Ah! Another year competing in the Broad Street Run. This year would be the 40th anniversary of the run and it would be my 5th year in a row taking the stroll.
Year 1:
Year 2:
Year 3:
Year 4:
Year 5:
This year and year two were definitely the worst, weather-wise. Both years rained and while you’re running in the rain, it’s fine. Your body heats up and the rain actually feels good, but once you finish and cool off a little bit. Yikes! That is when everything tightens up and you start to freeze.
My finish times over the years have been fairly consistent:
2015 – 1:35:56
2016 – 1:33:41
2017 – 1:48:27
2018 – 1:36:36
2019 – 1:38:25
PR being the 1:33:41 and worst obviously being the 1:48:27. That year I’ll chalk up to a couple things. One, being hungover from Dan and Steph’s wedding the night before. And two, running with bad shoes. I truly thought it was a poor excuse until the next year when I actually ran with fresh shoes. MAJOR difference! Over the years, I always tell myself I’m going to train better the following year so I can finish in under 1:30:00 and each year I fail to fulfill that goal. This year certainly being the worst I’ve ever trained. I can honestly say I didn’t run AT ALL since the 2018 Broad Street Run. A full year of zero running and then hopping right into a ten mile race… definitely not my smartest move ever.
The Broad Street Run is always a great event. Even the packet pickup is fun. I always make a point to head over to the Convention Center as opposed to getting my packet sent to me in the mail. Not only can you have lunch afterwards at the Reading Terminal Market, but the pickup location always has a ton of giveaways and who doesn’t love FREE STUFF! If you’ve never run, I highly suggest doing it at least once. As the time gets closer, they release a lottery you need to sign up for. Usually on their website.
So far I haven’t missed one yet (although every year I secretly hope I don’t get picked).
You also never know who you’ll run into! One year I got to meet Gary “Sarge” Matthews at the packet pickup.
And another year I ran into Mayor Nutter at the finish line.
There’s also famous local newscasters that attend the event. I’ve seen Cecily Tynan and Sheena Parveen. I’ve also heard of people running into Adam Joseph, Keith Jones, and Governor Rendell as well. The event really does bring everyone out. I mean, when there’s 40,000 people running, plus everyone lining the streets and finish line, you’re bound to run into someone.
This year was similar to the last couple. I started the race with my dad and Brett and along the course we all split up. Eventually meeting at the finish. I usually tend to skip the water stops. Mainly because I just want to be done with running and I feel like every stop delays it being over. Again, definitely not the smartest move. The past few years, Leen has met us at the finish line to cheer us on. Its always such a great feeling having someone there for you at the end. Leen’s coworker, Tori, also ran this year. We met up with her at the finish and were going to go grab our free beers (you get one for running) to celebrate Tori’s birthday, but while walking to the park, it started down pouring. At that moment, Leen and I decided to opt out of the celebration. Not going to lie, I was so sore/cold at this point, I was totally okay with skipping. Some Motrin and a hot shower was the best thing that could’ve happened all day! I was ready to run another 10 miles afterwards. Once I hit the couch though, the day was over and all I could think of was how much I should run to prep for 2020. Only time will tell if I actually follow through… Odds are, I won’t.
Here’s to hoping next year will be a little dryer and I’ll have more familiar faces joining me!
Where In The World Is Milzy!? 