Any Other Broad Street Run First-Timers Out There?

Photo by Jeff Fusco

We are officially 10 days away from the Broad Street Run on May 3rd. My first one ever! I cannot believe that I’ve lived in Philly for 16 years and I have never run this iconic race — which, more than any other Philly race, is a Philadelphia institution — a single time.

The way I realized just how important the Broad Street Run is to Philly was, whenever I mentioned to anyone that I’d never run the race before, they’d react with abject shock and exclaim, “You’ve never run Broad Street?!” Every time, it was as if a New Yorker had just told another New Yorker that they’d never been to Times Square. Clearly, Philadelphians are madly in love with the Broad Street Run and I’m so excited to be a part of it. 

One of the many reasons I’m so thrilled to run Broad Street is, after running various races in Philly that all started and ended at the Art Museum and wound through Fairmount Park in between, the Broad Street Run is an entirely new way for me to see the city and appreciate its architecture and culture. It’s a celebration of Philadelphia and its neighborhoods.

Do I care about how fast I run Broad Street? Absolutely not. I actually tend to avert my eyes when I cross a finish line because I don’t want to judge my experience based on my speed. At this point in my life I feel extremely grateful when I’m healthy and strong enough to run a race. Life is filled with ups and downs, so you have to celebrate times in your life when you’re strong and happy.

Now, the big question: Are there any other Broad Street Run first-timers out there? And are you as excited as I am?

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Lauren Napolitano, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist on staff at Bryn Mawr Hospital and in private practice in Bryn Mawr, PA.  To learn more about her practice, go here. And to read more of Lauren’s posts for Be Well Philly, head over here.

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