It's become a tradition to get a hotel, too. Which in thinking about it is funny (we live 45 minutes away). And, I didn't even get a hotel for my half or full marathon (both in Philly too), there's just something about the nostalgia of this run. I mean, it is the biggest 10 miler in the country! We are required to do it up. And doing it up this year aside from the hotel, was to wear red socks.
And after searching, I finally found some. I ran for Boston.
Saturday I should've eaten carbs, but didn't want carbs (the whole, you always want what you can't have- but backwards). I ended up with this delish greek salad instead.
We headed up to Philly Saturday night and conveniently were staying next to a Target. So we obviously went shopping and bought snacks. We were out so long, by the time we walked back and ate snacks, we were in bed.
We were up at 6:30 to head out by 7:30 and catch out taxi to the start. Didn't we look great, and partially asleep?!
We all had goals in mind. I came up with a ridiculous goal of 1:30. I honestly don't know how I thought I could run that fast, or where that goal came from, but there it was. Earlier in the week I told someone that my ultimate goal was 1:30, I'd be excited with 1:35, and anything less than 1:43 I'd PR. So any of those would suffice.
We started the run and were off. I watched my garmin the entire race and just tried to gauge how I felt during each mile. I maintained an average pace of 8:45-9:10 the entire race. During mile 8 I wanted to just stop, and walk, or maybe cry. I was starting to hurt, my calves were on fire. At this point I couldn't stop, I was killing it and would actually make my time.
Up until a few months ago I was an ok runner, averaging between a 10-10:30 pace, figuring these hips didn't run that fast. March I PR'd in a half and a 5k and thought I could PR for Broad Street too. Never, did I ever think I could go from a 10 minute paced half marathon in March, to running a 9:06 pace for a 10 miler 6 weeks later.
But, I DID! And although I can't even comprehend how I managed, I'm so thrilled I met my goal. I was running to the finish and was within seconds of hitting 1:31- I beat that by 3 seconds.
After the race we celebrated (with free beers). Which was a good thing, because we then had an hour plus wait for a taxi back to the hotel.
Cheers to Broad Street next year and the years to come. Even though every year we say it's our last. :)
