My 1st Flying Pig Half Marathon

I was relaxed.  Well prepared.  Excited.  Pumped up by the huge crowd.
And off we started.  Annie and I were actually running the Cincinnati 2012 Flying Pig Half Marathon.

I was feeling great.  First 6 miles- smooth- fast pace felt good.

Then around mile 7, I felt my right leg talking to me... I had this conversation with this leg over the last few months of training.  The issue would turn out to be my I T band.

At mile 8, I slowed to a walk.

At mile 9, I had to move stiff legged.  I could not bend my right leg. 4 Miles to go. "WE WILL FINISH" I screamed.  I switched back and forth from running stiff legged and walking stiff legged.  I knew I would finish... no matter how long it took.

Coming down Eggleston Avenue, around mile 12.5, the crowd cheering got louder.  I remembered how I envisioned the final mile every time I did a training run.  Suddenly something kicked in.  I was running again. Running Again! Faster.  The crowd was waving.  I was waving.  Just like I pictured it.  I saw a co worker in the crowd. (He later said I looked good and was running quite well).

Crossing the finishline of my 1st half marathon is hard to describe.  Fantastic.  Mentally life changing. Spiritual.  Awesome.

Annie and I got our medals, snacks and drinks and made our long walk back to the car.  I was tired and sore, but I knew I would be back.  "I am a runner"