As it is our tradition, we went to visit relatives to Philadelphia to celebrate Mother’s Day. Part of that tradition is to participate in the Susan Komen race/walk in the morning before we go to have a brunch.

We arrived to Philadelphia on Saturday evening after stopping at the friend’s birthday party in Langhorne, PA. As I checked my running gear and clothes and attached the bib, I realized I haven’t taken any warm sweats and have forgotten socks. The weather was very warm at the time of our departure, but in the evening it dropped and very strong wind (35 mph) blew. At least, I had my Boston marathon jacket.

On Sunday morning, we left the house early and parked at the row boat houses on Kelly Drive. We could have parked at the parking below the Philadelphia Museum of Arts, but this spot was only few hundred yards further from the race. I warmed up running up the hill to the start. The area around the water fountain was already bustling with people walking from one stand to another as they were giving away products. Some people did their weekly grocery shopping for yogurts, soft drinks, and iced tea.

When was the time to get to the starting line, I took off extra  clothes. It was 40° and windy. I just made it there when the horn sounded. For the 1st time, they used the chip timing technology. But having a chip wasn’t mandatory. They just charged extra $3 for it. I glanced at my watch and set the chrono time. I didn’t purchase the chip.

I didn’t position myself to the first 4 rows, so I couldn’t charge immediately. I didn’t know how fast I wanted to run. After about half mile in to the race I made up my mind based on my conditions and decided to run fast. I was passing groups of students and did mile 1 in 5:55 minutes. I caught 2 runners and hang with them the 2nd mile. We did it in 5:58 minutes. We caught 2 more runners as a group and left them behind. My 2 companions were gradually increasing the speed as they were now competing between themselves. I didn’t have enough strength for the finish and one of the runners behind me passed me few yards before the finish line. I didn’t see coming his strong finish.

My own unofficial time was 18:35. I didn’t use the chip, so I was named as John Doe with bib number 10374 finishing in 19:14. That was the time when I returned the bottom slip of my bib number. I liked the race. The cold didn’t matter until I had to wait 45 min. in a wet singlet and shorts for my walkers to finish their round. I refueled while waiting and then ran to the house, approximately 5 miles.