Two weeks ago I ran the Rock and Roll half marathon in Virginia Beach as a relay with a good friend. But today....I was on my own. I traveled to Philadelphia the day before the race and took in some sites, picked up my packet, and used the race as a chance to CARB-LOAD with some AMAZING crab ravioli!!! Then it was off to bed to prepare for my 2nd ever half marathon.
My hotel was only a mile from the start line (and was actually smack in the middle of the course), so I had really set myself up nicely to "sleep in" before the race. I will definitely take that! I had strategically purchased some "race morning breakfast" foods to have in the room so I didn't have to try and buy myself some breakfast anywhere....I knew that my hotel being on the course would mean lines at any eatery that was open at that hour...and I couldn't risk being late. So I scarfed down my breakfast and took some coffee to the start with me. The one mile walk was a nice warmup for the race....I got going at a brisk pace and got to the start line before I even knew it! A nice addition to this race was the fact that a friend of mine from college was running it as well. We didn't plan to run it together but we did get to meet up at the start line and chat while we waited for the waves of runners that took off before us. Before long, it was time for our wave to take off on the 13.1 mile journey. I spent the first mile or so running alongside my good friend and her good friend. But they weren't planning to run this race for time....so I pulled ahead to focus on my race.
There is something to definitely be said for this course.
It started in downtown Philly and nearly the first five miles took place on roads throughout the city. We ran past Independence Hall, Benjamin Franklin's gravesite, the Franklin Museum, and Reading Terminal Market. I am including a shot of me as I head down Arch Street (just near the Reading Terminal Market). Then as passed Eakins Oval around 5 miles we started to head out away from the city on more highway-like roads along the Schuykill River. How incredibly beautiful! I just ran...listening to my music...enjoying the September sunshine and the beautiful view of the river. Just before 9 miles, we headed across the Falls Bridge (a really neat steel truss bridge) and then ran back down the river, heading back toward the city. I felt really great....until about 10 miles. Then...all the energy I had...all the enthusiasm and excitement.....just left me. With a 5K still left to run....I had nothing left in the tank! Not really sure how this happened....or how to prevent it...but I just hit the wall! I struggled through those last 3 miles....knowing that at the end I could shower, rest, eat, and get ready for the Phillies game I have tickets to tonight. Sigh. I had such high hopes that this post was going to be epic. A tale of how amazing my pace was, how great I felt, how I set a crazy PR. But no. But I am a believer in silver linings, so here goes: I finished! I finished ever so slightly faster than my last half (ok so technically I set a new PR). AND I can't wait to run another one! But first let's get through Ragnar...just 3 1/2 months away now!
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