Ben Franklin Bridge 10K - November 1, 2009

Staring at the ceiling at 3am. It's raining outside. My nose is stuffed up, my chest is tight and it feels like my head is being squeezed. Just great, this was not good. The butterflies in my stomach were morphing into aliens. I was more than a little nervous.

Out of bed at 6am, dressed in my new running clothes and borrowed black Phillies hat, the girls were locked and loaded (read snug sports bra here), knee brace on, attempted to eat toast with peanut butter (suggested by Chrissy D.) and some yogurt. Not really happening. I took Dayquil so I could breathe and found an albuterol inhaler to take with me to open up my lungs. Several texts back and forth from Chrissy. Got good luck from hubby and left with number 577 pinned to my chest. My playlist was planned to play Britney's "3" around the time I should hit each new mile.

I should have taken into account the bridge closing traffic. I only live 12 minutes from the bridge. It took me 50 minutes to get close. Then I was directed into 2 (not 1) full parking lots. I was going to lose Chrissy soon because she was leaving her phone in the car. We were going to meet at the large Campbell's sign at Campbell's Field. The race was to start at 8:30am. When I got to the sign, the runners were being led to the starting line (8 blocks away). I couldn't find Chrissy. My phone rings and its her, she ran back to her car to call me. Meet at the front she says. Who knew there were two large Campbell's signs?

Finally, we find each other and take off running for the starting line (did you read where we ran for the start?) We get close and see that the race has started and we had to vault over the median on the bridge. Next came a mad dash through all of the walkers. I was trying to get my iphone to itunes, but the whole playlist flew by and landed on the crappy songs at the end (so much for my carefully timed playlist.)

By the time we broke through the walkers, and made it half way up the first side of the bridge, I couldn't breathe! I slowed way down and took a hit from the inhaler. Chrissy was shouting words of encouragement. Telling me to breathe in through my nose and out of my mouth. It would help if my nose wasn't stuffed. By midspan of the bridge, I didn't know if I could do this, my lungs were screaming. Another hit. (How many hits of an albuterol inhaler would cause SVT on an already overworked heart? hmmm) I told Chrissy to go ahead, don't wait for me. She stayed with me for the first mile and then I made her go. She asked if I was going to be okay. I didn't know how to answer her but nodded yes. With a smile and an "I'm sorry!" the 28 year old took off. What the hell had I gotten myself into, I'm 42 - what made me think I could start running at 42? The crowd started to cheer and I caught a glimpse of the first place finisher blur by me - on the other side of the bridge - OMFG! A few more people, then a whole military division, carrying the American flag and chanting one of those 1,2,3,4 songs.

I was now over the first incline and coming down to the first water station. Yes, I needed a drink. My mouth was so dry. I make the turn around and see volunteers holding gallon jugs and runners cupping their hands for a drink. Are you freakin' kidding me, they had run out of cups. I tried the hand cupping thing and ended up with more down the front of me. Oh well.

Back up the Philadelphia side of the bridge. I could feel my face getting red, I took my new Nike jacket off and tied it around my hips. I spotted a photographer at the top of the bridge and smiled and waved like nothing was wrong as I passed by. (I later purchased this pic, cause it looked pretty good :) Over the hump and downhill now. Can I do this? I saw that I was way behind my recent bridge times when I ran the pedestrian walk. I was doing this just to finish. Just to say that I could. However, it was very disconcerting to look over the bridge into the Field and see the winners already finished. First place was not in jeopardy, but I did not want to be last. That was for Lorraine. I saw on the website that an 80 year old woman named Lorraine had completed the race several years now, almost always in last place. You go girl. I was looking for Lorraine. I had joked that I would be run buddies with her. I had given myself 1 1/2 hours to do this, because after all, I was not a runner. Chrissy said "one hour" and I told her her good luck with that.

Exiting the bridge, I passed by 8 Rutgers students screaming encouragement and telling me "go Phillies hat." 3.1 miles down, 3.1 miles to go. The next water station actually had cups, but when I tried to drink it - I almost choked myself. Volunteers lined the way screaming encouragement - they really helped. Forced me to smile and give a thumbs up and pick up a little energy. I'd like to thank the cops who directed traffic with cigarettes dangling from there mouths, clapping an cheering for us - thanks for that big lungful of smoke - really needed that. Another hit. I actually ran between miles 4 and 5 in less than 12 minutes (read really fast for me) and knew I should probably slow down a little.

The next mile was the longest in history. We also ran through a an AFL-CIO convention. The people waiting to get into the Center were cheering for us. I turned into what looked like a back alley and saw the Navy ships. One more mile, I could do this! I passed by a blind man being directed by his son from behind. The son was riding a bike. I also passed by a little boy with his father(?). I later found out that he was 6 years old.

The cold wind was blowing - it was 51 degrees. The rain had stopped at the starting line, but my feet were soaked. Not too badly. I was taking inventory. Calves were okay, shins okay, ankles okay. Just the breathing was given me trouble. I spotted Campbell's Field. A couple of turns through the parking lot - dodging cars full of runners who were done and leaving. I turned into Campbell's Field and was overwhelmed emotionally. I almost started crying. I spotted Chrissy behind the finish line cheering me on. I looked up and saw that I was coming in at 1hour and 27 minutes. I actually beat the time I gave myself! (The chip time came back at 1:25.14 - even freakin' better!!!) I put the finishers' medal around my neck - I did it!

I said goodbye to Chrissy after she told me I could do the Broad Street 10 miler in May with her now - what's another 4 miles? I drove home all proud of myself. I couldn't wait to show my family my medal. Well, hubby was at the gym, my oldest was still in bed and my youngest comes up to me, wrinkles his nose and says "you smell funny." Yep, I did it!
P.S. Lorraine was there and she finished last. You go girl!!