Race Report for Flying Pig

Wow, what a day! The day started out FREEZING COLD. As we all waited in the starting corral area, the start time past and we were still sitting there. Waiting, waiting, waiting. Finally 15 minutes later we started. It wasn't till hours after the race that I found out that there was a fire overnight along the marathon course, and they had to re-route a section at mil 22. It didn't bother me because the re-routed part was more interesting than the old part. Even though it did ADD .25 to the race.

I started out running at 9:30 miles, for about the first 6 miles. When I hit 6 miles in under an hour, I thought that maybe I should slow it up a little bit. Miles 7-16 were about the hardest for me. I was really feeling that quick start there. My goal at that point was to stay "inside my head" and make sure I didn't psyche myself out before I got to the end.

I hit the halfway mark at 2:10.44 (or something close). That was with a bathroom break. Right there was a 7 minute improvement over my half from last year, so I was feeling happy. Even though I was feeling like I was going a lot slower and really dragging, I was still pulling 10 minute miles.

At this point, I wanted to have a strong second half, with no walking. Last year I walked most of mile 22 and 23. The whole thing got kind of surreal around mile 18. My colleague, Anita was working a first aid station at mile 18 and she was holding my Shot Bloks. I was so happy to see her (and my shot bloks). That meant I only had 8.2 miles to go. By this point in the race I was over the feeling that I might bonk at the end, too. I feel like from mile 18 to the end was my strongest part. I hit the 20 mile mark at around 3:20 or so, which meant I would at least hit my previous PR, if not beat it. At mile 18, I changed my mind decided to walk through all the water stations, even though I said I wouldn't walk any more - I wanted to do well, and not die. I figured walking there would not add too much time, it would only take around 5 seconds for each one.

I don't really have much memory of miles 20-22 until we were diverted off of the main course onto a pretty trail. It was nice, I think they should keep it in - the last 6 miles of this race are on a pretty boring street. It's hard for the crowd to get down to it, because there's expressway to the north and the Ohio River to the south, so it's not an easily accessible place.

After the trail, the next thing I clearly remember is the mile marker 24, and some coach (I think it was coach Joe of Roncker's running spot training group) standing there yelling, "Only 2.2 miles to go." Wow, I was almost finished. I decided to push it hard from this point on - I passed a lot of people in the last two miles, and actually had enough left to sprint when I saw the finish line.

Anyway, my husband was in the medical tent, volunteering, and I swear it took me forever to find him. He came out to see me finish, but I don't think he saw it. I got my mylar, a towel, my medal, and some FOOD. Then I left the chute and went to get my bag and call my mom. I had to sneak back into the finish area to find my husband (wasn't really hard and no one said anything).

Any way, we stayed until the clock hit the 7 hour mark. I think that helped my recovery, because I don't feel as horrible today as I did one day after the race last year.

I'm already looking into a fall race....

Yeah, it was so much fun!