About Me

Phew, so about me...

My name is Crystal and thank you so much for taking time to visit my blog! I'm from Central PA and have made Pittsburgh my home since 2013. I moved here for college and currently have no plans of leaving. I live with two wonderful housemates.. we're a pretty cool family. My actual immediate family moved to Nashville when I was in college, so I try to visit as often as possible.

My niece, Eliana and I

My running career is actually a funny story. I was never an athlete; my parents didn't let me play sports as a kid, until I begged them to let me play field hockey in 7th grade. Even then, I didn't try at all. It wasn't until the summer before my senior year of high school that I decided I was going to actually be physically prepared for two-a-days. I did light training and ran before pre-season. Well, fourth day of preseason, I tore my quad in a 40m sprint drill.

After physical therapy, I would go home and run in attempts to get back on the field before the season was over. Though I didn't get to play (minus 5 mins of my senior night), I developed an obsession with working out. I lost a bunch of weight, and ran only because of the weight loss.

I lost 30lbs in my senior year of high school, and participated in my first 5K that spring.

I continued running throughout my freshman year of college. I went to Temple University, and found a running club there. It was great having friends at the time who loved running and would assist me in going outside even when it wasn't prime conditions to run. We did more 5Ks, and I even did a 10K on Thanksgiving that year. 2012 was really a great year of running for me.

some 5K at Drexel

Alex's Lemonade Stand 5K

Rothman 8K

My mom supporting me at our hometown Thanksgiving 10K

I transferred to Pitt, and things got tough. I joined a sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, began working 20-40 hours a week, and changed my major that included the sciences. Needless to say, I didn't take time to run anymore. Finally in my senior year of college, I decided that I wanted to be able to tell my kids some day that I ran a half marathon. I trained poorly, wore the WRONG shoe, and ended up with a stress fracture right off the bat. I finished out school, and got my Bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies.

First generation college grad right here!

April 2016

Now I could finally focus on being a runner. I got fitted for the right shoe, was shown how to stretch so I didn't end up with shin splints, got a Fitbit, and picked out a random half marathon in August. I ran a couple days a week, and as the weeks became closer, I worked on adding weekend mileage. Mind you, all of this running was not how I should have trained, but god-willing, I made it through summer of 2016 without serious injury.

My mom and I made it a run-cation to New England. I ran the East Bay Half Marathon in Providence, RI. We visited Salem, MA, Marblehead, MA, Plymouth, MA (where I found my favorite winery of all time ever), Cape Cod, Providence, RI, and New Haven, CT. The half was horrible. It was 95 degrees with 95% humidity at 8am when the gun went off. I struggled to get to the finish line, and cried because my pace was horrid. But I finished, and wanted to keep running to improve that time.

Marblehead, MA

First Half Marathon

(don't know how I was smiling)

With our main witches in Salem, MA

I signed up for the Great Race 10K (and actually was seeded for the next year!), the Mario Lemieux 6.6K, and more for 2016. As 2017 was approaching, I found series of races I wanted to be a part of. So far in 2017, I've participated in The Spring Thaw 15 Miler (and placed in my age group), the Hot Chocolate 15K, the Just A Short Run 8.1 Miler (and placed in my age group), the Pittsburgh Marathon 5K (and placed 1st in my age group), the Pittsburgh Half Marathon, and so many more. My goal from the first of the year was to not only complete my first full, which will be the Erie Marathon, but to Boston Qualify as well.

Pittsburgh Half Marathon

I've grown to make many friends through my Instagram @runningawayfromadulting which as brought me so much energy to participate in more races. I've learned so much along the way, and continue to strive to learn to become a better runner.

Pittsburgh Marathon Expo

UPMC Health Plan 5K

Spring Thaw 15 Miler

This bae helped me finish even when I was doubled over heaving for a great portion of the run

Presque Isle Half Marathon

I've started this blog as an outlet for myself about my running journey, to share advice that I feel is correct and can benefit others, and to be out there for anyone struggling with their own journey.