We were basically born ready.

Neither one of us had prepared with helmets, kneepads, elbow pads, or wrist guards like a true rookie/veteran (not sure which yet).  I know that I am extremely accident prone and I definitely need to invest in at least wrist guards.

SOME people are a little more eager than others and don’t wait for ANYone.  I swear O’Reily was half a mile ahead of us the ENTIRE time.  He kept yelling back, “You’re too slow!”  Talk about motivation!

I’m basically like a swan…gracefully gliding past the Hot Metal Bridge.

Keep in mind that I have very little idea on how to stop and only the very basic knowledge of technique.  Since her♥ ankle (which she♥ broke last summer) was acting up, she♥ went back to the car a little early.

Me and 2 kids and I am on these rollerblades!!!  Yikes!!!

It worked out okay…

Jacked ended up using her♥ skates (they wear the same size right now, which is a big deal to Jack) and had a blast.  We ended up traveling about 2.4 miles.  It did NOT feel like it, though.

While I’ve biked the path (starting at the Jail), this was my first time roller blading.  Actually it was my first time really roller blading since junior high.

The arches of my feet hurt like hell and my ankles/calves felt like I had been doing lunges for hours.  But as soon as I took my skates off, the pain went away.  I’m attributing it to the fact that I need to break in my skates!

Today officials cut the ribbon on the project to fix that.

“This particular project will enhance a blighted corridor and make our city more traffic-friendly and attractive to visitors and ultimately to new businesses here in the Pittsburgh Technology Center,” Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said.

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The Bates Street approach to Second Avenue has been widened from three lanes to five. There are new traffic signals, signs and landscaping.

Most importantly, the overpass has been raised to give trucks traveling Bates Street more clearance.

“It was a repeated occurrence to have trucks get stuck under the bridge, so safety was critically important and we’ve achieved that by raising it,” Ravenstahl said.

The completion of this project has also lifted the year-long detour on the Eliza Furnace Rail Trail, something bikers and pedestrians will be celebrating.

“It’s a key vital link to our trail network to provide safety to pedestrians and it also provides a huge benefit for the motoring public as well,” PennDOT District Executive Dan Cessna said.

RELATED LINKS
More Local News
PennDOT District 11
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl

My friends would love it as we traveled from Eat n’ Park to Pamela’s, marveling about getting a meal for under $10.  Impossible at most eateries in the city.  However, after the food haze worn off, it was also noted that our city was large.  Not large in surface area, but our people.  Now I am a generous woman by most’s standards and I knew that Pittsburgh was not the place to come and get thin, but it sorta stung to hear my New York brethren talk about my Pittsburghers.  In fact, one commented, ” I love this place! You can eat what you want and not care how you look!!”  Ouch.   It is true.  We are larger than most cities, but not everyone eats wings and hoagies every night, only to hide their rolls under an oversized Steelers jersey–some care!

In fact, we ranked #25 in Men’s Health’s The Fittest and Fattest Cities in America.  We made the top tier of  the fittest (yes, you read correctly) cities in the U.S.  Don’t believe me?   Click here.

When I moved back, I realized that there are many outdoor fitness activities in this city.  You could probably find more here to do than most.   So here is a list of my top Pittsburgh outdoor workouts:

1.  The Highland Park Reservoir-  I love, love, love this place.  The view is beautiful.  The people are kind and supportive.  I also appreciate how you can make this a beginner workout with a simple brisk walk or challenge yourself by incorporating the steps and surrounding inclines.

2. Frick Park- Some of the best outdoor space that Pittsburgh has to offer, you can enjoy the best views in the city while crafting your own personal workout.  You can always take a break and look at some of the historic design and architecture by famed architect John Russell Pope.

3. Eliza Furnace Trail -  About 4.0  miles long this trail is great for a bike ride, jog or rollerblading.  Not the prettiest of the city’s trails, it works if you need a diversion.

4. Cathedral Steps at the University of Pittsburgh- This  historic landmark in the city is the second-tallest education building in the world and ideal for torture!  There are 764 steps total.  If you climbed 100 times that would equal 40,000 feet, or 7 miles.

5.  Kayak Pittsburgh -  First- timers or pros, you can get your workout in while enjoying the beautiful views of our rivers.  You can also rent bikes to ride along the trails.  Affordable and fun, they even offer tutorials!

Get ready for my next post on Progressive Pittsburgh!