26.2 Things About the Flying Pig Marathon

1.     Planning on Erica time doesn’t always work. Sometimes Erica is late AF (always). This may make you almost miss your flight - especially when you have a 2 hour drive to get there 😐

2.     Long-term parking at Myrtle Beach Airport is not anything that ever crosses your mind that can go wrong. It can. Parking was full at MB Airport. 

3.     Extra screening because your “privates” beep through TSA - and you’re already late for your flight - is amazing (sarcasm font).

4.     Airline personnel don’t condone you going back to the bar when there is only 10 minutes left until take off, even if you ask nicely if you have time to grab a quick drink. You board instead.

5.     You may get sideways looks if you order a glass of wine on the flight at 8am. And another sideways look when you order another.

6.     Marathon morning - you’re less than a half mile to the start but it’s a cluster. No one knows where to go because you can see the corrals but they want you to make some crazy detour.

7.     Trying to get into your corral when you hear the start for A and B may stress you out.

8.     Getting into your corral with 30 seconds to spare - Call it efficient time management and forget how stressed you were trying to find the start.

9.     Pace groups are the devil. So many people. So much energy to exert to get around them. And then jerks who sprint cut between you and your friend to catch them. I promise you, buddy, at mile 2, it’s not worth it.

10.   Due to speed-hydrating before the start (aka chugging 3 bottles of water), you decide at mile 2 you will fuel and pee at mile 4 because the race boasts porta-potties every mile (which you are excited about!). Your bladder is not impressed when you don’t come upon them until after mile 5. And every other runner had the same idea. Lines were long. Apparently even a spectator was in line (didn’t realize this or would’ve said something!). Hello, 14:00 minute split for that mile 🤣

11.   Eden Park. The hill is steep, but not unbearable. The views are AH-MAY-ZING.

12.   Splitting with your running friend at mile 9 because she’s running the half is sad.

13.   The sadness is quickly replaced with happiness because a nice person is handing out mimosas a 1/4 mile later.

14.   Getting beer a mile later is awesome. Watching a guy grab a full can and chug while he’s running is awesome-er!

15.   Mariemont. So much like Fairborn in the AF Marathon. Block parties everywhere! Awesome vibe. This makes you smile from ear to ear, even though the temperature is rising and the sun is coming out.

16.   Drinking beer on the course and still passing other people makes you feel like a beast!

17.   Seeing all of the “first time marathoner” signs on people, knowing they’re running sub - 4’s.... inspiring!

18.   Watching a guy collapse at mile 25 and seeing a spectator rush over to grab him is scary. Knowing you are no good in a medical situation, all you can do is yell, “Medic! We need a medic now!” at every volunteer and officer you see. They acted fast and ran towards where you were pointing quickly. Sure hope he’s ok.

19.   Finishing sub 4:00 with no goals is awesome - makes you feel super proud.

20.   The finish line is a cluster. People with bags clearing the tables of runner goodies. I was able to snag the last bag of pretzels - the only snack I could eat. And I ran a 3:56 on a course with a 7:00 limit 😐.

21.   Trying to find your free beer, challenge goodies and Marathon finisher’s jacket is a struggle. Someone said they had to condense the finish line area due to construction and it’s not usually like that. 

22.   After party is awesome! The live band had played every year for the last 9 or 16 years? Great cover band. Drank and danced until they shut down. 

23.   Speaking of drinking - who is cash only these days? Every beer tent at the Flying Pig, apparently. When you hit up a food truck to see if they are selling beer, the chick working offers to charge you $21 on Square and give you $20 back in cash. You, ma’am, are a hero!

24.   The swag for Pig is awesome. Shirts, posters, blanket, cute double-sided medals, finisher’s jacket and a medal holder are pretty amazing! I bought a $5 backpack, too!

25.   The race itself was well-put together.  If this was my first marathon, I don’t know that any other would ever measure up.  The aid stations were plentiful and they had food.  Every. Single. One. Of. Them.  The 5k and 10k had water stops set up – with candy and food.  Cookies, candy, bacon – these were just a few of the things I remember being handed out at the aid stations.

26.   Cinci is an awesome town and it did not disappoint. I came to party with a side of marathon running - mission accomplished!

.2    Being grateful and humbled that your body carried you 26.2 miles and thankful your husband allows me to participate (and create!) these shenanigans... The best joy of all.