Run the Bridge 10K in Review
In the year leading up to my wedding, I made the commitment to shed a few of those college pounds gained from three consecutive years of the freshman-15. Running and sensible eating was my method of choice to loose weight. Sounds easy, eh? Not when running down one suburban block proved to be an entire workout.
Through a mixture of jogging and walking, I made my way up to one mile, and then two, working my way up to four and five miles a day. I lost a pound or two a week over the course of an entire summer. Forty pounds lighter, I decided to shift my running goal from weight loss to fitness.
I entered into my first 5K race for the Larc School back in 2000. I finished the 3.1 mile course in 28 minutes; that was a beautiful start to my lifelong passion for running. Soon thereafter I started to run with the Haddonfield Running Company, and, as they say, the rest is history.
This past month, the Haddonfield Running Company promoted the Run the Bridge 10K USATF sponsored event. This race was part of the Grand Prix circuit, which would bring out heavy competition for points and cash prizes. Most of the running crew registered for this race, and influenced me to do the same.
To my surprise, this race benefited the Larc School. This was my chance to revisit the race that started it all. John would be there, as well as many of the HRC running group. Couple good friends and competitors, a nostalgic race, and great weather, with a worthy charity, and you have the formula for a great race. Two thousand runners, walkers, supporters, organizers, and promoters made this event happen.
The runners densely toed up to the starting line, located immediately behind the toll booths on the Ben Franklin Bridge. Unfortunately this event was not chipped, so Jon, Leon, and I pushed our way toward the middle of the crowd. The front was strictly reserved for those competitors that were racing to place.
Before the official start, Jon and I usually joke about this and that. Our talk usually turns the heads of a few racers who join in the guffaws. A horn sounded, and hundreds of runners orchestrated their way over the bridge. The start was slow due to runners’ congestion, and our banter continued through the first mile. It’s a funny sight to see two us exchanging laughs as breathless runners are gasping for air.
Jon’s strategy was to run the first leg slow, pick up the second leg, and rely on guts to get him through the third. My strategy was a flip-flop of that- push forward for position on the bridge, maintain pace on the second leg, and use mind-over-body to carry through the third leg. Just before the first marker, I pushed ahead with a quick burst passing at nine minute; Jon passed at 10. Taking into consideration my average pace was 7:50, the first mile was noticeably slower.
The course went out and back on the bridge, down and around to the Tweeter Center, past Campbell Fields, and back on the street that runs parallel to the bridge. Although I couldn’t see Jon, I was worried that he would take me by surprise as he has done a few times before. This time I managed to maintain that minute’s worth of distance between us. Although I technically finished at 48:47, I wonder how my time would be different if it was based on chip rather than start time.
Above all, I am proud to compete in an event that contributes to a cause as worthy as the Larc School of South Jersey.
Through a mixture of jogging and walking, I made my way up to one mile, and then two, working my way up to four and five miles a day. I lost a pound or two a week over the course of an entire summer. Forty pounds lighter, I decided to shift my running goal from weight loss to fitness.
I entered into my first 5K race for the Larc School back in 2000. I finished the 3.1 mile course in 28 minutes; that was a beautiful start to my lifelong passion for running. Soon thereafter I started to run with the Haddonfield Running Company, and, as they say, the rest is history.
This past month, the Haddonfield Running Company promoted the Run the Bridge 10K USATF sponsored event. This race was part of the Grand Prix circuit, which would bring out heavy competition for points and cash prizes. Most of the running crew registered for this race, and influenced me to do the same.
To my surprise, this race benefited the Larc School. This was my chance to revisit the race that started it all. John would be there, as well as many of the HRC running group. Couple good friends and competitors, a nostalgic race, and great weather, with a worthy charity, and you have the formula for a great race. Two thousand runners, walkers, supporters, organizers, and promoters made this event happen.
The runners densely toed up to the starting line, located immediately behind the toll booths on the Ben Franklin Bridge. Unfortunately this event was not chipped, so Jon, Leon, and I pushed our way toward the middle of the crowd. The front was strictly reserved for those competitors that were racing to place.
Before the official start, Jon and I usually joke about this and that. Our talk usually turns the heads of a few racers who join in the guffaws. A horn sounded, and hundreds of runners orchestrated their way over the bridge. The start was slow due to runners’ congestion, and our banter continued through the first mile. It’s a funny sight to see two us exchanging laughs as breathless runners are gasping for air.
Jon’s strategy was to run the first leg slow, pick up the second leg, and rely on guts to get him through the third. My strategy was a flip-flop of that- push forward for position on the bridge, maintain pace on the second leg, and use mind-over-body to carry through the third leg. Just before the first marker, I pushed ahead with a quick burst passing at nine minute; Jon passed at 10. Taking into consideration my average pace was 7:50, the first mile was noticeably slower.
The course went out and back on the bridge, down and around to the Tweeter Center, past Campbell Fields, and back on the street that runs parallel to the bridge. Although I couldn’t see Jon, I was worried that he would take me by surprise as he has done a few times before. This time I managed to maintain that minute’s worth of distance between us. Although I technically finished at 48:47, I wonder how my time would be different if it was based on chip rather than start time.
Above all, I am proud to compete in an event that contributes to a cause as worthy as the Larc School of South Jersey.
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