past the wall running in Philadelphia by Kamal Elliott
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past the wall by Kamal Elliott
"We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves... 'No one can say, You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable."
- Roger Bannister
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Foreword The Schuylkill Banks The Schuylkill River Trail Fairmount Park Tracks The Runners Marathon Season
foreword W
alk down Spring Garden Street on a spring afternoon and you’ll notice them. Shorts or sweatpants, headphones or headbands, neon shirts or shirtless – runners are hard to miss. Philadelphia, in this runner’s opinion, provides enough trails and tracks to keep a jog interesting. Weaving in and out of city blocks onto grass and gravel has never been so easy. The Schuylkill Banks, River Trail, and Fairmount Park are more than enough to break up the monotony of the treadmill. “One of my favorite spots is the Girard Bridge,” said Evelyn Sorto, 30, who has been running for eight years. “I love running through that huge arch and then just seeing the Schuylkill and all of the people on the river, especially at sunset.” 3
Runners I’ve spoken to each have their own motivation for starting. Some started for family. “For us it’s really relaxing. It’s a time to cheer each other on after a big busy week. We talk about everything we can,” said Marcella M., 50, who runs with her daughter Mickela on Sundays. Others started for competition. “I ran track in high school, but I started to run long distance in 2013 for the [Tobacco Road Half Marathon],” said Daniel Graham. But it’s rare to find someone who began running just for fun. Let’s admit it; running certainly doesn’t start off feeling like “fun.” Many habitual runners start with a healthrelated goal in mind. “A couple of years ago, I was 265 pounds,” said David King, 29, who runs 100 miles a month. “I needed to make a change, so I started walking. Walking lead to running and now I’m out here 3 to 4 times a week.”
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Besides the obvious increase in lung capacity, running can help relieve stress, increase bone density, and strengthen your immune system. Even moderate activity can add a year to the average human life span. Increasing activity levels can add 3.7 years for men and 3.5 years for women, according to a long-running Framingham Heart study. Running (as opposed to conditioning or calisthenics) is an attractive exercise choice because it’s so easy to start. You don’t need equipment, or even a YouTube tutorial. Got shoes? Get going. It might be just what the doctor ordered. Let this book act as a runner’s guide to Philadelphia, even if you haven’t picked a reason yet. Whether for health or happiness, in snow or sun, a mile or a marathon, keep it up. You’ll get past the wall soon enough.
“A couple of years ago, I was 265 pounds,” said David King, 29, who runs 100 miles a month. “I needed to make a change, so I started walking. Walking lead to running and now I’m out here 3 to 4 times a week.”
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The Schuylkill Banks Tired of jogging at stoplights and weaving through crowded city blocks? The Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk offers a 2000-foot long pathway great for sprinting and biking. It gets crowded on the weekends. Come Early.
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The Schuylkill River Trail Starting around the South Street Bridge, wrapping behind the Museum of Art, and stretching past Boat House Row, the Schuylkill River Trail is a 25 plus mile scenic route in the heart of Philadelphia. With its many entrances and exits. It’s easy to incorporate into your workout.
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Fairmount Park Known for its steep slopes and green fields, Fairmount Park is an excellent place for hill and strength training. Cross Kelly Drive from boathouse row to add some verticality to your miles. 39
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Tracks Not everyone listens to music while running. Some only need the rhythm of their feet in order to concentrate. But for those that do, the perfect playlist can turn an afternoon jog into an adventure. Pop, EDM, Metal, Hip Hop, and even podcasts. Expect everything when it comes to music and exercise. Here are some favorite tracks from random Philadelphians.
“Request Denied” – El-P “Mind (feat. Kai)” – Skrillex & Diplo “Fortunate Son” – Creedence Clearwater Revival Kanye West & Jay-Z (Pandora Radio) “Grasslands” – Ramziod “Turn Up the Music” – Chris Brown “Formation” – Beyoncé “Get Innocuous” – LCD Soundsystem My Brother, My Brother and Me – Podcast Serial – Podcast
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Marcella M., 50, used to run with her older daughter. But after she graduated from college, she's too busy. Now she runs with Mickela, 15.
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Bob, 56, and Julia, 23, are father and daughter training for the Broad Street Run together.
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Bob is a runner of 18 years, Julia is in her first year.
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David King (left) started running to lost weight. Now he runs 100 miles a month.
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Sasha B., 28, started running to look good in a bikini.
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"It helps me eat pizza and ice cream and not gain weight"
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Frank E., 38, started running again to train for the Broad Street Run.
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Frank adds a mile every week as the race gets closer. He also runs for health. "I've got kids, I got to stay around"
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Mike M, a runner of 10 years, started running to get into shape.
His favorite spot is West River Drive
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Samantha Maye, a runner since middle school, thinks that racers-in-training should start off slow, and cross-train, for better results.
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Daniel Garham, a long-distance runner of 3 years, thinks that marathoners should dig deep and envision the finishline.
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Cassie Corby, 26, started running for weight loss two years ago. Now she is training for the chicago Marathon in October (2016)
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She listens to EDM during her runs
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Austin P., 26, has been running for 8 years. "The Olympics was the goal. I'm Still kind-of playing around with that."
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Lester C., started 6 months ago. "We should do this every Saturday"
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Marathon Season While it’s possible to find a competition year-round, the race schedule usually piles up during mid-spring, and before the holidays in the fall. Here’s a master list for the best races in Philly.
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March Philly Rabbit Run, at The Philadelphia Zoo
5k
Phillies Charities
5k
*Back on my Feet
5mi
Celebrate Casey
5k
Keiyo Soy Ministries, World Water Day
5k
Leprechaun Run
2mi / 5mi 73
April
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Donor Dash
3k/5k/10k
Point Breeze 5k
5k
Cherry Blossom 10k/5k
5k/10k
Love Run Philadelphia Half Marathon
13.1mi
*Philadelphia Stair Climb
50 Flight Stair Climb
Hot Chocolate 15k/5k Philadelphia
5k/15k
DePaul Dash
5k
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May Run to Rebuild
2mi/5k
Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure 1mi/5k
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Mayfair Fallen Heroes Run
5k
Philly Challenge Adventure Race
5k
*Broad Street Run
10mi
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June
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*TriRock Philadelphia
Triathlon
ODDyssey Half Marathon
13.1mi
Color Run – Philadelphia
5k Color Run
Color me Rad
5k Color Run
Wissahickon Trail Classic 10k
5k/10k
MuckFest MS Philadelphia
5k
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July / August
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*Color Vibe 5k
5k Color Run
Hunting Park Family Triathlon
Triathlon
Fairmount Park Triathlon
Triathlon
APMA 5k
5k
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Sept / Oct / Nov
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Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon
13.1mi
St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer
5k
Running for Answers
5k
Oktoberfest Half Marathon
13.1mi
*Philadelphia Marathon
13.1/26.2mi
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"Just like I hope to be a mother for the rest of my life, I hope to be a runner for the rest of my life." - Joan Benoit Samuelson
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