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December 17, 2008
WPIAL (crazy) Run
So I got invited to do this run on Christmas Eve. It's call the WPIAL Alumni Run. And in the case that you aren't from around here, the WPIAL is the name of the district that my high school sports teams competed in. I think it stands for Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League. Or something like that.
Anyway, the WPIAL is one of the biggest districts in PA and of course one of the most competitive. And because this is my blog I can call the WPIAL the best and expect not to hear any crys from District 1 (who isn't even cool enough to have a cool name like the WPIAL). District 1 is in the Philly area.
Back to this WPIAL Alumni Run. Well apparently it's been going on for some time (9th annual according to the invitation) and anyone who ran in the WPIAL is invited. Everyone goes for a nice run together and talks about how awesome it was to run in the WPIAL. To run under the lights at Baldwin for the district track championships. To run on Hartwood Acres old cross country course. To run up Flagstaff Hill at Schenley Park. And then they go out to eat afterwards!
OH YEAH BABY! This totally sounds like something I would be into. I glanced through the invitation list and recognized many of the names - people I remember running against and younger or older people that I didn't run with but followed their successes through high school. I was VERY excited. Plus, the run starts at Mt. Lebanon HS which is where O teaches and coaches and so we could drive down there together. I immediately replied that I would come.
So then O gets home that night and I am so excited to tell him about this alumni run and who had already replied that they were coming - some very accomplished runners! And O casually mentions "Oh yeah, I think I heard Coach A (the head coach at Mt. Lebo) mention something about that run. I think they run like 14 miles or something. Oh and those guys probably run pretty fast."
Crap.
Hadn't really thought of the details. Like how far. How fast. Who exactly.
So I took a look again at those people that already replied that they were coming.
Double Crap.
Sheehan. Ban. Mazzocco. Costello. (let it be known that Costello ran in the men's marathon Olympic Trials this past year)
And then there was me. Why hadn't any of the females responded yet to the invitation. Why? WHY?
Triple Crap.
So I emailed the very nice guy that I got the invitation from in the first place and inquired about such important things as distance and PACE. Distance I can handle (unless they were going to run 20 miles) but pace...pace would definitely be the issue here.
He replies back quickly - oh, the run is about 10 miles and I think we run about 7 min pace.
Is there such thing as Quadruple Crap?
Something tells me I might not stay within my heart rate limits on the hills of Mt. Lebanon on December 24th.
But I'm still going. Mostly because O agreed to go and, although he could easily keep up with those guys and their 7 minute pace, he said he would run with me so I don't get lost and never find my way back to our car. He knows the area, I trust him to get us safely home.
I'll let you know how it goes. That is, if I survive. ;)
Posted by beth at December 17, 2008 8:44 PM
Comments
10 miles at 7:00/mile pace? Quadruple crap!
Posted by: O at December 17, 2008 9:35 PM
Beth, I love your blog. But I need to represent District 6 here: Altoona, Williamsport, and of course my alma mater State College. Good luck with that run!
Posted by: Kate at December 17, 2008 10:23 PM
wow!
Posted by: Angel at December 17, 2008 10:26 PM
Oh beth! Give yourself more credit, you just tuck your little bad self into the pack and they will pull you along and you will do SUPER! Have fun! What a great idea!
Posted by: Jen Harrison at December 17, 2008 10:52 PM
ohh the wpial. what memories! i'll beep at you if i see the pack! i know you'll show those boys up! stay warm!!!!
Posted by: kari at December 18, 2008 8:26 AM
I've always wanted to attend the WPIAL alumni run, but I've never been back in Pgh. when it's happening. And give yourself some credit, Beth, you'll be fine.
Posted by: brian at December 18, 2008 8:27 AM
Woohooo for WPIAL! Farrell HS is in it (my alma mater). And to think I earned a "letter" in track my senior year for running the mile. If you're familiar with Farrell high you know it usually has some great sprinters, but no one wants to run the mile. I signed up, just to get them the credit (or whatever it is) for having someone run the heat. I got the letter for that, not for my outstanding race times!
You'll do just fine with all those other alumni. Go have a blast!
Posted by: mira at December 18, 2008 2:04 PM