Flying Pig Marathon - RunMarathon

I could not have asked for a better first marathon. What a great day. The rain that I was dreading stopped by around mile 3 and the temperatures were perfect the rest of the race.

The first few miles I was just kind of lost in the crowd. The start is a bit overwhelming and I had my last bit of doubt creep in, like I'm a total poser among true marathoners... but I started running, trying to keep a slow and steady pace. I had no definite time or pace goals that I felt I had to meet, but hoped to finish between 4 and 4:30.

First two or three mile markers, I was hitting just about 10 minute miles. This sounds totally cheesy, but I knew that I was going to have a great day right before the re-crossing of the Ohio river. There was a cover band playing Van Halen's "Jump" and for some reason it just really got my adreneline going as I climbed the long incline onto the bridge.

The West End was kind of a blur. The rain was ending; I was doing mental predictions to figure out where I would be at various mile markers. Coming back up 7th street into downtown was absolutely awesome. I felt like I was in a parade; the crowd was pretty thick and really loud, and it was just a fantastic preparation for the climb up through Eden Park.

At miles 4 & 5, I was still hitting almost exactly 10 minute miles. Started thinking about being almost 1/4 way when the notorious climb started. I did not find the hill through Eden Park to be too brutal. The crowds and relay transition zone were good distractions. Probably, though, it's because I like Eden Park so much. I passed the conservatory where we come to take Christmas photos every year, the picnic table where I proposed to my wife, and the park with an amazing view of the city. Stopped to pee and had to wait a couple of minutes for the port-o-let.

There's another slight climb through Walnut Hills where the half splits off to the left, so when I turned right for the full, I got another huge boost of confidence and adreniline. Down Madison road into Hyde Park, I don't even remember what miles they were, but I was still right at 10:00 miles. In fact I kept finding myself in the 9:55 pace group; I wasn't trying to stay with them, but yet there I was.

Hyde Park was awesome... loved the families having campfires and coffee while cheering on the runners. HP square was packed with fans but went by really quickly. Oakley was right up there with HP for spectator support, and I was surprised how quickly the second relay zone came up. I found it hard to believe I was halfway through.

The second stretch on Erie, downhill out of Hyde Park, was a bit hard on my knees. Stopped to pee again. Had to wait again. In a sense I was moving into unfamiliar territory -- I'm not as familiar with these East Side streets... never really sure where I was relative to the landmarks I know. A lot of turns through a lot of neighborhoods-- smaller crowds but 100% as enthusiastic and supportive as anywhere on the course.

Mariemont was everything it was described as. The parties, the music, the crowds.. so many people yelling encouragemet to all the runners, kids lined up for high-fives. I think it was mile 14, 15, 16.. I don't know, but it was such a treat, and I was feeling no pain (unlike 15 miles into a training run). I was also thrilled because I knew that in the next neighborhood I would see my wife and kids.

My wife and I strategized quite a bit as to timing where and when she should be on the course, and based on getting 3 kids ready and out of the house, avoiding road closures, and giving me the support later in the race rather than sooner, we picked a spot at about mile 17.5. I scanned both sides of the street and my heart was sinking because I had almost passed the Frisch's Big Boy parking lot where they were supposed to be.. but then I saw them and they were so excited. She said I looked really strong and confident, and I suppose I really was. I hugged, high-fived and kissed as necessary, and moved on.

Straight after that, the course moves onto the highway, and it is quite a change from what I had just run through. Desolate and lonely (compared to the rest of the course). But, it was only about 1.5 miles, and then back on to surface roads.

I didn't expect to see any other friends/family until the finish line, but once we got off the highway I turned a corner to come face to face with a friend from work. I didn't even know she would be there, but she was tracking my chip via text message and planned to see me at around mile 20. I gave her a huge sweaty hug and told her to quit checking out my butt as I ran by. That was a huge, happy surprise.

The last 5 or 6 miles is all along the River back into downtown. My longest training run was 20, and when I passed the 20 mile marker and still felt strong, I knew I would finish even if I had to walk a bit. Stopped to pee for the last time.

Julie and the kids had figured out a way to make it to the course at about mile 21.5, having met up with her parents. Just the lift I needed before the last home stretch.

I definitely started wearing down at about mile 22. The cruelest trick: I know it's only 4 miles, but you can see the skyline of downtown in the distance and it looks WAY farther than 4 miles. I gave myself permission to walk a bit if I needed to, and plenty of people around me were walking, but I just kept going. I figured I didn't come this far to walk. And, to my surprise... I kept hitting 10 minute miles.

THe crowds pick up again for the last 1.5 miles. Coming into downtown, the excitement and noise were incredible. I knew my family was in the crowd somewhere, but I was only focused on the finish line. I didn't have anything left to sprint with, so I just ran across, shook the mayor's hand and got my medal.

My legs started hurting pretty quickly, so I kept walking through the recovery area, ate some food, and went out to find my family.

Not much. I followed the training plan at about 80%, and got in all of the long runs. I really enjoyed the experience.

Tried to stretch a bit, but couldn't lower myself to the ground and be positive I could get back up. Walked around a few minutes, but the kids were about done with their marathon adventure, so we walked about a mile back to my wife's car, she dropped me off at my car, and headed home. After I had some more food and took a shower, my wife proved her devotion by giving me a foot massage, and a calf massage later that evening.

Sore for a couple days, but not miserable.


Only really trained for distance.. didn't do any interval or speedwork.


Organization - A+. Volunteers - A+. Specator support - A+. I have no other marathons to compare with, but this was just a fantastic experience. I might not have enjoyed every minute of the run, but upon reflection, it was an awesome, well run, emotionally thrilling, and very rewarding day for me. During the last 5 miles and right after the race, I was pretty sure that this might be my first and last marathon... one and done. By Sunday evening I was already thinking about next year, and what other marathons I might like to train for.

I think it is amazing how the spectators treat the runners like we are heros and rock stars, but as a runner, I saw it the other way around.

Great day, great race.