The first half of the year, when the weather is “frightening” outside, I want to stay fit and in shape. Every year is a push to maintain good health; I am not getting younger. One of the ways I work on staying in shape is by running. To push myself, I again signed up to run the Flying Pig (half) Marathon in Cincinnati.

Over the years I have learned that I do better at sticking to a training plan when I am in a group. I am so happy to have once more signed up to run with the Tri-State running group. They keep me sharp with a good running plan and a series of events leading up to the event, the Flying Pig (half) Marathon.

I did spend several days in January running on a treadmill as it was icy on the sidewalks and streets. I am happy to have an alternative place to run, although I enjoy running outside so much more.

We follow a training schedule as part of the group; February has the first event to renew our familiarity with running in a crowd of runners and walkers. The local minor league hockey team sponsors the Frozen 5k/10k run. For me, back in 2020, it was one of the first times I started and ran in a crowd. I participated in the Frozen 10k run. It was a cold day, but the streets were clear.

While I was in New England, I went running with my oldest son in Rhode Island as a part of my training plan. We went for an eight-mile run along parts of the East Bay bike path and into India Point Park. This is part of a run we will do together in May as well.

Training does not stop for us older guys when we are out of town.  I even trained on a cinder track in Massachusetts for part of my training program in February. It was good to do the 400 repeats on a track.

The long run for March is the Heart Mini Marathon. It was cold and raining. We started late due to lightning in the area. I have not had good weather in the five years I have run the Heart Mini. We all took off our hats, and the skies opened up just as the Start Spangled Banner was sung, so we were all soggy for this run. Looking back, I am glad that I completed this rainy Heart Mini, a 15-k run in Cincinnati, as a part of preparation to run the Flying Pig. Training in the rain was good.

We stopped in the Charlotte area to visit my daughter and son-in-law on the way home from Florida in April after our anniversary trip. It was good to go for a few runs with my daughter and one of her running buddies.

A few days prior to the run, Cincinnati hosts the Flying Pig expo. It is a nice way to pick up the race day packet and see various vendors. With over thirty thousand runners at the weekend events, it is great to walk around and get excited about the run. The run organizers do a wonderful job in having exciting things to do, not just picking up the packet for the run. This year I was able to make a bobblehead.

The Flying pig starts at 6:30 AM; by the time I get to the starting line it is almost 20 minutes later—due to the crowd and my slower pace. I had a great run and set a PR. I was hoping to finish under 2 ½ hours and I finished just over 2 hours and 25 minutes. Yes—it was about 48 degrees, misting/raining the whole time I was running. So, the training in the rain paid off.

Running fun:
I did several runs while we were in Florida for our anniversary celebration. I did find a good place to run on the sidewalks, although I went longer than expected on the first day as I was not sure how the roads all connected. Google maps are handy.

We did a long practice run in mid-April, running most of the course with the running group. Here I am overlooking the Ohio River. I went by this spot on the event but did not stop to take a picture during the race.

My two oldest children and I ran the Rhode Island 5k and half marathon in May, two weeks after the Flying Pig. I ran the 5k, having already participated in a half marathon in May. My buddies tell me it would be no problem for me, but I was happy to run on the bike path and streets for a 5k and not the half marathon.

Next stop, a few 10ks and other fun events. See you on the road.