Midwest Race-cation day four: Flying Pig Half Marathon race report

The morning went smoothly -- got to the start just fine, had plenty of time to relax, felt okay.

Having no loudspeakers meant we couldn't hear the start, but after several minutes we started inching forward. 

The course was nice and wide, and it didn't seem like there was much bunching. There were, however, a lot of people walking. Not run-walking, but walking. I wondered how they had been placed in corral F or higher, given their time. But whatevs. I would be doing plenty of walking of my own later! (OoooOOOOooooh, foreshadowing!)

After a very short time, we crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky.  

(Okay, so it's blurry.)

The Ohio River sure is big:

We weren't there long -- only about a mile, I think. Highlight of Kentucky? The guy at the water stop saying "Last water stop in Kentucky!! You don't want to drink the water in Ohio!!"

So far, things were going really well. I felt good, was having fun, etc. And I was still on course. 

At some point right around mile 5 we started running through downtown. Nice spectator support, a DJ playing music, pleasant. I was singing along with Bon Jovi (a clear indication that I was having fun), chatting with runners, loving life. I slowed for my walk break, and when started running again I had shooting pains in my right ankle/foot. I don't remember turning an ankle, though the road was really uneven in places. I tried to loosen it up, but no luck. I simply couldn't run on it. It was only mile 5.5 or so. Boooo. 

I could walk on it, but I knew it would be much slower going. Still, finishing and picking up state #24 was key. So on I went. 

Mile six is when the hill started, and it went on and on for a couple of miles. 

Up up up...

The view at the top -- well, 2/3rds of the way up -- was pretty spectacular, however!

I don't have a ton of memories from the rest of the race, just scattered thoughts: 

May the Fourth Be With You gal!!! (Later I saw her taking a picture with two little boys who were wearing a storm trooper and a Yoda costume!)

Bring on the dancing horses... Is that California Chrome on the left? They were dancing to "Lady Marmalade", btw. 

Big, pretty church at the top of the hill. 

Do it for the bacon. Or the tofu. Or whatever. 

Finally, close! 

And there's the Finish Swine!!!

The finish area was odd -- they didn't keep runners moving, so you had to press through crowds to get your medal and such. I was able to get some water and fruit, but I passed on the snack cakes, trail mix, and so on. 

I definitely felt the difference between being toward the front of the pack, rather than toward the back -- the finish was super crowded, and the water stations were in disarray. 

I really just wanted to be done -- four days on my own is too much! -- so I didn't linger. I decided my legs would be happier if I walked the 2.4 miles back to the hotel. Of course, that meant this:

But I did get to cross the famous "Purple People Bridge":

... and I got one last nice view from a bridge over the Ohio River:

I am trying to separate my performance from my experiences in the two races. I do think that Indy Mini was better organized than Flying Pig. The Pig had less entertainment on course, far fewer water stops, and fewer spectators. I still think I would have enjoyed Indy Mini if I needed to walk half of it. If I were offered the chance to run either race again, I would pass on the Pig, but happily run the Mini. Which is saying something. 

Still, the medal is heavy and handsome... AND I just picked up state #24!

Midwest Race-cation day four: Porkopolis

A bit of needless anxiety this morning: would there REALLY be a shuttle at 5am? Answer: of course. So I needn't have fretted about it. Hurrah for TANK!

Now in massive corral F, which stands for Far Far Away From the Start. Police in full riot gear are roaming the corral, in addition to the National Guardsmen checking bibs. 

Super smart feature: there are porta potties IN the corrals. There are more outside, but it's nice to have them in the corrals, too. 

Lots of ladies with pig tails (not in their hair; pinned to their bums) and pig ears. Saw two girls talking to a reporter: "If you can't finish first, finish cute!"

My back and abs are really sore this morning -- coughing is painful -- and I am a little footsore. Don't think this will be one for the record ooks!

Just realized that corral F has no loudspeakers. Feels more peaceful. Of course, none of us can hear any announcements...

Okay, it's almost time to get my oink on!

Midwest Race-cation day 3: Indy Mini Marathon race report

Today was nearly perfect -- found my reserved parking spot very easily, then walked up the street past all the corrals to the start. How many corrals? Let's just say there was a corral Z...

The street was pretty empty -- really just the volunteers in the corrals. (Hello, wave start!) I moved to the front to watch the 5K start. It was nice to see people looking nervous, kids looking excited, etc. then they sang "Back Home Again in Imdiana" and, of course, I cried. 

It's funny -- I have almost no memories of Indiana, other than a visit as a child, and when Wil and I came with Dad's ashes all those years ago. But I do have vivid memories of watching the Indy 500 every year with my Dad. AJ Foyt, Al and Bobby Unser, Mario Andretti -- those were the heroes of my childhood. And Jim Neighbors singing the song before the race, and the winner chugging milk afterward. 

After the 5K runners left, they called wave 1 to our corrals. I made a quick pot stop at one of the gazillion porta potties; NO LINE! Astounding. I swear, this race had the most porta potties of any event I have ever been to. Well done Indy Mini!!!

I got in the corral, we sang the national anthem, cheered the wheelers on their way, and then it was our turn. We took off and ran under two cherry pickers with the official starters in them, including the mayor of Indy. He and the other starters would be waving their green flags for a very long time!

We soon ran under the largest American flag I have ever been close to, suspended from two hook-and-ladder trucks:

Then we essentially ran to the speedway... but I had to stop to take a picture of this house:

Also, there were more water stops -- Pit Stops, that is -- than I had ever seen. More then one per mile, all well stocked and well staffed. I pretty much just ran between stops, picking up fluids at each one and walking while I drank. I know it is sometimes very hot here for the Mini, so the water stops are super smart. Later on the course they also had a couple f "spray stations" where you could run under a cold-water most -- the nice part is that you could also easily avoid the spray if you didn't want to get wet. 

We approached a turn with a small sign that simply said "Speedway". 

We ran down Main Street, which is where I caught my first glimpse of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and I couldn't breathe. 

We entered the speedway by running down and up the underpass -- the same way Wil and I arrived years ago. Clearly this was the steepest part of the course! I think we were on Pit Lane briefly, but soon we headed out on to the track proper. 

Now, look. I KNOW a 2.5-mile oval is big. But holy crap, a 2.5-mile oval is BIG!! The curves go on forever, and the straightaways are ridiculous. It felt like we were running forever and not moving. 

We passed Turn 4 (hi Dad!) and got on the finish straight. I just kept grinning because I was so happy to be there. A while longer and I could see that they had coned off an area to the outside edge of the track, so that nerds like me could pucker up and do this:

(Thanks to the stranger who swapped photos with me!)

I took a few more pics on the track:

but soon I was leaving the speedway and heading back to downtown. 

The rest of miles were a blur; lots of music, lots of folks on front porches or sidewalks in front of their homes, cheering, lots of kids high-fiving asana runners as they could. So friendly, Imdy!!

Got choked up again when I fit the "victory mile" at the 12.1 mile spot.  You run down a road filled with checkered flags and screaming spectators. They even had a 13-miles ruler (I LOVE that) AND the finish line was visible pretty much that entire last mile. 

I got the usual queasy feeling at around mile 12.7, so I slowed down till it settled, just before mile 13. Then I went for it, happily passing lots of peoe. State 23, a dream race, and a gorgeous medal!

Things I loved about the race:

SO MUCH MUSIC! every mile had multiple performers, be they Rock bands, rap trios, tap dancers, folksy duos, or DJs. You would still be able to hear the last band you passed when you started hearing the next one. 

SO MUCH LIQUID! I was super impressed by the number of water or Gatorade stops. One slight wobble: there wasnanClif Shots gel area, but the nearest water was about half a mile away. That seemed odd -- you really need to wash that stuff down. 

SO MANY PORTA POTTIES! At the start, at each water stop, and at the finish. All somehow without lines, clean, and with plenty of paper. 

Nice shirt, nice medal, nice swag... Overall I give the Indy Mini an A+ overall. 

Midwest Race-cation day 3: back home again in Indiana

Standing next to the start chute, waiting for the 5K to start... A National Guardsman sings "Back Home Again in Indiana" and my eyes fill with tears. I think it's gonna be an emotional day. 

Midwest Race-cation day 2: a tale of two expos

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...
Actually, it was neither of those! But it has been a Very Long Day...
I started out in Cincinnati, Ohio -- where, because the Flying Pig expo didn't open until noon, I paid a visit to the completely amazing American Sign Museum.

Inside the museum it was a little overwhelming -- some great classic signs, lots of info on pre-electric signs, and then, bam: neon all over!

This reminded me of my childhood -- there was a Big Boy on Aurora when I was little.

My favorite part of the museum was "Main Street", which featured shop fronts, a working neon studio, and some massive neon signs. I was a little surprised at how noisy the signs were -- you could hear the machinery inside making the lights flash.

Then it was time to head into downtown -- though I needed to stop and take a picture of this amazing "Camp Washington" mural on the side of a multi-storey building. Apparently that's the name of the neighborhood...

Got downtown quickly and parked a few blocks from the expo. Of course, the first thing I needed to do in Cincinnati was find this fountain:

Baby, if you've ever wondered....

Then I made my way over to the hotel where packet pickup was being held. This year they split the expo into two buildings -- a hotel ballroom to pick up your bib and bag, then the convention center across a skybridge to pick up your swag and visit the other vendors.
I got in line at around 11:30. People were grousing that the expo didn't open until noon ... but, of course, that was when they *said* they would open, so I don't know why people were complaining! But here's the thing -- the organizers opened the doors early... at around 11:40. Nice touch, Piggies!
Packet pickup was pretty well organized -- bibs by last name, nothing complicated. I had forgotten that there were multiple events -- a 5K, a 10K, a half, and a full. No wonder they have so many people!
On the way over to the main expo hall I ran into this gentleman, who was the first person to ever register for the Flying Pig, years ago, and who will be running his 150th marathon on Sunday. Yeah, he'll be running with the pig hat and the gold wings!
I also want to point out that the volunteer shirts like the one he is wearing say "GRUNT" on the front. GENIUS.

On the way to the expo hall I passed lots of coloring contest submissions, plus some of the swine signs for individual runners (didn't spot one for me, but I'm hoping!), some cute motivational signs, and (best of all), BALLOON ART.

Inside the main hall, the Asics merch was super cute and quite varied. Loved these "baseball shirts" with the pig logo on the right hip. They also were offering the ability to print any graphic on any shirt -- interesting option, and a great way to keep from having too much stuff left over!

This made me laugh a little -- not sure these are actually Asics tutus...

I did end up buying a Flying Pig sticker, cowbell, patch, and pin... but didn't get the pint glass. (I think it makes sense to only get glasses for races Team Wil-Sun runs together, don't you?)
I nearly joined this line by accident -- I thought it was shirt pickup. But, nope -- since the race is sponsored by P&G, if you wait in a long line you're allowed to walk through and pick up products like detergent, dishwashing pods, deodorant, shampoo, etc. etc. Given that I'm traveling with just a carry-on, it didn't make sense to pick up a bunch of big stuff, but clearly people were excited. In another part of the expo, Iams had a big display... but I really didn't need dog food!

There were plenty of other vendors, local running stores, etc., but I of course didn't need anything, so I was on my way in under an hour.

Drove to Indianapolis, got a teensy bit lost, but eventually found my way to the Indy Mini expo. Yes, these helped!

The Indiana Convention Center is massive... but eventually I found the actual hall.

Was a little surprised that the largest half marathon in the world has such a small selection of merchandise... a few shirts, some mugs, keychains, and a sticker. Of course, I may have arrived to slim pickins, given it was the afternoon of the second day of expo!
It's funny -- I got a little lost in the expo hall since it was so open -- not the usual pipe and drape corridors! I wasn't even sure where to go to pick up my bib and shirt -- though as you can see from the picture above, it's well labeled at the back of the hall!
I picked up my stuff, walked around a little, and then decided to go. I just wanted to get to the hotel and get settled... even though it was only 4:30 in the afternoon...
A few thoughts about the two expos...
Flying Pig definitely had the flashier expo -- bigger sponsors, bigger booths, and a visit from Ryan Hall. Flying Pig also had way better merch, and excellent branding. The simple act of keeping -- and using -- the same logo each year, but adding a new theme each year gives them a lot to play with. Merch and branding advantage go to Flying Pig.
Indy Mini had a lot going for it. I loved this big screen showing video of the course. It was nice to have a preview of what I'll be running tomorrow, and seeing the lap on the track made me pretty giddy. I'm super excited about that!

Indy Mini also had a Michelob Ultra bar in the middle. Now, sure, it's not good beer, but it was funny. Actually I thought it was weirder that they don't have a milk -- or chocolate milk -- sponsor, given the tradition of the winner of the Indianapolis 500 drinking a bottle of milk. Advantage: push. (I really don't like Michelob Ultra...)

Another really nice touch: historial displays of every previous Indy Mini, with shirt, medal, photographs, and news clippings. I liked seeing how things had changed over time. For celebrating their own heritage, advantage Indy Mini.

Overall, the Indy Mini was a smaller but easier to navigate expo, and had more experiences that I liked. But even with that, I didn't stay all that long.

One big point to Cincinnati: the city had banners in the street celebrating the Flying Pig. Had it not been for huge lines of porta potties, it would not have been in any way obvious that Indy Mini was tomorrow. Advantage: Flying Pig. (Though I appreciate seeing dozens and dozens of porta potties!!!)

Got to the hotel and sifted through the stuff. First, Flying Pig:

Event shirt, gear check bag (the clear one), program, bib (personalized, nice), and a lithograph (in the black box) and something that was referred to as a "premium". It's a heavy black vinyl (?) bag... possibly waterproof? Not sure... but there you go. The shirt is a nice Asics tech tee, gender specific, but a bit oversized somehow.
Then Indy Mini:

Luminous yellow string bag, embroidered hat (surprise!), bib, and a surprisingly handsome long-sleeve tech tee. The tee is soft, feels like cotton but is clearly techy. The front is nice and subtle, and the back has a cute print. I'm not a big fan of red, but this is one of the nicest race shirts I've ever received.
Okay, here's my outfit for tomorrow's race! Black tank, black Brooks skort (customized with checkered ribbon at the hem), checkered knee-highs (yeah, this is risky, but I'm going for it), black Brooks hat, and of course my beloved black and purple Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14s. LOVE this color. I've got a lightweight long sleeve as well as my LSD Lite Jacket in case the weather gets weird tomorrow, but otherwise I feel all set.

Alarms are set, clothes are laid out -- now up the wooden hill to bedfordshire for me!

Midwest Race-cation, day 1

1:55 pm Chicago time:
Today is a travel day. I am "halfway there" -- sitting on the plane in Chicago, watching the rain and thinking abou thte sunshine at home in Seattle.
I'm flying into Dayton, Ohio. It was significantly cheaper than flying into Cincinnati, possibly because it's just that much farther from Churchill Downs. The plane is full of folks talking horseracing, super excited about the Kentucky Derby this weekend.
The women across the aisle are talking about the hats they'll be wearing to the Derby. The folks behind me are talking about the horses they're betting on -- lots of excitement about a California horse, given that they're from California.
I'm traveling for a different sort of racing, of course. Tonight I'm staying just north of Cincinnati so that I can pick up my packet at the Flying Pig Marathon Expo when it opens at noon on Friday. Then I'll jump in the car and drive to Indianapolis to pick up my packet for Indy Mini -- their expo is open until the very civilized hour of 9pm!
I was talking to Wil last night and I admitted I was feeling nervous. He said, "Well, we've run so many back to back races now that it's easy for me to forget that it's a real challenge." I told him that, honestly, I wasn't worried about the running part at all... that even if the wheels come offf, I'll still finish both races. What makes me nervous before a race is the logistics of it -- especilly the first time I run something, and especially in a new city.
I should quickly point out that the organizers of both the Indy Mini and the Flying Pig have been very communicative -- lots of pre-race info, including parking, street closures, public transit... even restaurants and other things to do in town. But of course I still worry. And, of course, I also LOVE the logistical part. I'm a planner and a fixer at heart, so I do love to prepare!
8:41 Fairfield time:
Picked up my car from quite possibly the friendliest, nicest rental agency I've ever experienced: Budget at the Dayton Airport. Really friendly, really charming, really efficient. And I must admit that I didn't realize that Ford Focuses (Focii??) also come in a very sporty, cherry red model. Rowr.
Made it to Fairfield with little trouble, other than being surprised that many drivers in Ohio seem to have a different understanding of what the lane markers might indicate... But before I checked in to the hotel I had to stop at Jungle Jim's...
Sure, I needed to pick up some groceries, but Jungle Jim's is no mere grocery store... First of all, it's massive. It's also... very weird. I was handed a map when I walked in, which is good, because I got lost a few times.
They have large and nicely arranged collections of ethnic and foreign foods... but it's not just the product selection. I mean, how can you resist this:

That, my friends, is a talking Robin Hood. Twelve feet off the ground. Talking to Little John (who is standing on a log that's balanced between two aisles) and Maid Marian. Yes, of course, he's the marker for the British food section. Which had Daddies Brown Sauce, a large range of biscuits and sweets (but no fruit allsorts!!!), and crisps. Monster Munch, Hula Hoops, Walkers...

They have a giant hot sauce section, which features a real fire truck overhead, a strange singing band of cereal mascots (who in turn appear on a full-sized "Minnow", painted with characters from Gilligan's Island), a massive singing Campbell's soup can on a swing, giant penguins in frozen food, and this, near the gargantuan candy section:

Now, I don't know if it's a lion or a monkey -- monkey, I guess? -- but it's singing Elvis songs every 5 minutes.
Jungle Jim's had sprawling cheese sections, as well as something I had never seen:
a BUTTER BAR???? The mind kinda boggles.
There was also a huge beer and wine section, complete with a "tasting area" that was selling pints of beer. (That seems like more than a taste... that's a bar...) I thought it was a little odd, but then again our new Bartell Drugs in downtown Ballard fills growlers...
I enjoyed wandering the store, picking up groceries for the weekend... but the best thing I found I just stumbled across: Flying Pig Jones Sodas!!!

I'm not a huge fan of green apple, but I couldn't resist. What a cool race tie-in!! Even the 4-pack holder is Flying Pig themed (and triggered a WKRP memory...):

What can I say? Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Tomorrow: a tale of two expos!!!