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: Rachel Runs PA (Rachel Bankaci)
Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? I grew up near Uniontown and live in Latrobe now. So I’ve always been near Pittsburgh!
What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? I’m a very dedicated runner. So I spend most of my time on that! My family enjoys hiking and skiing in the Laurel Highlands.
Describe your fantasy movement-focused vacation…cost is not an object…where do you go and what do you do? I’d go to China and run the Great Wall Marathon!
What is your go-to weekday breakfast? Your weekend breakfast? I’m really into smoothie bowls for breakfast. On the weekend I always make pancakes with my kids.
What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. I love to go to brunch at Eleven. The food is amazing and it’s such a nice atmosphere.
What is the most unusual and/or challenging movement activity you’ve done? Would you do it again? I have done ropes courses several times as team building activities. It’s really fun and really challenging! I would do it again.
What movement activity/event are you looking forward to in the next year? I am running the Boston Marathon in April! This will be my first Boston! I worked incredibly hard for years to get my qualifying time. I am ecstatic! I was also fortunate enough to get a spot in the Berlin Marathon in September. My goal is to run all of the World Marathon Majors (Boston, Berlin, Chicago, London, NYC, Tokyo.)
Would you rather go scuba diving or skydiving? Neither! I’d have to pick sky diving. I would be terrified, but I think it would be incredible.
What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? I love getting a massage at the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing. They are fantastic and help keep my body feeling good through all of the miles I run!
What is the one place visitors to Pittsburgh “must” see? My #1 tourist attraction is the bridges. I think they are so beautiful and really represent Pittsburgh. And they are really fun to run across! Since that’s technically not a place, I’ll pick the Strip District. I feel like it gives you a true Pittsburgh experience!
Contact info for Rachel Bankaci:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelrunspa/