I made a spur of the moment decision yesterday. It's going to dictate a few things in my life and schedule for the next few months. I may end up hating myself. But for better or worse:
I am going to run the 2012 Philadelphia Marathon.
This will be my second marathon. I ran my first two years ago in 4 hours, 1 minute, and 9 seconds. My dad paid the $80 registration fee because I had zero money to my name. I had the unwavering support of my mother and sister, who memorably took me out to lunch at the Ugly American directly after the race. I remember eating some eggs benedict. And then I remember launching that eggs benedict into my dorm toilet later that afternoon and then lying motionless on my friends' couch for several hours.
Running a marathon was on my list of life goals that I made when I was 13. I never thought I'd want to do more than one. Believe me, at mile 22 of my last one, the last thing on earth I ever thought I'd do is sign up for that hell again.
To be honest, I really wouldn't do it again, except I think I can do better this time. In 2010, I didn't follow a real training schedule. I didn't have a goal time or any concept of pacing at all. I was horrifically sick the day of the race. Perhaps the most damning of all, as a first-semester sophomore at Temple, I was a borderline alcoholic who ate nothing but popcorn chicken doused in buffalo sauce for weeks on end.
This time around I enter the training process as a quasi-responsible adult with a goal of 3 hours and 40 minutes.
I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Survive the Heat
City streets are relentless in the summer. Or even, as yesterday proved, in mid spring. It was 91 degrees outside by the time I worked up the motivation to get out of my house and hit the pavement. Especially after a spell of cold to pleasant temperatures, the heat was downright jarring to my system.
Luckily, I own one of the greatest inventions a runner can own: the Camelbak.
I am not a running gadget person. I shun all fancy footwear and pedometers. I wear run-down crappy clothes when I work out. I don't like to use running apps on my iPhone. Outside of long-distance races where I get things for free, I shun products like Goo and sports drinks. But the Camelbak is one thing that I can't live without. I got mine for Christmas last year, and it might be the most useful thing I've received in years.
For the uninformed, a Camelbak is a backpack with a water reservoir. You access the water with a hose that hangs down over your shoulder. There are many different sizes of Camelbaks, designed for different activities. Mine happens to hold 1.5 liters of water, and includes a small pouch that could feasibly stash an ID and maybe some keys.
Even though I hydrated throughout the day, I felt thirsty almost as soon as I stepped out my door. I kept the little rubber nipple in my mouth as I jogged down 17th street. I tried to stick to the east sides of the streets to enjoy a little shade as I zig-zagged toward the boathouses on Kelly Drive. I slurped down so much water that I had to refill the pack in the Visitor's Center a brief 2 miles in.
I'm not hardcore enough to run long distances in the heat. Yesterday, I headed right back to my house from Kelly drive. I don't like having a steady stream of sweat running in my eyes. Breathing air hot as car exhaust isn't too fun either. But now I can at least arm myself against the heat. Maybe I'll stay in distance shape during our inevitable heat weaves this year after all.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
10 Things You Should Know About Running In North Philadelphia
I've lived on campus at Temple University for two and a half years now, and for that whole time I've been running over car-window glass on the sidewalk. Sure, I'll get out to the places that all Philly runners go, like the Schuykill River Trail or the Ben Franklin Bridge, but I have to start and finish in North Philadelphia.
There's plenty to say about two and a half years of running 6 times a week. But here's my top 10 most important lessons:
1. Running on Broad Street sucks, but... Working out on Broad means you have stop wait to cross the street a lot. It also offers pretty ugly scenery further North. On the other hand, Broad Street is safer than many of the North Philadelphia side streets, and, especially if you're new to the area, it can give you some piece of mind when you're venturing out on your first solo runs. It is pretty much IMPOSSIBLE to get lost if you're on Broad Street.
The one exception to this is The Broad Street Run.
2. Running with music is fine, unless you start walking. Most people can't deal with running without music. I am one of those people. However, if you have to stop to walk anywhere close to your North Philly crib, take your headphones out, even if it is broad daylight. You want to be aware of your surroundings. (Take it from someone who almost had her iPhone stolen on 17th and Jefferson.)
3. Take $2 with you if you are running more than 8 miles. If you're running 8 miles, it may take you about an 60-90 minutes if you're running the whole time. If you can't muster up the strength to keep going halfway through, that's about 4 miles back at 15-20 minutes per walking mile... You do the math. If you have money along, you can grab public transit to recoup some of your time lost. Also, if you have cash along and you get thirsty, you can stop anywhere and get water for about $1.
4. Run South. This may sound obvious to Philadelphia natives, but I didn't understand the city at all when I first got here. The first time I went running in Philadelphia (after I worked up the guts to run outside instead of on the indoor track at Temple's gym) I started on Cecil B Moore Avenue and went North on Broad Street, up past Rising Sun. The area is sketchier than going South, and the scenery won't exactly keep you going. Unless you want to go to the Taco Bell by Toronto on Broad (legitimate reason in my book), it's not worth it.
5. Pay attention. Do not trust people to stop at red lights. They'll coast up sometimes, or just hit flat out you. Also, watch out for bicyclists. They are likely to hit you crossing the street because they don't follow traffic laws most of the time. Do not text while you run, you become a hazard to yourself and the people on the sidewalk. And you'll look like an asshole, especially after you trip over something.
6. Take your phone. It's always a good idea to have your phone with you, especially if you are running alone. This is true in any setting.
7. Wear real shoes. I guess what I mean is, do not wear these: "minimalist running shoes" or these 5 finger running shoes. To be fair, I don't like these to begin with. I know some people swear by them. But, in my opinion, if you're running in North Philly, you need something that has a better sole than that. There is glass EVERYWHERE, not to mention the occasional syringe. If you wear these shoes, you are not offered much protection at all. You'll spend your whole run worrying about where you step.
8. Broad Street and the Franklin Parkway are your best bet in the winter. I run year round. It doesn't matter if it is cold or snowing, I'm out. In icy conditions, I get off the side streets and go toward the main routes. Often, the sidewalks are salted and shoveled.
9. Do not run at dusk. This is especially true if you're like me and you run by yourself most of the time. It's just not safe. In the winter, I usually do not start a run later than about 3:30 p.m., or start one before 6:30 a.m. In the summer, I won't start a run after about 7:30 p.m., or before 5:30 a.m.
10. Get out of North Philly! Just because you start your workout here, doesn't mean you have to stick around. There are a ton of amazing places to run that you can reach from North Philadelphia. I'll go into them in my later posts!
There's plenty to say about two and a half years of running 6 times a week. But here's my top 10 most important lessons:
1. Running on Broad Street sucks, but... Working out on Broad means you have stop wait to cross the street a lot. It also offers pretty ugly scenery further North. On the other hand, Broad Street is safer than many of the North Philadelphia side streets, and, especially if you're new to the area, it can give you some piece of mind when you're venturing out on your first solo runs. It is pretty much IMPOSSIBLE to get lost if you're on Broad Street.
The one exception to this is The Broad Street Run.
2. Running with music is fine, unless you start walking. Most people can't deal with running without music. I am one of those people. However, if you have to stop to walk anywhere close to your North Philly crib, take your headphones out, even if it is broad daylight. You want to be aware of your surroundings. (Take it from someone who almost had her iPhone stolen on 17th and Jefferson.)
3. Take $2 with you if you are running more than 8 miles. If you're running 8 miles, it may take you about an 60-90 minutes if you're running the whole time. If you can't muster up the strength to keep going halfway through, that's about 4 miles back at 15-20 minutes per walking mile... You do the math. If you have money along, you can grab public transit to recoup some of your time lost. Also, if you have cash along and you get thirsty, you can stop anywhere and get water for about $1.
4. Run South. This may sound obvious to Philadelphia natives, but I didn't understand the city at all when I first got here. The first time I went running in Philadelphia (after I worked up the guts to run outside instead of on the indoor track at Temple's gym) I started on Cecil B Moore Avenue and went North on Broad Street, up past Rising Sun. The area is sketchier than going South, and the scenery won't exactly keep you going. Unless you want to go to the Taco Bell by Toronto on Broad (legitimate reason in my book), it's not worth it.
5. Pay attention. Do not trust people to stop at red lights. They'll coast up sometimes, or just hit flat out you. Also, watch out for bicyclists. They are likely to hit you crossing the street because they don't follow traffic laws most of the time. Do not text while you run, you become a hazard to yourself and the people on the sidewalk. And you'll look like an asshole, especially after you trip over something.
6. Take your phone. It's always a good idea to have your phone with you, especially if you are running alone. This is true in any setting.
7. Wear real shoes. I guess what I mean is, do not wear these: "minimalist running shoes" or these 5 finger running shoes. To be fair, I don't like these to begin with. I know some people swear by them. But, in my opinion, if you're running in North Philly, you need something that has a better sole than that. There is glass EVERYWHERE, not to mention the occasional syringe. If you wear these shoes, you are not offered much protection at all. You'll spend your whole run worrying about where you step.
8. Broad Street and the Franklin Parkway are your best bet in the winter. I run year round. It doesn't matter if it is cold or snowing, I'm out. In icy conditions, I get off the side streets and go toward the main routes. Often, the sidewalks are salted and shoveled.
9. Do not run at dusk. This is especially true if you're like me and you run by yourself most of the time. It's just not safe. In the winter, I usually do not start a run later than about 3:30 p.m., or start one before 6:30 a.m. In the summer, I won't start a run after about 7:30 p.m., or before 5:30 a.m.
10. Get out of North Philly! Just because you start your workout here, doesn't mean you have to stick around. There are a ton of amazing places to run that you can reach from North Philadelphia. I'll go into them in my later posts!
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