Philadelphia Marathon - RunMarathon

7:30-And we're off! Luckily my dad and joe parked and got over in time to see me start and take a few pictures. I quickly settled in a groove with some good tunes. I got with the 5:30 pace group and about a mile in they started to walk, I knew I just had to go in front of them and hope for the best. Miles 1-4 went really fast, not too many people on the route there but it was scenic. I was worried about my pace being too fast but they were all about 11:45-11:50. My objective for the race was to enjoy myself. To take in all the sights and people and not worry about the time.

Mile 5 I saw two lovely faces, Bill and Michelle! They told me Lisa and Kurt were up ahead but apparently I missed them while they were in starbucks. I continued on through Drexel Hill and up to the zoo, I couldn't believe how fast the miles were going. 10K pace was 11:47. I drank my gatorade from my hand-held bottle whenever I needed it, got water at each station, and took a gu every 5 miles. Luckily I had no cramping! Miles 9-13 were really reflective for me. I thought a lot about the trouble I had at this part of the course during rock n roll and how I needed to make this a positive situation. I smiled and hummed along to my songs and before I knew it I was headed to the halfway point! I didn't even think for a second to head to the right and just kept plugging away. Half marathon time was 2:35, right under 12 minute miles.

Just as I passed the art museum I saw my parents and Joe, I stopped for a refill of gatorade and a quick check in of how I felt, then I was gone! I knew that at about this time Victoria would be coming in so I kept on the lookout for her. Even though out and backs can suck since you have to see everyone finishing and you're not, I tried to make it a positive that in just a few hours I'd be there. Miles 13-16 were kind of a blur, except I kind of remember singing "Hurts so good" much louder than I should have.

I can honestly say I think I passed over 300 people on the second half of the race. Most people were walking and many looked dead. I'm not sure how I was still running, I figured I felt fine, so why walk? I didn't even want to risk it and jogged through all the water stations and when I took gus. At mile 16 I told myself "you have 10 miles left, you've done this on dreadmills the past few weeks, you need to do it now." Mile 18 I started to get some achy pain in my right leg and remembered I had advil with me so I popped two of those and continued on. Mile 19 I stopped for my beer in Manayunk.

Miles 20-22 were rough and boring, I felt like walking but didn't want to since I was on the lookout for my friend Beth who said she would be in Manayunk. I didn't see her and got a little said as I left Ridge and headed to kelly drive again, but tried to stay optimistic. Then she was there!! Right on the corner with her husband Dan and a cute sign! She ran with me a little ways down the road to check in on how I was and I got a lot of energy back. I kept on that high until mile 23, I decided to take another gu since taking one at 25 seemed silly. I just kept running even though with everyone walking around me it was tempting. I started wishing for the mile markers which was something I hadn't done yet and was happy as anything to see mile 25. This whole crazy dream I had began to be real. I couldn't believe I had made it this far and the emotions were starting to get to me. Even more amazing was that I was under 5 hours and with only a mile left it looked like I was going to smash my expected time.

I took my ipod off to make sure I heard and enjoyed every moment. I didn't realize the finish line was so far down! I kept my eyes on the finish line the whole time, even missed the Mayor! I threw my hands up and crossed the line at 5:11:04. I ran the whole thing!!! I smiled until I saw Joe and then proceeded to break down. He and my family have been so supportive through this whole journey. I got my medal and posed for a pic. My fam wanted me to get food then but all I wanted was chinese food lol. I was glad I still had my appetite after this race. Brian also emerged from the crowd and I couldn't believe he had stayed that whole time!



Just work on my pace so I can get faster!!

The fam and I got the cars and drove home to thanksgiving dinner (Joe cooked a mini one since I won't be with my parents for the holiday this year.)

I can't thank TT enough for all the support, I seriously was minutes away from switching to the half after that disastrous rock n roll race but you guys convinced me I would be ok. Your training tips, advice, and cheers were what got me through! I can't wait for the next one!!


Not working on my speed enough!


Great race with great volunteers!!!