I did it guys! I finished the 2011 Broad Street Run in under 2 hours (1:51:49), had a smile on my face, and didn't stop to walk once. All my goals were accomplished!
According to Runner's World, this 10 miler is the nation's fastest. It is almost all downhill or flat, and this year 30,000 people registered for this race before it selling out after only 3 days. I was so glad that I woke up at 10am on the first morning of registration to secure my spot because I had an amazing time. I felt like all of Philadelphia was out there running with me.
Yesterday, I picked up my bib, t shirt, etc at the expo. It was held in the club level of Lincoln Final Field (where the Philadelphia Eagles play).
The expo had some good stuff. I also picked up 2 women's tech Broad Street Run t-shirts sold from a little Modell's stand.
This morning I left my apartment at 6:30 am with my girlfriends and we took the trolley to the subway and the Broad Street Line all the way north to the start of the race. While we were standing there I couldn't help but notice that City Hall (basically the half way point) looked really really far away. I had jitters. I had never run 10 miles before, and I knew I would get to the finish, but I wanted to make my 3 goals. Smile on face. Under 2 hours. No walking (the goal I thought would mentally be the hardest)
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| We were packed like sardines in the subway |
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| I was almost out the door..literally |
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| Pre-race photo shoot |
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| Pre-race breakfast / fuel Odwalla bar in chocolate chip peanut...did the trick |
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| A sign with one of our favorite quotes "Ya gotta believe!" |
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| Pam, myself, and Monica (all sorority sisters/pledge sisters) |
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| City Hall...ohh so very far away |
The race was scheduled to begin at 8:30. We were about 20 minutes after the first corral left. I suppose it took a while for all the people to work their ways to the start line. Once we did...we were off!
I saw my friend Sarah at Temple around mile 3, which was awesome!! We are going to be running buddies this summer and it gave me a breath of fresh air to see someone I knew. I gave her a quick hug and was on my way...As I kept getting closer and closer to City Hall, I was more and more excited because after we went around City Hall, my parents and Joe were waiting around mile 6!
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| City Hall! |
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| The elite runners |
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| Signs! I stole the idea for the one on the left from Caitlin over at Healthy Tipping Point. My parents sad it was a huge hit!!! |
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| I was so excited to see them! |
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| Pammy and I ran together the whole race and it was really great! |
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| hamming it up for the camera |
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| High five! |
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| High fiving my parents! |
At mile 7.6 we saw Pam's dad, and he gave me a bottle of water which I really needed. At mile 8 I started hitting a wall, but I kept pushing and finishing all 10 miles without stopping once felt amazing!
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| My racing partner! |
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| My fan club!!! |
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| In a race of 30,000 I even ran into my friend Tom! Small world! |
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| My awesome spectators!!! |
I had so much fun running this race. I feel more confident than ever that I will be able to bring on the half marathons that I have planned for the fall. Unfortunately for me, I have 5 finals this week. As bad as I want to stay in bed and rest, I have to study. I feel like I'm at mile 8 of the race...almost there but gotta run out the last little hardest part! 4 months off in 5 days! YES. :-)
Anyone else do broad street? How did it go??
Also...there was a really awesome
deal on Living Social today. A 1 month or 2 week membership at The Sporting Club at the Bellevue and 1 hour massage or a personal training session. Can't beat that!
