Philly Distance Run

Yesterday I went for a run with my sister who is building up miles to train for her first marathon. She was running 8, and I just wanted to run easy for around an hour. It didn't feel good. Lots of pressure on my bladder, legs felt heavy, just not good! I was nervous for today.


Philly Distance Run!

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Around 58 degrees at the start and high 60s at the finish. PERFECT! It felt a bit warm after we started running, but still, what a beautiful day!
At home ate half a cereal bar (nutrigrain) and 1/2 a roll with PB. Headed downtown via a ride from my dad who decided I shouldn't drive into Philly alone. Now that I'm pregnant I get special treatment, hehe.

I was dropped off & followed my normal tradition of standing in the port-a-potty line pre-race.
After that, jogged a bit to get my muscles warm and waited in my corral. It was about 15 minutes to the start by the time I stood in the corral. I chatted with a another woman - it was her birthday and she was friendly and upbeat. I took in the surroundings and felt happy that I could be there!

The horn went off. We walked for a bit then jogged, walked, finally, crossed the start line. Game on! As soon as I started running, I felt the pressure of having to pee. I resisted it and tried talking to the baby as if he/she was causing all the pressure. MOVE UP!! MOVE UP!! PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME HAVE TO STOP! Eventually I was just able to ignore it and I kept running. Mile 1 was 9:00, and I was disappointed. I think it was just from the crowd and crazy start. Miles 2 and 3 I settled into an 8:30 pace and was trying to enjoy everything. For the most part, each time I got to a mile marker, I was hoping I was under 9 minute miles, and most of the race I was a minute below the 9 minute pace.

Miles 5-6 I was reflecting and asking myself if I was in SURVIVAL mode or ENJOYMENT mode. I was semi in survival mode and dealing with pee pressure and I wasn't tired, but I was kind of not having a wonderful time out there and watching the clock. So I attempted to change my perspective to make sure I was enjoying every minute that I was able to be out there running on a beautiful day with lots of people.

Mile 7 I got in a port-a-potty line and was going to use it when I decided time was ticking away and I could keep going and suck it up. Ran out of the line - I had GU and after that I got a real burst of energy and felt really good. I was still a minute under 9 minute pace. Around mile 9, my bad knee started to bother me. By mile 10, I was starting to psych myself out that I still had 3 miles to go and my knee was not feeling strong at all. Still, I was keeping positive and trying to keep up my pace. At no point did I feel like I was pushing myself past my limits or overexerting myself. It was a comfortable pace the entire time.

I had more gu around mile 10 and didn't feel that nice burst, but tried to pretend mentally that I did! I knew my time was pretty far off any fast 10 milers that I've had lately and was kind of bummed. Miles 11-12-13, I definitely slowed down, and was feeling the pain of my knee. I was debating stopping to stretch but decided I was so close to being done that I could make it. The last 2ish miles were slower and kind of painful, but still beautiful (weather) and fun. At that point I was thinking of the neato medals they give out and finishing. That kept me going. The medals are so cool and heavy. Last year's medal was the coolest so far I think.

Right around 12.5 miles, the Rocky theme came on for my ipod. Nice timing! Shortly after that I saw Bill and my mom and I was almost done. I saw the clock at the finish line nearing 2 hours and wanted to get under that for the clock time so I sprinted the last 50 yards. Whew - felt that afterwards! I don't know if I made it in clock time or not, but my chip time was 1:57:05.
My PR was last year 1:55:41 - but this was before I got fast. I think if I wasn't pregnant I would have had a really nice PR and been able to hold under 8 minute miles bc I did that for Broad Street (10 mile race) in May (7:55 pace). So it is fun - and sad - to think about that, but there's so many other years to do that!

I saw a sign around 4-5 miles that said something inspirational that I can't remember that made me smile. I was kind of not happy with myself for worrying about my splits - that wasn't my goal and led to some times where I was not enjoying the whole thing. But at the end, I felt so happy to have finished and finished under 2 hours. And get a pretty medal. A PPR.

My tradition post race is to get changed and wear my race tshirt around all day. I'm a big dork! Love those shirts and this one is a cozy medium : ) And a yummy bagel to refuel and celebrate.

I'm happy! 3 hours after finishing - knees and legs are feeling it! And I'm exhausted!