FitLabPGH is a podcast about movement and movement opportunities in the Pittsburgh, PA area. Once a week we also highlight a FitLabPGH mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity. The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability. Click FitLabPGH Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.
This Week: Robert Dietz
Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? Allison Park, Pa was my hometown growing up. I currently live in NJ but visit area 5-6 times a year to visit with family
What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Running (around city, North Park, Running up Mount Washington), cycling at cycling track and North Park, swimming occasionally at Pittsburgh area Lap pools to prepare for Triathlon swims
Describe your fantasy movement-focused vacation…cost is not an object…where do you go and what do you do? Running around all the National Parks out West in Moab, Yellowstone, and Zion. Possibly residing in a RV while traveling
What is your go-to weekday breakfast? Your weekend breakfast? Bagels (Jersey bagels are the bomb) with vegan cream cheese, bananas, and Beyond Sausage Breakfast sandwich; Coffee or Americano mandatory. During weekends, I occasionally go to Local Urban Kitchen in Point Pleasant, NJ for Vegan Pancakes. My diet has changed from a meat based diet to vegan just recently. Favorite Pittsburgh breakfast haunt is First Watch.
What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. Lately on Plant based diet it has been the vegan Mexican food options at Mad Mex a vegan burrito or tofu Wrapture wrap is my favorites there.
What is the most unusual and/or challenging movement activity you’ve done? Would you do it again? I Ran various 5ks, Triathlons, and Duathlons that incorporated large amounts of run in the sand on the beach. I even won Overall in a sand 5k. I am primarily a road runner but I love doing sand runs for the challenge.
What movement activity/event are you looking forward to in the next year? Currently I am trying to run a Marathon under 3 hours. My next Marathon is Novodisk New Jersey Marathon where I am trying to get a Boston Qualifying time.
Would you rather go scuba diving or skydiving? I have a fear of not being able to breathe so I would rather sky dive than scuba dive. It’s kinda ironic because I’ve done various Triathlons and even an Ironman half swim in the bay with hundreds of swimmers that sometimes try to swim over you.
What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Ice Baths- they work especially after hard long runs or Tempo workouts
What is the one place visitors to Pittsburgh “must” see? Randyland in the Northside it’s my favorite to run by and try to notice something new each time.
Contact info for Robert Dietz:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irunfasterthandemodogs/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psudietz08
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSUDIETZ08