Running has always been my way of exploring a new place. When my family and I visited Canada this summer, one of my favorite memories was exploring the city by trying out a new running route. By asking a local for favorite running routes and letting your feet take you wherever they want to go, you get a chance to see the city in a way you can’t by going to tourist sights or taking a cab. I got into long distance running in high school when I ran cross country, and I ran my first half marathon in Philly when I was in high school at the Philly Rock and Roll Half Marathon. The route took us through the city and along the Schuylkill and Boathouse Row and gave me the first glimpse of the running trails that were possible throughout the city. Still, when I first came to campus, I stuck to the blocks around campus or the gym, not knowing where to explore.
I quickly learned a bit more about Philly’s running trails through Penn’s Running Club, which hosted a midnight run during New Student Orientation to the Philadelphia Art Museum to charge up the fabled Rocky steps. There was something surreal about running along the river, the whole city lit up around us, in the middle of the night with a group of excited freshmen. Standing on the steps of the Art Museum that night, looking out at the city, I realized how excited I was to spend the next four years exploring this magical place. Each semester, I’ve gone a bit further in my running excursions, taking a new path or exploring a winding path, and it’s been my best tool to truly feeling like I’ve found a home here.
Running through Philly has given me a way to explore the city on my own terms, and it has been a constant in my busy life that gives me something to look forward to and a reason to get outdoors. No matter what the weather is or how busy my schedule gets, I’ve made it a priority to get outside, to get a bit of the nature that I get at home even in this big city. By seeing Philly in the rain, snow, and shine, Philly sunrises and sunsets, through friendly waves to the bikers and runners and Philly natives walking to and from work on the Schuylkill River Trail, through passing Philly high school cross country teams, watching crew teams row along the river, and having long conversations with friends over a run, I’ve fallen in love with Philly and everything this city has to offer. I’ve seen its murals, dogs, parks, bridges, residential neighborhoods, and downtown city blocks. It’s my way of Penn-ing away from Penn every week and feeling like I add a bit of hustle and bustle to the business of this city.
