Flying Pig Half Marathon 2017 Race Report

The Flying Pig Half Marathon was on May 7, 2017 in Cincinnati. The course is one I’ve written about before.

Training

I followed the Hal Higdon Intermediate-2 plan, which I liked over my re-worked 5k Advanced plan that I used for the prior training period. I was able to meet most of my goal paces for the repeats, tempo, and HM pace runs. I missed two runs overall, an interval and an easy run. I also tried to integrate hills into my runs more than I have previously.

Race Morning

For the first time, I used bag check, where I put a few extra clothes.  I made my way from my parking location (my office on the race course) to the bag check and then to Pigpen B.  I waited for start while laughing a little at seeing the port-o-let line while the DJ was playing “Taking Care of Business”, and looked around at others, which seemed to have some difficulty with the start line weather conditions – some were in winter-ish clothes, some (like me) had shorts and a throwaway sweat shirt over it, and some had shorts and a tank top!

Around 6:15, I consumed a pack of Gu.  Right at 6:30 we were off.

First Portion: Miles 0 – 6

I felt like I was going a little fast.  I’ll probably pay for this. My boss, who started in corral A passed me near the end of this section.  Apparently, he ducked into a port-o-let in Newport (probably around mm 2.5).

Splits: 8:02, 8:03, 7:57, 8:07, 8:20 (water + Gu), 8:01

Second Portion: Miles 7 – 10

The hill was rough.  By the end of this section, I was ready to start walking.  I didn’t, but I was ready to.

Splits: 8:47, 8:55, 8:26 (water + Gu), 8:37

Final Stretch: Miles 11-13

I didn’t have the energy to push the hill.  I usually grab a Twizzler at the downhill (mm 10.5) station.  Unfortunately, they were cold and nearly un-chewable. Passed and yelled at a fellow amateur radio op at 11.4; he normally tells me to go faster, this time he said “wow, you’re going fast!”. THAT was nice to hear!

Splits: 7:35, 7:57, 8:01

Finish!

My official time was 1:48:53 – a PR (and a hard fought one at that!).  The radio communications director (also a runner) was stationed near the finish line and came running down to congratulate me – that was a nice end to a tough run!

After that, I enjoyed my post-race festivities (pizza, beer, pretzels, and fruit) and went to watch a friend finish the half. Then I went home and took a nap 🙂

Garmin Data

Cheers!