Broad Street Run - 10 year anniversary!

   The forecast said rain all day, especially during the morning, but that didn't really bother me because I was too excited about marking my 10th year running Broad Street! Though the course is always the same, each year has been an unique experience.
   Waking up at 5 a.m. on May 5, my goal was to leave at 5:30, get on the subway by 6 and make it in time for a special runners' Mass at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church.  Only about two blocks from the start of the race, the Church of the Holy Child is often referred to as the Cathedral of the North because of its massive structure and 200-feet-high steeple. Accompanied by my always supportive husband Kevin, we stepped off the subway at Logan and bypassed the crush of runners at Olney as we walked up the church's steps. The race volunteers and church staff were so welcoming to the crowd of soaking wet runners, who slowly made their way to the wooden pews.  This is definitely my new tradition.

   With just a few minutes until the start of the race, we walked up Broad Street and for the first time I was able to watch the start of the elite runners!      

 The Church was inspired by French Romanesque architecture. The steeple at 200 feet can be seen from afar in the area. Having been influenced by European Cathedral architecture, this is evident by the massive three story high marble carved altar. 

6:45 a.m.

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 years, a group of Havertown residents have rented school buses to take them to the race. Arriving at about 7:45, the football field at Central High School was packed and I tried to stay warm I waited 35 minutes for the lovely Porta Potties. It felt a little "Lord of the Flies" as new lines started forming and runners became agitated, but eventually I made it and soon set off to find the "Yellow Corral."
Even though I didn't know anyone, it's easy to talk to people around you to help pass the time till the "alleged" 8:30 a.m. start. Two women, in their mid-50s, were fairly new to the race. One of the women said she had run the race last year, and the other woman said this was her first race and she might walk some of it. I definitely wouldn't recommend Broad Street as your first race. At 9:05 we finally started, and as I ran over the starting line I could hear "Gonna Fly Now" from "Rocky" blaring from the speakers. That's when I remember why I like this race. The music gives me chills and knowing that I'm about to run through the heart of Philly, all the way to the Navy Yard, is just awesome.
Starting down the road, I just try to take it all in, the people waving, the buildings and the other runners. The weather is amazing for running, cloudy with temps in the upper 50s. By the time I hit Mile 3, I run over a timer which should send a text message to Kevin letting him know my time (it didn't work though). Reaching Temple University, I scanned the crowds to see people I know in the school's marching band. I'm more than half-way there when I circle around City Hall and I'm now down the homestretch. There didn't seem to be as many bands as last year, but the crowds were still huge and you can never get enough cow bell.
I'm feeling good with tons of energy as a I reach Mile 7, but my feet are starting to hurt. I wait until Mile 8 to pause a little for Gatorade, I try to push it a little bit harder towards the finish line. Crossing underneath the Navy Yard arch, I hear someone scream "AMY" and I looked to my left and see Kevin, Mike and my mom! Over 40,000 runners and they spotted me! I dig down and start running with whatever I have left to the finish. Though I really thought I was faster than last year, I clock in with a 1:45:31, a minute slower than last year but still faster than my first year's time of 1:49:18.
After the race, I find some of my friends who also ran. For some reason, walking the mile-and-a-half to the car seems sooo much harder than running 10 miles! I'm happy, but I know I can do better and hopefully drop down to a 1:40 in 2013.
Grading on the route, ease and cost of registration, T-shirt appeal and the overall fun factor I give this race four sneakers out of five. I think registering and picking up my bib was more difficult than running 10 miles.