~Philadelphia Marathon 11/23/08~

[CynthiaCindy]

Hello!
Kind of quiet here today. Is There Anybody Out There? - Pink Floyd

I'm here (at work of course). Still working really long hours, but I did get my tempo run in this morning. Felt really good. I really want to shoot for a sub 2 hour half at the National Half (and by sub, I mean 1:59:59), which is a bit aggressive for me, but I'm encourage by how well my intervals and tempo runs have gone this week.

Mike - Guess I avoided the crazy wind - I didn't run yesterday. It was an optional day on my schedule. There are 4 scheduled days, 2 optional days, and 1 day off. I've decided to only do the four days for the next couple of weeks since my training for the last couple of weeks has been less than stellar and I don't want to do too much too fast and get hurt.

Back to work!

 

[Optimator]

We are kind of quiet around here, aren't we?

Lou - Good job putting the 4 in at home instead of just bailing.

Cindy - You need a new job, sister! It's getting in the way of your running! What's your fastest half to date? Are you going to run the National half with your DH or do you run your own races (by that I mean you run your pace and he runs his)?


I got 6+ pretty easy miles in this evening. Nothing exciting or noteworthy.

See ya!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

It is getting quiet around here. Not much to report for me. Took a rest day yesterday... hip still bugging me. No runing in the near future. I'm so impressed with all of you that have been able to jump right into training again after WDW weekend. WTG! I'm getting a little frustrated with my hip, but what can you do.

Cindy- Go for it with breaking 2 hours at the National Half Marathon. You can do it based on the pace you've been running...

If anyone wants to take a break on a Friday, check out my photos and vote... Jodi, did you check out my photos? Jodi please check out my photos...

DIS UNPLUGGED PODCAST PHOTO CONTEST
Please vote for my Podcast Photo Contest Pics! I'm grovelling for my friends/teammates to check out some of my photos and vote if you like any. Thanks. If you want to vote for a photo, I think you need to log into the photopost site. Click the login link in the upper right hand corner of the blue box.

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=93578

 

[Jodi]

Ooohhhh, it's all deserted & everything around here...lookout for that tumbleweed!!

Hey to all my near & dear DisBots!

I guess everyone's a little deflated after Goofy, I know I am. I'm not sure what my race future entails...sorry girls, but I don't know if I'm going to be able to swing the Minnie . I'm still hoping, though. Cleveland's out. The only thing I know for sure is Philly!! Oh, & I made DVC ressies for the Yeti race (had to borrow points & not sure I'll actually sign up).

Still trying to run...5 yesterday, CT Weds, 5 Tues., rest Mon. 4 tough ones on Sun. (trying to keep up w/ Bruce ).

I think tomorrow is supposed to be super nice & warm (40) so I should put some serious miles in (8 ).

Dave - I saw all your pictures & voted...at least I thought I did, can't you see who voted or not? I kinda don't understand the contest...does the podcast people (Kevin, John, Pete, etc) decide the ultimate winner or does it go by votes?

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Ooohhhh, it's all deserted & everything around here...lookout for that tumbleweed!!

Hey to all my near & dear DisBots!

I guess everyone's a little deflated after Goofy, I know I am. I'm not sure what my race future entails...sorry girls, but I don't know if I'm going to be able to swing the Minnie . I'm still hoping, though. Cleveland's out. The only thing I know for sure is Philly!! Oh, & I made DVC ressies for the Yeti race (had to borrow points & not sure I'll actually sign up).

Still trying to run...5 yesterday, CT Weds, 5 Tues., rest Mon. 4 tough ones on Sun. (trying to keep up w/ Bruce ).

I think tomorrow is supposed to be super nice & warm (40) so I should put some serious miles in (8 ).

Dave - I saw all your pictures & voted...at least I thought I did, can't you see who voted or not? I kinda don't understand the contest...does the podcast people (Kevin, John, Pete, etc) decide the ultimate winner or does it go by votes?

It doesn't seem like your votes registered Jodi. I can see the names of everyone who left comments, and I don't see your name listed anywhere. To be honest, I don't really know how the winners are going to be selected either. I think the Podcast people are going to pick winners, maybe from the ones that get the most votes (but maybe not ). Seems like the more votes you get, the better chance you have of getting your photo noticed by the podcast crew. I'm not holding my breath for any prizes though. Be prepared for the worst, and then your surprised if something different happens. That's my motto...

 

[SilverE]

Hi Guys!

It has been been quiet around here; I know this because I can actually keep up with the thread. I've been doing a little running and I have a 10-mile race this Sunday morning; the weather is supposed to be (relatively) warmer. Last year the start temp was 12 degrees; this year it should be nearly 30.

I know this may be early for some, but I'd like to lock up a hotel for Philly. I've checked the ones that Lou recommended; Marriott was around $190/night and Embassy Suites 208/night (AAA rates).

I think it would be fun for all the Philly runners to try and stay at the same hotel. Any suggestions out there? Anyone already made ressies?

Have a great day everyone.

 

[CynthiaCindy]

What's your fastest half to date? Are you going to run the National half with your DH or do you run your own races (by that I mean you run your pace and he runs his)?

I've only run 1 half and it was a 2:08. I know that is a long way off a 2 hour half, but it really wasn't my best race. It was over 70 degrees, I started off WAY too fast, etc. I'm not making excuses, just trying to explain why I think a 2 hour half is even possible. The training schedule I am using includes lots of running close to or even faster than race pace, so I think I'll have a better sense in a few weeks (as the runs get longer) if it makes sense to even attempt it.

DH and I never run together. He is much faster than I am. I think he is shooting for a sub 8 minute mile for the half.

Have you actually registered for the National Marathon yet?

Cindy- Go for it with breaking 2 hours at the National Half Marathon. You can do it based on the pace you've been running...

Dave - Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I don't think it is actually true. My last 5k would indicate a 2 hour half, but my last 10k (although that was a terrible race and I again started out way too fast) was at an average pace that is actually slower than what I'll need to get a 2 hour half.

Jodi - You are abandoning the Minnie in favor of the 5K!

 

[CynthiaCindy]

I know this may be early for some, but I'd like to lock up a hotel for Philly. I've checked the ones that Lou recommended; Marriott was around $190/night and Embassy Suites 208/night (AAA rates).

I think it would be fun for all the Philly runners to try and stay at the same hotel. Any suggestions out there? Anyone already made ressies?

I agree it would be nice to all stay in the same hotel. My only hotel request would be staying somewhere near the finish line - so that we can walk back after the race. I think Sara had some suggestions from a friend of hers before and I assume Lou would know what is close to what.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I know this may be early for some, but I'd like to lock up a hotel for Philly. I've checked the ones that Lou recommended; Marriott was around $190/night and Embassy Suites 208/night (AAA rates).

I think it would be fun for all the Philly runners to try and stay at the same hotel. Any suggestions out there? Anyone already made ressies?

Have a great day everyone.

Steve- I think it'd be fun to all stay together in the same hotel too. Sara, Jodi, and I were in the same hotel in DC, and it made it easy to go over to the expo together, meet to go over to the start, etc. I love Embassy Suites! I'd cast my vote for that one.

Dave - Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I don't think it is actually true. My last 5k would indicate a 2 hour half, but my last 10k (although that was a terrible race and I again started out way too fast) was at an average pace that is actually slower than what I'll need to get a 2 hour half.

Cindy- Boy, I thought for sure you were consistently running sub 9 min miles in your training. I still think you can do it. I think your pace is about the same as mine, and I ran a 1:58 half at the Flying Pig in Cincinnati last year. It was close, but I made it.

OK, I gotta run to a meeting.

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Cindy- Boy, I thought for sure you were consistently running sub 9 min miles in your training. I still think you can do it. I think your pace is about the same as mine, and I ran a 1:58 half at the Flying Pig in Cincinnati last year. It was close, but I made it.

Dave - you are too nice - you are much faster than me. And as for the sub 9 min miles, not so much, more like sub 10.

I meant to add earlier - for your hip. I imagine it must be very annoying to have to deal with that.

 

[Theta]

Jodi - You are abandoning the Minnie in favor of the 5K!

My thoughts exactly! Hey, come to Minnie and then we can ride EE until the cows come home! (OK, Mike, have at it!)

I really like Embassy Suites as well! Gotta love the free hot breakfast and sometimes they have happy hour too! If we book that hotel, I am going to need a roommate! Any takers?

Finished my first full week of work and I SURVIVED! Next week I get to scrape gum from under the cafeteria tabletops!

Only walked twice this week, nothing else to report. I always get into these funks after a marathon. It takes me about 6-8 weeks before I get 'feelin' the love' again.

I am off to another swim meet with DD8 this weekend. We have a super group of parents that are a lot of fun, not as fun as you guys, but we have a great time together, on and off the pool deck! (Serving another one up Mike. )

Toodles! I am going shopping!

 

[SilverE]

My only hotel request would be staying somewhere near the finish line - so that we can walk back after the race.

Embassy Suites: just measured on Google Earth: only .9 miles from the hotel to the front steps of the Art Museum. The Marathon starts/finishes near the museum, so the Suites are close! Also, if you go on the Embassy Suites Philly site and take the room photo tour, you can see the art museum beyond the balcony in one of the pics (kinda cool )

 

[rKyDeX]

Embassy Suites: just measured on Google Earth: only .9 miles from the hotel to the front steps of the Art Museum. The Marathon starts/finishes near the museum, so the Suites are close! Also, if you go on the Embassy Suites Philly site and take the room photo tour, you can see the art museum beyond the balcony in one of the pics (kinda cool )

Embassy Suites sounds good to me too. Just let me know when everyone is signing up for reservations.


Chester
W.I.S.H. Half-Fast Missing Yeti Cheese Steak Marathon Expedition Team

 

[lourodrigis]

Embassy Suites: just measured on Google Earth: only .9 miles from the hotel to the front steps of the Art Museum. The Marathon starts/finishes near the museum, so the Suites are close! Also, if you go on the Embassy Suites Philly site and take the room photo tour, you can see the art museum beyond the balcony in one of the pics (kinda cool )

The Embassy Suites is probably your best best if you are looking to get close to the start/finish. The Sheraton (formerly Wyndam Franklin Plaza Hotel) is pretty close as well. I put a picture below that I took a few years ago from the top of City Hall that shows the Art Museum and these hotels.

Kira also mentioned that there is a Comfort Inn (http://www.comfortinn.com/ires/en-US/html/HotelInfo?hotel=PA405) on Columbus Blvd that is pretty reasonable. You would just have to cab it to the race because it is too far (20+ blocks) to walk.

I'd shoot for the Embassy. I know clients that have stayed there and always liked it. You do get the breakfast and happy hour (as recently as 2 years ago).

Lou

 

[SilverE]

The Embassy Suites is probably your best bet if you are looking to get close to the start/finish.

Lou, Thanks for the cool photo!

OK Philly runners, I just went ahead and booked myself a room at the Embassy Suites. I booked for Fri. and Sat. nights, but I'm probably going to fly down Saturday on Southwest from Manchester, NH (they fly direct to Philly) and head back home at a Jodi-esque few hours after the Sunday race.

Only 9 and a half months to square away our dinner reservation for the night before.

 

[Theta]

OK Philly runners, I just went ahead and booked myself a room at the Embassy Suites. I booked for Fri. and Sat. nights, but I'm probably going to fly down Saturday on Southwest from Manchester, NH (they fly direct to Philly) and head back home at a Jodi-esque few hours after the Sunday race.

Only 9 and a half months to square away our dinner reservation for the night before.

Looks like someone is getting a little excited!!

 

[Theta]

Here is/was the information on the Philly marathon website from last year. I guess a person could call and see if they have marathon rates out for 2008.

EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL CENTER CITY
Sold Out
(1 mile from race start/finish line)
1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway at Logan Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103
1.800.EMBASSY
215.561.1776
$159.00 Single/Double, $179 Triple, $199 Quad

 

[Theta]

OK, just called and the agent said she does see it in her system but it cannot be booked yet t as the "Marathon agreement" has not yet been signed. She said since it is already in her system, it may be available next week.

I asked if she could see a rate and she said yes King Suite at $169.

 

[SilverE]

OK, just called and the agent said she does see it in her system but it cannot yet be booked, the "Marathon agreement" has not yet been signed. She said since it is already in her system, it may be available next week.

I asked if she could see a rate and she said yes King Suite at $169. This may just be for one person.

Thanks Colleen! That is a much better rate; I'll call next week.

 

[Jodi]

OH, there you all are!! I'm all for the Embassy Suites, guys. I say we put Colleen in charge of getting us a special room rate . NOW I'm excited!!