Philadelphia Marathon - Run

I started just behind the 3:40 pace group. That was my goal pace, but my plan was that if I felt good I should come in between 3:30-3:40 and if bad I should be able to slow some and still hit 3:45. I also wanted to keep the pace very easy in the beginning so I watched the 3:40 balloons gradually pull away.

I was a little behind pace over the first 2 miles, but I'm guessing this was just due to the crowding at that point where it was hard to develop a constant rhythm. Mile 3 was a little too fast, but after that I ran right about where I wanted to for the next several miles.

At mile 9, I did have a very fast split (7:35) due to some downhills. For most of the race up to this point I was running around most of the same people--passing a few, getting passed by a few. But on the few downhills I would simply blow by people as I lengthened my stride and try to keep my turnover up to avoid absorbing a lot of the impact on my legs. A lot of people just "thudded" down the hills in what appeared to be a very painful fashion.

At about this same time, I also started running a bit faster than I had planned. My "best" goal scenario had me catching the 3:40 group right around the half-way mark, but I passed them at about mile 11. When I passed my family (for the 3rd time) at around mile 14, I told my wife that I might have worked too hard in that section but I felt great.

At this point, the race becomes an out-and-back from the Art Museum finish area up along the river to Manayunk. By about mile 15 or 16 I started passing people continuously which definitely helped mentally.

I did not really notice being a tired until the last climb in Manayunk before the turn-around at mile 20, but it definitely did not feel like a "wall". And at this point I had brief thoughts that I might be able to break 3:30, but I forgot there was one last hill on the overpass leaving Manayunk that squashed that thought. I had also hoped I might have another gear for the last 2-3 miles, but there was nothing extra left.

I had been warned that there is some elevation gain in the last mile or so that really hits you. I am very familiar with the area and could not see how the very slight incline there would be much of an issue. Now I know! I felt every inch of climb coming into the last turn before the finish. :)

Overall, it was an awesome day. I thought the crowds were excellent during most of the run too.


I suppose that if I were really gunning for a time I would try to work to achieve more even splitting. But for my first, I think I ran it well.

I probably should not have started playing the "split" game to think about what kind of time I might get during the race. My best running seemed to come when I was not focusing on time and just staying relaxed and enjoying the day.

Walked through the tent, picking up a couple bananas and some waters. The massages sounded very appealing, but there was no way I could stand still to wait in line. I found my family and walked & stretched for a bit and then went out for lunch.


Only the fact that I have only been running a little over a year. I felt the race went about as well as I could expect at this point.


Post race food is a little weak--mostly just bananas and bread. And there were a couple aid stations that only had water where they had indicated Gatorade would be. This threw off my hydration plan a bit, but overall was not a big deal. It's a great race in my hometown that I'll probably do again someday.