If you’re a runner, chances are you either already have – or one day will – set out to beat your personal best at marathons. Whether your sights are set on a half-marathon, an entire full-marathon, being part of a relay team, or conquering any distance, striving for any kind of personal best at marathons is a powerful motivator.
My personal best came unexpectedly once, when I was on the road. Visit Philadelphia organized a media tour during their marathon weekend. They invited esteemed journalists, bloggers, and influencer runners from all over North America. They also invited me.
While I considered myself active, and a runner, I didn’t consider myself to be any kind of expert on the subject. I mostly ran for pleasure. For mental health. For fitness. For the challenge. And, I think above all, I ran for the adventure.
Coming together to promote active travel
This trip was meant to promote the notion of ‘active’ travel. I encountered a whole breed of people who plan yearly vacations around marathons, expos, and other such gatherings. They are constantly striving for their personal best at marathons.
I also encountered Olympians. Becuase that particular year, Visit Philadelphia had put on a special event called ‘Run With Olympians’. It consisted of a four-mile warm-up run the day before the actual Philadelphia Marathon, where we would be running alongside Olympic runners Tim Broe, Carrie Tollefson, and Todd Williams.
Running with actual Olympians
Now, I’m a recreational runner at best. I’m proud to say that I completed five half-marathons during my illustrious and forgettable running career. The fastest, and final half-marathon, allowed me to finally break the two-hour barrier. After officially clocking in with my official time of 1:59:54, at a pace that nearly killed me, I promptly vowed to never run a half-marathon ever again.
But there I was in Philadelphia, at yet another marathon, about to hit the road with elite athletes. I was going to run with Olympians! This alone was inspiring. It definitely made me want to do better. In fact, it made me want to do my very best at the official run I was scheduled for.
During the four-mile run with Olympians, I will admit that I didn’t actually run WITH them. It was more like running BEHIND them. Also running AFTER them. But I assure you, the dust I ate belonged to actual Olympians. To me, that alone was inspiring.
Philadephia Marathon
Philadelphia Marathon weekend takes place in November each year. In addition to the traditional distance of 26.2 miles, it offers a half-marathon, and an eight kilometer run – the distance I willingly signed up for.
Philadelphia’s race course is relatively flat and considered ‘fast’ by marathon standards. It’s known on the running circuit as a place to go to chase your personal best. It is also dubbed the ‘course of history’ in showcasing some of the city’s most significant sites.
Winding along Philly’s extensive waterfront, it provides a view of Penn’s Landing on the banks of the Delaware, and the Fairmount Water Works on the Schuylkill River. This legendary landmark opened in 1815, and houses huge water wheels, turbines and pumps in a series of buildings that resemble Greek temples.
The marathon starts and ends at the most iconic spot in the entire city – the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Its steps were made famous by the Rocky movies, and people still flock there every single day to retrace Rocky Balboa’s inspiring run.
Running in the footsteps of Rocky
I gladly took my turn up the Rocky steps. Once on top, looking out over the Philadelphia skyline, I danced around and jumped up-and-down with my arms in the air. Just like Rocky did.
I didn’t care if I looked silly! Because it was one of the most memorable moments of my life. Turns out the eight kilometer race I ran that weekend was also one of the most memorable moments of my life.
I ended up running my very-best personal best that day. It was the fastest speed I’d ever run in my entire life. So impressive that it surprised the heck out of me! A speed that I’ve yet to beat ever since. And at this point, probaby never will.
This can only lead me to conclude that I must have encountered some magic that day. I must have found some real inspiration on those Philly streets.
Just like Rocky did.
