The following is an account of my run at Broad Street.  My company, City Sports, sponsored me in the race.  This blog also serves as a run down of running gear and shoe tech, so if it doesn’t sound like my normal writing, it’s not supposed to.  However, it’s an honest account of one of the best days I’ve had in a while.  Read on. 

On Sunday, May 4th, I completed the latest accomplishment in my running life: my 2nd Broad Street 10 Miler benefitting the American Cancer Society.  It was the 29th running of the race through the City of Brotherly Love… and some parts of the city that lack brotherly love. Part of what makes this race so cool is that you get to run through less-than-friendly parts of the city without being chased (although technically we were, by 20,000+ people).  I was joined/cattle prodded by three City Sports colleagues and one City Sports colleague by way of marriage.  Miraculously, we all paced together, told stories, laughed, held back the inevitable torrents of urine, and beat our goal by two minutes.  I finished at 1:28:55, beating my previous year’s time by 20 minutes.

Oddly enough, I thought I was in crap shape this year compared to last.  Last year I ate healthily all week, didn’t drink or smoke for two weeks leading up to the race, and went to bed at 8pm the night before.  This year… oh this year was quite different.  This year I went out every night before the race, forgot to quit smoking (I’m a dumbass, I’m well aware, thank you), and drank 6 beers with Josh and Jovanna Everetts the night before (who finished at 1:38:32 and 1:28:54, respectively).  And shit – I did one hell of a lot better and ended the race smiling like I needed a helmet.  Making the experience even sweeter was the participation of two newcomers to Philadelphia, City Sports and running.  My friends MP and Kelly popped their Broad Street cherries, with MP finishing at a blazing 1:28:31 and Kelly at 2:00:37. 

The real speed demons of City Sports were Keith Zluky (1:13:12) and Suzanne Donaghue (1:29:22).  However, the unofficial South African queen of Broad Street is running royalty Margot Fleming, who finished at 1:11:13.  If you saw a black mohawk whiz by you in Newtons, that was her.

As for me, I outfitted myself in the Asics Nimbus 9, Under Armour Heat Gear tights, Nike socks (camo colored, holla!), a City Sports tech tee with a sweet CS logo (thanks to Chrissy up at corporate for hooking me up!), and UA running hat.  I originally was going to run in the lighter Saucony Grid Sinisters, but decided that they were far better as a 5k shoe than a 10 mile shoe.  The Nimbuses weren’t as heavy as I expected them to be through 10 miles and my feet weren’t sore by the end.  The weather began at a cool 55 degrees, slowly warming up to the 60s by the finish.  The UA long tights were perfect though (I was used to running in them in college), keeping my legs cool but comfortably compressed (I love UA though, if anyone from them is reading, feel free to add me on as a wear-tester!).  I didn’t used to buy into the dri-fit/techwick/polyesther deal, but after running in cotton for so long, this stuff really is nice.  I sweat a lot too and this stuff kept most of the moisture from my body.  If you can afford it, I say – run it in.

After Broad Street, we *drove* to our friend Kelly’s house for some post-race barbequeing and comsumption of beverages.  Many beers were harmed during this time and much stretching was done.  Worst part of the day?  Walking up the steps to the bathroom.  Best part of the day?  Crossing that finish line.  Thanks to my mom for being there at the end of the race; to KAM and Justin for providing the afterparty; Josh and Jovanna (and Denali) for letting me invade their house for the weekend; for MP just being MP; and for everyone from the Sports and the Illadelph who sent their congrats and well wishes my way.  You guys rock… and you should totally run with me next year.

Below: some pics from the post-race barbeque…

100_3148.JPG100_3151.JPGJovanna

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