It goes without saying that I miss my family and friends in Pittsburgh terribly. Even though I didn't see my family and friends every day when I did live there, it still feels like a part of me is missing when I'm living 1200 miles away. That's not the only thing I miss about Pittsburgh. I miss the snow. I kid! Actually, I do miss the occasional snow storm that happens on Friday night starting at 7 pm dropping 2 feet of snow overnight and you spend the weekend with nothing to do be sled ride and build a snowman. (By the way in this perfect snow storm it is all gone by the Monday morning commute).
But... there is always I but. I love living in Austin. The weather is awesome, there are great places to eat, so many fun things to do, I can sign up for a race EVERY weekend if I wanted, and I've met some incredible friends who, if I'm being honest, are more like family than friends.
So you see? I feel very torn, because I love my new life in Austin, but I miss my family and friends in Pittsburgh. I'm able to manage my homesickness (is that a word) by reminding myself of all the great things that are going on in my life in Austin and by looking at George and the kids and seeing how happy they are here.
However whenever I hear or see about things that are going on in Pittsburgh that I just can't duplicate here, I can't help but feel a little sad. Today all it took was seeing this little map. A course map. The Pittsburgh half marathon course map to be exact.
I looked through the course (and the full marathon course) and I knew every twist and turn. I knew every neighborhood and could picture every street on which the participants would run. Then it happened-- I got sad, and I missed my hometown, and I missed my family, and I missed my friends, and I felt left out of an awesome opportunity.
Yes, I've run the Pittsburgh half-marathon before, but I was a new runner. The whole time I was running I was focused on running. I know that sounds stupid, but I didn't get to run AND enjoy the city. I was just too focused on this pace and that finishing time and I forgot to take it all in. (Be quiet you-- I know I set a personal record that day, but that's not the point). Plus, and this is a biggie, I've never really been able to run a race with my Pittsburgh running buddy Tracey. Sure we were there together, but she had a shower, ate lunch and took a nap between her finishing time and mine. You get my drift? We really didn't run TOGETHER!
So today I began a plan. There will be whining, begging pleading, and maybe a even a little sucking up but, "Operation Get Susan Home for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon" has commenced.
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