The Philly 10k | 2019
What's up guys?
It's been a minute since I've raced. I have taken a step back from running and really focusing on my job as a personal trainer + group fitness instructor.
This year I started off training for the LA Marathon that I ran with my friend. That was an awesome race experience and probably one of my favorite courses! Like who wouldn't love to run down Sunset Blvd and Rodeo Drive! Didn't get a PR due to the course being pretty hilly and training didn't go as planned. But still my second best marathon!
In May, I ran the Broad Street Run for the sixth time and lead a training group with the studio I work at. Race day was a wet one but still went in with little expectations on crushing my previous times.
I was flying high on those Broad Street vibes where I signed up for The Philly 10k. I ran this 3 years and it was such a fun course through South Philly. The only downfall was it was ridiculously hot.
However, the running gods + goddesses must have felt bad for us and the weather was beyond perfect! It was 61 degrees at the starting line! I was running this race solo so I took my time getting to the start. Still work up early due to my superstitions to make sure I had everything ready.
Flat Runner
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I was in Corral B (second fastest) and to be honest, I forget what I even wrote as my projected finished time. I went in to the race thinking just to have fun and it was a fun race! The starting and finish lines were around 8th and South Street making it easy for spectators to watch both and the buzz around the start was infectious.
As I settle in the corral doing my pre-race stretches and getting the right songs on, the start was quickly approaching. I started out pretty fast (per usual) but felt great. First two miles I held 7:27 pace which felt great but knowing my training wasn't the best so I pulled back to high 7's low 8's so I didn't completely die. The course was pretty flat as we run down the streets of South Philly and into Center City. The crowds were great all along the course. Before I knew it, I was entering mile 6 and had .2 miles left to go. I knew I had some gas left in the tank so I picked up my pace to my usual sprint to the finish. I crossed the line at 49:30 holding an average 7:55 pace. I knocked off over a minute from my 2016 and had no pain during the race. Win Win!! My fiancé and pup were trying to catch me at the finish and when I called to say I got a new PR, he was shocked I was already finished. He is used to me running marathons at 9 minute pace so he had the projected finish all wrong.
Now with the Fall Races quickly approaching, I have a big decision to make. I've been itching to run my 10th half marathon since 2017 after backing out of the Rock N Roll Half due to my hip injury. This year's race is in a few weeks so I know I won't be ready in time but looking towards the Philly Half in November that is the Saturday before the Philadelphia Marathon. Decisions, Decisions.
I recommend you to try this race if you are in the Philadelphia area and looking for a fun 10k. The expo was great with plenty of vendors with food, drinks, race merch, etc. Total day of fun for racers and families. It was well organized and communicated through email with training plans and tips. They also held training runs through Philadelphia Runner that met weekly.
Until next time, I'll see you on the pavement!
~Hallie
Let me know if you are interested in training plans or workouts, I'm happy to share!