Flying Pig half - a short RR

bib number: 10515
overall place: 5222 out of 8599
division place: 325 out of 677
gender place: 2763 out of 5468
time: 2:31:01
pace: 11:32
6.8 time: 1:16:45

Well, I am so happy that I have my first half under my belt - it's so nice to know what to expect from the next and it helps with future nerves!

On Saturday, Geneva ran the Flying Piglet and had a great time! She was so cute with her medal and I am so proud of how excited she gets about her races. It was supposed to rain on Saturday but turned out to be gorgeous and we all really enjoyed the sunshine. I was a bundle of nerves, though, and didn't enjoy the expo as much as I would have liked - next time, I'll calm down and have more fun!

3 AM on Sunday came way too soon, especially since I didn't sleep until after 11 PM. We were up, dressed and out the door by 4:30 - even Geneva was awake and ready to go. She had her "Run Mommy Run" flying piggie shirt and I had my "Geneva's Mommy" tank and we both had our pink ballcaps (Reds for her, Bengals for me). Jon toughed the chilly, rainy weather without a jacket which I actually worried about for half the race! We got to Paul Brown stadium around 5 AM and found our way inside, out of the rain. It was so much fun watching everyone - the veterans were laughing and joking, the elites were very serious, and the newbies (like me!) were quietly terrified. I could feel a headache coming on and took ibuprofen which ended up being the worst idea ever - more on that later.

It was still drizzling a little at start time (6:30) but it wasn't too chilly at that point in the crush of bodies. It took about 6 minutes to reach the start line once the gun went off and I was finally running. I can't really detail the race too much - it was kind of a blur. I was doing fairly well until mile 6 when 2 things happened - the hills, and the ibuprofen started tearing up my stomach. I was in real pain - it felt like my belly was being ripped open by shards of glass. I had been feeling really good and strong until that point - saw Jon and Geneva around mile 5 and stopped for a second for hugs and kisses and it was soon after that when I started failing. The hills were really not that bad - long, but not steep or hard - but my stomach was hurting so bad it just zapped all my energy. The course along with the spectators and volunteers were FANTASTIC and their enthusiasm helped me over the next few miles. Once I hit mile 10 I was sure it would be easy since it was all downhill, but I was still in a lot of pain and every step was pretty miserable. I also experienced some chest pain about then, but in retrospect I think it was stomach pain that was radiating. It freaked me out, though, and I slowed down even more, thankful I had taken my baby aspirin that morening. At mile 12 I high-fived a beagle which made me smile and got me through until mile 13 - the last .1 mile seemed to take forever, though! My time was 2:31:01 which totally bummed me out - I was really hoping for something around 2:15. I kept thinking that if I had only pressed a little harder... Oh well, it was still one of the most amazing experiences of my life and it has only made me more determined to do better! My stomach finally calmed down Sunday night and I felt "hung over" for another day, but the muscle soreness only lasted a day.

I'm taking the rest of this week off, then starting the full training next week because I am still planning on Detroit in October. We are dropping our YMCA membership and changing to a super nice health club that we will actually be paying LESS for, thanks to a chamber of commerce membership. It is fantastic with tons of great cardio and weight equipment as well as a sauna, whirlpool, GORGEOUS locker rooms...I can't wait to start cross training properly this time. My favorite parts are the childcare (really nice facilities) and the family locker rooms (with private, lockable changing rooms that include a toilet and shower - really nice to have with a 3 year old!). I am so incredibly excited about this place - I want to take classes, do weights, etc. and it will be like a spa experience every time. I think the cross training will absolutely help with not only the last bit of weight I want to lose, but with my endurance. Detroit is going to ROCK because I will be ready - and next year's Flying Pig is going to be great, too!

It's still kind of hard to believe that I did this - a year ago at this time I was 40 lbs. heavier, almost totally sedentary, depressed, had zero self-confidence...I'm not saying I am now perfect, but life has changed so much for the better. I have a long way to go, but I now feel that I am on the right path and I can now actually envision myself getting there. And I'm enjoying the journey!