Not long after I joined the Facebook community, I reconnected with an old friend...someone I've known most of my life. She was a middle-distance runner on our high school track team (back when I was a sprinter) and she'd found her way back to running. I found her posts inspiring and in part because of her, I started running again myself three years ago.
She not only helped me find my way back to running (and size 8 pants), but she also introduced me to the Broad Street Run, a terrific 10 mile run through downtown Philadelphia. This year was my second running this great race...
Having rejoined the work force at the beginning of April, and with kids playing baseball and soccer this spring, I struggled to find the time I needed to really train for the race. While I've finally settled into a morning routine (which has me up at 5:00 most mornings to run a few miles with a friend), I didn't log anywhere near the number of miles heading into this year's run that I would have liked. But, I was determined to give Broad Street my best effort.
Registration for this year's race sold out in less than five hours and thanks in part to a second chance lottery for those unable register, there were nearly 40 thousand runners on Broad Street today.
Race participants park down by the sports stadiums and ride the subway line to Olney. Only this year, the Sixers had a playoff game, closing the Wells Fargo Center parking lots. Extra traffic from extra runners and less parking made for a long wait to park once we got off I-95. And extra long lines to get on the subway. And extra runners swarming around the start lines. We didn't get to our starting corral until 8:20am (cutting things a little close for an 8:30 start).
Once the race got underway, I was reminded off all the reasons I love this run... crowds along all 10 miles of Broad Street cheering enthusiastically, bands (including a portion of the Temple marching band) along the way, little children eagerly high-fiving anyone willing to slap their hands.
One of my favorite sights - a spectator holding a sign that read "Worst Parade Ever". We actually saw it twice.
It wasn't an easy run for me, but I am happy to say that aside from walks while I drank water, I ran the entire distance (check out my Runkeeper post here). And I even did it faster than last year (not by much, but I'll take it). 1:35:48.
Last night before bed, Cathy told me to beat Daddy on our run... and I am happy to say that I got him by one second (he finished in 1:35:49). But only because he ran my pace. He was capable of running so much faster.
So, I ran the entire distance, and Rich didn't pass out. Guess that makes for a good day on Broad Street!
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