This Little Piggy

This is the race for which my blog is named and which I have been focused on since November. My plan was to vanquish my miserable performance last year. The only thing is, I forgot that this was also the weekend of my nephew's Bar Mitzvah. When I was reminded in January, I thought all was lost in terms of motivation, but I immediately registered for another marathon and turned my focus to Cleveland. See, I am completely focused on doing my best and I knew I couldn't devote myself to the family and to performing well in the marathon. When I was told I wouldn't be needed to host a breakfast this morning, I went ahead and registered for the Flying Pig Half Marathon since I was slated to run 12 miles this morning anyway. How could I resist? Hometown marathon... Great swag... Cool Bling... Crowd support. This Big Bad Wolf was in!

This Little Piggy Went to Market (Expo)

I was at the expo within an hour of it opening on Friday. The weekend was jam packed with family stuff so I couldn't meet any V-Teamers, though I would have loved to, and I needed to do the expo then or never. I like to go early, because stuff tends to run out. Hands down, this year's Pig expo was better than last year. For the first time since I've been running Pig events, it was back in Cincinnati at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Nice and roomy location. Really great Pig logo merchandise. I bought a hot pink Asics running vest, a couple of tatoos, socks, a visor, and WINGS! The wings are really cool. They are each individually handmade and numbered by the artist. They look like pink aviator wings and attach with safety pins. I also bought a nifty Bondi Band in sequin pink which I decided to wear instead of the visor. Now my outfit was complete!

This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef "Carbing Up"

Ok, I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn't actually racing this one, so it wasn't entirely crucial that I eat for performance this weekend. In fact, it was virtually impossible. I could either enjoy myself at all kinds of food-oriented events or be the party pooper Aunt. I chose to enjoy myself in moderation. I will say, the desserts at last night's party were to die for. The best chocolate fountain array I have ever seen. I limited myself to a Buckeye, a marshmallow, a pretzel, coconut cake (just a taste). To be honest, I better not leave out the Graeter's ice cream -- black raspberry chip on Friday night, and the rootbeer float after services yesterday. Before I leave this topic, if you thought last week's shoes were high, last night I wore the most adorable 3 inch spike heels you've ever seen. I did refrain from alcohol. One half a glass of wine.

This Little Piggy Went Wee Wee Wee All the Way Home

My goal was to run the Half in 2:15 or slower. At the expo I picked up pace bands for 4:30, 4:40, and 4:45. I decided to go with the 4:40 because that is my goal time for Cleveland. It would get me to Mile 13 in 2:18:56. I also thought it would be a good exercise to see if I could follow the pace band, because I have not had good luck with them in the past.

Despite all the concern about weather, there has not been one single day this week where the weather was as predicted. Today came clear, cool, and beautiful. My ride was a little on the late side, so we didn't get downtown until about 5:40. We parked in a garage at 3rd and Walnut, which wasn't too far from the start, but also not exceedingly far from the finish. First order of business was to stand in line for the porta-potties. While waiting in line, I made friends with some women in line behind me and they pinned on my wings. Next, we checked baggage and lined up in a clump somewhere around the 4:30 pacers. About 5 minutes later, the gun went off without fanfare. No National Anthem.

For the first 9 miles the race is very crowded. Marathoners, Half-Marathoners, Relayers, Walkers... everyone starts together. Unbelievably, I was passing walkers for the first three miles. I don't understand why they won't start at the back.

For the first 6 miles, I was cruising along according to my plan. My splits were 10:47, 10:16, 10:22, 10:08, 10:37, 10:49. Unfortunately, my monthly "friend" visited yesterday afternoon, and by mile 6 I thought my uterus was going to fall out. Like it or not, I had to actually go in a porta-potty. The Mile 6 water station directed me to a bank of potties located a parking lot away but behind a building. I had to leave the course and run there a ways, but there was no waiting. Somewhere on these boards I learned the trick of taping a tampon to the back of the race number, but I couldn't find duct tape last night and had to use packing tape, so it took some time to untape it. The whole thing put me about 4 minutes behind schedule and, me being me, I felt like I had to make up that time. I had a big uphill climb through Eden Park that was about to start and let me tell you I cranked!!

Someone took a picture of me starting up the hill on Eden Park Dr. and I was seriously kicking that hill's butt. My next splits were 13:42 (pit stop), 10:01, 9:59, (This is about where the Half splits from the Marathon) 10:36, 9:37, 9:11 (serious downhills), 8:54, 3:53. Total of 13.42 miles. I did feel my milage was off for most of the race. I added a little by choosing an out-of-the-way potty stop, but definitely not 3/10 of a mile away! My finish time was 2:19:00 which means that I not only caught up with my pace band, but I passed it!

I am proud of a number things regarding this race:

1) I made a plan and stuck to it.
2) I finished fresh.
3) My fastest mile was my last and it was on a flat road.

The Flying Pig Half is a great race and a great course. I had alot of fun this morning... even on 3 hours sleep last night and with killer cramps. Here's the elevation map for the Half Marathon. Check out those hills, both up and down.

WTD: 32.08
YTD: 515.54