When Pigs Fly

Wee! Wee! Wee! Even in my wildest dream, I would not think I would be able to run a sub four-hour marathon. I accomplished the impossible yesterday in Cincinnati in the Flying Pig Marathon. My chip time was 3:48, which was 27 minutes faster than my previous best set in Maine last year.

I lined up with the 4:10 group. After a crowded first mile, I used a few hills (and bridges) to gain ground. I figured I'd slow down later so I need to build a time cushion. I didn't really talk to too many people. I passed the 4:00 pace girl by around Mile 10. More hills, more people I left behind. I wanted to reach the half-way mark under 2 hours and the 20-mile mark under 3 hours. Mission accomplished. My body somehow managed to carry me. My quads were a little tight, but they didn't slow me down a bit. I caught up with the 3:50 pacer around Mile 20. We exchanged positions a few times, and I finally broke away from him at the last mile.

Old Spice Endurance Formula sponsored a last-mile award, thus there was a chip sensor at Mile 25.2. Who would have thought that after running 25.2 miles, I could run the last mile in 7 minutes and 27 seconds? I even took time at Mile 26 to wear my piggy noise!

The impossible happened when I crossed the finishing line, seeing the clock showing 3:49. Oink! Oink! I even had a beer with my marathon buddy Betsy to celebrate.

That was my 7th marathon. The next one is 10 weeks away!

6.8 Miles --- 1:02:00
12.0 Miles --- 1:47:34
13.1 Miles --- 1:56:53
19.3 Miles --- 2:51:08
25.2 Miles --- 3:42:12
26.2 Miles --- 3:49:39

Bib: 869
Chip Time: 3:48:02
Pace: 0:08:42 per mile

Overall: 939 out of 4172 marathon finishers
Male: 768 out of 2461 male marathon finishers
Male 30-34: 110 out of 260 in age group