And This Little Piggy Went...

…”wee wee wee” all the way home.

I haven’t really discussed my race goals for the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, Ohio – or Cin City – which is less than 10 days away! I haven’t really discussed them because I don’t really have any. In fact, by the hour, I’m changing my plans on how I’m going to run this race.

I long since decided that I’m really just going to run this race for FUN. I didn’t train for a PR. I’m a few pounds off my ideal race weight. My Cheeto Layer is still present. Though physically I’ve done all of the training, mentally, my mind has been elsewhere.

Last year, I blogged about Setting Race Goals and included a category called “I Like Shiny Things.” I mentioned that I didn’t understand folks who don’t set a race goal and run just for fun. A year later, here I am not setting a race goal and running for fun. I guess I like shiny things too.

I think I could run a 3:15 or so. I could probably do it but I’d be muthaf’in’ all the way up that hill between miles 6-8 and then wishing death to random inanimate objects by mile 23. Generally, I love to swear and condemn things to death but, without going for a PR, it would seem pointless, wasted cussing. I reserve that kind of useless profanity for other drivers who aren’t following Nitmos’ Personal Rules of the Road. Or the football referees who clearly have their head up their asses if I can see the penalty all the way through my TV from my couch in Michigan.

I’ll be in Cin City with a buddy of mine – a fellow Steers Long Distance Project member (and not the Hello Kitty Mystery Runner that just completed Boston) - and I may run part or all of the race with him at his pace. Both of us have trained well but have not trained hard for this race. If I run with him, I’m looking at around a 4:00 finish…but a more enjoyable experience. Misery loves company after all.

In the This Little Piggy nursery rhyme, I assume the piggy that had roast beef is the one that gets what he wants…pigs out…goes for a PR in roast beef eating. (implied)

Last evening, I decided to be the piggy that will go wee wee wee all the way home without a (race goal) care in the world.

This morning, I reversed and decided, you know what, I trained fairly hard for 4 months and should do the best I can.

As I type this, I’m again thinking how many times do you have a chance to run a marathon with a friend?

Roast beef?

Wee wee wee?

Roast beef?

I like shiny things… Well, not shiny but a baby in a pig outfit! This beats a Vanilla in a Gorilla outfit any day on the Cute Scale.

But, then there’s roast beef…

…that looks pretty good. Maybe not as cute as the baby but certainly more delicious.

Either way, I’ll make it to the Finish Swine.

If I decide to go wee wee wee all the way home, no one better tickle my feet. I hate being tickled. I mean it.

Or I’ll cut you like a side of roast beef.

Happy trails.

(The baby and finish swine photos taken from the Flying Pig marathon website.)