Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon - RunMarathon

As you can see in the splits - I went out a little slow but pick'd it up in mile 2. I was holding my own when I saw my wife at the 5 mile mark. I mentioned to her that I was going too fast and need to slow down. The 3 mile hill (5-8) helped with that as my pace slowed to the 8.15+. Once to the top we picked the pace back up. I ran with the same group from mile 5 to the finish - we split up a little about mile 22. I was feeling great! Chucking the miles off one by one and having no issues with breathing or muscles. I finnally thought that all the training was paying off at the right time. We hit mile 18 and as I was coming up on a GU station I had a slight twinge in my right thigh and it made me bobble for a second. Hmmm...first sign of any issues what so ever and first marathon....slow down. Dropped my pace into the mid 8's. It was comforting to see everyone around me having the same issues. Was I dehyrated? couldn't tell since it had been raining since the start. I was right on with my hydration plan. At mile 22 every muscle even the ones that I didn't know I had - started to cramp. I must say everyone I was running with came up with the same issues. I would stop for a quick strech and then run adhead as I would see them on the side streching. We all took turns on the side of the road and then played catch up. Finnally about mile 25 I knew I wasn't going to get that burst of energy from the crowd so I just managed to keep moving. It was great to crest the top of the last hill and see the Finish Swine! Having completed my first marathon and having my wife and family out on the course it was great! Couldn't of done it with out them!

I guess the whole thought is should of went out a little slower and finished a little harder? But I think for what it is worth that would have gave me the same end result. I think I needed to keep everything in the low 8.xx and work on the nutrition thru the race a little better.

Crossed the finished line and didn't see anyone. Got my blanket and medal and made my way back to the finish line to see if I could see any of the other BT'ers finish. After about 20 minutes I started to get the whole 'I need to sit NOW' feeling or that Gatorade I just had will be right back up. I made my way down the runner corral and got some pears. I sat on the curb and was feeling cold and sick. I had been running without my shirt on since mile 15 and the wind and rain...yea not doing well. I wated there about another 10-15 minutes and not seeing anyone I found someone with a cell phone and called my wife. They were about 100 yards away. She said I had no color. I was done. Cold/wet/sore but still had a smile on my face. We headed back to the car(about a mile to my office) and my legs were still cramping. I had jen loosen my laces. Awwwww much much better. Went for aother 1/2 mile walk about 7pm to keep the legs moving.


Cramps! Mile 22 till the end! Need to invest in body glide! Ran the last 10 miles with no shirt since the rain had made my tech shirt heavy and the vaseline wasn't helping and there was alot of chaffing! Now I know how my wife felt breast feeding!

Slight bit slower at start
Better run gear
Keep laces a bit looser
Check up on Nutrition/hydration
Keep Smiling!


Even with the rain I felt the support was great.