I made it to the city of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia was my final stop before officially concluding my trip in New York City. Why Philly? To visit friends, and of course do one of the things that I love, run. The Broad Street 10-miler has been on my bucket list and since I got into the lottery, I figured why not.
I was staying with my friends Cori and Jeff, who were also running the race. After a pick-up from the airport and settling in for a few minutes, Jeff and I headed over the bridge to New Jersey to go to Wegmans. My first excursion back in the Northeast. It was amazing. Yes, this upstate girl loves her Wegmans. I really had to try not to buy too many items. Philly may have been my last stop for this part of the trip, but it would still be weeks until I settled in at home. I didn't need to be carrying any more things than I already was.
Since I arrived the day before the race, we headed out to a local Italian place to carb up for dinner. And drink some wine. I had trained for this race, but I wasn't going to be doing my best out there. I figured a little bit of wine wouldn't hurt. Maybe it would even help.
We didn't stay out too long but eventually headed back to rest up.
In the hours leading up to the race, we were keeping our eye on the weather. Unfortunately the forecast didn't change by the following morning. No May-like weather was happening on the 1st. It was April showers all the way.
We headed to the race start and tried to stay as dry as possible. We crammed onto the SEPTA and arrived to long baggage lines. There has to be a better way to organize the baggage for this massive race. I waited in line for way too long. I then got in another long line for the porta potty. What a difference from the last race I ran. I was running out of time, so I left the line to find a shorter one. Fortunately I did, and was in my corral before the official race start.
The race started, and I made my way down Broad Street. The course was really flat, one of the reasons it's a popular race. I had my "not the best you are capable, but a good effort" plan, which fortunately included a PR. I started out with 7:30s, and just tried to maintain that and get a little faster in the 2nd half. The cold definitely caught up to me. I wasn't wearing proper clothes and I was reminded of last year's Boston Marathon. Add this to the race to come back and get weather redemption. I finish as strong as I was capable of, which was faster than the first half, and finished with a PR of 1:14:12. I know I can get a faster 10-miler in, but considering my training and the weather, I took it. It was now time to stop shivering, take a hot shower, and get brunch.
Once Cori and Jeff finished, we headed to their friends to relax, eat some bagels, and drink some beers. A perfect day to spend a rainy race afternoon.
The weather hadn't improved much the following day, but at least it wasn't raining. I got a few recovery miles in along the Schuylkill with some good views. However, it wasn't as uneventful as I would have thought. About halfway on my run, a guy got in a bike accident. I didn't see what happened, but heard it. I turned around and ended up calling 911. Bleeding from the head area wasn't a good sign. That was definitely a first for me. A few other pedestrians stopped as well, and we waited together for the paramedics to come along. I think he was fine. Or at least I hope so. It really reinforced that you need to pay more attention. Everyone needs to be aware of their surroundings. I'm generally pretty good, but it can't hurt to be a little extra aware.
Later in the afternoon, I walked around Philly a bit.
And enjoyed some of the spring weather. The sun even came out later in the day.
Later on I met up with some more friends, Eric and Sara, for drinks and dinner. Unusually for us, we had a low key evening. Good thing since I was pretty tired. Even though we just had a few hours to hang out, it was good to see them and catch up.
Before getting on the bus to NYC the next day, I got in one last run before leaving town. I have run plenty in Philly, but I got to try out some new places on this trip, which is always exciting. I also appreciate the running paths and won't take them for granted, no matter what city I'm in.
Just like with my previous stops in the USA, Philadelphia just aided in my transition back home. I got to see more friends and be in familiar places. A great way to end my trip. Off to NYC, where I started my trip. And where I'll finish it.
I was staying with my friends Cori and Jeff, who were also running the race. After a pick-up from the airport and settling in for a few minutes, Jeff and I headed over the bridge to New Jersey to go to Wegmans. My first excursion back in the Northeast. It was amazing. Yes, this upstate girl loves her Wegmans. I really had to try not to buy too many items. Philly may have been my last stop for this part of the trip, but it would still be weeks until I settled in at home. I didn't need to be carrying any more things than I already was.
 |
| Wegmans. |
Since I arrived the day before the race, we headed out to a local Italian place to carb up for dinner. And drink some wine. I had trained for this race, but I wasn't going to be doing my best out there. I figured a little bit of wine wouldn't hurt. Maybe it would even help.
 |
| Pre-race meal. |
We didn't stay out too long but eventually headed back to rest up.
 |
| Rochester reunion with Cori. |
In the hours leading up to the race, we were keeping our eye on the weather. Unfortunately the forecast didn't change by the following morning. No May-like weather was happening on the 1st. It was April showers all the way.
 |
| Staying dry. |
We headed to the race start and tried to stay as dry as possible. We crammed onto the SEPTA and arrived to long baggage lines. There has to be a better way to organize the baggage for this massive race. I waited in line for way too long. I then got in another long line for the porta potty. What a difference from the last race I ran. I was running out of time, so I left the line to find a shorter one. Fortunately I did, and was in my corral before the official race start.
The race started, and I made my way down Broad Street. The course was really flat, one of the reasons it's a popular race. I had my "not the best you are capable, but a good effort" plan, which fortunately included a PR. I started out with 7:30s, and just tried to maintain that and get a little faster in the 2nd half. The cold definitely caught up to me. I wasn't wearing proper clothes and I was reminded of last year's Boston Marathon. Add this to the race to come back and get weather redemption. I finish as strong as I was capable of, which was faster than the first half, and finished with a PR of 1:14:12. I know I can get a faster 10-miler in, but considering my training and the weather, I took it. It was now time to stop shivering, take a hot shower, and get brunch.
 |
| Finish line shivers. |
Once Cori and Jeff finished, we headed to their friends to relax, eat some bagels, and drink some beers. A perfect day to spend a rainy race afternoon.
 |
| Downtown Philly. |
The weather hadn't improved much the following day, but at least it wasn't raining. I got a few recovery miles in along the Schuylkill with some good views. However, it wasn't as uneventful as I would have thought. About halfway on my run, a guy got in a bike accident. I didn't see what happened, but heard it. I turned around and ended up calling 911. Bleeding from the head area wasn't a good sign. That was definitely a first for me. A few other pedestrians stopped as well, and we waited together for the paramedics to come along. I think he was fine. Or at least I hope so. It really reinforced that you need to pay more attention. Everyone needs to be aware of their surroundings. I'm generally pretty good, but it can't hurt to be a little extra aware.
 |
| Recovery run. |
Later in the afternoon, I walked around Philly a bit.
 |
| Row houses. |
And enjoyed some of the spring weather. The sun even came out later in the day.
 |
| Rittenhouse Square. |
Later on I met up with some more friends, Eric and Sara, for drinks and dinner. Unusually for us, we had a low key evening. Good thing since I was pretty tired. Even though we just had a few hours to hang out, it was good to see them and catch up.
 |
| More friends. |
Before getting on the bus to NYC the next day, I got in one last run before leaving town. I have run plenty in Philly, but I got to try out some new places on this trip, which is always exciting. I also appreciate the running paths and won't take them for granted, no matter what city I'm in.
 |
| The Schuylkill. |
Just like with my previous stops in the USA, Philadelphia just aided in my transition back home. I got to see more friends and be in familiar places. A great way to end my trip. Off to NYC, where I started my trip. And where I'll finish it.
