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fab forty

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this September, I celebrated my fortieth birthday in grander style than I could have imagined, thanks to Nick's dedication and planning, and my wonderful family and friends! he has always been the master of surprises, from the time we were dating when he flew across the country to surprise me during summer break from college (with my parents' encouragement!), and then again when he came along with two of my best friends to visit me during a study abroad semester in Ireland (I knew they were coming, but he had told me he had a mandatory recital to play); his epic proposal when he surprised me in New Orleans during a cross-country road trip I was taking with two other best friends; the surprise vow renewal he planned at beautiful Heinz Chapel for our fifth anniversary, and the surprise 30th birthday party he threw for me at a French restaurant, complete with a party bus to take us around to all our favourite haunts afterwards.  the birthday celebration kicked off the weekend befo...
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September highlights {Steelers 5K, Idlewild, back to school, XC, Great Race 10K}

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1) Steelers 5K.  this was a running-centric month, between my 5K and 10K bookending the month and Greta dipping her toes in the water of cross country! I've run most of the bigger 5Ks in the Pittsburgh area but this was my first year trying the Steelers 5K. the race is held on Labor Day morning and starts outside the football stadium (technically Acrisure Stadium now, but it will always and forever be Heinz Field in our hearts). the course runs in a loop around Pittsburgh's North Shore and culminates in an epic downhill run through the tunnel back into the stadium to emerge onto the turf, just like the athletes do.  we were up late the night before at our friends' Labor Day pool party, so I wasn't sure how my legs and stomach would hold up for the race. turns out the 10 pm smashburger was great pre-race fuel! my goal was a sub-11:30 min/mile pace (a definite step up from my 13:07 min/mile at the Pittsburgh Marathon 5K in May). and lo and behold, I crossed the finish lin...
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