This week’s guest blog is written by #TeamOrdinary Athlete T’Sean Laws. This article is also featured at T’Sean’s blog – BigHomieOnTheMove. A number of TeamOrdinary athletes will be running the Philadelphia Marathon, Half-Marathon in 2020 (and in some cases, both), so please consider joining the team and meet us in Philly 2020!
Philadelphia Half Prep
The race is at the end of the week. Right now I am not worried. I put in the work most of the year and a have to get myself prepared mentally to go the distance. I have ran 13.1 miles in one training session at least once every month this year since I started on this journey. Just nothing standing between me and my goal, which is just to do it.
How Did I Get Myself Into This
I often think back on when I decided to go for this half marathon. I remember finishing my first Broad Street, when Joe said to me in the car, “You should do a half.” I still laugh at myself for doing that. Then sometime later, after some more thought, I really fell into a funk because I reached my “goal” race and did not know else to shoot for.
Then I just thought, I want to run Broad Street again (because I had so much fun.) After thinking and talking to some friends, of course Joe once again suggested that if I wanted to consider participating in the Philadelphia Marathon weekend. There were a few slots still open for people to also run the Broad Street Run. Like a selfish fool, I took the bait and yet started 2019 with my new goal race: The Dietz and Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon!
Putting My Feet To Work
I am a darn fool in having my goal race being near the end of the year. However, sometimes you gotta give yourself some time to prepare. And even though I already ran a 10-miler, I thought it was best to give myself plenty of time to train. I even doubled-down on this crazy idea of stretching my longest distance to 13.1 miles by putting it out there in the universe when talking about my goal in Ordinary Marathoner podcast. I was honored to be a guest and going into it, I felt like, if I said it out load publicly I must hold myself accountable. This way, I would attempt to get outta my running blues between races and stay focused on the end goal.
I did smart this year with the races I signed up for. The purpose was:
1) keep myself building up throughout the year
2) not feel rushed near the end of year to get myself ready for the distance
3) physically recover after finishing and not feel like I have to be in bed for several days after the race
I ran the Hot Chocolate 15K (and probably had too run much fun in the process); Broad Street Run 10-Miler (I became a duck in the process); Dairy Air 10k; Philadelphia Mayors Cup [10k]; Race for Blue [5 miler]; and the Rock and Roll Half Marathon. I did have a race in October, but had to cancel due to family commitments. Each one I used as stepping stone and it kept me motivated.
I was proud of my progress throughout the year. Even had several good training runs. The late August 10k turned into 10 miles because I was enjoying the run so much, I ran further than intended. Still happy that I had taken some cash so I could get bottled water at the gas station on my way back. Vacation running is funny that way.
How Many Halves
With the use of Strava I tracked my attempts to run a half every month. The virtual challenges are really helpful. I thought if I became comfortable with the distance, I should be able to complete the race at the end of year and get a time that would make me happy. I started it off in January with the Star Wars Virtual Half. Using this virtual race as a challenge I thought if I could run the full distance, it would start me on the right track. On my first run, I got the distance! I strung together several more runs throughout the month to earn the virtual half. From March through May, I made a few more attempts to run a half but came up a little short. However, I did have some good training runs in between, plus I also trained for the Broad Street Run and participated in the Ordinary Marathon during that stretch.
When June arrived, I was determined to get back on top. And by the end of the month I made it back to the Half mountain top. It was a good. I felt better than I did in January. Then, before I knew it, September came and it was time for the Rock n Roll Half. I used this as my baseline into going into November. The course is mostly flat and is similar to the Philadelphia Half. In October and into the first week of November I was able to run some tough 10-milers considering I ran the hills in my neighborhood and ran an alternate route on the trail.
So, in total I guess I ran the half-marathon distance 3 times in one single run this year. Could have swore I did it 2 more times at least. Oh well. I have plenty of 10’s and some 11’s to look back on. In most training programs they even suggest that the individual not run the full distance of their race until race day. So I may have been following that advice, too, throughout the year.
Philadelphia Half-Marathon
The race is finally here! For most of the week, I was fairly calm about the whole thing. But now I’m excited! I have been paying attention to the weather report most of the week that said it will be dry and cold during my race day. Temps expected to be in the mid-40’s. I thought that was cool, until Friday. I get hit by Keith who forwards me the weather report for Sunday and the prediction of cold rain the whole day. At first I thought the weather report was for Saturday and I was none too happy. So yeah, I freaked for a bit. Then eventually the smarter part of my brain stepped up and I checked the local weather again. Saturday’s report was still the same. Thanks local meteorologists for getting it right. I looked back at what I was sent, at realized it was Sunday’s weather. I sent Keith the local weather report and corrected him.
Friday afternoon and evening I was like a duck on water leading up to the race. Normally I hit a calm with no problem leading up to my races. I just tell myself, I am going to get up tomorrow, put on my gear and run with a few of my friends. However, because it was my goal race, I was a little more nervous than usual. I calmed down eventually and got a good night’s rest.
Race day I wake up and go through my normal routine. I get cleaned up, dressed, make coffee to-go, and eat some warm cereal due to the cool temperatures. My dad used to say to me when I was young, “You need to have something warm in your belly if you are going to be outside all morning.” I actually follow this advice as an adult. Thanks Dad. Then I pack myself a PB sandwich and triple check I have my gear bag (which I half-packed the night before) and the rest of my gear, which is next to the front door. Then I’m off. On my way down, I make a quick stop to grab a couple bananas and some bottled-waters. I normally keep one bottle of water and banana for the car ride home after races. This helps me from cramping after the longer distances. Also with being in the back of the pack, I don’t start at the gun time and want to make sure I am hydrated before the start of the race. I am used to an extra 20 – 30 minutes before my corral gets started.
I met up with Black Men Run Philadelphia prior to the start of the race after checking in my gear. It’s always a great time getting together and chatting it up. I wanted to meet up with my fellow Team Ordinary teammate Ben and some more friends running at the race, but I was not able to arrange that in time.
After meeting up, we went to our respected corrals. Temperatures are in the low-30’s, and I am wearing my warm gear, hat and gloves. I only start to feel more of the cold when I take my gloves off to look at my phone. Why couldn’t I find my touch gloves!?!? While doing some stretching I look over and see Ann. She is so full of energy and excitement. I was digging her CP3O inspired outfit for the run. We talk and wish each other luck. I let her and her friends get back to preparing themselves, and quietly start shaking out some butterflies to calm myself.
As I was settling in, I talked with some of the other runners around me. For the most part they were all saying the same thing – not looking forward to the incline near mile 10. Personally I try not to think about the inclines too much. Besides that, no one seems to be worried – just focus on finishing the race. I was in the company of those whom this was their first half and those who haven’t ran more than 5 races in this distance. The corrals are started in waves with a minute between each one. As my corral finally get started I was on the left side. It was split in half while crossing the start line to get everyone to use the full parkway at the start of the race. Due to the amount of people competing, I really understand. I totally wish I was on the right side because Des Linden and Meb Keflezighi were giving high fives. It was really a powerful sight. Smiles all around.
The race starts down the parkway, and head down towards City Hall. From City Hall, you head to Independence Hall where Betsy Ross and Benjamin Franklin were out cheering the racers on. Ben give me a high five and shouted he wants to see Ben Simmons get more aggressive down the stretch. Ben is a big 76ers fan, just like me. (Now only if he could get Dr. J and A.I. to take a picture with me…) Then we headed past the US Mint onto Race Street. I really wish I took some pictures while we ran on Race Street with the Ben Franklin Bridge on our left hand side towards the waterfront area. In a city that is always bustling, it was calm and surreal. Hitting Columbus Boulevard during the first 5k, I saw a little girl on the steps of the newer condos cheering us on and running it place. It was a really cute sight.
After running around Gloria Del-Old Swedes Church Historic Site, we hit the first water station. Conveniently, we were right across the street from John’s Roast Pork. It’s almost the story of my life lately. Every time I get near this awesome eatery, I am either too early or I am too pressed for time to wait in line. At least the air was crisp and did not smell like food, just race success. Traveling up Front Street hitting mile-marker 4, there was the Mile 4 Cheer Party. Music, games, signs, fanfare galore. The incline was slight from being at water level just moments before. Hard to notice. Then I headed north on South Street. I remember all the time in my younger days visiting the various spots on South Street. But I don’t remember ever being there as the sun was rising. I found this really cool owning the street for the first time in a very, very long time.
Passing Starr Garden Park and the fire station, we turned onto Lombard Street. I remembered that my friends old apartment was nearby. As a matter of fact, I ran right past it! I took a walk break and sent a quick voice text to him and kept it going. Reminiscing waits for no one. From miles 5 through 6.5 I must of zoned out a little and just enjoyed myself. (I took a quick potty break after 10k into the race. Stay hydrated people.) We continued to head up Lombard and made a few turns. When I hit mile 7.25 my right calf cramped a little, but I was able to work it out.
I was in my own happy place running across the Walnut Street Bridge over the Schuykill River. Getting to the end of the bridge and seeing the FMC Building on the right, and Penn Park on left is a really good view. Getting to about 8.33 miles into the race my thighs started to tighten. The next water station was just in front of me, so some needed hydration, a drop in elevation, and I was back in the game.
Continuing up Walnut through the UPenn campus and turning onto 33rd Street, the next thing I knew we were running past Drexel. University City is really nice day or night. Mile 9 we passed Powelton Village and headed toward the Philadelphia Zoo and the dreaded inclines. I stuck with my plan for miles 9 and 10, and took my walk-breaks when needed. I tried my best to keep pace. After passing the Zoo and running across the Girade Avenue Bridge, I looked at the city skyline one more time, taking it all in. I look at the nice person next to me who had been with with me most of the way up to this point and said, “That view of the city never gets old.” She agreed and we all continued on.
Finally hitting the mile-10 marker getting into Fairmount Park, my tracking app had me two minutes slower than my average time at this distance. I was not really happy with myself as I hit the next hydration station. I changed my music, hoping that this would help my cadence for the final 5k. I was strong until 11.5 miles where even though it was mostly downhill, I really could have used another hydration station. Getting back onto Kelly Drive and heading for the finish, I felt like I was starting to hit a wall. At this point through 12.5 miles my calves decided to play the cramp and tired game. Left calf, then right calf. I had to back down a bit until the last hydration station. With about half-mile left, I knew I was close but yet it felt so far away.
Seeing the corner of the Art Museum and people gathering near the Rocky Statue I knew it was time to start digging deep. No more walk breaks. I was only about 3 blocks away from the finish line. Could hear the crowd and people cheering us. People shouting, “You got this!”, “The finish is right there!”, “Go big man!” I know I heard someone shout my name, probably from reading my bib. I kept digging trying to shift into 6th gear, but only could manage to get into 4th. I cruised into finishing the Philadelphia Half Marathon and finished my goal race! It felt great to get across all the timing pads. I also stopped my watch after a few seconds. I laughed a little to myself like I just broke some kind of record and needed my own watch to verify it. I shuffled over and moved out the way while my heart was still pounding from all the excitement. I finally did it. Ring da bell! They are all not glamorous, however, when you put in the work, it does pay off. Half Marathon is now done.
After the race I grabbed my gear and met up with David and Bryant of BMR. They talked me into hanging out in the warming tent for a bit. And I can tell you I needed that in the worst way. My muscles started seizing up from the cold temperatures and not moving around as much. Warming tents are just what the doctor ordered on this day. While we grabbed a table and put down our refreshments and snacks, I picked a spot to stretch. This helped a lot. Here is a little advice, recovery starts when you get done. Don’t be pig-headed. Take the time you need to cool and stretch-out properly so you do not turn yourself into a statue.
This weeks journey is done. Until the next running journey. #bighomieonthemove