Thursday, April 23, 2009

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.)

19 comments:

Spike said...

ummmmm...roast beef...so delicious! I suggest your eat roast beef while running with your friend and carrying that adorable baby.

Lily on the Road said...

Another year older and shiny things don't seem so bad do they???

LOL...

Spike has a great solution...you should "run with it"

Marlene said...

In my (very limited [read: 1]) marathon experience, I don't think there is such a thing as running a marathon "for fun." It's too damn hard to be fun.

Finish Swine... that's awesome! Do they serve roasted pig after??

Aileen said...

I remember running up the hill at mile 6 as those really fast people were already running down it. Slightly demotivating, yes, but I did run up the hill.

Mmmmm...beef...

Ian said...

Cuter than Vanilla in a Gorilla suit? That's not what your Mom said! *rimshot*

I think you should run the marathon as fast as you can, because I like the thought of you being in pain.

Jess said...

Run with your friend...you'll have as much fun as possible while running 26.2 miles!

KimsRunning said...

Run for fun!!!! Did you read "Spirit Of A Marathon"?? There was a guy who used to run marathons and he'd call specific restaurants and place orders for beer and pizza. He actually stopped and ate during the marathons....LOL If you need a pacer like that, gimme a call. I can get you over that finish line in 7 hours....LOL

Jessica said...

You can always do what I did and decide your plan during the race :)

tfh said...

See, I think I might just be capable of running races for fun if not for the fact that-- unless I'm prescient enough to register under a pseudonym in advance-- I know that anybody who wants will be able to access my race results online and sneer over them. And even if my greatest effort is sneerworthy, well, it's still not as sneerworthy as my "just for fun"s, which are essentially fun for people to sneer over.

Velma said...

I have a feeling about mile 4 you will decide to go for it and end up swearing at the end.

If not, I heard there is a lipstick station near the finsh - you could go for a fun finishers photo.

I look forward to the report, I may try some pig next year.

Marathon Maritza said...

That roast beef looks gross (then again, I'm a vegetarian) but I say do what will make the race the most enjoyable on race day!

And chug some beer at the end, because in addition to liking shiny things, me also likey fizzy things. :)

sRod said...

Wait, they're going to have roast beef? That wasn't on my sign up form.

Looking forward to the race buddy.

chia said...

That roast beef just made me throw up a little in my mouth lol. Have a great race man!

Run For Life said...

Whatever you decide to do, be sure to take your mistress along for the ride!

Beth said...

Good luck no matter what you decide. I'm guessing once the race starts you'll come up with a totally new plan. Try to enjoy it either way!

Mike said...

Maybe you can run with me and count the number of times you hear,

"...looking Strong, Big guy", from the people who think they are encouraging me.

-one little wee wee wee piggy

Aron said...

ahhh race day is getting close!! i am all about running them for "fun"... i am really looking forward to SD where i am doing that too!

Mike G said...

Cin City lol. That really does sound like a fun time.

I don't either of us - despite our mutual fondness for dull muscular aches of a certain similar intensity - has to worry about eclipsing Ryan Hall's blistering 4:50 average mile pace - which makes a comparatively fun run like this one all the sweeter and easier to enjoy!

B. Kramer said...

Roast Beef seems easier. I know how you can drink enough fluids, run a marathon and still have enough to go wee wee wee all the way home.