Exercising to the Beat of the Street

I had talked about this for so long, that I think I might have started to annoy some people. An open water swim. I swim all the time; in a pool. Following that black line back and forth, in 82 degree clear water, is the only swimming I've ever done. But I felt ready for a new challenge. An open water swim in this region, the water is dark, definitely lower than 82 degrees and there's no lane ropes to keep swimmers from bumping into each other. A few years ago I had signed up for the Pageant Swim in Atlantic City, but unfortunately it was cancelled due to bad weather. They sent me a T-shirt, but I felt unworthy to wear it around. Two weeks ago a friend told me about the “September Splash” in Wildwood, N.J. Now in its 18th year, the Wildwood Crest Dolphin Swim Team organizes the 2-mile, 1-mile and ¼-mile swims in Sunset Lake. Unsure yet excited, I waited until the last day to mail in my $25 registration. After staying over a co-worker's house i

     This was the first time I’ve ever gone running in a cemetery & it was really awesome, which might sound odd.  Picking up my fiancé Kevin, we headed over to Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill for the fourth annual Brad Schoener Memorial 5K run on May 19.  The day was beautiful, sunny and 75 degrees, & the amount of energy was amazing.  The run kicked off an all-day music festival at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center.  Money raised benefited the Brad Schoener Memorial Fund, which supports the musical abilities & aspirations of instrumental music students in the Upper Darby School District.  See photos & video at  http://tinyurl.com/cqu9swd .      Right before 10 a.m., the Phillie Phanatic (who held hands & skipped with my mom) led us across Lansdowne Ave. & into the cemetery.  As we walked towards the starting line, I noticed the former Upper Darby High School teacher’s headstone decorated with a balloon arch & a race bib with the number “1” taped

     A week after running Broad Street, I was ready for a nice, little jog on May 12 for the Run For A Wish 5K at Aronimink Elementary School in Drexel Hill.  Two obstacles were in front of me though, it was too warm & sunny out & I had celebrated a bit too long at a wedding reception the previous night.  Organized by the en trepreneurship class at Upper Darby High School, the students' goal was to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation.  See video of the race at  http://tinyurl.com/87go6wp .  Last year, the rain kept many runners away but there was a good turnout last Saturday.       Arriving at the race, I was disappointed when I picked up my bib & realized they would not be officially timing the race.  After more than 25 5K races, this was the first one that I've ever done that I wouldn't really know my race time.  Standing behind the other runners, all the sudden the gun went off (which I later heard was by accident) & we were off on Roberts Ave.

    The night before the Broad Street Run, I always ask myself the same three questions, why am I doing, why am I doing this and finally, why am I doing this!?!  Back up two months ago and I was just relieved that I was able to register.  Luckily my soon to be sister-in-law Kathy was able to sign me up, as she competed against the 40,000 other frustrated runners trying to get a spot in the nation's largest 10-mile race.  If you don't like crowds, this race is definitely for you.  Since then I've been working out usually five times a week, cycling, swimming and Zumba, but I hadn't increased my running mileage much.  But I always think, the route is straight and slightly downhill, no problem.      But when I woke up at 5:40 a.m. on May 6, I had that nervous, public speaking-feeling that actually seems to help me run better.  Though it was a nightmare for many to get down to the starting line, I was lucky to join the "Beauty of the Bus."  For the past three ye

    The straight streets of Drexel Hill are perfect for races!  On a sunny morning with temps in the low 50s, I was ready for Hillcrest Elementary School's "Spring Forward 5K and Family Walk" on April 29.    Hosted by the Hillcrest Home and School Association, the event benefited the school.  See photos and video of the race at http://tinyurl.com/7ghf8v8 .          When I arrived at the school I was surprised there weren't more runners ready to race.  I guess that might have been due to the fact that the Twilight Run was later that night in Havertown, as well as the $24 registration fee.  The T-shirts they gave out were so cute and there were plenty of volunteers available.  Lining up at the corner of Marvine Ave. and Agnew Drive, I waved to my fiance Kevin as we headed off on first leg of the two-loop course.  I wasn't sure I'd like running a course twice, but I enjoyed it more than the up and back course of the Twilight Run.  Heading down Marvine Ave., I

      Probably the only point-to-point race in Delaware County, the Ridley Run 5K brought out over 400 runners & walkers on a sunny, 55 degree day on April 14.  Kevin picked me up & we headed to Ridley High School for the 11th annual Ridley Run 5K.  The event benefits the Community YMCA's support campaign and the Ridley Educational Foundation.  See photos and videos at  http://tinyurl.com/7l3gypt .         There was some confusion about picking up our bibs up on race day, but since we arrived so early, we hopped on the first bus to the Ridley YMCA.  The buses were well-organized & we made it to the YMCA with plenty of time before the 8 a.m. start.  After gathering in the the gym, we headed out to the parking lot & were ready to race.  Soon we were off & turning left onto South Avenue.       Heading right onto Academy Avenue, we weaved through the quiet streets of Ridley.  I love the early morning runs because it just seems so peaceful out & the

     After four months of race hibernation, I felt somewhat ready to hit the pavement again.  I picked the Kevin Cain Make My Day 5K in Havertown for the second year in a row.  The seventh annual race on April 1 brought out over 400 runners & walkers on a cloudy day with temperatures reaching 51 degrees.  (See photos & video of the race at http://tinyurl.com/6kfhcyb ).  The run benefits the Kevin Cain Memorial Foundation, which helps families with the financial strain while fighting cancer.        Starting at Annunciation B.V.M. on Brookline Boulevard, it's smooth sailing until I turn left onto the steep hill at Lawson Avenue.  It's a pretty section of Havertown, with all the attractive Dutch Colonial homes & large trees which shade the street.  Baby steps up the hill, I keep moving.  Since it's an afternoon race, dozens of neighbors cheer on the runners as they race around their community.       After a right onto Edgewood Road, we turn left at Strathm

     The days are longer, the flowers are blooming, it's race season again in Delaware County!  Last year I ran a race every week for eight weeks & I'm looking to try that again.  I wanted to start with the Shamrock Shuffle recently in Havertown, but it was a little over my running registration budget ($20 and under are more reasonable).  So it looks like the Kevin Cain 5K in Havertown on April 1 will kick off my racing season.  So far the races I have penciled in are:                       April 1 - Kevin Cain 5K                       April 7 or 8 - ???                       April 14 - Ridley Run                       April 21 or 22 - ???                       April 28 - Hillcrest Elementary School in Drexel Hill or Twilight Run in Havertown                       May 6 - Broad Street 10-miler                       May 12 - Aronimink Elementary School in Drexel Hill                       May 19 - Brad Schoener in Upper Darby                       May 26 - ???