30,000 runners.... 26,194 finishers.... warm and humid weather conditions. Today was the 31st anniversary of the Blue Cross Broad Street Run in Philadelphia - a 10 mile race that begins in North Philadelphia and ends at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia. This was my second time running Broad Street and the weather conditions were remarkably different this year from last year when it was cool and raining. Today, it was forecasted to reach 90 degrees with high humidity.
The alarm clock went off at 4:30am to give me plenty of time to have my coffee (an absolute requirement) and a good breakfast to give me the fuel I was going to need to run the 10 miles. I was out the door at 5:20am and arrived at the Citizens Bank Stadium Complex around 6:10am where I parked my car and made my way to the Pattison Avenue subway station for the 30 minute train ride to North Philadelphia. By this time, it was already 73 degrees!
Riding the subway up to North Philadelphia brought back so many memories of my college days when I commuted to Temple University. I recalled all of the last minute cramming for exams on the early morning subway rides to school and the sound asleep naps I would take on the rides home after a grueling day of chemistry and biochemistry labs.
There were runners everywhere! Looking for their friends, lining up in their corrals, and yes, lining up for the 'facilities' (i.e. 'port-a-potties' which were provided by nonetheless the 'Royal Flush'). Believe me, there is nothing worse than being in the midst of a 10-mile race when mother nature calls. I took advantage of being at the starting point of the race for an hour and a half to use the 'facilities' twice. I kept myself very hydrated all day Saturday and early on Sunday, so I wanted to be sure I wouldn't have a mid-race urge.
The race started right on time but my corral started between 20 - 30 minutes post official race start time. I felt great at the start. I had come such a long way from just a year ago and I was more confident and relaxed.
The Broad Street Run is very nostalgic for me. For those of you who do not know, Broad Street is a major thoroughfare in Philadelphia and is the home for different neighborhoods, medical centers and universities. So, as I ran the race today, I was able to run by the hospital where I was born (Hahnemann University Hospital), both campuses of Temple University where I went to college and worked (College of Allied Health Professions and Main Campus), Center City where I lived and worked during my early 20's and had many 'coming of age' experiences, and of course, the neighborhoods of South Philadelphia where I grew up. Thanks to my brother Steve and his sister-in-law Ruth who greeted me at Broad and Shunk Streets just after I passed the 8 mile mark!
Despite the challenging weather conditions today, overall I felt great about the race and my outcome. I took advantage of ALL of the water stations along the way and I really appreciated the sprinklers that the city provided on the water hydrants. What a nice COOL relief they provided as we trekked our way on the host asphalt down Broad Street.
All-in-all, I was able to achieve a new PR for a 10-mile race, shaving off just 2 minutes from last year's outcome, finishing the 2010 Broad Street Run in 1:35:57. The average finish time for my division was 1:43:33 so I am pleased that in addition to achieving a new PR for a 10-mile race, I am also slightly ahead of the average race time for my division.
What's Next? I have four more 5-K races to run in Bucks County between now and early June. I am starting to 'investigate' my options for future longer distance runs.
Happy trails, everyone!
John
