Exercising to the Beat of the Street

The dream of swimming one last open water race this year was just too hard to resist! So with about a week's notice, I registered for a race, booked a hotel and bought airfare to perpetually sunny southern California for the one-mile  San Diego Sharkfest Swim on Oct. 13. With a three-day weekend coming up, and the fact that Kevin and I have never been to San Diego, the race was a perfect time and place for a new adventure.     After three days of touring museums, ships, Balboa Park , walking around both the city and Old Town and kayaking in La Jolla and experiencing a trolley tour, I was excited/anxious to swim on Sunday. Walking from our hotel to the start, which was behind the San Diego Convention Center, I noticed a lot of people were wearing wet suits, which made me a little nervous. But the race director, a former champion open water swimmer, joked and told the crowd that they were "wussies" and warned that those who looked to be struggling would be pulled from...

The water was cold and choppy, I swallowed gallons of saltwater and I got kicked & kicked others in the face, but on Aug. 25 I swam my longest open water race yet, the  Cedar Island 5K Swim  in Avalon, N.J.  The goal of the race organizers is to raise awareness and provide support to the troops and honor members of the military.      On the morning of the race, mom, Kevin and I headed down to enjoy a nice day at the beach before the 4 p.m. race. Unfortunately, the weather was cool, cloudy and very windy which made for a poor beach day. So instead we enjoyed a long lunch (cheesesteaks, soda and French fries) and made our way to the start at the Avalon Yacht Club. There I met up with nine of my fellow members of the  Rocky Run YMCA Creek Rats , a group of open water swimmers who joined over 200 other brave souls in the bay. They have all swam long-distance races, so knowing that they would be at this race eased my nerves.      Af...

   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. ...

There were Christmas trees, angels, Santas & leg lamps costume-wearing runners during the 10th annual It's a Wonderful Run 5K on Dec. 8 in Seneca Falls, N.Y. The run, which benefits local charities, was just part of a fun-filled weekend during the annual "It's a Wonderful Life Festival" from Dec. 6-9. For avid fans of the movie classic, like Kevin, Michael & I, it was a great way to experience the movie in the town many believe was the inspiration for Bedford Falls in the holiday classic. Upstate New York in December is cold, and trying to stay warm outside as you and 5,000 other runners wait for a 5K to start was definitely painful. After picking up our bibs the night before, we arrived the day of at about 3 p.m. for the 4:40 p.m. start. I've never seen so many people waiting to run a 5K! We weren't allowed in the Seneca Falls Community Center, so we crammed into a small heated tent to stay warm. Around 4:20 we squeezed through the 10-minute...

There were zombies, a whole family dressed as "Wizard of Oz" characters, artist Bob Ross & his Happy Little Tree, two T-Rex dinosaurs & a princess galloping on a unicorn among the colorful runners during Laurel Hill Cemetery's 10th annual Rest in Peace 5K on Oct. 6.  Organized by the Friends of Laurel Hill Cemetery , this Philadelphia race has one of the most challenging 5K courses I've ever experienced & also one of the most fun. For years I've enjoyed the Halloween tours & Cinema in the Cemetery events in the summer at Laurel Hill, which overlooks the Schuylkill River & Kelly Drive. I've always wanted to run this course, which weaves among the towering obelisks and weeping angel statues throughout the National Historic Landmark cemetery founded in 1836. Though it was a day after Kevin & I were in his brother's wedding, I thought we would be recovered to race by the 5 p.m. start. Arriving about an hour early, since parking is...

         A 5K race at the site of my first date with my husband Kevin brought back a lot of memories. It might not often be described as a romantic place, but the Revolutionary War era Fort Mifflin is where we went on a Halloween themed tour almost eight years ago. When I learned they hosted a 5K race, I knew we had to signed up despite the muggy summer weather.   Arriving about 8:30 a.m. for the second annual Bombardment Run 5K on June 17, we crossed the rain slicked bridge and walked into the courtyard. Located near the Philadelphia International Airport, the fort was commissioned in 1771. During the American Revolutionary War, the British army bombarded and captured the fort in 1777. After it was rebuilt, the fort later housed prisoners during the Civil War. It was decommissioned in 1962 and returned to the city of Philadelphia, while a portion of the grounds is still actively used by the Army Corps of Engineers.   Wearing our patriotic a...

Caitlin Kummeth runs the 10K race last year. The warmer spring weather is a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and exercise outside. “With the race season starting, I wanted to give our members an opportunity to get training advice and tips from our wellness coaches or possibly even others in the group and to build a social network and community among the members,” says Mike Bream, Rocky Run YMCA’s Wellness Director. The new Rocky Runners Club meets at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 9 a.m. on Sundays in the Y lobby. Led by Running Coach Francie McNally, the runners take off on a few scenic miles run around the Y property.  “I love how simple running is. I can walk out my door and just go for a run. I love how great it makes you feel afterwards. There are so many mental and physical benefits to running,” says McNally. McNally brings enthusiasm and over 14 years of running experience to the club. She was a member of a running club over a year ago, but...