Joined
·
3,876 Posts
I was actualy going to skip this report. Then I saw that <b>keriksen</b> was going to file a tardy RR so I figured I would too.<br><br>
Race: Philadelphia Half Marathon<br>
Date: 11/18<br>
Weather: 43 2 start time. Windy, cold and light rain<br><br>
A little background info. This was my 3rd HM and second ran this year. I PRed at the Flying Pig in May with a 2:28 time. Knowing that Philly was supposed to be Phlat and Phfast, I was eager to try for another PR. Had <b>Coach T</b> set me up with a training plan that was supposed to get me to 2:15. It all sounded great until I hurt myself while setting that PR at the Pig and havent been the same running wise ( and at times mentally ) since.<br><br>
When I signed up for this race I figured I would heal up and be ok for the run. No dice. I then decided ( seeing as how this turned into a huge gathering ) I was going to have a good time meeting a bunch of my fellow 30s and the run would be secondary<b>. Auntie Moe</b> was having some training issues this summer also and I told her we should run together. In the meantime, we also picked up <b>Moon</b> to run with us. It was decided we would run a mile, walk a mile and repeat the process.<br><br>
Race morning came. THere was talk of rain and I wasnt sure what to do as I didnt have any running pants of tights. I had a cheap poncho in my pocket if needed. The three of us met up ( along with <b>Voo, Ll, Theia, Litch, Nettie</b> and a few others ) prior to the race by the start/finish area. We wished everybody good luck and made our way to the starting line. After a delay ( due to morons having their cars towed off the course ) we got under way with the <i>Rocky</i> theme playing.<br><br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/TryingRacer/PhillyStart.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
Miles 1-3 were a bit crowded as expected due to the convergence of the marathon and half marathon runners. Along these first few miles <b>Nettie</b> passed us, looking good in the infamous tutu that <b>Auntie Moe</b> made for her. We got settled into our run/walk scenario and agreeded we'd see how things went and adjust accordingly.<br><br>
Miles 4-7 were uneventful for the most part. ALong the portion of the course that was just south of the Ben Frankilin Bridge we came across a guy who was running and jogging at the same time ( show off <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> ) here's a shot of him with <b>AM</b> trying to get in the pic<br><br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/TryingRacer/1118070800.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
Part of my trip was supposed to be a sightseeing trip and I really wanted to see the Battleship New Jersey. Well I never made it to the ship but I did catch a glimpse of her along the Delaware while we were on the course.<br><br>
Here she is<br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/TryingRacer/USSNewJersey.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
Just before the mile 7 marker, <b>AM</b> let us know she had to make a stop. Not a problem. Damn that line was long <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">. Not that we were concerned about our time but the pit stop knocked about 6 minutes off our time. We carry on.<br><br>
During miles 7-11, my lack of training and running started to show. My breathing was fine but my legs were starting to feel like lead at points. It was also getting colder, windier and the sprinkles were more frequent. I also didnt have any gels with me so I grabbed one at the gel stop ( were we met the lovely <b>Merigayle</b> ) I broke a cardinal rule of long runs, never try something new during a HM. I had never had Cliff Shot gels before and it damn near made me sick. Thank god for gatorade and water to wash that away.<br><br>
My issues werent nearly as bad as some poor soul near mile 11 who was on the ground in a whole lot of hurt being tended to by a course volunteer. Here are a couple of shots in those miles. The course was really pretty so I snapped a couple of <b>randomcam</b> shots<br><br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/TryingRacer/1118070945.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/TryingRacer/1118070914.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
As we neared the 10 mile mark <b>Moe</b> informed us this is were she starts to have issues with her toe and sure enough she did. We slowed it down a bit and just went with the flow. As we got closer we could hear the PA announcer but knew we were still a couple of miles out ( hate that feeling <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> ) Now we were nearing the museum and the finish and wondering were in the hell the actual finish line was ( as we never saw a mile 13 marker ) Excitement, adrenaline and emotions were flooding my mind. As we rounded that last corner we heard the crowds and then we heard the <b><i>ROAR</i></b> of our fellow 30s finishers and supporters. I have to admit, upon hearing them I damn near broke down. I held it together long enough to give them a thumbs up and then grab <b>Moe</b> by the hand ( as she grabbed <b>Moonie's</b> hand ) and we finished hand in hand with arms raised up. The end to one of the most rewarding and unique runs I have ever done. We got out medals, our mylar wraps, got our pic taken and headed for the warmth of the food tent. We ran into <b>Bard</b> and <b>PacerChris</b> in the tent. Had a great variety of things to eat and drink ( loved the chicken broth ). After we warmed up and nourished ourselves, it was off to gear check to get dry warm clothes on and then went over and hung with our friends awaiting everybody else to finish. Once <b>Nettie</b> finished up, most of us went and did the <i>Rocky</i> run. What a fitting way to finish off the Philly HM<br><br>
At the base<br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/TryingRacer/1118071202.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
A view from the top ( with fog on my lense )<br><br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/TryingRacer/1118071228.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
Thanks for reading
Race: Philadelphia Half Marathon<br>
Date: 11/18<br>
Weather: 43 2 start time. Windy, cold and light rain<br><br>
A little background info. This was my 3rd HM and second ran this year. I PRed at the Flying Pig in May with a 2:28 time. Knowing that Philly was supposed to be Phlat and Phfast, I was eager to try for another PR. Had <b>Coach T</b> set me up with a training plan that was supposed to get me to 2:15. It all sounded great until I hurt myself while setting that PR at the Pig and havent been the same running wise ( and at times mentally ) since.<br><br>
When I signed up for this race I figured I would heal up and be ok for the run. No dice. I then decided ( seeing as how this turned into a huge gathering ) I was going to have a good time meeting a bunch of my fellow 30s and the run would be secondary<b>. Auntie Moe</b> was having some training issues this summer also and I told her we should run together. In the meantime, we also picked up <b>Moon</b> to run with us. It was decided we would run a mile, walk a mile and repeat the process.<br><br>
Race morning came. THere was talk of rain and I wasnt sure what to do as I didnt have any running pants of tights. I had a cheap poncho in my pocket if needed. The three of us met up ( along with <b>Voo, Ll, Theia, Litch, Nettie</b> and a few others ) prior to the race by the start/finish area. We wished everybody good luck and made our way to the starting line. After a delay ( due to morons having their cars towed off the course ) we got under way with the <i>Rocky</i> theme playing.<br><br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/TryingRacer/PhillyStart.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
Miles 1-3 were a bit crowded as expected due to the convergence of the marathon and half marathon runners. Along these first few miles <b>Nettie</b> passed us, looking good in the infamous tutu that <b>Auntie Moe</b> made for her. We got settled into our run/walk scenario and agreeded we'd see how things went and adjust accordingly.<br><br>
Miles 4-7 were uneventful for the most part. ALong the portion of the course that was just south of the Ben Frankilin Bridge we came across a guy who was running and jogging at the same time ( show off <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> ) here's a shot of him with <b>AM</b> trying to get in the pic<br><br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/TryingRacer/1118070800.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
Part of my trip was supposed to be a sightseeing trip and I really wanted to see the Battleship New Jersey. Well I never made it to the ship but I did catch a glimpse of her along the Delaware while we were on the course.<br><br>
Here she is<br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/TryingRacer/USSNewJersey.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
Just before the mile 7 marker, <b>AM</b> let us know she had to make a stop. Not a problem. Damn that line was long <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">. Not that we were concerned about our time but the pit stop knocked about 6 minutes off our time. We carry on.<br><br>
During miles 7-11, my lack of training and running started to show. My breathing was fine but my legs were starting to feel like lead at points. It was also getting colder, windier and the sprinkles were more frequent. I also didnt have any gels with me so I grabbed one at the gel stop ( were we met the lovely <b>Merigayle</b> ) I broke a cardinal rule of long runs, never try something new during a HM. I had never had Cliff Shot gels before and it damn near made me sick. Thank god for gatorade and water to wash that away.<br><br>
My issues werent nearly as bad as some poor soul near mile 11 who was on the ground in a whole lot of hurt being tended to by a course volunteer. Here are a couple of shots in those miles. The course was really pretty so I snapped a couple of <b>randomcam</b> shots<br><br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/TryingRacer/1118070945.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/TryingRacer/1118070914.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
As we neared the 10 mile mark <b>Moe</b> informed us this is were she starts to have issues with her toe and sure enough she did. We slowed it down a bit and just went with the flow. As we got closer we could hear the PA announcer but knew we were still a couple of miles out ( hate that feeling <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> ) Now we were nearing the museum and the finish and wondering were in the hell the actual finish line was ( as we never saw a mile 13 marker ) Excitement, adrenaline and emotions were flooding my mind. As we rounded that last corner we heard the crowds and then we heard the <b><i>ROAR</i></b> of our fellow 30s finishers and supporters. I have to admit, upon hearing them I damn near broke down. I held it together long enough to give them a thumbs up and then grab <b>Moe</b> by the hand ( as she grabbed <b>Moonie's</b> hand ) and we finished hand in hand with arms raised up. The end to one of the most rewarding and unique runs I have ever done. We got out medals, our mylar wraps, got our pic taken and headed for the warmth of the food tent. We ran into <b>Bard</b> and <b>PacerChris</b> in the tent. Had a great variety of things to eat and drink ( loved the chicken broth ). After we warmed up and nourished ourselves, it was off to gear check to get dry warm clothes on and then went over and hung with our friends awaiting everybody else to finish. Once <b>Nettie</b> finished up, most of us went and did the <i>Rocky</i> run. What a fitting way to finish off the Philly HM<br><br>
At the base<br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/TryingRacer/1118071202.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
A view from the top ( with fog on my lense )<br><br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/TryingRacer/1118071228.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
Thanks for reading
