Running
Update:
11/1/2019
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Run
|
3.2 mi
|
31:48
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|
11/3/2019
|
Run
|
5.0 mi
|
48:25
|
|
11/4/2019
|
Run
|
3.2 mi
|
29:43
|
|
11/6/2019
|
Run
|
5.0 mi
|
47:35
|
|
11/8/2019
|
Run
|
5.0 mi
|
45:55
|
|
11/11/2019
|
Run
|
5.0 mi
|
46:05
|
|
11/13/2019
|
Run
|
10.3 mi
|
1:41:04
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|
11/15/2019
|
Run
|
5.0 mi
|
47:02
|
|
11/17/2019
|
Run
|
7.6 mi
|
1:13:25
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11/20/2019
|
Run
|
3.2 mi
|
30:10
|
|
11/23/2019
|
Run
|
13.1 mi
|
2:02:58
|
A bit
unexpectedly, I ran the Philadelphia Half this past weekend! I've always
been curious about the Philly Marathon because it's in mid-November and
guaranteed to be cool, and I confess because I knew that in the past the medal
was a replica Liberty Bell that really rang :) After the Marine Corps Marathon
was a rainy bust, I didn't want to waste all my fall training, and Philly gave
me a full month to recover from the MCM. I signed up last minute, drove
down Friday night, ran the race Saturday morning, and drove back Saturday
afternoon. My friend Emily (one of my rockin’ college roommates) lives
there, so I got to have dinner with her the night before the race and brunch afterwards.
 |
| My dear friend Emily |
 |
| Had to bundle up. Pro-tip: wearing surgical booties with a hand warmer tucked inside will keep your running shoes toasty warm while waiting for a the race to start. |
What a
great event in an awesome city! The race was really well organized,
mostly flat, scenic, and had lots of
spectators. It was bright and sunny for the half marathon (unlike the following
day, which was rainy for the full marathon) and it was cool, in the 30s. The race started at Eakins Oval in
front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (AKA the “Rocky” steps). Champion marathoners Meb Keflezighi (who I once met at the Vermont City Marathon) and Desiree Linden were there at the start to
see us off. Early on we ran past Philadelphia
City Hall (incidentally, the largest municipal building in the world) at the intersection
of Market and Broad Streets.
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| Philadelphia City Hall |
Next, we passed Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell where we were greeted by Ben Franklin himself (an actor in period garb) who gave high fives to the runners. We ran through the lovely Old City to the waterfront, along the Delaware River, and back through Center City and Rittenhouse Square. Then we headed over the Schuylkill River into University City near the University of Pennsylvania, past the Philadelphia Zoo, up into hilly Fairmount Park and then finally downhill back along the Schuylkill to the finish line at the Oval.
I ran
2:02:58! It's not a PR, but it's my best time since the 2018 NYC
Half. I felt good. (And the medal DOES have a bell that rings!)
 |
| Check out the video below! |
After a warm shower and change back at my hotel, I met Emily for brunch and a tour of her neighborhood. How did I not know about Philadelphia’s murals? Philly has a series of stunning building-size public murals located all around the city. They are simply gorgeous.
In one of
the more important moments of my visit, I got to meet Emily’s new cats!
 |
| Look at this handsome boy! |
I was back home in a little over 24 hours and would totally do it again. Thank you, Philadelphia!
Jane
Update:
Jane is scheduled
for her MRI December 11 here in Connecticut to follow up the new abdominal mass
that was discovered during our visit to NIH in September. We are hoping for no change—that would be a
nice early Christmas present.
NF
Update:
In happier NF
news, the FDA accepted the submission of selumetinib, Jane’s study medication, for
review on November 14th!
 |
| Jane and her friend, Phillip |
FDA approval
is a long and complicated process which I still don’t fully understand, but
this infographic helps:
We've just passed Step 8 of a 12-Step process. Jane entered the picture all the way back at Step 3. Getting closer.
~~~
On a
non-running, non-NF note, this is our first Thanksgiving without our dear Aunt
Anne. I bought a bouquet of her favorite
flowers today to have her with us <3
Once you’ve
enjoyed your Thanksgiving turkey and done your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping,
don’t forget Giving Tuesday! You can
always donate to our favorite charity, the Children’s Tumor Foundation here: www.KRath4Jane.com
Happy
Thanksgiving, everyone <3
