Philadelphia Marathon Weekend: Let's check out some art along the way!

Hi Everyone! Happy Wednesday!

Hope you are all well!

Did you know that there’s art in this building? 🤣

“I’ve been running up and down these steps for 20 years and never knew there was valuable picture’s in this building” Sylvester Stalone as Rocky, in Rocky V, regarding the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend has plenty of sightseeing to do over the weekend. We’ll be passing by plenty of it.

Of course, if you want to do the famous “Rocky Steps” up to the museum, we’ll be right by them. The start/finish area is right in front of the museum, we’ll see the museum in passing during the races, and it’s only 1.4 miles from the expo if you want to do the steps on a non race day.. And of course, be sure to stop by to see Rocky (to the right side of the museum).

Info if you would like to enter the museum to check out some of the art: https://philamuseum.org/

We will also see plenty of art along the courses as well. Did you know that Philly is the ‘Mural Capitol of the World”? Over 4000 works of public art!

Source: https://www.discoverphl.com/blog/city-of-murals/

There is also a newer mural dedicated to runners! Manayunk is one of my favorite parts of the course as there is a huge party to lift you up as I usually hit the wall. The mural dedicated to runners was revealed in 2019. I have seen this beautiful piece in passing and can’t wait to get a pic by it someday!

Source: https://www.muralarts.org/.../philadelphia-marathon-mural/
Photo cred: Steve Weinik

Join me for the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, let’s check out some art along the way!

Reminder that as a #PhillyMarathonAmbassador, I have a discount code for $15 off the half marathon, full marathon, or any of the challenges, hit me up!

Have a great day everyone!

Philadelphia Marathon Weekend: Distances For All Levels of Running

Hi Everyone!

Hope you are well!

The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend has distances for everyone. An 8k, half marathon, marathon, and multiple combinations of distance challenges.

Let’s talk about the 8k. (presented by Rothman Orthopeadics). 8k translates to approx 4.97 miles. (if you are unsure of the metric to mi conversion.)

5 miles.. It’s an excellent distance if you are new to the world of running, an experienced runner working on speed, or looking to add on to one of the other distances. It’s a great way to participate in the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend for all levels of running.

I can relate to a few of these scenarios.

Before I started running for the sake of running, I started with a walk, progressed to a walk/run, to eventually a run. Couple miles to start and progressively adding from there. Enjoyed the continuous challenges and ups and downs. Once I got to about this distance, I continued to focus on form and then speed. 5 mi is still a large part of my training.

From a longer distance standpoint, the Rothman Orhtopeadics 8k can also be combined in:

Patriot Challenge (approx 18 mi): Dietz and Watson Half Marathon, followed by the Rothman Orthopeadics 8k.

18 miles in one day. This is an excellent challenge in my opinion. Marathon training is great, but for me, that wall always exists beyond that 20 miler. 18 is a nice sweet spot.

After my first half marathon, I continued rotating through the training plan for almost a yr and had an epiphany moment that had me searching for a full marathon plan. Entry/mid level plans, which often top out around 20 mi. If you are comfortable doing halfs and working your way up to a full, 18 mi is a great way to build up your miles towards a marathon.

Independence Challenge (approx 31.2 mi): Rothman Orthopeadics 8k on Saturday, followed by the AACR Philadelphia Marathon the next day. If you normally do a few warm up miles the day before your marathon, this will definitely add to the excitement!

Freedom Challenge (approx 44.3 mi): Dietz and Watson half marathon, Rothman Orthopeadics 8k, followed by the AACR Philadelphia Marathon the next day.

This one I cannot relate to, if you are up for a full, plus a half, plus an 8k, hats off to you!

Remember, we all started from somewhere, whether it’s 5mi or 44.3 mi. What got you started and what keeps you going?

Race information can be found here: https://www.philadelphiamarathon.com/races/

And remember, as a #PhillyMarathonAmbassador, I have a discount code for $15 off the half marathon, full marathon, or any of the challenges. Hit me up for the code!

Have a great day everyone!

Philadelphia Marathon: Flat and fast.. but let's do hills anyway!

Hi Everyone! Happy Wednesday!

So.. Let’s talk about hills.. Did you know that the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend courses are regarded as “flat and fast”?!  (and of course the full marathon is a certified Boston Qualifier, if you are chasing that).

While the course is regarded as “flat and fast” there are a couple noteworthy hills and some inclines. Course elevation map here. 

Despite my fall races being rated as “flat and fast”, I know there are benefits to hill training and am sure to incorporate hills into most of my training. I am constantly chasing monthly hill challenges and my overall elevation gain from the previous year. 

Benefits of hill training:

• Improvements in VO2 Max, Heart Rate, and Race Performance 
• Improves strength, muscular endurance and fatigue resistance
• Improved ability to tolerate increased muscle acidity

Sources: womensrunning.com; training4endurance.co.uk

While I may work in hills often, I will admit it’s definitely a Love/Hate relationship. I actually pass a security camera at the top of one of my toughest hills. Some days I will smile/wave in victory, or a blah wave in misery. Either way, at the end of the day I know that hills serve a purpose, and will pay off in speed and in the long run. Pun intended.

Do you incorporate hills into training? More of a Love or Hate? Lol..

Reminder, as a #phillymarathonambassador, I have a discount code for $15 of the half marathon, full marathon, or any of the challenges, hit me up!

Have a great day everyone!

Philadelphia Marathon Weekend: soon time to pick a training plan!

Hi Everyone, Happy Wednesday!

It may be hard to think about training for the fall now as summer temps are picking up, but It’s soon time to start following a training plan. 

Have you signed up for your fall races yet?! Now’s the time. The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend is approx 22 weeks out. If you follow a 20 week training plan, it’s time to find the plan that’s right for you and register! 

The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend site has training plans available at: https://www.philadelphiamarathon.com/training/

Join me in the city of brotherly love!

If you have any questions, let me know!

And don’t forget, I have a discount code for $15 off the half marathon, full marathon, or any of the challenges. Hit me up for the code!

Have a great day everyone! 

Announcement: Philadelphia Marathon Weekend Ambassadorship

Hi Everyone! Happy Monday!

I am honored and excited to be a part of Philadelphia Marathon Weekend as an ambassador!

I'm a huge fan of all things Philadelphia. Sports teams, city history, landmarks, skyline, food, and in general. The Philadelphia Marathon was my first marathon and will always be near and dear to me. It’s very well organized, an awesome tour of the city, and excellent fan support, especially when I begin to hit that wall, the roar of the crowd in Manayunk picks you up to send you on your way to the finish line.

The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend has 8k (presented by Rothman Orthopedics), Half Marathon (presented by Dietz and Watson, and Marathon (presented by AACR) options, as well as children’s activities and run (presented by Dunkin’)

I look forward to sharing Philadelphia Marathon Weekend news updates with you, as well as my journey.

Hope to see you out there! If you haven’t signed up yet, please do! I will also be receiving a discount code to share with you upon request. ;)

If you have any questions, please let me know! 

Have a great day everyone!