If you’re just joining us, look here for the 5k and 10k action that preceeded this half. I woke Sunday morning in the wee hours to loud voices in our hotel hallway. A prom the night before apparently partied on in the hallway. At 3am. Ugh. I never got fully back to sleep, so at 4:30 I was up for good for the 6:30 start. I seriously questioned what the heck I was thinking to sign up for this. I mean a 5k and 10k are one thing, but a half on top of them? Who knew what lay ahead? I felt SO bad rousting Thing 2 and the Caveman so they could drive me to the start line.
After scoring a quick bathroom line inside Riverfront Stadium, I headed to the corrals, I mean pigpens, which were a total crush of humanity. You know how I always say the universe gives exactly what you need? That proved true once again, in the form of Julie, whose blog I’ve read for eons, also running the half. Turned out Julie was in my pigpen, and I found her easily among thousands. I mean what are the chances? Meant to be I think. We ended up running together, an easy, conversational pace. I felt tired and unsure after just a few miles. When we hit the big hills, we took it even easier. I swear some of those suckers were so steep, it was challenging to even walk up them. Unlike the few hills around here that are merely up and down, we’d climb, turn, then climb some more. Lather, rinse, repeat. But the mood was festive and light, fans were great, volunteers ever so helpful and enthusiastic. It was a tad warm and humid, but an overall perfect day.
Thanks to Kim‘s suggestion, I remembered to behold and enjoy the view of the river at the summit of the nastiest hills. Somewhere in there my body and mind warmed to the idea and I found a groove. Like my body knew what it had to do and just went with it. I can’t break this down into miles and splits as I paid no attention. We chugged on, gabbing all the way. This was a celebration of running and of new friendship.
Before we knew it, the race was winding down. We autopiloted a long downhill and just hung on, so ready to be done. We were indeed going to finish this Pig. That Finish Swine I’d spent months fantasizing about crossing 3 times was closing in. The fans were thick and amazing as we ran the home stretch. And then it was over. Someone who’d been my virtual friend for years was now a real friend as well.
Of course the minute we stopped running, I exhaled and said “Now that wasn’t so bad at all” Ha! We made our way through the chute, Julie headed home and I went to collect my 3-way bonus bling, compliments of Skyline Chili.
Half marathon swag included a nice women’s cut Asics shirt.
Let’s not forget the bonus bling for completing the 3-way challenge. A long-sleeve tech tee this time.
And all the bling from all the races. Impressive, no? Plus, Skyline Chili so graciously gave us a really nice wooden plaque-type medal hanger to display the spoils. I’ll show you that as soon as I get it hung up.
Last words: This was a tough, exhausting, course, but well supported and SO much fun! Although I didn’t plan to run with a friend, it was the perfect thing to do, and I’m so grateful to share this experience with Julie. The pig theme is super fun and wow they carry it so creatively into every detail. There’s truly something for everyone: even a Flying Fur dog race. A great place to bring family and friends for a weekend of active fun. The city of Cincinnati embraces it.
So how am I feeling today? I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t exhausted after the drive home Sunday night. I slept like a log but I’m feeling pretty great. Minor soreness in the quads and hip flexors but nothing extraordinary and even that has diminished today. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I’m thrilled with how well the entire weekend went and I’m thrilled with how well my coach customized my training for this. Honestly the biggest hurdles were mental ones. This was definitely something I wasn’t so sure about, and I had concerns about how the ole bod would hold up, but like running often does, it showed me there’s more strength inside than I thought.
Have you ever done a race series? What’s next up for you?
I think the reason the Flying Pig is my favorite half marathon is that like you I met a friend in the pigpen. Just a random kid form Oregon. We chatted but separated at the start but at the summit of the hill I saw him checking out the view and I grabbed a picture and we stayed together for the rest of the race. We had a blast!! I can’t wait for 2015 as I will be back!! I don’t think I will do the 3-way as I am afraid of the short time between the 10k finish and the 5k start. I am a 1:15 10k on a good day so through the hills in and I may die. LOL
Way to go, Marcia!!! YOU DID IT!!! FABULOUS bling and the races sound like they were a blast! I know that feeling of wondering why we do things like these “for fun,” especially during those early-morning wake-up calls. But isn’t it great to also have that feeling right after crossing the finish line of thinking, “That was fun!” SO PROUD OF YOU!!!
Congratulations, Marcia!! I’m glad you enjoyed yourself and found your friend, what are the chances?! Sometimes just getting through tough challenges like these are what it is all about. I really do love all of the pig themed stuff for these races!
Glad you had fun! I’m from Cincinnati but live in Denver – Flying Pig has been a dream of mine for as long as I’ve been a runner! I can’t imagine doing the 3-way challenge on those hills, though!! Kudos to you! Hope you enjoyed a real Skyline 3-way, post-race!
sounds like fun. cool that you got to experience it with a friend and great bling!
Great job! Staying in a hotel is the one thing I hate about destination races…I don’t sleep well! Sounds like you pulled it off. How fun that you found Julie!
Woohoo!! Great job on an entire weekend of great races 🙂 So glad you and Julie managed to find each other and run together – that ALWAYS makes a race more fun!
Congrats on the three way pig weekend! That is something I’ve never tried, but maybe a goal for next year:) I gotta say, I love a hilly race over a flat one any day because it’s that one more challenge, not just distance and pace but pace with hills. A whole other ball of wax. It sounds like it went splendidly and your got lots of bling for your efforts!!
I have my 50 on Saturday but I think that at some point I would enjoy a series. Maybe one like MCMama does with 5 half marathons in 5 days – who knows?!
It sounds a little like a relay–as far as the amount of wear and tear on the body. It’s always fun to do something different, isn’t it? I’m getting a smidge bored with the regular distances, feeling like I need to do something new–this would be something I would consider in the future for sure.
Congratulations!!!!
I have not done a race series but it looks like fun. Next for me…..it’s time to register for some triathlons!
Congrats Marcia on completing the 3-way! I’m so glad it was a great weekend for you! I would love to try a multiple race weekend at some point but as I’ve said before I just don’t know how my legs would feel about it!
I have never done any races before – I don’t like the competitive aspect, I am more just working out to compete with GiGi from the day before! lol!
You rock! That is all. Holy swag, batman! Was that expensive. I prefer the pig swag to Disney so I might have to put this on my list. I have never done any series like this – just crazy doubles I have made up on my own!
Running three races in three days sounds exhausting. Congrats on completing the series! I’m looking forward to running a 50K this Saturday.
Awesome! And I LOVE your bling!! You rock! :)-Ashley
Love it, Marcia! Congrats on doing all three races – and getting all the bling!
Congrats on an awesome accomplishment! I have never done a race series, but someday, I would love to do one – maybe one of the Disney challenges??? I love all of the bling, too! I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Flying Pig!
I love that you ran in to Julie and ran with her! And kicked butt on those hills! You rock! I’ve only done the Illinois two way challenge (5K + HM). This sounds so fun!
So bummed I missed you! But those pigpens were cray… Congrats on the three way!!!
Marcia-
This sounds like SO much fun. I told you the darn hills in Cincinnatti are a killer!
So much bling to get from the weekend! Good for you. I’m going to have to consider this next year. I’ve never done any clusters like that. Must be such a rush!
Gotta love the Pig theme and the name! Flying pigs! Congratulations on finishing strong! This looks like a lot of fun! I’d like to get involved in some too, but would probably start training for them once I finish my arm therapy. Great post!
CONGRATS!!! I did the goofy challenge and felt the same way. I do plan on doing the indi mini and flying pig back to back next year, so they will be fun runs for me 🙂