Philadelphia has a special family memory for me, which is why I’ve been wanting to do this marathon for many years.
My parents grew up outside of Philadelphia and as a child growing up in Upstate New York, we drove south to visit my grandparents in the summer. I remember visiting the Philadelphia Zoo and Hershey Park. It made so much sense to sign up, train and run the Philadelphia Marathon.
Here is my Philadelphia Marathon Race Report:
Traveling to Philadelphia was fairly easy. Saturday started with a nonstop flight from Knoxville. My flight was on time and I navigated the SEPTA train system to the convention center. The train comes twice an hour and it, too, was on time. Twenty minutes later I arrived at Jefferson Station and the Pennsylvania Convention Center. So easy. Train fare was $6.
The marathon expo was efficient and fun, and all the runners and volunteers had such great energy. I bought a race hat and walked through the expo. The expo wasn’t huge, which was nice. Sometimes those huge expos are daunting.
I opted for the hotel that was part of the lodging options for the race. I walked less than a mile to Four Points by Marriott.
I wasn’t able to check in early, so the desk agent took my bag and I started my adventure through the city to the art museum. I walked by the Rodin Museum, surprised because I’d been to the Rodin Museum in Paris. I read the placard that stated that this museum has the most sculptures other than the one in Paris. The Thinker was the first sculpture to see, and I’m pretty sure there is a version of it that I saw in Paris.
The race start and finish is in front of the art museum. By the time I arrived the half marathon race was finished but I still needed to pass through security. It was good to see the set up and have a plan for the next morning.
I checked out the Rocky statue and walked up the famous steps to the Philadelphia Art Museum.
I walked through the museum, had lunch at the cafe and made a plan for getting back to the hotel. I stopped at the Whole Foods for some race day breakfast and post race snacks.
Philadelphia is really easy to navigate with the grid system streets. I didn’t get a chance to go to the Liberty Bell because by the time I was close to my hotel, it was time to get off my feet, which in retrospect I think I walked too much before the race. It was windy and about 45 degrees. Race weather was supposed to be the same but less wind.
I needed to stay off my feet so I decide to eat at the hotel restaurant and ordered a Philly cheesesteak and a LOVE IPA.
Then spent the rest of the night watching TV.
I woke up at 4:30am knowing that I needed to catch the shuttle from A Loft at 5am; it was a 5 minute walk from my hotel. In retrospect, I probably should’ve arrived at A Loft a little later because the two plus hour wait to start the race was a little much. I didn’t want to be late or be standing in lines so I caught the early bus. Next time I would get to A Loft at 5:30. Last bus is at 6am.
Because I got an early start there were no lines at security check points or the bathroom. After 6am there were lines everywhere. I sat in the warming tent for a little while and walked around when I got bored.
Two hours and 30 minutes is a long time to wait for a race start. I was in H corral so I didn’t start until 7:30ish. The energy was high and it was very exciting to get running.
The course is great. I loved the energy from the crowds going through all the neighborhoods. I loved the open spaces near the parks and river. The spectators really make this race. But let me warn you, there are some hills – gradual hills. According to my Garmin it was 1,877 ft of elevation gain.
The aid stations were awesome. The volunteers were amazing. Since I started in the last corral I was worried that aid stations would run out of water; but they never did.
As I made my way to the finish I was really hurting. My legs were really tired, but nothing hurt. My neuroma didn’t act up and my IT band didn’t spasm; I just had heavy legs.
I crossed the finish line, got my medal and just wanted to get back to my hotel to shower. I found the shuttle and in 20 minutes I was in my hotel room. I took the longest shower of my life and then headed to the hotel restaurant to refuel.
I wish I could’ve gone out to explore Philadelphia more but I really just wanted to have a meal and lay down.
This marathon is no joke. I completed the training that I wanted. I was just hoping that it was going to be less painful. I know I have some work to do for my next race which includes losing 20 pounds, 3 days a week in the gym, weight training and core work. And following the plan to do speed work and hills.
I’ve been running marathons and competing in triathlons for 20 years now and I say the same thing after every race.
I’m proud of myself that I was able to get to the start line. I was healthy, fit and ready for this. This whole “getting old” stuff is tough. However, I’m more consistent with training and core and weights than I’ve ever been; simply because I have to in order to be fit and trained for life.
Sitting here writing this, I feel like that 34 year old woman from 20 years ago who was writing race reports while processing a race, all while thinking she can do anything. And gets ready for the next big race in a few weeks. I’m going to keep dreaming of new places, new adventures, new experiences. I’m going to keep making plans and doing the work to make my dreams come true even as I age.
Takeaways from the Philadelphia Marathon:
- I like that it is a big city, small marathon.
- Easy navigation to Convention Center and Race Start
- I would do this marathon again
- Philly Cheesesteaks are the real deal
- Awesome spectators
- Great weather – cool and windy is perfection
I am more of a trail runner in a mountain location than a big city road racer. But I think it’s good to step out of your comfort zone and try different things and see things you’ve never seen. The rest of my year is filled with trail races but I loved getting some miles in on the road with 17,000 of my new best friends. Thanks Philadelphia – the LOVE is real.
