Gretch Runs

Today's topic for the Tuesdays on the Run Linkup (which I've been LOVING being a part of!) is "Why I Run".    I love this topic, and it'll give me a good chance to tell you all a bit about my running history.  This is a lengthier post, so if you'd like the short version, read this article I wrote for Huffington Post, right before I ran my first marathon. I started running when I was 8 years old, because my sister and dad would go out running at a park nearby.  I really wanted to join them, and my parents finally let me when I turned 8.  It was love at first stride, and I couldn't stop running.  I did my first race when I turned 10 at the same park- the Brighton Heights 5k.  I ended up beating my dad and sister, and finished in the top few women! My first race.  Notice all the white cotton t-shirts..running was really different back then! From then, I didn't want to stop running.  My dad, sister and I formed "Team Braun" an...

Happy Friday, and welcome to my very first Top Five Friday!  Today, I'll be sharing my top five races.  This was really hard to narrow down, but these races are all very diverse and were a lot of fun for me to run! (Note- click on images to view larger) Just a Short Run Takes place in March Costs: $35 for 5K and 8.1 miles, $55 for half marathon and 30K There are many races that take place at North Park, which is north of the city of Pittsburgh.  This one is one of the biggest, and one that I've run since I was much younger.  There's a race for everyone- from a 5k to a 30k!  This is a great race for those who are training for the Pittsburgh full marathon or half.  The course consists of rolling hills, but look out for the first hill, which is the biggest!  After that, you just loop around the lake from 1 to 3 times, depending on which race you're running. 5K-Half marathon course- credit to http://www.ichoosetorun.com/wp-content/uploads/201...