Back on My Feet 5 Miler Race Recap (31:10)
The Back on My Feet 5 Miler or BOMF 5 Miler is a big race in Philadelphia. Not only that, but the proceeds from the race, BOMF 5 Miler, go to support their services and build a stronger and happier community. The Philadelphia chapter of Back on My Feet is committed to building and improving the self-sufficiency for those experiencing homelessness. Now, the Back on My Feet 5 Miler partners with the Blue Cross Broad Street Run. Back on Mt feet is truly an incredible resource and provides services to improve so many people’s lives.
Oh how to even begin the Back on My Feet 5 Miler. It started out a few days ago when I found out race registration closed early online..IE: I had to pay more race day. I knew this was not going to a PRing race nor did I really intend for it to be. What I wanted was a solid speed workoutat the Back on My Feet 5 Miler that would tune me up for my upcoming half marathon. Despite wind, rain and not feeling the greatest, I had a good race.
On to Back on My Feet 5 Miler Race Day:
Before the Back on My Feet 5 Miler:
My husband and I got lost and couldn’t find the start of the Back on My Feet 5 Miler in downtown Philly. Since we live in the only forest section of NJ, cities aren’t really our thing. I thought I left my watch at home and then we found ourselves at the starting line of the CGI half marathon (a half marathon on Sunday). Then I found my watch, it started pouring rain and we went for a warm up.
Warmup of the Back on My Feet 5 Miler:
I felt awful during the warm up for the Back on My Feet 5 Miler and immediately noticed everything that was going to be unpleasant about this race. IE: I felt awful, it was windy and pouring rain. I think I whined the entire warmup.
The Back on My Feet 5 Miler:
I chatted with Leslie before the race. After a rather humerous start to the Back on My Feet 5 Miler, we were off. The first mile was flat and I ran a 6:12. I felt okay (not great but not terrible). Since we were running parallel to the river, the wind was blowing off and on from the water. I was 5th female overall at this point and for a smaller race I was somewhat surprised (the first two ladies were fast…maybe 5:45ish? ). It’s always nice to have a stacked race though. I found myself in a decent crowd of people.
The second mile of the Back on My Feet 5 Miler was into the wind and up a hill. This was not fun. I ran a 6:30 mile. There was some man grunting and drafting off of me. I looked down at my watch and saw a 6:30 mile. It was honestly a bit upsetting since I have recorded faster miles in my last two half marathons. To see that mile split in a 5 miler bummed me out. I tried to remind myself that we were running up a hill and it was windy. (keyword being tried).
Third and fourth miles of the Back on My Feet 5 Miler went by pretty fast. Somewhere during these miles I mactrucked my way into 3rd female where I stayed. We did a 180 turn and headed back towards the start of the Back on My Feet 5 Miler. Both miles were a bit faster (6:14) so that was a little better for my motivation.
The final mile was absolutely lovely (no) since you could see the finish line when you crossed mile 4 of the Back on My Feet 5 Miler. It was windy, rainy and along a river (the same as mile 1). Staring at the finish line of the Back on My Feet 5 Miler for an entire mile in a 5 miler was rough. I just kept counting down the seconds to the finish.
I crossed the Back on My Feet 5 Miler finish in 31:10 and 3rd female overall. (but not before being outkicked by a male in the last .05) I cannot complain about that time granted the conditions. If it was nice weather, I would assume I would be in the 30:30 range (by assume I mean really hope). I am excited to get some shorter races in this summer and see what I can do tapered and in better conditions.
Back on My Feet 5 Miler Thoughts:
BOMF was a good race and a nice tune up for Atlantic City half next weekend. I wasn’t expecting a PR and didn’t taper for this race. Despite my sarcastic drenched recap, I had a great time at the Back on My Feet 5 Miler. It was my first race in Philly! I knew this wouldn’t be a PR, I was just hoping it would be faster then my half marathon pace.
It was also great to see so many different people. I honestly wish that it wasn’t pouring rain so that we could have chatted for more than a second. I guess this means I’ll have to adventure in Philadelphia again sometime soon.
So in short: It was nice to finally do a shorter race and a race in Philadelphia. It was still fun despite being windy and rainy.
Questions for you:
Do you like running in rain? Have you run the Back on My Feet 5 Miler?
Do you describe yourself as a city or country person?
I honestly love where we live in NJ. Close to bigger cities like Philadelphia but not too close that it’s hectic and gives me road rage.
Great great time! Under those conditions especially (rain, no taper, saving strength for the half).
I hate running in the rain, and I’m definitely a city girl!
Great time! Keep developing and you might not be far from taking a shot at qualifying in the marathon for Olympic trials in a year or so
Congrats lady – and way to stay in it despite the rotten conditions!
That is a FANTASTIC time! Kudos doll! I need a running partner like you in my life!
I typically will not run in the rain. If i pre-register and it rains I’m all in but if I only verbally commit and it rains i’m out! I don’t mind running in the rain in the summer but honestly, and it’s such a girl thing to say, it ruins my hair. My hair is naturally curly and I always wear it straight…
I’m a city gal! We currently live in the country and its driving me insane, its too quiet for me… I love coming home to visit but living here is killing me!!!!
I used to not like to do training runs in the rain. Honestly, I would rather just stay dry inside. Lately I’ve been enjoying the rain a little bit more but I think that’s because the weather was so terrible this winter!
agreed!!!! I spent way to much time with the treadmill this winter. I’m siked that it’s finally nice enough to run comfortably outside… I’d even take light rain showers, as long as i’m wearing a hat!
Congrats! Race days are always a little hectic & I know that feeling when it literally may be the worst thing to think about running when conditions are terrible, but I always find those are the races I do my best, simply because I want them to be over sooner 🙂 I’m pretty sure I consider myself a cituntry person… haha. A little bit of both. I grew up in Idaho & moved to California.. One extreme to another. I’ve always wanted to visit New Jersey though- I have heard awesome things about Philly!
I don’t hear many people wanting to visit NJ! but if you do, then let me know! I know Atlantic City is a lot of fun. (I’ll let you know next week 😉
Haha. It might have to do with the fact that my boss grew up there.. I hear it’s beautiful. Have fun in Atlantic City & goooooddddd luuuuccckkkk! 🙂
Another great race! I bet you do awesome at the half next weekend!
Nice job Hollie and way to turn those lemon rain drops into lemonade lol 🙂 Ummmm coming from a family of North Carolina farmers I consider myself a countrty person and as far as running in the rain goes if it’s not a monsoon soon like what we Floridians are famous for getting in the summers but a light moderate rain I’m all in! I used to despise running in the rain but no I enjoy it so long as I have my trusty baseball cap to protect my eyes.
You did phenomenal! It was great meeting you. I also enjoyed this race even with the rain and wind; I did the love run the next day, and that really put things in perspective. Haha. I am so glad I had the courage to say hi. Despite the fact that I was unable to recall basic facts about you, I have actually been reading your blog for years. If you ever do a Philly race you totally have place to stay!! Let me know when you are in Philly again!
I agree! That would be a lot a lot of fun! Are you doing Broad Street? We must run or something together soon. 🙂
I am doing Broad Street! I see you are too! I am also doing the dash for organ & tissue donor awareness which is a 10k in Philly on April 13th. It actually has the same exact starting location as the BOMF 5 miler, but doesn’t include that horrible hill. It is a totally flat course. The dash is super fun, let me know if you are even considering it and ill try to convince you! Jk, kinda…
I’m doing the atlantic city half this weekend and think I will need a weekend to recover! Otherwise that would be a lot of fun. We will definitely plan something though!
You did an awesome job!! And yay for your first Philly race! I’d rather run in Saturday’s conditions than it being 100F and humid as hell!! I’m doing the Out & Back Party Run on April 25, if you’re not busy you should look into it! Another short one but the after party is a lot of fun!
I’m doing the NJ half actually that weekend. I’m definitely doing Broad Street (though that might be hard to find each other). I want to do some shorter races in May, June and July I think!
It’s up in the air right now due to approval of road space, but the Midsummer 5K series in Ardmore is usually a great (and uber competitive) race series! http://brynmawrrunningco.com/wpp/bmrc-race-msn/
Wait, nm, it’s a go. I didn’t check the site before linking, lol!
nice!! and that race supports a great organization! i love living in DC and not having to drive very much and all the city amenities. i live in the capitol hill area of DC, which very much feels like a real neighborhood and not cold, the way some city neighborhoods do. i think DC is the perfectly sized city — not insane like NYC, but definitely enough to keep anyone busy!
You are just a traveling racing machine! Having lived in PA for practically my whole life, I’ve only ever been to Philly 2 times…one for a swim meet and one just like last week. Great race given the conditions!
I hate running in the rain! Amazing time, congrats!
Nice race!!
I like running in the rain if it’s 50° or warmer, it feels nice, but Saturday’s rain was cold and not fun at all!
Great job!! I am definitely a city person and I absolutely hate running in the rain.
Nice work despite tough conditions! Saturday was the worst day ever for racing–cold, windy, and rainy here too. Wind is speedwork in disguise, right?
Running in the rain is fun, until you step into a deep puddle and get your shoe soaked.
I love running in the rain but wind is probably my least favorite condition to run/race in. I went to school in California and every year during track season the Santa Anas would roll through and it was awful!!
Nice job! I used to love running in the rain growing up in Ohio. But here in Texas, we hardly ever get it. I would love to run in the rain – just need a chance to!
I hate running in the rain! I rather run in the snow. I live in Long Island so I have the best of both worlds!
Sounds like you handled the curveballs life sent your way that morning pretty darn well Hollie! I can be awful at adapting to changes. It was a pretty yucky day in Philly on sat, so I am impressed! I would love to live somewhere like where you do….like you said, close to a city, but far enough out that you can breathe!
I enjoyed my run in the rain on Sunday alongside the love run, but it depends if its warm or cold, If its warm enough, I do not mind at all 🙂
Congrats on a great race! I hate being able to see the finish line for anything more than a quarter of a mile. Totally messes with my mind!
Nice job, third overall is great!
I don’t mind running in the rain, as long as I am wearing a hat.
I’m a total city person. We live in the city and love being able to walk everywhere. Not to mention my work commute is about 2 miles, and I don’t have to cross any bridges to get there, which is huge in Pittsburgh!
You did awesome, and I know that the half this weekend will be even better. I am a country girl at heart but after living in the city for the past year I kind of have a knack for both places. I do miss certain things about country living though.
I like the Rochester area a lot because I feel like it gets the best of both worlds.
Nice work- time is so relevant- course and weather make such big difference in what the effort feels like at different paces. I like running in the rain as long as the race doesn’t start in the rain and you don’t have to stand around in it! I consider myself a city person- but we live in Indianapolis, and while we very much live in the city, Indy still seems like a “small” big city to me. Nice that this race was a BoMF race- did you get to meet or see any of the resident members? I love the program and (I mentioned this in my comment on your most recent post), I used to work for them! They use running to help those overcoming homelessness to get back on their feet, creating community, accountability. The provide all sort of help with interviewing skills, financial aid and employment opportunities and the ultimate goal is for the members to have their own home, living self-sufficently. Very awesome!!