a Long Run

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

After "O-O-H Child" pushes you towards the end, trust the lyrics of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" to push you across the finish line.  No matter how may hill repeats you may already have run, just remember that there's no mountain too high to keep you from the family, friends, brunch, and bling that await you on the other side.

To Strut your Stuff at a Rest-Day Dance Party

"I Want You Back" - The Jackson Five

On a cross-training or rest day, many a runner enjoys dancing, whether in a fitness studio, in the club, or just in the kitchen while making dinner.  One of the more commercially popular songs from this soundtrack, "I Want You Back" spent time on the Billboard charts, and was gleefully danced to as the Jackson Five performed on the TV show Soul Train.  During his lifetime, Michael Jackson cemented his legacy as one of the world's most skilled dancers, but, after watching Guardians of the Galaxy, this song crowned a new champion of dance.  I won't share any spoilers, but stick around during the credits to see some masterful dancing to this track, and then bust some moves yourself!  (For those who have already seen the movie, or don't mind being spoiled, watch the delightful dance clip here.)

Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix, Vol. 1 has earned its spot in my rotation of running mixes.  While I focused on just a handful of tunes here, the remainder of the songs on the mix are just as awesome.  The full mix is available on iTunes for download and, for those who prefer a more retro experience, on CD.  Sadly, it looks like there is not a cassette available for purchase, so the purists will have to make their own mix tape.  Whether you enjoy these songs while running, dancing, walking, or adventuring, I hope that others enjoy this soundtrack as much as I have!

*All photos included in this post have been taken from the Guardians of the Galaxy gallery at Marvel.com.  While this post is an endorsement of a product, all opinions are my own and I have not received any compensation for my endorsement.

Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost

I've been out wandering.  Back in March, I earned entry into the Marine Corps Marathon, and planned on training to not only run, but also to PR in the October race.  In May, I started on the path to another goal, the Runners World Run Streak, in which I would run at least a mile each day for 40 consecutive days.  But then I wandered.

Setting and reaching a goal is often difficult.  Knowing how to course-correct when a goal isn't going to be achieved?  That's so much harder.  

During the Runners World Run Streak, I successfully completed 25 consecutive days of running.  On the 26th day, I found myself too busy, too tired, and neglected to complete my run.  This lapse in the plan was hard for me to reconcile.  I felt disappointed and hesitant to let others know that I'd faltered in my quest. I felt like those 25 successful days were rendered meaningless without the other 15 to complete the sequence.  In hindsight, it's ridiculous and unfair to myself to feel this a total failure.  In the end, my Runners World Run Streak included 73 miles of success.  According to the challenge website, I placed 2251st out of 43,166 participants.  I may not have conquered all 40 consecutive days, but there's a lot to be proud of in that little challenge.

Stretching after a short speedwork session at the Mount Lebanon High School track.

Similarly, my best laid plans for Marine Corps Marathon Training have not been my best executed. Currently at week 5 of my plan, I've neither completed the quantity of miles nor the quality of speed and strength exercises I've planned.  Within the next couple of weeks, I will decide whether to tackle the race or to defer entry until 2015, and focus on shorter distances for the time being.

Morning sun on the Keuka Outlet Trail between Lake Keuka and Lake Seneca in New York.

I'm mildly disappointed that I've strayed from my plans, but, last week, I had a run that reminded me I'm not lost.   I'm proud to be involved with a series of virtual races called Nerd Herd Running.  Last week, the Herd held the Lord of the Bling 5K/10K.  Virtual races allow participants to run on the date and at the location of their own choosing.  I happened to be on vacation in the Finger Lakes when I went out for my race.  I loved the idea of running in a scenic, wooded area to best embrace the Lord of the the Rings theme.  After a brief Internet search of local running paths, I found the Keuka Outlet Trail, a perfect course along a riverbank, where I enjoyed wandering for 6.2 glorious miles.  I didn't have a particular goal other than completing the 10K, and, while completing the race, I remembered how beautiful it is to simply run, breathe the fresh air, enjoy the course, and celebrate small victories.

The beauty of wandering - found this waterfall during my Lord of the Bling 10K in Rivendell, Middle Earth.  (The part of Rivendell played by Penn Yan, New York)

Will I complete Marine Corps Marathon training?  Will I focus on shorter races?  Will I simply run for fun?  I'm not certain what the next few weeks hold, but I'm going to trust my body to enjoy the wandering and get a feel for what is next.  What I do know is that I will enjoy the wandering, and not worry so much about whether I am lost.

J.R.R. Tolkien - The Fellowship of the Ring

Race Preview: Pittsburgh Citiparks Community Footraces

Summer is here, if not in the scientific sense - 21 days remain until the Summer Solstice - it has arrived in the sense that pools have opened, schools have closed, and it's officially okay to wear your whites and your flip-flops.  Summer, at least in Pittsburgh, holds a treasure trove of 5K and 10K races, including the Pittsburgh Citiparks Community Footrace Series.

The Community Footrace Series includes:

• The Greenfield Glide 5K - June 1
• The Riverview Park 5K  - June 6
• The Brookline Breeze 5K and 1 Mile - August 9
• Run Around the Square 5K and 1.5 Mile - August 23
• Richard S. Caliguiri Great Race 10K and 5K - September 28

Panther Hollow Lake adjacent to the Greenfield Glide Course - While runners don't get to come all the way down to the lake, this also means that they don't have to climb the hill back up!

The Greenfield Glide takes runners through Schenley Park, one of four large, urban parks within the Pittsburgh city limits.  A hilly course, the glide winds through the park's wooded trails.  The course doesn't appear to dip quite down to my favorite part of the park, the lake in lower Panther Hollow, but runners should be able to catch some glimpses of the lake, streams, and hopefully some wildlife along the trail.

The Greenfield Glide starts at 9:30 this Sunday morning, June 1.  Pre-registration is closed, but registration is available the morning of the race for $25 (runners) or $15 (walkers).



The Riverview Park 5K is unique among organized races in that it takes place in the evening, starting at 7:00 pm.  While most races start in the morning, requiring participants to wake early and get warmer as the race goes on, the sun will be setting gently during the duration of the Riverview Park 5K.  Another cool fact about this race is that runners get to race around an observatory.  This is also a trail race through another one of Pittsburgh's parks, and the Allegheny Observatory sits atop a hill as a favorite landmark along the course.  According to the Observatory's website, tours are held Friday evenings from 8-10 pm, allowing the possibility of some truly unique post-race entertainment.

The Riverview Park 5K Run and Fitness walk starts at 7:00 pm Friday, June 6.  Online and mail-in registration are open until June 3 and day-of registration opens at 5:00 pm at the park.  All registration fees are $15.

The Allegheny Observatory high on the hill above Riverview Park.  Photo from the Observatory website at http://www.pitt.edu/~aobsvtry/

The Brookline Breeze is my "home race" among those in this series, held in my neck of Pittsburgh's woods.  In actuality, the Brookline Breeze has very little to do with woods and holds the distinction of being the most urban race among the quartet of Citiparks' events.  The Breeze does start in a park, but it is a small community park, and roughly 3 of the race's 3.1 miles are run on the city streets.  The race is another hilly one.  Last year, the hills saw the added challenge of roadwork and potholes along the course, but this year's race should be the "breeze" runners are promised, as Brookline has recently completed its construction projects.  The Brookline Breeze also includes a 1-mile Mini-Breeze, geared towards children and families, as well as a 1-mile Pet Walk.

The Brookline Breeze events take place the morning of August 1st, with the Mini-Breeze starting at 8:35 am, the Pet Walk at 8:38 am, and the 5K at 9:00 am.  Online registration is open until August 6, and fees range from $9 - $15 depending on the event.

Participants gather in Brookline Memorial Park prior to the 2013 race.

The Run Around the Square is the race I know the least about going into it.  I don't run much out in the far East End of the city, but the course map shows that the race splits its terrain between the flat, city streets of the Regent Square neighborhood and the mildly hilly trails of Frick Park.  Frick Park is the largest of Pittsburgh's city parks, and this course gives runners just a glimpse of the lush woods and plentiful trails.  The Run around the Square also boasts a 1.5 mile Fun Run/Walk and Pet Walk, which appears to be contained to the Regent Square neighborhood roads.

The Run Around the Square is on August 23 - the Fun Run/Walk starts at 8:15 am and the 5K starts at 9:00 am.  Registration is open online through August 22.  Fees are $25 for the 5K and the 1.5 Mile Pet Walk and $20 for the 1.5 Mile without a canine companion.

Chilling with the Duck after the 2013 Richard S. Caliguiri Great Race.  Duck not included in 2014 edition.

The Community Footrace Series concludes with the Richard S. Caliguiri Great Race, the largest 10K race in the state of Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the country.  The Great Race also holds a 5K run/walk on the same morning.  The Great Race is a point-to-point race, with shuttles transporting runners to a start line either 10K from downtown, in the Squirrel Hill corner of Frick Park, or 5K from downtown, at the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland.  The Great Race is a mostly flat and downhill course, running through parks and business districts, past museums and universities, and ending downtown in Pittsburgh's beautiful State Park at Point State Park.

The Great Race sells out FAST each year!  Registration is currently still open online for $33.  Once the race is capped, the race allows bib transfers, and, as the race date nears, runners always seem to have bibs available on Craigslist and Facebook.

All of the Pittsburgh Citiparks races are friendly towards both runners and walkers, novices and those striving to earn a medal or award.  Best of all, they are a great way to enjoy some of Pittsburgh's most beautiful parks and neighborhoods!  Hope to see you all there!