First Race Since My Surgery

Official Results

Getting back into running has been tough. After my surgery in April 2024, it was much easier to find reasons to skip a run. It was too hot, too rainy, or I just wasn’t feeling up to it—and those excuses stuck with me throughout the summer. Thankfully, the weather is finally cooling down, and I’ve run out of excuses.

Today was my first formal running event since surgery. While I’ve done some weekly runs with Philly Runner, today there was a chipped bib for the Philadelphia Distance Run 5K. For most, a pace of 14:05 might seem slow, but for me, it’s something to be proud of. My Garmin even showed a faster pace of 13:35, which made me feel even better about my progress. While it wasn’t a PR, it felt great to be back out there, and I’m really proud of myself.

One thing I love about the Philadelphia Distance Run is its inclusivity. The back of the medal has braille, which is such a thoughtful touch.

Finish Line

But if there’s one thing I have to complain about, it’s the transportation. Parking near the Art Museum is always a challenge, and they recommend using SEPTA. The problem is, the first bus from Northwest neighborhoods on a Sunday morning doesn’t arrive until 7:00 a.m.—the same time the 5K starts.

So, I got off the bus, dropped my bag at the Team Determination tent, and rushed straight to the start line. By the time I got there, all the 5K corrals had already left, and the half marathon runners were lining up. I didn’t even have a chance to stretch and I just ran straight through the starting line. I was alone for a while, but actually caught up with the back pack by mile one.

For those running the half marathon, this wouldn’t have been an issue since their race started at 7:30 a.m., but for 5K runners like me, arriving at 7:00 a.m. left no room to breathe.