Through the Hole and Over the Fence

Another beautiful spring day in Philadelphia. We have been having some especially mild weather for mid-April and I'm really enjoying it. After looking at the sun streaming through the window all day at work I couldn't wait to get out to the Thursday night run with the group.

Despite some ominous storm clouds that suddenly popped up right before the run, the weather was great. Heather, Jim, Jenn and I headed out behind the zoo and into Fairmount Park. We cut through the hole in the fence behind Montgomery Hall and ran around the Japanese Tea House. I was hoping the exit near Montgomery Drive would be open but, nope. Jenn jumps up on the fence and squeezes through a hole, then Heather, then I went over the fence. Jim found a way through under the fence near a tiny creek. We were all through and continued on our way up Belmont Mansion and took in a great view of the city.

All winter long we have run this route, or something similar, and Fairmount Park was a ghost town with the exception of some very "shady" cars randomly parked on the side of the road. The spring is another story, there are people everywhere, hanging out in cars, playing softball, sitting on benches, driving around. It's nice to see.

The run continued down Chamonioux, across Strawberry Mansion and back through East Fairmount park. 8.5 miles in 70 minutes. The slower pace felt great and after a rest day today I think I should be all set for the 5K tomorrow morning.