Flying Pig Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

For once I didn't have to do much weaving or passing at the beginning. I realized as we started I needed to use the bathroom again, and as I learned at the Heart Mini last year, when you have to go it's better to go. I decided to wait until I saw a Port-a-let that didn't have a line.

I ran the first mile in around 9 minutes, which was a little slow, but I usually spend the first mile warming up a bit. Then the 2nd mile marker came up really fast and my watch said I ran it in 7:30. There's no way I ran it that fast. Around mile 3 or so Bridget caught up to me and we ran together for a bit.

I felt decent enough, and I was taking in water as I felt I needed it. We hit the bathrooms right before Mile 6 and right after the bathroom break the hills started. Honestly, it didn't really bother me too much... I just kept trucking. Somewhere in miles 6-9 I passed Bridget and I was feeling good.

We got to the top of the hill, I took a splash of Gatorade (which I've never done before but I thought I'd give it a shot) and I hit the 10 mile mark pretty close to my time on the 10 Miler (1:28ish). When I saw that two things happened 1.)I realized this was the furthest I've ever run and 2.)I could pretty much crawl in and still hit my under 2 hour goal.

And that thought alone really affected my performance. I might not be used to running hills, but on the downhill from Mile 10 on everyone and their brother passed me. Bridget passed me back and well... the tank was empty. I must have looked bad because people kept asking if I was okay. I didn't feel horrible, but I was breathing hard and my hands were on my hips. All I knew was that I was gonna make it under 2 hours and I wasn't gonna stop. Other than that I was gonna run the pace I felt I could maintain.

The mile from 11-12 was the worst... felt like it lasted forever. However, seeing that 26 mile marker was wonderful... only .2 to go, and then right after that the finish line was in sight. I made a half hearted effort to kick at the end, but I was done. I ran 3.1 miles further than I ever had and just about 30 minutes longer.



Well... maybe I should have ran the distance... or something closer to 13.1 than 10 miles. But overall, I finished without stopping, made it under 2 hours, and didn't let any marathoners beat me. Mission Accomplished.

I walked around for hours looking for my buddies and finally just went to the car. Eventually they made it. I scored a bagel, an orange, and a banana after the race. I was hungry! My right knee is a little sore, but overall I feel okay. Getting the blanket, towel, medal, and medal picture at the end of the race was quality stuff. I'm also very proud of my wife who finished with a great time. It's so much fun doing the races together.


Probably a lack of training. But isn't that always the case? Oh! And that bathroom break of maybe a minute or so.


This race was a blast. Music on the Kentucky side, plenty of water and gatorade stations, and spectators lined up the entire way. Plenty of people rooted me on and the people who passed me at the end were also encouraging. A great experience, and perhaps next time I'll try the big boy race ;)