Race for Hope 5K Philadelphia
November 1st, 2008. It’s been an eventful month. I hadn’t run a race in months and here it is, the fourth weekend in a row that I’m competing. Fran & I got up early for the trip to the Art Museum for the annual Race for Hope 5K run/walk that benefits Brain Tumor research. My aunt Sandy was diagnosed with a brain tumor many years ago and sadly, she lost her battle with this devastating disease just last week. Ironically, I just heard of this race after she passed and I felt strongly about running in her honor.
It was a beautiful morning to run but damn, it was COLD! We parked on the edge of Fairmount Park and walked down to the museum steps to pick up our numbers. There was actually another 5K that started on the opposite side of the museum at the same time.
As we waited around for the event to get underway, I was amazed at the number of people who were streaming in. This was a bigger event than I thought and to date, by far the largest group that I had run with. We met up with Fran’s cousin John who was walking with some friends of his.
I had a good breakfast before I left the house and grabbed a bagel before the race. I was feeling good though still feeling the effects from my 5 miler last weekend. I knew I was pushing it.
9:00. Race time. The start was delayed for about 10 minutes due to some late entrants. The troops were getting antsy because of the February-like temps. 
I was up close to the front. They started and stopped the pump-up-the-crowd music three different times and people were getting pissed. As you might imagine, there was quite a glut of people at the beginning after the gun went off.
I spent the first mile or so avoiding other runners and jumping over cones. The conditions were good though. The course was flat and the scenery was great. We ran up River Drive across the river from Boathouse Row.
I grabbed a cup of water from a volunteer about a mile in and almost choked on it. That was it for beverages for me and I concentrated on the run the rest of the way.
After the turnaround halfway in, I started looking for Fran coming the other way. I eventually spotted her and we high-fived as we passed (Awwwwwww) :). Shortly after, the walkers entered the picture. Now granted, this was for a great cause and a lot of money was raised, but there were people all over the road! There were volunteers trying to keep the walkers on their side of the road, but there was so many of them. They were all lumped together, many with dogs and strollers. I think there was about 4000 walkers. It was a challenge to navigate. I got a little taste of what the Phillie’s championship parade was like.
I came in 227th out of 805 registered runners at 26:36. I was thinking beforehand that I could come in under 26 minutes but I’m not unhappy with my results. I was a bit tight and for the next two days I was HURTIN’.
I still have a pile of weight to lose. My focus has shifted from losing weight to eating the right foods and overall nutrition. I’m concentrating on building muscle which will help kick start the weight loss naturally. I want to send a thanks to Michelle at work who has also taken up a healthier eating regimen and is helping me stay out of the snack box.
I want to dedicate this race and post to my dear aunt Sandy who was a strong, fun, spritual person who lost her life way too early. I thank God that she is no longer suffering and she’s in a better place.
Next race is the Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving Day. I need a few weeks off 
– D.
Race for Hope Philadelphia 2008 official site:
http://bts.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=08_PA_HomePage
