Bring on the Flying Pigs

Everyday for the last month I have been receiving an email notification, informing me how many days till the FLYING PIG MARATHON. Today it says 2 days till race day. (More like 2 days and 17 hours) Am I ready??? Maybe.

I want to feel ready. I didn't REALLY train for this marathon, as far as time. I trained for a half marathon which was at the end of March and after that race, I realized it was time to register for the Pig. I was also very behind on my long runs. So basically my training for this marathon was one 20 miler, then a 10, then a 23 miler. Ya... not the best idea. I am still holding out for a decent time.

Also, this week I have been fighting a little head cold. I seem to always come down with something during taper. What is up with that? My last few runs have kind of sucked rocks, and my 25 min swim yesterday was not to much fun either.

The weather is also showing Scattered thunderstorms. hmmm, could be fun.

Aunt flow will be visiting that day as well. Lucky me.

So my plan for race day is to stick with the 3:40 pace group until I just can't hang on any longer. I really hope I come in under 3:40:59.... BQ baby. If I don't, no biggie.

Did I mention this is marathon #12? This is also the Pigs 12th annual marathon. How great.

Good luck to all my other fellow racers this weekend. Make it a good one.

The ultimate running athletes

Have you ever been to a horse race? They are so much fun. My husbands Grandpa and his new wife were out visiting from Utah, and we were able to take them to the Keenland horse races. My friend's hubby is the general manager of one of the local horse farms, and they hooked us up with box seats. The view was awesome, and we had a great time. Eric, my friends hubby, taught us how to bet, and we tried to understand the process... we didn't win anything, but we had fun trying.

These Thoroughbred race horses are gorgeous and they are some cut, and healthy creatures. When I come back in my next life, I want to come back as a Thoroughbred here in the Bluegrass of Kentucky. They are treated like royalty. We also took them to tour the Adena Springs Horse farm, (which is the Farm Eric runs) where we watched a breeding... that is always a good time. My little 9 year old picked this horse below to win it's race. She told her dad to bet on him, and he didn't. This horse ended up winning and she was so mad at her dad for not listening.

Boston

I crossed that Boston Finish line 2 years ago.

Had the time of my life there, even with a terrible run (stomach bug). Even with the stomach issues, I had a great time. My qualifying time was a 3:27 and my Big Boston marathon time was a disappointing 4:15. I have some unfinished business there. I am hoping to qualify on May 2ND when I run the Flying Pig marathon. This is the first time I have really said this out loud, because I haven't wanted to jinx it. If I don't BQ in Cincy, then I will sometime this year. I know I have it in me again. I would just love to get it out of the way, so my other marathons can be a bit more enjoyable.

So Congrats and good luck to all running Heartbreak hill. Enjoy your experience.

I love me a great long run.

Today for my long run, I was hoping for 20-22 miles. I was a little anxious about my run. Some weekends, I just get nervous about running alone. Have I told y'all I train alone? I do. I don't mind it most runs, but occasionally, I think it would be nice to have someone who lives around me, who runs my same pace-ish. I love running, and I love training for marathons, so I don't give up.

I love running, and today was no different. I ran and I ran and I ran... alone. I was able to make it 23 miles... alone. hee hee. My feet, toes, legs and mind are tired. I choose to do my long runs on Saturdays, because church is at 9:30 Am on Sundays, and I don't want to run after. I feel terrible I choose running over yard work, family fun, and over nighters on Fridays. My hubby will get so much finished in the time I run 20 miles. He cleans the house, gets the kids ready, does some yard work, and will be showered before I am done running on a Saturday morning. I feel guilty. Do any of you feel this way? If so, what do you do, to make up for it?

P.S. The hubby never complains about my running so much. He loves it. I love him.

I want to give a shout out to my girl Stacey. If you don't read her blog, (click here) you really should. She has a goal of running 40 marathons by the time she turns 40... in 14 months. She has 25 marathons to run till then. She is so amazing. Today she ran marathon #16, in Salt Lake City.

Flying Pig.....& All about the ladies.

My next race (marathon #12) is the Flying Pig Marathon on May 2ND, in Cincinnati. I ran this marathon last year, but it was 8 days after I ran Kentucky derby. Remember last year Kentucky Derby was super hot, and miserable... then 8 days later ran the Flying Pig... I ran both races in the same exact time to the minute. 4:23.... I am hoping to beat that time this year in Cincinnati. Unless something terrible happens, I am certain I will.
I want to run this ALL women's Half Marathon, In Nashville, TN this Sept. I went to register last night, to receive the early bird price of $50..(or first 250)... to late... So I will be waiting a few weeks... the price goes from $85 to $90 on June 1st... May 31st, I will register. :)Look at the goodie bag you receive and the the super cute medal with charm in the center. I can not wait to run this race. I will also get to meet one of my bloggy friends "Runner Mom".

half marathon post race post, and my hubby must really love me.

Kristal-Tracy-Shana-Tera-Joe-...bottom...Jamie (think that is her name) Me- Wendy (we are missing a few of our YMCA family... just didn't find them before the race) I forgot my camera, so this is the only picture we have of us. It was taken with an iphone. I look like such a dork. The back row is up on a sidewalk and I was in front slouching and made myself look like a hunch back. Terrible.

Good things:
*My hubby and my twin sister were both there to cheer me on.
* Had lots of friends from the YMCA to meet up with.
* Didn't have to stay in a hotel the night before.
* Couldn't have had more fun cheering for my friends across the finish. For most of them, this was their first.
* The honey on the wheat rolls at the finish line.
* Beat my goal time of 1:50... crossed in 1:45. 10th in my age group out of 222.
* Beautiful and scenic course......Lexington is the horse capital of the world, rolling green HILLS.

Not so good things:
* The parking (getting in and out)
* Hilly Course..... but really that is all I train on around here.
* The finish line timing clock was on the wrong side, so you had to cross the finish line and turn around to see the time. How lame is that.
* It rained the entire race..... of course the sun was out shining by the time I got home.
* With the rain was a cold, wind... ugh.

I did have fun, and I am very pleased with my time. I loved cheering for my friends, and they all did such a great job. So proud of them.

For five weeks my hubby and twin sister had a little surprise up their sleeves. Last Wed my twin and her two daughters flew in from Utah, and surprised the girls and I. They did so well keeping it a secret. I did however figure it out the day before they got here, but the girls were pleasantly surprised. We have had a great time. My oldest turned 9 on Saturday, so it was nice to have family here to celebrate. They go home tomorrow. Sadness.

Lexington Half Marathon

My next race is going to be the Lexington Half Marathon. I am so excited about this one. I live just minutes from Lexington (Ky) and I am thrilled I will be able to sleep in my own bed the night before. I think this is the first race over a 10K where I have been able to do that. I always travel to my races and end up on a friends couch/floor or a hotel room. I have several girl friends from the Y (trained for the Tri with these lovely ladies) who have been training and are also running this half. For most of them, it's their first half. It has been so exciting for me to watch them turn into runners... (not that they love/like it) The race is March 28Th, and I am very excited to get out there and do my thing. I also need to decide which Full marathons I will be running this year. Not exactly sure why I haven't done this yet, but it's partly because I am just lazy. :) I think I will do the Kentucky Derby Full marathon again at the end of April, but I know I am way behind on my miles and where I should be at this point.

huh, oh well. I will be fine.