2020 Was Indeed a Successful Year of Running

2020 was a year of unprecedented events and chaos but the one organization that maintained its consistency and calm were the P3R race events. All events had switched to virtual starting with one of the biggest and, as far as I am concerned, the favorite of all P3R running and city of Pittsburgh celebrations. I was registered to race the Half Marathon. I had run the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon every year since 2009 and certainly I would not allow the impending uncertainty of a pandemic stop me from running. I was more than relieved to hear that P3R had not cancelled the Marathon event, but rather smoothly switched gears and became virtual. I completed my 13.1 miles in and around my cherished Pittsburgh neighborhoods and felt incredible at the finish as in previous years.

Having virtual races continue throughout the world pandemic has been greatly appreciated. As a runner, I set goals for every race event I choose to participate in and being able to work towards a pace goal, a time goal, or even a finishing goal has kept me motivated through the absence of social races.

Fall is my favorite running and race season. Watching the trees turn colors every day with each mile is majestic and warming. I like the sound of dried leaves that have fallen to the ground and melodically crunch beneath my worn running shoes. It is this time of year that I express much gratitude for the gift of running. The EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler is another P3R event that brings me joy. Ten miles is the perfect amount of distance for me during the fall because I can train and successfully keep a steady pace to finish but then engage in a solid day of rest. It is the appropriate amount of recovery for me to feel ready to lace up my sneakers and head back out into the crispness of the cool season. The EQT Ten miler was virtual and I was excited to participate. I ran the distance on a beautiful and sunny Saturday morning. It was incredible and soothing. I chose to run solo and my heart cheered for every mile I completed knowing that I was getting closer to my goal. I finished the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler within a time that was comparable to my previous 2019 time and I felt satisfied and accomplished.

Running is important to me, it is my daily therapy, it gives me purpose, and it is a passion. The P3R organization and its team of devoted and equally passionate members motivate me to continue on my race journey by keeping the dialogue open about how to keep the community active, motivated, and enthusiastic about movement and running. The virtual races were an opportunity to demonstrate an ability to be flexible and inclusive during a world crisis when everything else seems to be closing in on the hearts and souls of our communities. P3R continued to give me hope and support. 2020 was indeed a successful year of running.

-Erica V Strasser, 2020 P3Runner