Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Philadelphia Half Marathon

Wow! what a day. Sunday 11/18/12 was the Philadelphia Marathon and Half Marathon.  I was able to obtain a race number from another BrooksID'r.  (Stephen )  I tried my best with not much training and suffering from what I think is a broken little left toe. 
I started out too fast for me and then I had to go into cruise mode from miles 4 until about 10.  This was sad when there wasn't that much speed coming out of my legs. 
The race started out on the Ben Franklin Parkway then down towards Race Street, past the Reading Terminal,  then down towards Delaware Ave. to then make a right turn on to Washington Ave and a right Front St. Then a left on to South St. to a right on Six St. and left on Chestnut St. we took that all the way up to 34 St. and then the fun began. Wow!  I never realized how difficult the rambling hills were through West Philly.
The route then took us towards the Philadelphia Zoo, across Girard Ave. down the hill and back up Sweet Briar Hill, which felt like 15% climb. Down Parkside Ave. and quick turn towards Memorial Hall/Please Touch Museum.  then a left and down Black Road, with a extreme down hill.
We then ran about 500 yards up West River Drive and did a quick cone turn and then I knew this was it for about 3 miles to. When I approached the end of the Drive the huge signs Stay Right for Half Marathon, I just kicked into a finish mode and tried to end it with a Personal Record. 

Link to Race Course:
Link to Results.
DistanceHALF MAR
Clock Time01:29:33
Chip Time01:29:20
Overall Place245 / 10958
Division Place13 / 333
Pace0:06:48
Rank Gender206
Split10K00:40:1