Running a race in Philadelphia has been on my bucket list for a long time. When I heard a few of my running friends talking about the Philadelphia Half Marathon, I was not about to have FOMO. Given the fact that it was on my husband’s birthday weekend, it was the perfect time to return to his old stomping grounds and plan a weekend with friends to celebrate.
Philadelphia Half Marathon
If you are a regular reader around here, you are aware that I was not exactly in half marathon shape. A summer of calf issues, pushed me way behind my usual fall mileage. Using 4:1 intervals, I was able to gain back some mileage in September and October. After making it through Ragnar Napa the first week of November without any injury, I knew I would be able to get through the Philadelphia Half. I would just need to readjust my goals. My goal was just to get to the finish line without injuring myself.
We headed up to Philadelphia Friday morning. After checking into the hotel, we headed to the Reading Terminal for lunch. This place is a foodie lovers dream! There must be about 50 different food and dessert options from deli to pizza to Greek to cupcakes and ice cream. I settled on some falafel and salad. I did not want to eat too much because I knew I could not pass up a Termini’s cupcake.
From there, we headed over to the expo for Philadelphia Half and marathon. Kind of a disappointing expo far as large races go. I bought a half zip with the race course highlights on the back and moved on. The hubs and I had a great pizza dinner-my favorite pre race meal.
Our hotel was in walking distance to the start line. Met up with the girls and headed over to the security line. Although I appreciated the effort of having us all walk through metal detectors, it took about 40 min. Once through, we were back in the middle of the city streets where anyone could have entered so not really “secure”.
I stuck with my plan to run 4:1 intervals for whole race. I did not train for this distance and the longest run I had was 10 miles. Therefore, I really had no goals for the Philadelphia Half other than making to the finish line without getting hurt. The race itself was pretty uneventful for me as I stuck to my plan. A few times, especially the second half of the race, I thought about forgoing the intervals and running straight.
This was a fantastic race course that really showcased the sights and feels of the different neighborhoods in Philadelphia. There were a few hills especially in mile 8 and 10 but other than that, a pretty enjoyable course. There was tons of spectator support all along the way. Because our bibs had our names on them, people would yell out your name as you ran by. The Philadelphia Half is a race to add to your bucket list for sure.
Before I knew it, I was approaching the finish line. Having not trained at all for this, I was pretty happy with my just under 2 hours and 30 min finish time. Slowest half ever but I am so okay with that. Found my husband waiting for me just outside of the finisher shoot. The finish tent looked super crowded so I bypassed that we headed back to the hotel.
I was really surprised by how many runners I witnessed needing medical attention during the race. Twice I spotted runners in what looked like serious distress and twice ran ahead to a police officer to alert him there was someone in need of assistance. Definitely a scary sight to see.
I will certainly be training for my next Half Marathon! Have you done a half you didn’t train for? Have you seen runners in need of medical attention?
Linking up Marcia and MCM Mama
Coach Debbie and Train with Marc
Sounds like a great race! Ive done the Philly Marathon twice and its one of my favorite races. I dont think Ive ever done a half without training, but I usually dont train specifically for the half distance- I run it while training for a full. Thats scary that so many runners needed medical attention during the race!
It is a fun city to run in for sure!
I ran the Love Run and I loved Philly. It rained the whole weekend and the race so I really want to go back.
I always say finishing uninjured is better than a fast thing.
Yes I have run untrained. But slowly.
Congrats on a successful race.
I agree! Not worth getting an injury for a faster time. Thanks! Hope you make it back there for a race in nice weather
I basically had the exact same pre-race agenda except it was pushed a day back ha! If the half and full courses were the same then I know the hill you’re talking about at mile 8 – no fun. Crazy how many people needed attention! Good thing you ran ahead to alert police someone needed help. Scary site to see.
It was scary to see so many runners needing help. I have read about that in larger races but have not seen it myself until that race.
CONGRATS on another race! I need to sign up for another half…I’m getting the itch…And those cupcakes…they look AMAZING! I’ll take two please!
Thanks I forgot how much fun they are. I will certainly train for the next one though!
Congrats on a successful half! Aren’t those run/walk intervals a lifesaver? I still can’t say I love doing them but it is what it is, right? Sounds like it was a fun weekend overall.
I wonder why so many runners were down at that race? Yikes!
Yes the intervals were lifesavers for sure. Not sure what I will do about them moving forward. It was a fun weekend! I have no idea why so many people were injured. The weather was not a factor at all.
Congratulations! I’ve never even been to Philadelphia, let alone raced there! It sounds like a good race, though I wonder why so many runners needed medical attention.
I definitely try to train for my half marathons, especially now that I’m older. At least get in the long runs even if I occasionally neglect the speed work.
This was the first time that I felt super undertrained for a half. I will definitely train for the next one!
Sounds like you had a fun race! Glad it went according to plan 🙂 I love Reading Terminal Market, that’s great you go to make a stop there. Though I’m sorry to hear about all the medical emergencies, that’s always distressing to see 🙁 Hopefully they were all ok.
All the food at Reading terminal was mouthwatering! Yes I hope everyone was okay too
Oh man, not going to lie (and my priorities are totally in the wrong place) but… I would sign up for races simply because I want to go to the EXPOS – hahahahahaha! If they had disappointing ones, I would be so so so bummed – LOL!
I usually love expos and end up buying all kinds of things I don’t need at all
hooray for the Philly Half! I would LOVE to run in Philadelphia, hopefully I can do that in the next couple of years! it’s great that you made it around without really training for it and no injury!!
I have definitely run a half I haven’t really trained for… but, in my defense I had a lot of miles in my legs at the time so I didn’t see it as a big deal. Halfs I really train for are always around 2:15-2:20. Ones I don’t train for are around 2:30. My best was 2:09 so I know i can do better.
I have also unfortunately seen runners in distress. Especially when it’s a really hot race.
yes it was a fun one. I will definitely train for the next one though!
What a fun time! Love Philadelphia! Also those cupcakes look super dreamy
Will run for cupcakes for sure!
Those cupcakes look great! I did do a half I couldn’t train for, and walked it all. It was also my last half since I’ve fallen in love with the 10k distance.
I have to say that 10K’s are probably my favorite as well!
Seeing someone down is always a really disturbing experience.
I’m glad you had an enjoyable race & that you got to the finish line with a smile on your face — that’s really the most important thing!
Sounds like a great weekend (but now I’m hungry after viewing those photos!).
It was a really fun and low stress race for me
Oh my gosh, scariest medical distress story: at my first 100 miler last year, a guy had a full on cardiac event. Thankfully my friend was nearby, and he’s a nurse. He was able to give CPR and then administer the AED. The guy lived -he was fit and is only in his 40’s. It was a terrifying ordeal, but thankfully it had the best possible outcome!
Congrats on your race! p.s. those sprinkle cupcakes look AMAZING!
OH wow that is a crazy scary story! Thankfully you all were there to help
Congrats! I too have always wanted to run a race in Philly and this sounds like a lovely one! So scary about all of the emergencies at the end. I hope everyone was ok! I’m running a half this weekend and the most I’ve trained so far for it has been 10 miles so like you, the goal is to simply finish uninjured. Congrats again!
You will do great! Have a fantastic time
I love Reading Terminal! It’s one of my favorite parts of Philly 🙂
I’m glad that you enjoyed your time there, it’s such a cool city!
It was a really fun weekend of friends and running. My favorite combo
This sounds like a great race choice with all that food haha! I have only done one half and I’m hoping to do more!
Definitely one to add to the wish list. Great course around the city
I’m glad you had a great time in Philly! Was the course on some of the downtown streets , or more residential areas? I SOOO want to go back sometime, I totally love the little bit of the city that I saw when I was there for the RnR 13.1.
It was all on the down town streets, up by Drexel and a little through the park. A really nice course and not crowded. I hear the Broad Street 10 miler is good too
Great recap! Good to know it’s an interesting course. Yikes on seeing others in distress — that’s always disconcerting. I was overwhelmed by Reading Terminal – too many choices! Those cupcakes look like a good choice.
Being a vegetarian helps to narrow down the choices!
Wow, That would not be fun seeing so many people in need of medical attention! Overall it sounds like it was a good experience thought.
It was a blast and I will for sure train for the next one!
Great job, even without the full training! I’ve done a few with less than great training, and it’s been fine. Sometimes, it’s ok to just enjoy the course and the event.
In Florida, we see a lot of people go down and need medical attention. The extreme heat and humidity can rock locals and visitors alike. It’s very sad and very scary. I hope everyone recovered.
Yes I have seen it more in the summer time with the heat. It is nice to just run and enjoy the scenery for sure
Oh yes, I have done a half marathon that I did not train for and it was rough!! Way to get it done…those cupcakes look amazing too!!!
Will run for cupcakes!
Congrats on finishing with no injury and for having fun. I have a hard time running a race when I am not trained for it because i put too much pressure on myself. This race is definitely on my bucket list as I am originally from the Philadelphia area. Love Reading Terminal Market. So many goodies to eat!
I hope you have the chance to run it one year. It’s a great course
Congrats on the half! I had a few athletes I coach who ran and had a blast. I’ve run halfs as part of a large training cycle in which I wasn’t necessarily targeting the distance, but have always been semi-trained.
Yes the longest run I had was 10 miles but felt pretty good on half.
The Philly Half is a fun one for sure! Glad you made it through without incident!
Yes me too!
You did great! I haven’t been to Philly since high school and I’m bummed I didn’t make it for the race. Sounds like a fun course!
It was a fun course! Your dance card is pretty full right now
It sounds like you had a great race considering your injury and lack of ability to train. Congrats!
It was a really fun weekend 🙂
Love the medal, and your tights.
My goal for 2019 was to be fully trained for the Halfs. That’s out the window for at least January already. I’m still hoping to be ready for the latter two. Hope all those with medical issues were OK