flying pig half marathon RR

The short version - this was part 2 of #doubletrouble.  I finished in 1:50:00... not too shabby for a second day of a double half weekend!

The longer, more interesting version...

Kelsey and I left Indy in the early after noon after the Indy Mini, and headed to Cincinnati.  We decided to hit the expo in downtown first, and then go to our hotel in Kentucky, near the Cincinnati airport.

The expo was really, really great.  And the swag for this race?  In the top 5 for sure.  In addition to an awesome tech shirt (it's Asics, and has a pig tail on the back!), we got an embroidered Asics duffel bag AND a race poster.  Sweet!  I also bought a pink hat with the race logo... what can I say, I love hats!

I made a new friend at the expo!

After browsing the expo (and getting TONS of free Olay stuff), we headed to our hotel about 20 minutes away in Kentucky.  We were sitting around relaxing, watching the stuff leading up to the Derby.  It's like 6pm.  I go and check the time for the Maniacs/Fanatics dinner, which is back in downtown Cincy.  5:30.  Oops!  So we ordered food in instead, and watched Bridesmaids and Iron Man before bed.  I'd say we got the better end of that deal!

Our wake-up was EARLY the next morning... as in, it was still dark... but, BONUS, we caught a glimpse of the super moon!

Downtown Cincinnati, circa 5:30am

We parked the car right by Paul Brown Stadium, then walked towards the start.  The lower part of the stadium was open for us, so YAY INDOOR TOILETS!

I <3 stadiums

Heading to gear check, which was on school buses, we realized that the race didn't provide fasteners for our gear bag tag!  This is not the first time this has happened to me.  I swear, I'm going to buy a big bag of plastic ties and keep them in my house for such occasions.

We made the picture!  2 days in a row!

The above group picture was actually also taken by the official photogs, and made the gallery on Flying Pig's Facebook page.  Pretty sweet, right!

After the picture, we went our separate ways and headed into the start corral.  I had about 25 minutes to spare, so I sat on a curb, put my head in my lap, and took a power nap.  (Admit it, you're a little impressed.)

So just as the sun was coming up, at the bright and early 6:30 am, we were OFF!

Mile 1:  Crap on a cracker, my legs are tight!  8:14

Mile 2:  We're in Kentucky!  So really, I'm running in 3 different states this weekend.  It's not as humid as yesterday, which is much appreciated.  I think next year (yes, spoiler alert, I'm coming back) I'm going to stay right over the bridge.  There's no Hiltons, but hopefully the bf will come too and we can use points at the Holiday Inn :)  8:05

Mile 3:  Ok, my legs are starting to loosen up.  And it feels like the race is going by pretty quickly, which is a good omen for the rest of the race.  8:14

Mile 4:  We're running right by the Butternut bread store, and OMG DELICIOUS BREAD SMELLS!  My stomach is growling in anticipation of food at the end of the race.  7:56

Mile 5:  Back through downtown, and this mile reminded me a lot of the end of Houston.  People everywhere, screaming for strangers.  This is why bigger races are fun.  8:27

Mile 6:  I make a new friend on the course, who tells me that it's time for some hills.  I know that he's right, but I don't have to like it.  8:10

Mile 7:  Climbing hills when you're already a little tired?  Yeah, not gonna lie, it kinda sucks.  But THANK GOD it's not snowing or raining or beastly hot.  So we win with the weather.  8:47

Mile 8:  A former champion gave a speech before the race, and said that the first 9 miles are tough, but then it gets easier.  I figure that since he won it, he knows his stuff.  I just have to hang on for a couple of miles.  8:36

Mile 9:  Our Fanatic friend Jeff told us that at the top of this last huge hill, we should take a moment to enjoy the view and listen to the barbershop singers.  So I did.  The view was simply stunning.  And the fact that we were so high up made my heart happy, because the finish line is right along the river.  8:27

Mile 10:  I am an idiot.  I dumped a cup of water on my head at the aid station, because I'm starting to get hot, and it pretty much went into my left ear and damaged my headphones.  One of my biggest pet peeves in the universe is unbalanced headphones.  So I stop and walk for a second, and shove them into my pocket.  THANK GOD the major hills are over.  I would have died without my music!  8:51

Mile 11:  DOWNHILLS!  WEEEEEEEE!  8:10

Mile 12:  I made another new friend, because we both chuckled at the same signs that someone had placed in the median.  He is graduating college today!  We talked for the rest of the race about distance running, minimalist shoes, and my fears about mud runs.  He paid me the best compliment when he said I didn't look like I was turning 30 this year, hah!  It was nice to meet you, Max!  Good luck in your new job :)  7:54

Mile 13:  Heading to the finish, I just want to be done.  I am ready to have my medal and an ice cold beer and a pair of sandals.  I have earned all of those things.  I am flying now.  It's time to end this.  Also, I passed a construction site for a Horseshoe Casino in downtown Cincinnati, thereby affirming my desire to come back in 2013.  7:46

Mile 13.31:  Sprinting as fast as I can... if it weren't for those darn hills, and my headphones, and my tired legs, and my view taking in-ness, I would have gone under 1:50.  GAH!  Something to shoot for next year, I guess.  2:17

FINAL TIME:  1:50:00
AVERAGE PACE:  8:16
LESSON LEARNED:  Buy plastic fasteners for gear check tags!
NEXT PIKERMI:  Lake Geneva Half Marathon, 5.12.2012

Seriously Flying Pig, your finish line setup ROCKED!  I got a space blanket, medal, water, and TONS of food.  My go-to snack after long races is Fritos, and guess what, there were Fritos.  And Gogurt.  I was in heaven.

I took my stash, got my bag, and found a concrete bench in the shade to sit down at.  I ate my snacks and waited for Kelsey.

#doubletrouble FINISHER!

Close-up of the medal!  Too cute!

We decided to bypass the finisher festival and head back to the hotel for showers and naps, before beginning our long journey home.  I am so proud of us.  We finished a double!  I still believe that you never know what your body can do until you push it.  I had the best time, and cannot WAIT to do another double again sometime.  (Now that I found the 50 Stater Gadget, you may want to look out ;) )

Thank you, Kelsey, for a wonderful weekend!  4 moons, hell yeah!