Broad Street Run

Oh, hi there! It’s been a while.

May 8, 2017 By Lindy 7 Comments

It’s been a while, friends, and I’ve missed being here talking to you about my running or traveling adventures. Yesterday, I found myself at work, crying while watching the live broadcast of the Broad Street Run on the TV in the break room. This is why.

Countless visits to the sports medicine doctor, multiple X-Rays, acupuncture, chiropractor visits and physical therapy has left me in a state of frustration. I’m seeing a new physical therapist and for once, I am experiencing positive changes, although it isn’t without experiencing both physical and emotional pain. Janet, my physical therapist, cleared me for running and has suggested a goal for me to run a 5K in 3 months. This makes me beyond excited.

The pain I experienced while running was on my left hip and IT band, with some minor pain on the right knee. MRI showed normal hip scan, however, it showed chronic bilateral hamstring tendonitis. This explained the hamstring pain I felt whenever I went to my beloved Flywheel classes, and it was always when off the saddle. I stopped going to Flywheel and stopped running and giving up both pained me immensely.

But I’m really stubborn…I mean, REALLY stubborn.

Since I was cleared to run, I deleted a 5K and added another 5K. I also added a half marathon: Disney’s Princess Half in February. Not only it is the 10th Anniversary of the half, but my 5th running anniversary. That’s my girls trip, and I cannot wait!
Back to the stubbornness part. Not only did I sign up for a half marathon, I bought a Peloton bike.

This bike is beyond amazeballs! I fell in love with spinning years ago and now that I’m able to do this from the comfort of my own home is fantastic. I’m taking it easy and concentrating on endurance classes, which focus on heart rate training and ensuring to spend less time off the saddle. Hopefully that will be helpful when it comes to training for races.

So, where have I been?

In February, I went on a last minute trip to Disney World. Last month, had a blast from taking an 8-day trip to Puerto Rico with my sister. This year, I have a few trips planned – Montréal, Seattle, DC and back to WDW in September for a week. I’ve also been working, a lot, and currently studying for my neonatal nurse certification (RNC-NIC)

I just want to take a moment to thank all of you who reached out to me on Instagram and Twitter as well as the emails you’ve sent just to check in.

It means a lot to me, so thank you! <3

Have a wonderful Monday!

2015 Broad Street Run Race Recap

May 6, 2015 By Lindy 8 Comments

The 36th Blue Cross Broad Street Run was this past weekend (always on the first Sunday in May) and I had an awesome time!

Went to the Expo on Saturday afternoon and it was very well organized, and an in-and-out experience. Upon entering the doors, you were met with the wonderful people from clothes-pin, a non-profit organization clothing those in need. Runners could donate their used running shoes and there were hundreds of shoes stacked everywhere.

This year, the race start time was moved to 8 AM, a half hour earlier, which was nice. Left my house at 6 AM and there was no traffic and no issues getting to the stadiums to park. Because I left later (last two BSRs I left at 5:30), everyone was cramming into the subway to get to the start line. There should have been more express trains to the start, but the trains stopped at every stop picking up people. It was so unsafely cramped.

It was a cool 54 degrees at the start and I wore long sleeves (stupid!), knowing the high temperature would be in the 80’s.

Met up with fellow nurses at the yellow corral and finally crossed the start at 8:45.

We couldn’t have asked for better weather, but of course, I was overdressed and dehydrated.

Mile 1 was fast and crowded. 11:06 – not a good pace as I was supposed to run no faster than a 12:00-minute mile.

Mile 2 and I need some freaking water. Good thing there was a water stop at mile 2.2 where I downed 2 cups of water. Pace: 11:26

Mile 3 and there’s a slight uphill but I stopped to take pictures since at the top of the hill you can see the runners all the way down to City Hall. Pace 12:42

Miles 4 and 5 and I saw runners walk into stores to buy water. I regret not making that decision. I felt so darn dehydrated! Pace: 12:07 and 12:09. (Starting a backwards trend here and not a negative split one *sigh*)

Mile 5 is past Spring Garden Street. Everyone was stopping to take selfies in front of City Hall, I just stopped to take a pic of it.

Philadelphia's City Hall from mile 5.5 — Philadelphia’s City Hall from around mile 5.5

Once you pass Spring Garden, that’s when the crowds get wild. Bands were playing, people were cheering and screaming, and it was so much fun seeing all the signs people held and I couldn’t stop laughing. I was soaking it all in…I love running in my city!

Miles 6,7,8 – Pace: 11:59, 12:07, 12:23. I swear, next time I run a race, I’m putting my phone on airplane mode. I stopped to text people who were asking, “Where are you?”, “What mile?”, “Which side of Broad Street?” Grrrr….not doing that again!!!!

My sissy, her boyfriend and her dog Harley met me at mile 9. It was nice to see them there. Pace: 12:09.

Last mile, and I was feeling confident and strong. Pace: 11:46.

Thankfully, this year, it was better organized at the finish than last year. Grabbed food bag, water, and my medal, and although this was a training run for Brooklyn Half, I was a bit disappointed with my finish time. I’m sure if I hadn’t stopped for pics or answer texts, it wouldn’t have been an issue. Aside from going all out in that first mile, I kept my pace and I finished strong despite how warm the temperature was.

An hour to get out of the parking lot was beyond ridiculous! I turned off my car and didn’t move for 45 minutes!

The Fabulous Finisher's Bling — The Fabulous Finisher’s Bling

Overall, I had a great time. Broad Street Run continues to be my favorite race and one that I hope to never miss.

Many thanks to my coach Kristy from Run the Long Road Coaching for her guidance during training as well as for the check-in messages.

Do you have a favorite race? If so, tell me about it.

Lindy x

Brooklyn Half Training – Two Weeks to go!

April 30, 2015 By Lindy Leave a Comment

I’m getting really excited about running Brooklyn, but first, Broad Street Run.

Everyone knows how much I love running Broad Street. 🙂

Since the Brooklyn Half is coming up two weeks from Sunday, Broad Street will be a training run for me, and will be the last long run before Brooklyn. While it will be tough maintaining a slower pace since the energy from the crowds draw you in and make you forget how fast you’re running, I have to do my best and not focus on what I’m likely to hear afterwards, “But so-and-so finished before you, Lin.” *sigh*

Last week’s run were:

Tuesday: 4 miles

Saturday: 3 miles

Sunday: 8 miles

Sunday was a gorgeous day here in the city of Brotherly Love; a balmy 65 degrees. Ran the 8-mile loop around the Schuylkill River – from Kelly Drive, around the Philadelphia Museum of Art, to Martin Luther King Drive, back to Kelly Drive. I’ve never run this loop before while training, it’s always been while racing, therefore a nice treat where I run to soak it all in and not worry so much about time. As long as my long runs are slower, all is fine with Coach Kristy!

It was a lovely treat to watch college students practicing for the upcoming Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta. I suppose the ones yelling to them from a boat not far upfront were the coaches. Row, Row, Row!

Mile 3 of this 8-mile run was the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which was crowded with tour buses and there was a huge line to take a photograph with the statue of Rocky Balboa.

FullSizeRender-2 — Rear of Philadelphia Museum of Art and Philadelphia Water Works Restaurant and Lounge – view from MLK Drive

Passed the Art Museum and headed over to run down MLK Drive, which was lonely and isolated. Good thing is that once you cross SweetBriar Road, the road is closed all the way to the Falls Bridge on Sunday, I think until 5 PM, but I may be wrong. Anyway, it felt great to get off the concrete sidewalk and give my legs/feet a break by running on the road.

Stayed strong until mile 7.12 when I “hit the wall.” I got jittery and hungry and walked a bit until 0.5 mile left of my run. Stopped to stretch for a minute and continued on until I reached my car. There, my sister and her recently rescued poodle were waiting for me. He’s so sweet! He was abused and is scared all the time and after a few days, learned to walk on a leash! As a rescue mommy myself, I’m delighted to know she chose a rescue dog.

With Harley at the end of my 8-mile run.

Post-run, we headed down to Blackbird Pizzeria for vegan seitan cheezesteaks, the hottest buffalo wings I’ve ever eaten in my life (my mouth is still on fire!), and vegan pizza. I love going there; the people are so nice!

I’m looking forward to meeting up with some of you at the start of this Sunday’s Broad Street Run. I moved back, so I’ll be hanging out in yellow corral. Hydrate, and hydrate well these upcoming days before the race, as it will be a balmy 75 degrees on race day. I personally enjoy water with lemon and cucumbers – it’s so refreshing!

For my friends running Broad Street Run, Pittsburgh Marathon, and Flying Pig, may the wind be at your back!!! Can’t wait to read all of your race recaps!

Lindy x

Broad Street Run 2014: My favorite race

May 8, 2014 By Lindy Leave a Comment

Broad Street Run is the largest 10-mile race in the United States, and it’s right in my city, Philadelphia. This is truly MY favorite race! I look forward to this race like people look forward to birthdays; it’s that once-a-year event that makes me happy and excited!

Since I had half-marathons in January, February, and April, training for BSR was around these half-marathons. But something went awfully wrong on Sunday; the tank just ran empty. I had absolutely no drive. I got out of the Broad Street Line at Broad and Olney and wanted to get back in and take the subway back to my car. I was both cold and tired and hadn’t slept. I was also returning home to two final exams and a final paper. My last run had been the Bucks County Half Marathon three weeks prior. Seriously, I had no drive, no motivation, and it made me sad because like I mentioned, this is my favorite run and I wanted to enjoy it.

Got coffee and an English muffin with PB and waited close to two hours, in a short-sleeved tee and a running skirt in 50 degree weather in the corrals. It was cloudy and windy, with the sun trying to peek through the clouds. I was freezing! Met my coworker and her brother at the corrals and chatted it up until race start time. I was more excited for her since it was her first race. I just love sharing my love for running with people, at times, ad nauseum! 🙂

First three miles were great. I was starting to warm up, and the crowds were great. I think more people came out this year than last. It was empowering and uplifting to see so many people out early in the cold, cheering us on. I love the spirit of my city!

Stopped at mile 4 to fix my right sneaker and sat on the sidewalk to take it off and didn’t feel like getting back up. Crowds at mile 5 (Broad and Spring Garden) were alive and gave me a boost that died shortly before mile 6. City Hall area and to my right was a band rocking to one of my favorite tunes: Lynyrd Skynyrd’s, “Sweet Home Alabama”. I stopped and played air guitar with them. Turned the corner and scanned for Ed Rendell and high-fived him! Such an awesome guy with an amazing spirit. He cheers the runners every year in his usual spot by the Bellevue.

Mile 7 and that’s when the tank ran empty.

I thought about why I didn’t carb up the night before, thought that perhaps I didn’t hydrate this week enough, maybe I undertrained, or maybe I outdone myself with so many races in 4 months, thought about how much this semester has drained the joy out of my life. And I allowed it to happen. I’m too much too critical of myself, and I let myself down.

I tried to run and my legs wouldn’t move and I began to cry when I saw my splits: 10:05, 10:16, 11:06, 11:45, 12:06 and so on. Grabbed my Honey Stinger gel out of my pocket and got a boost for the remainder of the race. Saw my sissy cheering in her tutu at mile 9.5 and she ran with me for a bit. I want her motivated enough to run with me, but you either have to have the motivation to train or you don’t. She doesn’t have it in her…at least just yet 🙂

Got to the finish line in 2:00 even, slower than last year’s time and 20 minutes off my goal. My hands were awfully swollen! (Overhydrating)

The finish line was so crowded, and it was awful. No cell service, no directions to medal pick-up and some of the food was running out. The weather wasn’t cooperating either – it got cold very quickly and starting raining. I couldn’t contact my sister for about an hour. When we finally got cell service (had to go 0.5 mile outside the Navy Yard), my sissy and I met up and walked back to the car at the Wells Fargo center, where it took us 1.5 hours to get out and another 45 minutes to an hour to drive on Pattison Avenue and onto I-95. And I had to pee, bad, and ready to do something illegal!

I want to do this race every single year as long as I’m still running. This just happened to be a less-than-great experience for ME. I’m going to take time off and perhaps get with a running coach. I’m running again in September, in my beloved city, Rock n’ Roll Philadelphia.

Lindy x

Broad Street Run ’13 Race Recap

May 8, 2013 By Lindy

There’s something a little more special about running in your city.

Yesterday, Cinco de Mayo, the largest 10-mile run in the United States was held here in my backyard; the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia.

I was very excited once I was picked to run this race, but once the date got closer, I became nervous because of its size, but that all changed yesterday.

The Broad Street Run Expo was a two-day event, held at the Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles. I had to work on Friday, and so I went on Saturday. I found the expo to be well-organized, and because there were so many people there, at times it felt crowded. Every vendor there was out of red socks!!!

Picked up my bib (not even a minute in line!), then headed to pick up my tee and my goodie bag. Walked around and walked out proud that I had not spent a cent at the Expo. How did that happen? Maybe it was the excitement for the Phillies tailgate party that would soon follow.

Set my alarm for 4:30 AM, which was pointless; I never sleep the night before a race. It’s that nervous/excited feeling. I may have slept 3 hours, if that…

Left early, around 5:30 AM, (leaving my water bottle, bananas and iPhone case at home) and headed to the stadium. I’m glad I arrived early as it was not crowded yet. Walked to the Broad Street Line and a SEPTA worker was checking bibs, (which were your free ride pass) and the ride was about 25 minutes into the Olney Transportation Center.

It was freezing cold and windy, so I hung out at Dunkin’ Donuts to warm up with hot coffee and chat with fellow runners for a bit. Headed to the corrals and found a small group of runners sitting on top of the steam vents and I joined them.

The first corral took off at 8:30 and the pink corral, the last corral, took off at around 9:10. Funny how the clock on the starting line read 47:10 when we crossed it and the winner had already finished!! High-fived Philadelphia Mayor, Michael Nutter at the starting line and was on my way.

I started off slow, annoyed that neither my Garmin was picking up a location or that my Pandora One was not working. The Garmin picked up a signal and kicked in after mile 2 and I just listened to my last half marathon playlist, no big deal.

It was great running past the houses and seeing people bright and early on their steps cheering on us runners. First three miles were not quite downhill but it was flat. I was still in pain, the cold weather wasn’t helping and it took me a bit to warm up. Signed myself up for runner tracking and didn’t get a text once I crossed the 3-mile marker, which left me wondering whether my chip was working.

Once we arrived at Temple University, there were bands playing on the sidewalk, including the Temple Owl mascot. Students cheered from their dormitories and it was loud and exciting! The best part was seeing all the children that were out and about high-fiving us.

A few more blocks and we would be at City Hall. We made that turn at City Hall and right at the corner of Penn Square and Market, in front of La Colombe Torrefaction, was a rock band playing loud, rocking the streets. I was hoping to see Todd Carmichael of La Colombe, but either he wasn’t there or I simply missed him. I’d tell him, “Dude, Corsica is simply genius!”

Right at the corner of Broad and Walnut, in front of the Hyatt at the Bellevue, was former Philadelphia Mayor/former Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell who high-fived me on my way down. That was a nice little energy boost!

What would soon follow were a myriad of spectators, all with their signs and I ran those 3-4 miles simply laughing: “If Broad Street were easy, it would be called your mom!”, “Faster, faster, that’s what she said.” and so on…

Mile 8 and I felt like I’d hit the wall. My legs felt like iron and I couldn’t even open my package of Clif Bloks. Stopped by a water station and the man who handed me water said, “You can do it. 2.2 miles to go”, to which I replied, “Yes, I can do this!” I thanked the volunteers and went on.

Mile 9.5 and a quick glance to my right and there is Peggy, a woman who touched so many and who inspired so many of my Princess Posse friends. I choked up, gave her a hug and got a picture with her. She was in Disney when I ran the Princess Half Marathon but I missed her. She is simply the best spectator ever!!!

Enter the Navy Yard and I’m just a short 0.25 miles from the finish line, but these hips and knees hurt and that last 1/4 mile feels more like 5 miles, just never-ending! Crossed the finish line at 1:57:37. I didn’t have a time goal, I ran to enjoy my city and to have a great time, and I did. I’d be lying if I said that I had more fun at the Disney race.

Lindy with her ugly cry face at the finish line.

I hope to “win the lottery” again next year and run this with 39,999 other runner friends because I’d do this again in a heartbeat. Not a single second did I feel unsafe.

Look who I found on my way back to the car!!! Jog n’ Hog!!!

Thank you to everyone who made this happen.