Ran my first marathon: The Philadelphia Marathon. November 18, 2007My training for the 26 miles running event was poor due to many reasons, but I finished in 4:14. The first 13 miles went well, I held a nice easy consistent pace. Took in the sites of Philly...center city to old city to penn's landing to south philly to university city to west river drive toward the art museum....ok this is when the PAIN kicked in the joints. Starts with the left knee. Art museum to boat house row on Kelly Drive.....ok it starts to rain and the temp drops by the river. Kelly Drive to East Falls to Manayunk....it was so painful I thought a beer would help :) (it was only a dixie cup of beer). Every step I took (still running) an "Ouch!" went off in my head. I tried to keep conversations with runners along the way, but eventually I couldn't keep up. My stride shortened and the once gazelle leaps I had in the first 13 miles became more like a penguin hobbling the last 13 miles. AT mile 20 (turn around in Manayunk) I decided to walk...yes, walk, just for 2 mins to stretch out the legs to lengthen the stride...and this hurt too! So I went back to the run (dachsund walking on a leash). ouch, ouch, ouch...every step I took back down Kelly Drive. It didn't matter if I walked or run. Heart and lungs were a bit annoyed at the pace too....they wanted a better workout than this!
The scene on the last 13 miles: Its raining, its 30 degrees, damp, grey, and people are passing me. thoughts include: I paid money for this torture? This is my first marathon, and it will be my last. I don't think marathons are "my gig", lets stick to tri's and half's. Yeah, right...who am I kidding? After I recover from this marathon, I will want revenge on this course!
I think the last 2 miles were the longest 2 miles of the marathon. But I have to say the FANS, Spectators, and Side liners Rocked! They brought me home to the finish...cowbells, whistles, cheers, "you go girl!", "you did it!", and the smiles I saw out of the corner of my eyes....They really are just sending you their love. The Brotherly Love! As I came up Kelly Drive...the rocky anthem is playing, the art museum steps to my right, the finishing clock overhead reading 4 something...and then I was crowned and clothed (finishing medal and heat sheet)! I walked like Frankenstein for the next couple of hours and drank hot chicken broth! I couldn't hold a conversation with anyone....but I must have looked like a mess....people kept asking me if I would be alright. I just wanted to go home. Did that, and went back into the city (bar, of course) to bathe in the sense of accomplishment with my friends who also did the marathon! It was their first as well, Sammie finished in 6hrs 11mins, and Jen in 5:50 mins! Claire, Tracy, and Jen finished the half marathon! I am sooo Proud of them!
The next day, the legs are sore, the knee is the worse, and the back is actually feeling better. A recovery workout in the pool for 1500 meters of swimming was the best!
And Yes, I want revenge on that course...maybe 2008 or maybe 2009?
Running the Philadelphia Marathon was a great weekend with friends and a great way to see Philadelphia by foot! One of the hardest things I have done...."feed the warrior"
