Good morning and Happy Monday! Hope your week gets off to a great start.

Two weeks from now, I will be heading down to Philadelphia with some family and friends. My sister and cousin are running the Philly marathon, and I am going to cheer them on!

City Hall along race course

I’ve run the Philly marathon three times- in 2011, 2012, and 2014– and just thinking about the race brings back many happy memories. Philly marathon was my second fastest marathon finish (2011 race), as well as one of my slowest finishes (2014 race). Yet in the three times I have run the race, I learned so much and enjoyed it every time.

2014 race with my sibs and Mark

Some thoughts:

This marathon is great for a PR. The course is relatively flat (with the exception of some moderate hills between miles 7-10 (University Park areas and West Philly zoo/memorial) and 19-22 (Manayunk area), but the race falls in the time of year for ideal race temperatures. In the three years I ran the race, temps ranged from the 40’s to low 50’s—ideal for a great time. Given the timing of the race, training starts in the summer but the majority of the long runs will be in the cooler September/October months. The race has great spectator support. There are sections of the race where spectators are more sporadic – through the park prior to the halfway mark and along the schuylkill river miles 15 to 26.2 (with the exception of lively Manayunk). However, the out and back course layout enables you to see the elite runners pass by, which is especially motivating for me. Race day is held the weekend prior to Thanksgiving holiday, allowing you some nice rest (and food!) for the week following the race (week zero). The city of Philadelphia has a lot of great food options- we have always eaten very well pre- and post- race! Spending a weekend in Philadelphia before the holidays is special time. The city is decorated and festive. There are plenty of hotel or airbnb options close to the race course. We’ve always stayed downtown and have been able to walk to the start of the race (and crawled back post-race). Super convenient! Race logistics are organized, with pacers as well as adequate hydration stations throughout the course.

2012 race finish

I am disappointed to not be running Philly this year, but am really looking forward to being a spectator this time around! I might jump in towards the end of the race to help pace her, but TBD. She is going for a BQ and I think she will meet that goal in this race!

2014 race finish

Stay tuned for a recap in a couple of weeks!

Has anyone run Philly marathon? Any tips or tricks that you’ve learned from the race?