2016 Flying Pig Half Marathon Recap

Race day is finally here. I am so excited to run the streets of Cincinnati. On Saturday, it had rained a good bit throughout the day which caused me to rethink my outfit since I had no idea if it would be raining or not race morning.

So in the theme of it possibly raining during the half, I decided to be a "fish." I bought my Trigger shirt and water shorts by INKnBURN.

We stayed about a mile away from the start of the race. The walk wasn't bad. I felt like it was a warm-up for the race.

It sprinkled on us for a little bit while we made our way to the start line, but stopped shortly before the race started.

One thing I thought was pretty cool about this race is that our corrals are called pig pens.

The race started right on time.

We made our way along the Ohio River on to the streets before turning on to a bridge (forgot the name) crossing into Kentucky. We ran in Kentucky for about three miles before crossing another bridge back into Ohio. So far this far has been pretty flat compared to what I was use to, but I knew it wouldn't last for long.

The crowd support along the course was unbelievable. Better than some of the big local races near me.

Mile 4 - 6, we made our way back towards the city. Around this time, the humidity was starting to kick in and I wishing I had gone with my original outfit instead, but how was I suppose to know?

Miles 7 - 9 was nothing but hills. At one point during the race, we were overlooking Cincy, which I thought was amazing. I wish I had stopped for a photo. It would have been worth the extra minutes.

Miles 10 - 13 was completely downhill. Yep, downhill. I loved it. I knew not to kill it the first mile downhill. I just let my legs and gravity do the work.

I was at the finish swine before I knew it. 

I finished at 2:00. 

The snacks we got after the race were amazing. I only wish I had a bag to put everything in it because I could only carry so much.

They had us meet up with friends and family by the Ohio River. Perfect place for a picture after a tough but fun half marathon.

After we finished up with photos, it was time to head back to our hotels to get ready for the drive home. It was a great weekend. I highly recommend adding this race to your bucket list. I will be back to run it again in the future.

Bye Cincinnati!! :(

2016 Flying Pig Half Marathon Expo Recap

After about two months, I am finally getting around to posting a recap about the Flying Pig half marathon weekend.

I have been looking forward to this race since I signed up for it back in August 2015. My friends and I decided to drive up to Cincinnati since it was only a 7-hour drive from Atlanta. It was kind nice to see the mountains of Tennessee and the green pastures of Kentucky near Lexington.

We got to Cincy about 6 PM on Friday, April 29th. We quickly parked the car and made a beeline for the expo. We wanted to try and get as much stuff as we could before they closed the expo. Since this is a famous race, I had been told that Saturday was a crazy day for the expo and a lot of stuff quickly disappear.

We got our numbers and the swag that came with it.

Race shirt, race bag, magnet, and poster.

By the time, we got our swag we only had a few minutes before the expo closed. I managed to get a shirt made in the Asics area. Oh, and I was able to locate my name on the banner of names of the race participates. I thought that was pretty neat.

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Saturday morning, we returned to the expo to see what kind of trouble we could get into. This was by far one of the best expos I have ever been to. Yep, even better than a runDisney one. Oops. But no, seriously, it was a lot of fun. They were handing out full-size samples of stuff, which I failed to get a picture of but I promise it was pretty amazing.

I took the time to walk around to each booth. Some things were for local stuff, and some stuff wasn't (most race expos are like that anyways). I saw a few races I want to check out next year, so I am excited about that.

Overall, I liked the expo. I wish I had gotten more pictures of it, but I was having such a good time that I didn't get the phone out.

Here are a few pictures that I did take when we got there on Friday..

Next up the half marathon recap!

2016 Flying Pig Weekend

Flying Pig weekend is finally here. Crazy to think I signed up for this race back in August. Where has the time gone?

I have heard some really great things about this race so I am sure I will not be disappointed. :) Be sure to be on a lookout for a recap of it some time next week!!

Source: flyingpigmarathon.com

2015 GA Publix Half Recap - It finally happened...

So yesterday was the GA Publix Half Marathon, the weather was perfect minus the crazy wind at times which made things seem colder.

Flat Ramona ready to run the hills of Atlanta

I was anxious to get started or maybe I was just ready to start moving to get warm. Either way, I was ready. Even though the course is a challenge, it is still one of my favorites courses out there. A lot of it may have to do with the scenery and the spectators that come out and cheer us all on.

Before the race I met up with some fellow INKnBURN people for a group photo before heading to our corrals. 

The race started on time. Since I was in B, it didn't seem to take long before we were at the start line waiting for our start.

And we're off...

The first half of the race seemed to go by quickly for me. I was feeling great. My legs were happy (which is a plus seeing how I don't run a lot of hills in training).

The second half of the race I knew was going to be a challenge. The hill coming out of Piedmont Park is always a struggle as well as the last hill over by GT.

The last 3 miles of the race turned into a mental game for me. I knew what to expect. I knew to stay on track for a PR; I needed to time my short walk breaks and push through the tough hills.

Soon we were at Georgia Tech. I hate the hills over there. The very last big hill we have is about as bad as the 10th Street hill, if not worse.

I pushed myself up that hill. And now for the home stretch. Longest mile ever. I knew I needed to hold on. I kept telling myself I was only out for a quick run.

Finally, I see the brown building. I knew I was almost there. I kept looking at my watch. I was close oh so very close. I heard the announcer saying you have 20 seconds to sub-2 to the people already sprinting in. 

I turn the corner. I look up and see the clock 2:00:42. I take off. Where that energy from, I have no idea but I just I knew that I had PR'd, but I also knew I had just done something I said I couldn't do on that course. I finally did a sub-2 half marathon!!!

Celebrating as I make my way to finish line!

Official time: 1:57:42

Good Luck Everyone

It's hard to believe that this time last year I was making sure I was completely packed and ready to head to Disney to run the Disney Princess Half.

Not going to lie I am a tad upset I won't be down there this weekend running. :( I came close to registering in July but decided that I wanted to save up the money and use it for my Disney Marathon weekend in 2017.

So for anyone who is running this weekend - have fun whether it is your first (5k, 10k, or Half) or one of many have a blast. This was one of my most memorable races. I loved every bit of it.

I can't wait to runDisney again in 2017!!!

2015 Michelob 13.1 Atlanta Recap

In July at the Peachtree Road Race Expo, I decided I was going to run the Michelob 13.1 on Oct 4th. I did the Publix Half in March, so I would be getting the Atl Challenge medal as well as the half medal.

A few days leading up to the race, we had some crazy rain that caused them to change the race course. Since I had never actually ran in that area, I  didn't know what to expect even with the last minute changes. I just knew it would be hilly.

Race start promptly at 7 AM. We had a threat of rain, but luckily, it only sprinkled on us, which was refreshing.

The first few miles weren't too bad. We had a few rolling hills. But, those didn't last long. It seemed like the hills were getting longer each time we had a new one to go up. Or maybe it was just how I felt. Either way, I was about ready to be done around mile 8. Because of the course change, we had to loop back to parts of the course that we ran in the first half of the race. That was okay, and all, but the hill around mile 11 took all I had left.

I was trying to stay ahead of the 2:10 pacer, but as soon as she passed me, I knew I wasn't even going to try to catch up.

We had a little uphill finish. I will admit, I walked some of it. Once I could see the finish line, I started running. By the look on my face in my finisher photo, I was glad to be done.

I have said I won't be running this race again next year. I see no point. I hated that course with a passion. I may consider volunteering for it, but I won't be running it.

One of my main complaints was the lack of water. I later found out because of the rain that was being brought in from the hurricane a lot of stuff wasn't able to get here in time. I normally run with a water bottle but decided not to this race. Next time I ever have any doubt, I will just bring it.

2015 Peach Jam Half Recap

I am starting to wonder if I should stop running half marathons in April because it always seems to rain the days leading up to it. Like last year, we had to worry about rain the day of the race. Luckily, the rain stopped the night before.

The race took place on the Big Creek Greenway out in Cumming, GA. It started and finished at Fowler Park.

The race started at 7:30 sharp. We took off from the parking lot making our way down to the greenway.

It was bit congested until about mile one then it started to thin out.

We had a few puddles and one big one that I remember from last year. I decided I  didn't want to run through it quite yet, so I decided to slow down and tip toe quickly through the mud.

With this race, you don't have that crowd support so it's  a mental game out there. Once we were coming up on the turnaround, I saw a friend from the local running group. She took my picture and cheered me on.

Three miles down. I was thinking to myself, "Why am I doing this again??". I kept pushing through.

Another than the mental game, I was feeling pretty good with the run. I was keeping my pace constant.

Around mile 8, I started chatting with another runner who was running her first half.

We ended up staying together for the rest of the race. She thanked me for pacing her and keeping her motivated to keep going. It was nice to have someone to talk to.

I didn't PR this time around, but it's okay. I got to help pace someone cross the finish line of their first half.

Oh and the most important thing of all and why I ended up signing up for this race......

Behind

I've been so busy that I am behind on recaps. Finally published last year's Peachtree Road Race recap. Up next will be the Enchanted 10K, Princess Half, and then the GA Publix Half.

I am hoping that this week will slow down some that I can work on each of those recaps. Stay tuned because I am sure the Disney recaps will be picture overload. :)

Hope everyone had a great Easter.

2015 GA Peach Jam Half

So a couple of weeks ago, I may or not have signed up for my 8th half marathon. This will be my third half marathon in three months which will qualify me for half fanatics. I never cared to be in it, but now that I am so close to it...why not?

The Peach Jam takes place on the Big Creek Greenway in Cumming, GA. I ran it last year and even with the crappy weather I still managed to PR. I am hoping that I can beat that time and also possibly sub-2 on that course this year. Fingers crossed for excellent weather and speedy legs/feet. I am going to need it for this flat half. :)

2014 Michelob 13.1 Recap

This race took place on October 4th, 2014 in Cumming, GA.

Besides the Hotlanta Half, this half was pretty brutal especially that last hill at the end. I wasn't able to PR on this course, but I did manage to beat my time from my first half (which happened to take place a year ago that weekend). First half (Allstate 13.1): 2:07:56 and fifth half (Michelob 13.1): 2:07:20.

I also completed the Atlanta Challenge that weekend. :)

I really don't remember too much about this race other than the hill at the end, so I will leave you with some photos that were taken after the race.

Flat Ramona ready for the Michelob 13.1

Jen, Brandi, and I are in there somewhere...

Focused on the finish line..

Almost there....

I did it!!! :)

Michelob 13.1 and Atl Challenge  COMPLETE!!

Brandi and I after getting our Atl Challenge medals.

Of course we have to get a group photo of the three of us. :)

 And of course on the way home I just had to stop and get these. After all I did run 13.1 miles...

2015 Glass Slipper Challenge

I was so busy last week packing for my trip that I forgot to mention I got into the Glass Slipper Challenge. :) I am so excited and ready for February to be here!

This will be my first runDisney event. Can not wait! :)

2014 Dirty Spokes: Georgia Peach Jam Half Marathon Recap

This half took place over on the Big Creek Greenway over in Cumming, GA on April 19th.

Back in February I was going back and forth with myself if I was going to do this half or not. It would be almost a month after doing the Georgia Publix Half so I knew I wouldn't have to worry about training too much. So during the last of the snow storm I decided I was going to bite the bullet and sign up.

The course is flat with a few little inclines but nothing too crazy. Very manageable.

Race week rolls around and I immediately start checking out the weather. We had been having some warmer days but since Georgia does have bi-polar weather I just wanted to be prepared for anything. Of course, the forecast was calling for rain. That wasn't the big issue. The issue was the greenway. Most of the time when it rains A LOT the greenways here in Georgia tend to flood since they are usually near creeks.

Friday rolled around and the race was still on even though the rain was coming down. I knew no matter what I was going to get soaked and have some mud on me.

So I laid out my outfit for the next day really hoping that it would stop raining so we could get this half marathon over with.

Woke up bright and early race day to make sure I got there in time to get my number, shirt, and to get ready mentally for the half.

It was still raining some but not crazy. Only thing we were going to have to worry about were the slippery boardwalks (which I didn't find to be very slippery) and the mud/puddles.

After getting my number and shirt, I found Brandi. She and I walked around for a bit until Jen got there then it was time for us to line up and get ready for the half.

We kind of all started around the same area. I am normally more up in the front of the pack, but seeing how this was going to be a slippery/muddy race I had planned on just taking it easy and having fun.

I started off a bit slow but that was the plan. I took it easy until most of the crowd thinned out.

The course wasn't bad at all as far as water goes except for one area that had a few puddles. I somehow managed not to get muddy on the first time through but on my way back I had no choice but to go through some of the mud. 

I was feeling pretty good about myself all the way through the race. I only started getting tired around mile 10 so that's when I decided I would go ahead and eat some jelly beans.

Before I knew it I was making my way up a small hill before turning onto the track to do my last little bit of the half.

When I saw the race clock I knew I was going to PR. I was really hoping I could have finished under an two hours, but I will take what I can.

Official time: 2:03. I took 4 minutes off my first half marathon time. :)

Once I got my medal I was able to see the damage of what I went through on the course. 

After we had all finished the half marathon we got a group photo before taking off to Dutch Monkey to get some yummy doughnuts.

Finisher's shirt. :) We decided the logo kind of looked like the Crush Orange Soda logo. What do you think?

Cute little 13.1 sticker they gave us. I added the "finisher" part.

Yummy doughnuts after running 13.1. :)