Flying Pig Course: Turn-by-Turn

• Miles 1-5 will be pretty crowded, almost to the point where it’s a little frustrating for the first couple of miles. The first four turns on the course are Left, Right, Right, Right, so I would suggest starting in the middle of the road, and after the first turn (about .25 miles) moving to the right hand side of the street.
• You go over three bridges in the first 4 miles. The first one is the least steep of the three, but none of them are bad, as they are so early in the race.
• You will hit downtown around mile 5ish…. Once you hit seventh street, just plan on NOT looking at your garmin, because you will probably speed up. The crowds in this part are pretty awesome!
• After you run through downtown, the 3ish mile climb starts — I promise you it isn’t that bad. Just remember that the climb isn’t really over until you break off from the half marathoners around mile 9. If you think it is over after you run around the BEAUTIFUL overlook(mile 7.5ish), then you will just be setting yourself up for frustration because you will have a steady 3/4 of a mile slight incline after that… it’s the type of incline that you probably wouldn’t notice on a regular day, but since you just ran up a hill for 25+ minutes, it can get annoying.
• Right when you break off from the half marathoners you will be faced with a slight downhill. It is SO easy to just take off here. DON’T, because after the downhill, you have about 2 miles of rolling hills — not the best time to be picking up the pace… save that for around mile 12.5. Around mile 10 you will pass a convent on your left. There are always nunn’s out cheering. The year I ran the Pig is honestly rained 2 INCHES during the race, but the nunn’s were still out there. Look for them!
• Mile 11ish will take you past the new lululemon store, so you know there will be a bunch of people cheering!
• after the 2nd relay exchange (mile 12.5ish), you will have about a 1.25 mile downhill—parts of it being pretty steep. This is the point where you want to gain a bit of time back! (sidenote: I ran this as my first marathon in 2009 with a goal to break four hours… I KNEW that when I couldn’t hit an 8:55ish pace down this hill it wouldn’t get my goal…. so yea, it’s a pretty important part of the course).
• The next 4ish miles are all rolling hills. Nothing terrible or noteable.
• Between miles 17-18 you will hit a short, steep hill. You will know it when you see it. There have been times when I have walked up this hill faster than I have run up it. Basically, don’t waste a ton of energy powering up it— it will be over quickly and you won’t lose much time should you decide to take it easy.
• 18-20ish are run on a highway like road. It’s mostly flat and downhill.
• Once you get off the interstate, there will be ANOTHER slight incline. You’ll pass a bunch of people here, which makes it more bearable. It’s over in about a quarter of a mile.
• Miles 21-25 are some of my favorite (i’m in the minority here, though). I run on this road all of the time (eastern avenue) and for some reason, whenever I turn right on to the road, a light switch goes off in my head to just take off…. When you hit eastern avenue, just think of the finish line pulling you in—because it really is a straight shot to downtown. Plus, there is some pretty good scenery. You will see a $1M home next to a shack. It’s odd.
• Around mile 25.5, you will be faced with a very short, but very steep incline. Honestly, give it 25 good steps and you are up it. Just be prepared.

My morning was the same ole, same ole. Maddie and I went for a 2 mile walk around the block, then I completed Tuesday’s Tone It Up challenge ( Bikini Bootcamp), which was fun to jump around a bit and Maddie seemed very entertained by the whole workout (apparently watching me jump causes her to bark and think it’s play time?!).

Breakfast was a treat.

I toasted two of the leftover Oatmeal “Cookie” Pancakes from Sunday and made an Oatmeal “Cookie” Pancake sandwich with plain Chobani, fresh strawberries, and walnuts.

This breakfast was dense and very filling. I met a friend for coffee at a local coffee shop right afterwards and I was so full from the pancakes and greek yogurt that I felt bad for not digging into the mini donut she kindly offered to share with me.

I have more leftover pancakes in the freezer – I will be making this again.