Pillsbury Press: Philly's Love Run

After years of saying "I'd love to run the Philly Love Run," I decided to do it. The LOVE Run has a long history in Philadelphia as a fast and flat half-marathon. While I have done half marathons in the past, I knew this wasn't the year for me to train and do another one. I thought in the past they also offered a 5K version, but it feels like a lot of running around for a 5K. When I saw they were offering a 7.6K version, I signed up for it. (Get it, 76, as in the Spirit of 1776?)

While they offered an extra fee for packet pick up, I decided it would be just as easy to drive into Philly to pick up the bib. Of course, I had that thought months ago before seeing how busy life would become in the meantime. That said, I'm glad I went in for the race expo, where I also bought a red running bra, long-sleeved running shirt, and cheap running gloves. I ended up wearing the running shirt the next day -- a usual no-no. Don was my chauffeur we mapped out parking and how to get to the start line, and how long it would take to get to the start. It was also a nice day to walk around Philadelphia -- and gave us a bonus chance to enjoy the Jeni's in Center City.

Onto the race. I woke up before 5 AM to have breakfast before driving into Philadelphia. I was aiming to leave around 5:30, but (as usual) was running late and left closer to 6 AM for the 7:30 AM race time. Have no fear ... at that hour of the day it is only a 45 minute drive to the parking lot.

I missed my turn for the Vine Street Expressway and ended up taking back roads, but still hit no traffic. That is until there was a police car blocking the road two blocks from where I had reserved a parking spot, and there was no street parking along the road because (d'oh) a race is about to happen. Fortunately the police car moved out of my way and allowed me to go to what is now our favorite parking garage in Philadelphia (located on 21st Street near Market, they offer $8 parking for many hours when you book ahead of time with Spot Hero). I even found a legit parking space. Perhaps someday I'll take a picture of the crazy grid, I suspect they use valet parking during the work week, which is why it seems you could easily get blocked in with a parking space.

I left the parking garage and guided Amy from Delaware in the right direction to the start of the race. I lost Amy and her husband (boyfriend?) once we got to the crowd of 12,000 runners from 42 states and their fan clubs. I decided to leave my jacket in baggage check. A wise move as it was in the mid-40s and would warm up as the sun rose and as I ran. At times I wished I went with my first instinct and did not run with leggings. As is, I couldn't find my running tights, so these were more like yoga pants under my running skirt.

As is becoming a tradition with Philly races, I took my pre-race photo in front of the Rocky Statue. I then walked to Corral Orange (the one for the people planning to run the slowest time) and waited. And waited. And waited. Finally at 7:57, nearly 30 minutes after the fast people started, Corral Orange was given the green light. We watched in a mixture of envy and frustration as the fast runners hit the four-mile mark across the street from us.

Unlike the Hot Chocolate Run we did last year where the 5K runners started an hour before the 15K runners (not sure if this was to space us out because it was the first year racing since COVID hit the scene, or if that is what they always do), the 7.6K runners started with the Half-Marathon runners. Since we were spaced by anticipated pace, it wasn't easy to tell one from the other.

Both courses started in front of the Art Museum. We went down the Ben Franklin Parkway, turning onto JFK Boulevard to within a block of where I parked my car (agony!) then onto Market and three-quarters of the way around City Hall, to return to the Ben Franklin Parkway. I passed a man proposing to his girlfriend in front of the AMOR statue and wondered if they were done with the 7.6K race, or if he made her stop midrace and potentially ruined her PR.

Happily that is about the point where I saw the sign that said go RIGHT to do the Half Marathon, go LEFT to finish the 7.6K. I had a huge grin as I parted from the half marathoners and finished the race. I had such a big smile I overheard a dad say to his son "that's how you are supposed to finish the race." At least that's what I remember him saying. I just know I was very happy with how my race went, and even happier I was not continuing for another 8 1/2 miles. Always nice when you make a decision and it is still the right one weeks later.

I finished in about an hour, which was my goal. No matter how long it took, though, it was a guaranteed PR as I have never done a 7.6K race before (works out to 4.72 miles).

Highlights for me include passing under the Belgian Flag, seeing the giant clothespin statue, feeling strong enough to do this race, and stopping at the end to take a selfie with both the AMOR and LOVE statues. I didn't bump into anyone I know (though there must have been people there I know), but that was okay. This one was for me.

Post race food was MUCH better at the Hot Chocolate Run, as was the swag. The LOVE run's t-shirt is see-through white. Will wear my new red sports bra underneath it. I did like that the food swag included Peanut Butter Tandy Cakes (by TastyKake) and heart-shaped pretzels.

Some pictures: