Hi Boomers! I've been a very rare poster here but an avid reader. I just thought I'd share my Pig experience from this past Sunday. Maybe It'll convince Holly that the full Pig is a must-do event.
9th Annual Flying Pig Marathon
http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/[/URL" target="_blank">
5/06/07
Training - Hal Higdon?s Novice Marathon Training Program
Jan. 83 miles (86 per plan)
Feb. 98 miles (91)
Mar. 51 miles including the ORRRC half marathon (126)
Apr. 104 miles (123)
After a suspected tibial stress fracture in both the spring and fall of 2006 derailed my marathon plans, I decided to revert back to Higdon?s Novice training program from the Intermediate-I program. I had successfully completed three previous marathons with it and I didn?t want to miss the chance to run one again this year.
At the beginning of March I felt what I thought was the start of another stress fracture and backed off right away. Less than 3 weeks later I was feeling good and back on my schedule although I was now 90 miles behind my plan. I had discovered ?The Stick? and believe that it helped tremendously with my recovery. I'm now starting to wonder if I really had stress fractures last year.
I did at least 5 runs this winter that took me down Eastern Ave. to the finish line. This would prove to be highly beneficial during the final miles of the race. I knew the critical portion of the course very well and would rely on that experience to guide me home.
My race plan was a little up in the air until the week prior to the race. I was an alternate in a 50k trail relay race 6 days after the Pig. If the relay were to be a go, I?d aim for 3:25 but without it I would try to qualify for Boston again. This time I would need to run a time of 3:20:59 or better. Turns out they didn?t need me.
Expo
I like having the expo back in Cincinnati. It is easier to get to and find parking. On Saturday morning, my family and I headed to the expo. The vendors were good and the sequencing made sense. We were in and out in about an hour, which is just right in my opinion.
Race Day
At 5:30 am I made my way to Newport to meet up with my running club (ECHO) for a group photo. We then piled into three vans to make our way to the start. Before I knew it we were at Paul Brown Stadium and I still had over 30 minutes before the start. The lines for the bathroom were at least 20 deep in there and thankfully at this point, I was not needing to go.
At 6:10 I wandered over to the south side of Mehring Way and watched as the volunteers began to place barriers along the edge of the start. These were more for crowd control than as corrals; to keep people from trying to merge into the start area from the Central Ave intersection that was only 200? or so from the start line.
I saw a training buddy, PacerChris, right up front since he would be pacing the 3:10 group. Turns out he had ran a pretty hard 10k on Saturday yet was out there the next day looking fresh for the marathon. Amazing.
I positioned myself midway between the 3:10 and 3:20 pace groups hoping to avoid some of the crowding and get on pace right away. At 6:30 the cannon blast announced the start and we were off!
The race for me went something like this:
Bridges
Mile 1 7:40 ? Stayed left at GAPB to run the tangents. Some guy is wearing only an orange Speedo!
Mile 2 7:14 ? Stayed to the left on bridge and discarded my jacket. Watched 3:10 pull away.
Mile 3 7:21 ? KY crowds were great. Hit the bridge on the return to OH and kept a strong effort.
Mile 4 7:22 ? Crowd created a gauntlet on 3rd street narrowing to 2 lanes. Spectacular!
The start was not too crowded from where I was. Only 6 seconds to cross the line this time out which was a relief. I stayed with the crowd and hugged the left side of the course. Soon I saw Beth from ECHO holding the ½-mile marker. My time: 3:49?dead-on. The foundation of my race lay with the first mile and I finished it in 7:40, just 2 seconds off pace for a 3:20 finish. By mile 4 I was 40 seconds ahead of schedule before the climb.
The Climb
Mile 5 7:12 ? Saw family for the first time. Kissed wife and waved to the kids and my folks.
Mile 6 7:56 ? Still matching pace with speedo guy on hills?yech!
Mile 7 7:46 ? Enjoyed the view at the overlook
Mile 8 7:46 ? Climb complete?on to the fast stuff
This is actually one of my favorite sections of the course for two reasons. It is a challenge and the reward for the climb is spectacular. This year was no disappointment although I think a 6:00 start would have created a more dramatic sunrise at Overlook Drive. This is the only location on the course other than a family encounter where I intentionally deviate from running the tangents. It is sooo worth it too.
Mile 5 was my first shot of Razz Clif Shot from the gel flask I was carrying. I would eventually take one gel every 5 miles up to mile 20.
The Near Neighborhoods
Mile 9 7:24 ? Waved to Bob at Running Spot and settled into a comfortable but quick pace.
Mile 10 7:25 ? Saw family again just before 10 and colleague in Hyde Park
Mile 11 7:22 - Tempted to stop in the ?Oasis? for relief but decided to push on.
Mile 12 7:35 ? Felt half coming up and felt a need to hold back a little
Mile 13 7:38 ? Maintained good pace, missed family meet-up at Red Bank overpass. Right on pace.
Hyde Park Square is always a big boost although I could have done without the outdoor fireplace that one family had decided to burn in their front yard. I was starting to feel some discomfort and regretted not hitting the bathroom right before the start. The ?Oasis? right after the relay exchange actually looked inviting with its fake palm trees. I decided to push on and drink a little less. After hitting the half point I was considering slowing down a little in an effort to avoid crashing at the end.
Half in 1:38:29 ? my pace band had 1:41:06 so I was ahead by 97 seconds. My standing PR run here in 2004 had me at 1:34:36 at the half?but I also crashed hard at the end.
The East Neighborhoods
Mile 14 7:40 ? Enjoyed seeing the beer and donut oasis at the start of Bramble
Mile 15 7:36 ? Looking for the 3:10 group on the other side of Murray?no sign of them
Mile 16 7:16 ? Looked for other ECHO runners on Murray as I now head back west...no sign of them either
Mile 17 7:26 ? Still feeling strong. Powered up Watterson.
Mile 18 7:21 ? Saw family at Frisch?s right before the turn back towards the finish.
I managed to hold back for a couple of miles but then I hit the Mariemont crowds. They were lining both sides of the street and the cheering was amazing. I?m surprised to see a fast split at 16 but attributed it to the rush of the crowds. I looked for other ECHO runners or the 3:20 group behind me as I ran the other side of Murray Ave. No familiar faces. Seventeen was where I started to notice fatigue in ?04 but this time I was still feeling very good.
The Connector
Mile 19 7:22 ? Knees a little achy but strength still good. Columbia parkway boring but mostly downhill
Old Eastern Ave.
Mile 20 7:29 ? Developed a sudden uncomfortable urge to relieve myself late in this mile
Mile 21 7:54 ? Pulled off right before water station for relief, saw family and dropped off gel belt
Mile 22 7:22 ? Ran this section many times while training; just a loop around the block now.
Once onto Eastern I quickly came upon the last relay point. Another surge of support here too from all of the relay runners itching to be out on the course with me right then. I managed another mile but then the urge for relief came on so strong right before the 21-mile marker that it was effecting my gait. Luckily there was a row of about 8 port-o-lets right before a water stop. This was the first time I had stopped running since the kiss I gave my wife 2 hours earlier. The volunteers at the clocks had been telling me that I was now on pace for a 3:17 finish so I had a 4-minute cushion for a BQ. I was losing time standing there but I was also regrouping and catching my breath.
The Stretch
Mile 23 7:20 ? Cold water bottle from friend at water station?.very refreshing!
Mile 24 7:16 ? Bringin? it home!
Mile 25 7:37 ? Hmmm?25-mile markings on the pavement are about 75? back. Charged up the hill.
Mile 26 6:40 ? Crowd cheering loudly. Passing several other runners now
Mile 0.2 1:25 ? Sprint to pass one faster guy just before the line.
The final miles along Eastern Ave were very familiar by now. I kept envisioning the group runs that had taken me down this same route so many times before. I was by no means crashing but was starting to require more effort to maintain pace. Thankfully my body was able to respond to my brain.
I passed upwards of 20 runners in the last 4 miles and this only encouraged me to push harder. I knew at this point that even if I slowed to a 9 min. pace I?d still qualify so I really had very little to lose in pushing the pace towards the end.
I was very pleased to be able to charge up the hill next to The Boathouse at 25.5. That mini-monster had me walking in ?04. As I rounded the 2 corners to the stretch, I saw one other runner beginning to pick up speed for a final surge. I put a target on him, pushed it for all I was worth then caught and passed him right at the wire. My finishing photo may show me head down and charging through.
I met up with several of the other ECHO crew just beyond the finish area and then my family arrived about 15 minutes after I finished. I was really happy with my time and that I was not totally spent. I did go up the stairs to get to the bridge back to Newport and It wasn?t that bad at all. Got home around noon and settled into a nice ice bath; my new recovery regimen of choice.
Final Results
147th overall in 3:15:23, 19th in Age Group (40-44)
1:35 negative split
Post Race
Three days out now I?ve completed one 4.5-mile recovery run and feel very good. My calves are still a little stiff in the morning but I?m feeling better than I did right before my taper. Looking forward to a 5 mile trail race in 11 days and then a couple of fast 5ks at the beginning of June while gearing up to run Air Force in September.
------------------
Mike[/URL" target="_blank">
9th Annual Flying Pig Marathon
http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/[/URL" target="_blank">
5/06/07
Training - Hal Higdon?s Novice Marathon Training Program
Jan. 83 miles (86 per plan)
Feb. 98 miles (91)
Mar. 51 miles including the ORRRC half marathon (126)
Apr. 104 miles (123)
After a suspected tibial stress fracture in both the spring and fall of 2006 derailed my marathon plans, I decided to revert back to Higdon?s Novice training program from the Intermediate-I program. I had successfully completed three previous marathons with it and I didn?t want to miss the chance to run one again this year.
At the beginning of March I felt what I thought was the start of another stress fracture and backed off right away. Less than 3 weeks later I was feeling good and back on my schedule although I was now 90 miles behind my plan. I had discovered ?The Stick? and believe that it helped tremendously with my recovery. I'm now starting to wonder if I really had stress fractures last year.
I did at least 5 runs this winter that took me down Eastern Ave. to the finish line. This would prove to be highly beneficial during the final miles of the race. I knew the critical portion of the course very well and would rely on that experience to guide me home.
My race plan was a little up in the air until the week prior to the race. I was an alternate in a 50k trail relay race 6 days after the Pig. If the relay were to be a go, I?d aim for 3:25 but without it I would try to qualify for Boston again. This time I would need to run a time of 3:20:59 or better. Turns out they didn?t need me.
Expo
I like having the expo back in Cincinnati. It is easier to get to and find parking. On Saturday morning, my family and I headed to the expo. The vendors were good and the sequencing made sense. We were in and out in about an hour, which is just right in my opinion.
Race Day
At 5:30 am I made my way to Newport to meet up with my running club (ECHO) for a group photo. We then piled into three vans to make our way to the start. Before I knew it we were at Paul Brown Stadium and I still had over 30 minutes before the start. The lines for the bathroom were at least 20 deep in there and thankfully at this point, I was not needing to go.
At 6:10 I wandered over to the south side of Mehring Way and watched as the volunteers began to place barriers along the edge of the start. These were more for crowd control than as corrals; to keep people from trying to merge into the start area from the Central Ave intersection that was only 200? or so from the start line.
I saw a training buddy, PacerChris, right up front since he would be pacing the 3:10 group. Turns out he had ran a pretty hard 10k on Saturday yet was out there the next day looking fresh for the marathon. Amazing.
I positioned myself midway between the 3:10 and 3:20 pace groups hoping to avoid some of the crowding and get on pace right away. At 6:30 the cannon blast announced the start and we were off!
The race for me went something like this:
Bridges
Mile 1 7:40 ? Stayed left at GAPB to run the tangents. Some guy is wearing only an orange Speedo!
Mile 2 7:14 ? Stayed to the left on bridge and discarded my jacket. Watched 3:10 pull away.
Mile 3 7:21 ? KY crowds were great. Hit the bridge on the return to OH and kept a strong effort.
Mile 4 7:22 ? Crowd created a gauntlet on 3rd street narrowing to 2 lanes. Spectacular!
The start was not too crowded from where I was. Only 6 seconds to cross the line this time out which was a relief. I stayed with the crowd and hugged the left side of the course. Soon I saw Beth from ECHO holding the ½-mile marker. My time: 3:49?dead-on. The foundation of my race lay with the first mile and I finished it in 7:40, just 2 seconds off pace for a 3:20 finish. By mile 4 I was 40 seconds ahead of schedule before the climb.
The Climb
Mile 5 7:12 ? Saw family for the first time. Kissed wife and waved to the kids and my folks.
Mile 6 7:56 ? Still matching pace with speedo guy on hills?yech!
Mile 7 7:46 ? Enjoyed the view at the overlook
Mile 8 7:46 ? Climb complete?on to the fast stuff
This is actually one of my favorite sections of the course for two reasons. It is a challenge and the reward for the climb is spectacular. This year was no disappointment although I think a 6:00 start would have created a more dramatic sunrise at Overlook Drive. This is the only location on the course other than a family encounter where I intentionally deviate from running the tangents. It is sooo worth it too.
Mile 5 was my first shot of Razz Clif Shot from the gel flask I was carrying. I would eventually take one gel every 5 miles up to mile 20.
The Near Neighborhoods
Mile 9 7:24 ? Waved to Bob at Running Spot and settled into a comfortable but quick pace.
Mile 10 7:25 ? Saw family again just before 10 and colleague in Hyde Park
Mile 11 7:22 - Tempted to stop in the ?Oasis? for relief but decided to push on.
Mile 12 7:35 ? Felt half coming up and felt a need to hold back a little
Mile 13 7:38 ? Maintained good pace, missed family meet-up at Red Bank overpass. Right on pace.
Hyde Park Square is always a big boost although I could have done without the outdoor fireplace that one family had decided to burn in their front yard. I was starting to feel some discomfort and regretted not hitting the bathroom right before the start. The ?Oasis? right after the relay exchange actually looked inviting with its fake palm trees. I decided to push on and drink a little less. After hitting the half point I was considering slowing down a little in an effort to avoid crashing at the end.
Half in 1:38:29 ? my pace band had 1:41:06 so I was ahead by 97 seconds. My standing PR run here in 2004 had me at 1:34:36 at the half?but I also crashed hard at the end.
The East Neighborhoods
Mile 14 7:40 ? Enjoyed seeing the beer and donut oasis at the start of Bramble
Mile 15 7:36 ? Looking for the 3:10 group on the other side of Murray?no sign of them
Mile 16 7:16 ? Looked for other ECHO runners on Murray as I now head back west...no sign of them either
Mile 17 7:26 ? Still feeling strong. Powered up Watterson.
Mile 18 7:21 ? Saw family at Frisch?s right before the turn back towards the finish.
I managed to hold back for a couple of miles but then I hit the Mariemont crowds. They were lining both sides of the street and the cheering was amazing. I?m surprised to see a fast split at 16 but attributed it to the rush of the crowds. I looked for other ECHO runners or the 3:20 group behind me as I ran the other side of Murray Ave. No familiar faces. Seventeen was where I started to notice fatigue in ?04 but this time I was still feeling very good.
The Connector
Mile 19 7:22 ? Knees a little achy but strength still good. Columbia parkway boring but mostly downhill
Old Eastern Ave.
Mile 20 7:29 ? Developed a sudden uncomfortable urge to relieve myself late in this mile
Mile 21 7:54 ? Pulled off right before water station for relief, saw family and dropped off gel belt
Mile 22 7:22 ? Ran this section many times while training; just a loop around the block now.
Once onto Eastern I quickly came upon the last relay point. Another surge of support here too from all of the relay runners itching to be out on the course with me right then. I managed another mile but then the urge for relief came on so strong right before the 21-mile marker that it was effecting my gait. Luckily there was a row of about 8 port-o-lets right before a water stop. This was the first time I had stopped running since the kiss I gave my wife 2 hours earlier. The volunteers at the clocks had been telling me that I was now on pace for a 3:17 finish so I had a 4-minute cushion for a BQ. I was losing time standing there but I was also regrouping and catching my breath.
The Stretch
Mile 23 7:20 ? Cold water bottle from friend at water station?.very refreshing!
Mile 24 7:16 ? Bringin? it home!
Mile 25 7:37 ? Hmmm?25-mile markings on the pavement are about 75? back. Charged up the hill.
Mile 26 6:40 ? Crowd cheering loudly. Passing several other runners now
Mile 0.2 1:25 ? Sprint to pass one faster guy just before the line.
The final miles along Eastern Ave were very familiar by now. I kept envisioning the group runs that had taken me down this same route so many times before. I was by no means crashing but was starting to require more effort to maintain pace. Thankfully my body was able to respond to my brain.
I passed upwards of 20 runners in the last 4 miles and this only encouraged me to push harder. I knew at this point that even if I slowed to a 9 min. pace I?d still qualify so I really had very little to lose in pushing the pace towards the end.
I was very pleased to be able to charge up the hill next to The Boathouse at 25.5. That mini-monster had me walking in ?04. As I rounded the 2 corners to the stretch, I saw one other runner beginning to pick up speed for a final surge. I put a target on him, pushed it for all I was worth then caught and passed him right at the wire. My finishing photo may show me head down and charging through.
I met up with several of the other ECHO crew just beyond the finish area and then my family arrived about 15 minutes after I finished. I was really happy with my time and that I was not totally spent. I did go up the stairs to get to the bridge back to Newport and It wasn?t that bad at all. Got home around noon and settled into a nice ice bath; my new recovery regimen of choice.
Final Results
147th overall in 3:15:23, 19th in Age Group (40-44)
1:35 negative split
Post Race
Three days out now I?ve completed one 4.5-mile recovery run and feel very good. My calves are still a little stiff in the morning but I?m feeling better than I did right before my taper. Looking forward to a 5 mile trail race in 11 days and then a couple of fast 5ks at the beginning of June while gearing up to run Air Force in September.
------------------
Mike[/URL" target="_blank">
Great race and report!
