Race Reports

Rob Hall: Cincinnati Flying Pig “Ultra” Marathon 2008
May 3, 2008

If the definition of an “Ultra” marathon is a race over 26.22 miles, then the Pig qualified for 2008.  If Ron Wahula would have been race director he would have said, “We gave you a little extra for free.”  The course was re-routed that mourning because of a fire between mile 22 and 23.  They told us about the reroute, but they did not know the distance.

My goal for the race was a new PR (personal record) and to break 4 hours.  I did the Pig back in 2004, so I knew it was hilly and not the fastest course.  It was still an easy choice to do because the hills are front loaded, I was going to train hard with the Furman FIRST program, and my running buddy Gary Fulton was doing it.

I trained for the marathon by following the Furman FIRST to the Finish program at about 85%.  I started the training by going to the winter retreat Furman put on in February.  The training for me was a Tuesday track workout on Black Creek Trail (could not find a track I could legally use), a Thursday tempo run along the ATT, and a Saturday long run with the “Lost Dutchman Winter runners”.  The Saturday runs were not as fast as the program called out for, but they were close.  I did 2 to 3 prescribed non-weight bearing hard aerobic workouts each week.  These turned out to be a Sunday and or Monday spinner bike session and a Wednesday swim.  I was always exhausted from the training, but pain is a good thing.  I promise I will do an upcoming article on the Furman retreat and the program. My arrangements started to fall into place when Gary picked the hotel he and his family were staying at, the Hampton Inn just over the river in Kentucky.  I flew AA into Louisville because of the direct flight and the cost savings paid for the rental.  It only took maybe an hour and a half to get to Cincinnati, and I need a car to go visit friends in the area.

The expo was in downtown Cincy and it was pretty easy to find the place and get parking.  I got the bib, chip, great looking technical t-shirt, gym bag, and poster in no time.  They also had a great sale on old shirts and the artist for the poster was there to sign it.  I am not a big shopper at the expo, but it looked like it had plenty of vendors for anyone’s taste.  I made it out so quick that I was able to go see the aquarium in Newport before having to meet Gary for dinner.

Dinner the night before was at the house of Gary’s relatives and we had some great pancakes and pasta while watching the Kentucky Derby.  We turned in early and got up early to make the start.  The Hampton was great and had breakfast out for the marathoners, so we got some cereal and yogurt.  Gary’s son dropped us off near the start and we were soon waiting for the start with perfect weather of 40F with a few clouds and little wind.

The course starts in Cincy around the ballparks and then quickly goes over to Kentucky (Newport and Covington) and then back into Cincy around mile 4.  This is all relatively flat with pretty good crowds.  I was doing 5 and 1s at a sub 9 pace, while Gary was doing his walking at the water stops (one every mile up to mile 25), so we kept flip flopping around each other.  They had the best water stops there that I have ever seen at a race, and it was tuff at the end to vote on which one was the best overall. There is a large hill from miles 5 to 8 with about a 100ft/mile climb.  The best part of the hill is the view and party at the top in Eden Park.  I stopped to take a look in 2004, but I was on a mission this year.  After the hill, you travel through some of the great neighborhoods of the city.  They had a lot of bands and fans to make the miles go past quickly.

I was soon on Riverside Drive and heading for home with 2 minutes in the bank on my goal at mile 22.  I was really feeling good and it is all downhill from there.  I could not figure my time out at mile 24, but it seemed way off.  They had a timed last mile and when I hit that mat I was down to a flat 8 to break 4 hours.  I just remember thinking what happened to the 2 minutes I had in the bank.  Well, I sucked it up and tried to push over the overpass that starts the final mile.  I was going all out at the finish and did a last mile of 8:20 and a final chip time of 4:00:20.  I must have looked bad as I had every volunteer ask me if I was doing ok, but I just needed to catch my breath.