Flying Pig Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

I was out to have fun at this event, and had a wonderful time. 13 miles have never gone by this fast (literally and figuratively) for me. With a reputation for being hilly, I really didn't expect to PR on this course. I thought that finishing in 2:30 - 2:45 would not have been unreasonable. However, I felt good and was just following the herd and going with the traffic. I checked my watch every mile and saw that I was going at a decent pace. The first four miles went by in a blur, and were over before I knew it. When we started hitting the uphills leading into Eden Park, I thought I would really get slowed down, but I kept chugging along. When I reached mile 10, I checked my time and did the math. If I kept my pace going through the downhills, I could make it in in under 2:20, which would be my best time for a half. I walked a few steps to drink a little and eat some Sport Beans, and braced myself for the last 5k. I pushed a little bit, but not too much to get to the end, and when I passed the marker for mile 12, I knew that I had it. It felt great crossing the line in 2:17, which I didn't expect on this course. It was a great run on a fantastic course on a beautiful day.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't reflect a little about what this event means to me. I was returning to my hometown to do an event that several years ago I would never had thought possible. It was a place where I had been an overweight kid, had put on my weight, and developed all of my self esteem and body image issues. While that overweight child mercifully passed away on the Soma course in 2006 where I felt that I had left all of that old baggage behind, this was a golden opportunity to give him a proper burial. Being able to return to those streets, run a half marathon, and walk away proud of my time allows me closure with some of those issues I have battled with my entire life. I finished this event as an emotionally lighter person. It was a great day, filled with symbolism, joy, and inner peace.

Not a thing - the event ended up being everything that I wanted it to be.

Ate a banana and sipped on my water while I found my Mom and Steve. We walked back to the car and I returned to the hotel. Big thank yous to Mom and Steve for the support, gift basket, and transportation.


Genetics? Aside from short legs and sturdy body, I didn't feel particularly limited by anything else...


This was a fun event. The course was challenging (but not overwhelming) and scenic. It was well organized, and there were a lot of nice amenities. All runners received a t-shirt, duffle bag, commemorative poster, and finisher medal. Aid stations were plentiful and well stocked. Crowds seemed to line the course over the entire route, and were enthusiastic. Cincinnati is a unique place. It is comfortable with what is is and doesn't try to be anything that it is not. It also is a town that knows how to throw a party, and has a sense of humor. The Flying Pig is a great example. Everywhere you looked, there were plays on words of the Pig theme. For anyone looking for a destination running race worth the trip, try 'The Pig'. You won't be disappointed.