Run With Us 2024

Ready to run with us this marathon weekend? We can’t wait to see you at the marathon, half marathon, or marathon relay on May 5th – or at the UPMC Health Plan / UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run, kid’s marathon, toddler trot, or pet walk on May 4th!

We're long-standing official partners of the Pittsburgh Marathon, with the expertise to help you train, prevent injuries, treat common running conditions, and stay fit year-round.

Whether you're interested in our running services or tips to succeed on race day, you've come to the right place. We wish you the best of luck!

Running Assessments for All Runners

Whether you are a casual neighborhood runner or an experienced marathon runner, our personalized running assessments can help you understand how to run efficiently, avoid injury, and train successfully for better overall performance and form. Learn more about this program.

General Running Assessment

Running Assessment for Beginning Runners

Running Assessment for Advanced Runners

Tips for Mental Toughness and Motivation

1. Use pre-race imagery.

Picture yourself in the event during training runs.
Imagine what you want to look like as you run. Consider your posture, body language, and smile.
Picture yourself successfully battling pain and exhaustion.
Envision yourself crossing the finish line.

2. Create a mental image of the course.

Use landmarks to trigger a mental reaction.
Break the race down and choose your focus and attitude for each stretch.
Have a focus plan for pain and exhaustion.
Imagine dealing with obstacles such as a crowded starting line, an untied shoe lace, or large groups of people along the course.

3. Have tricks to keep you focused.

Simplify the race (left, right, left, right…).
Be present. Don’t worry about how much you still have left.
Listen to music or count.

4. Use in-race imagery.

Break through the wall, mentally.
Imagine the sunshine pulling away the pain.
Picture scenes from motivational movies.

5. Watch your self-talk.

Be your own biggest fan. Cheer yourself on!
Don’t say anything to yourself you wouldn’t want someone else to say.
Change negatives into positives (exhaustion = working hard).

6. Remember that confidence is a choice.

Preparation and trust are the keys to confidence.
Act the way you want to feel to create those feelings of confidence.
Focus on what you can control.

Runners Who Trusted Us With Their Care

John’s Story: Running a Marathon After Meniscus Surgery

Matt’s Story: Runner Recovers from Achilles Tendon Injury with Physical Therapy

Mark’s Story: Nasal Breathing to Increase Performance and Decrease Stress

Dan’s Story: How Sports Nutrition Helped an Ultramarathoner “Take Off”

Performance Training Tailored to Runners

Ron DeAngelo, MEd, LAT, FAFS, director of sports performance at UPMC Sports Medicine has worked in sports performance since it first gained popularity in the 1990s, and he’s continually incorporated the latest practices in the industry to optimize sports performance ever since. Our program strives to enhance human movement and correct imbalances in sports and in life, and we have offerings specifically geared toward runners.

1. Breath Control

Ron is an Advanced instructor through Oxygen Advantage®, offering:

High altitude training – helping to delay fatigue, improve respiratory strength, and lower running times.
Functional breathing training – incorporating nose breathing while running to reduce breathlessness, improve posture, and help prevent exercise-induced asthma.*

*Ask Ron how functional breathing can also help you if you’re experiencing post-COVID symptoms, hoping to get a better night’s sleep, or looking to increase concentration and performance at your work station.

2. Soft Tissue Hygiene

Soft tissue hygiene training can help athletes looking to meet or exceed their pre-injury performance goals and everyday people wanting to improve their strength and range of motion. Sessions can help you:

Release tension in the neck and shoulders.
Relieve pain or tightness in the back with breathing techniques.
Expand and preserve hip motion.
Stretch the wrists to help prevent conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Point and flex the feet to loosen and relax the ankles.

UPMC Sports Medicine can help runners of all ages and experience levels recover from injury and improve performance. To learn more or schedule an appointment with an expert, please call 1-855-937-7678 or complete our contact form.