28th Annual Broad Street Run Race Report

That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd run to the end of town. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd just run across Greenbow County. And I figured, since I run this far, maybe I'd just run across the great state of Alabama. And that's what I did. I ran clear across Alabama. For no particular reason I just kept on going. I ran clear to the ocean. And when I got there, I figured, since I'd gone this far, I might as well turn around, just keep on going. When I got to another ocean, I figured, since I'd gone this far, I might as well just turn back, keep right on going. --Forrest Gump



(Picture is looking north on the course around mile 9)

Philadelphia has 2 major running events during the year, the Philadelphia Distance Run (half-marathon held in September) and the 10-mile Broad Street Run (note: the Philadelphia marathon is getting there to be a major event in town.) Growing up, I was taught that Broad Street is the longest straight street in the country (not sure if that's true or not). Yesterday, over 17,000 runners signed up for the event. The course is a flat, slightly downhill point-to-point from Central High School in North Philadelphia, around City Hall, past the stadium complex and finishing at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia.

I woke up at 5a to a cool, crisp day. The weather forecast was calling for a great day for a race. I left my house at around 6:45a to drive down and park at the Wachovia Center, home of the Flyers (NHL) and the Sixers (NBA). The race directors encourage you to park in this location as this is near the finish of the race. With your race number, you get a free ride on the subway to the start of the race. When people ask me about this race, I tell them it is really a 10-mile run for those with no change in their pockets so you can get back to your car.

I intended to wear a sleeveless shirt Sunday as there were predictions of no clouds during the race. But, once I got out of my car and looked around, I noticed people were wearing running suits and fleeces! Even though my car thermometer read 50 degrees (F), with the gusty wind and no humidity it felt much colder than that. Luckily, I brought a short-sleeve shirt and old T-shirt to wear while standing around the start.

I knew more people in this race than ever before but, with 17,000 others milling about, never found anyone. Because I was one on my company's team, I was encouraged to stand close to the start line, where the 6 minute milers hang out. The reason is the team times go by clock time and not chip time. I started close to the front last year as well so my previous fear of being trampled to death would most likely go unfounded. I start close to the side with a little room on my left for people to pass.

I was nervous going into the race but everything seemed to be in alignment that day. The weather was cool with low humidity. My bathroom breaks were perfectly timed so felt I could run the whole course without stopping (believe me, this has become an issue with me). And, my stomach felt fine. I had some nagging aches but didn't think it would seriously affect me. It was time!

My goal was around 1:30 or, at the very least, break my PR of 1:28:20. My strategy was to run the first three miles hard and gauge how I felt and decide whether to slow down or maintain pace. The splits for the first two miles were around 7:45. And, I unofficially achieved my 5k PR as I clocked in around 24:30 for the first 5k. There was no way I was going to maintain this pace but I felt good. I wasn't struggling so I kept it up for the next 3 miles.

I can't drink water in a race, only Gatorade (I don't know why but my stomach gets upset when I do drink water). There were 3 Gatorade stops on the course. I purposely passed the first Gatorade stop, which was 2 miles into the race. I didn't feel I needed it, and besides, the next one wasn't that far away. Unfortunately, I had somehow passed up the second stop and only realized I did once I saw the crushed, empty cups with 'Gatorade' on the side labels strewn on the ground. Damn!

I did a self-check at mile 6 (which is around City Hall) and I was feeling great. One of the fun things in this race is that the present Governor of Pennsylvania comes out and cheers and high-fives the runners. The Governor used to be the Mayor of Philadelphia and is a huge sports fan. In fact, he is part of a team that does the Eagles post-game report on the local cable company! So, I had the chance to high-five the Governor!

I realized that I was running the race of my life. I had done 7 miles under 1 hour (do you hear that, Steve?). What was a little disconcerting was I still being past by thousands of people! Oh, well. At mile seven, my right thigh began to cramp up but I wasn't going to let it spoil my hard work. I realized I was a bit dehydrated but felt, if I didn't push myself anymore, I could get a decent time. Finally, I reached the last Gatorade stop, downed a gel, walked through the station while sipping on Gatorade, knowing that all I had was another 5k to go.

The cramp wasn't going away so I was just going to live with it. No matter what race you are in, the last mile always seems the longest. This was no different. Once at the finish, then I could rest.

When you reach the gates of the Navy Yard, you are fooled into thinking it's the finish line. Nope. Still another 1/4 mile to go. The finish line is not obvious. It's around a bend and you are straining to locate it. But once spotted, I had plenty left and made a dash at the end. I had finished at 1:22:46 (chip), almost 6 minutes less than my previous PR!

At the end of any race, I could double as a zombie from the 'Night of the Living Dead'. But, after this race, it was different. I felt good. I felt human. I felt like Forrest Gump and could've kept on running!

I knew I ran like I never ran before. If you ever saw my training regiment, you would laugh as I usually only run 2-3 times a week. But, this year, I didn't take any time off from running. Usually, I will take a month's break either because I am sick and forced to or just need a mental break. That and the lose of five pounds is the answer? Or was I just carried by the gusty wind at my back which was evident the entire race?

I wanted so bad to savor the moment on the course. Take it all in. I ran a race under perfect conditions and circumstances. All on a day that I celebrated my birthday!