Philadelphia Marathon: Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Nov 18-19, 2023 – Marathon #38
I’ve been anxiously anticipating the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend for quite some time. Not only would this be my first time running multiple races in one weekend, but it would also be the first time ever that I would run two races on the same day.
I arrived in Philadelphia on Friday feeling pretty good. I was able to check into my hotel near the Convention Center a little early, which was a relief. Once I got settled in and picked up my marathon packet, I felt much more at ease. As I walked around, I couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed by the crowds. Of all the cities I’ve traveled to for races, Philadelphia was one where I definitely wished I had someone with me. The hustle and bustle, coupled with the unfamiliar surroundings, made me stick pretty close to the hotel. But I did get a chance to check out The Reading Terminal, just across the street, which was filled with unique stores and some great food.
On race day, I wore a different outfit than usual—thank you RUNUR for the amazing tank top. It was super comfortable and soft, which I really appreciated during the race!
Day One: Half Marathon and 8K
I was scheduled to run the half marathon (13.1 miles) first and then the 8K (4.97 miles) just a few hours later. This was a first for me, so I was pretty nervous. I also knew the full marathon would be the next day, so I didn’t want to overdo it. My plan was to take it easy and save my energy for the marathon, but once I hit the start line, I was surrounded by more than 13,000 runners. The excitement and competitiveness took over, and I found myself pushing harder than I expected. I finished the half marathon in 2:00:12, just shy of a sub-2-hour PR, but still a PR, and I was happy with that.
However, as soon as I crossed the finish line, I realized I had about two hours before my next race. I took it a bit easier during the 8K, but still kept a solid pace. After both races, I was surprised by how good I felt. I walked back to my hotel, took a shower, and began preparing for the next day, which would mark my 39th marathon in my 39th state.
Day Two: Full Marathon
The next morning, I woke up feeling surprisingly well-rested and ready to take on the marathon. I didn’t expect to PR, but I was aiming to stay under 5 hours. Things didn’t go quite as planned, though. For the second day in a row, there were issues with the bathroom situation—port-o-potties weren’t stocked properly or weren’t available when I needed them. Day one wasn’t as big of an issue since it was a shorter race, but day two caused some real problems. I ended up walking for a bit during the first half of the marathon because of this. However, I managed to regain my focus and started running again in the second half, but I couldn’t recover enough to hit my sub-5-hour goal.
I finished the marathon in 5:17:56. While I was initially disappointed, I reminded myself that I had walked nearly 8 miles of the race. Plus, I had completed 44.27 miles in two days, which is something I’m proud of. It’s always tough to give yourself grace in moments like this, but I knew I needed to. At the end of the marathon, I had the joy of cheering on some first-time marathoners, which was a highlight for me. I also completed the Freedom Challenge, collecting all four medals at Philadelphia.
Though I was bummed not to connect with a few of the ladies I met earlier this year at another race, I’m optimistic about future opportunities.
Shoutouts
A big shoutout to Monique, Noelle, George, John, and Vanessa at the Hilton Home 2 Suites at the Convention Center in Philadelphia. This team handled the crowd with such professionalism, and Hilton should be proud of how they represent the brand.
I also met Philadelphia Police Officer Folly while waiting in line for food. This young man was incredibly courteous and respectful, and he truly represented the Philadelphia Police Department in a positive light.
And of course, on my way home, I ran into a few Philadelphia Eagles fans heading to Kansas City. A shoutout to Will and Dave—we had some fun light-hearted banter about who was going to win the game!
Now, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, I’m excited to head to Seattle, Washington for my 40th marathon in my 40th state next Friday. Let’s run!