The Skyline Chili 3-Way Challenge and Flying Pig weekend are in the history books and I lived to tell about it. Let me back up and say this was not my idea. Thing 2 is obsessed with all things pig and has begged me to do this race for years. Finally I acquiesced. When I went to register I saw the 3-way challenge: a 5k, 10k and half. Why not make the most of a 6 hr. drive to Cincinnati and partake of the hat-trick? So I pulled the trigger. And since Thing 2 ‘made’ me do it, I signed up her and her older sis for races too: The kids’ 26th mile and the Piglet Race.
We got to Cincy, beelined to the expo and immersed ourselves in all things Pig. Here I am rubbing up against Pigippedese for some good running mojo. The expo was pretty fabulous. P&G is a sponsor and very generous on the freebies. This year’s theme? Um, feminine hygiene and dog food. So tampons, minis, maxis and dog treats for everyone. Ha!
Then it was off to iconic Skyline Chili to see what this 3-way chili thing is all about. Pasta, topped with chili, covered in mounds of cheese. Maybe not the best race-eve option but it all worked out. Besides I had ‘only’ a 5k and 10k on tap the next morning.
Goals: Have fun and pace so that all the races feel good(ish). That’s all.
As ready as I’m going to be.
Race morning. First up: 10k at 8am. Perfect conditions, maybe a drop or 3 of rain. I reported to Pig Pen B (for badass–or is it wild Boar?) and off we went. It was hard to go really easy and let the field swallow me up. But wow the course was hard. Heavy on bridges and plenty (all) of up and down. Some were walking all of the hills and I wondered if this should be my preservation strategy as well. But it clicked away quickly and soon I was crossing the Finish Swine. It was a quick turnaround though because I had barely more than an hour to make it back to the starting line for the 5k.
Next up: 5k at 10am. This was a much more crowded, much less serious race and thankfully the course was a lot easier. Only one major incline. Holy bottlenecks Batman in the first 2 miles. All the better to keep it super easy though. My legs felt less than fresh already. Aside from the dude who horked on my shoes at the finish line, it was a really fun race.
We spent the rest of the day picnicking on my finisher’s foil and watching the kids’ races. Thing 2 flew so fast she ran right out of her shoe. Sadly, Thing 1 had to stay behind and compete at her Track Conference Championships. We missed her but are so proud she is advancing to the Sectional Championships in long jump and 4x200m relay this weekend.
Stay tuned for half marathon fun and completion of the 3-way challenge. Congrats to everyone who raced! What was fun for you this weekend? My giveaway ends tonight!
That is awesome!! I was thinking of the 3 way next year but the time frame scares me. I am a 1:10-1:15 10k to begin with but that course is tough and then to go right into a 5k and be ready for a half in the morning……I am not that cool 🙂
That is a tight turnaround between the 10K and 5K – not sure what my legs would do with that. Looking forward to hearing about the rest of the weekend!
This race is on my bucket list – so gla dyou got to enjoy it girlie!
Congrats! That is one big (fat?) accomplishment! I’m glad you handled the hills and I’m glad you had company in the form of Coy!
Aww, congrats on Thing 1 advancing in her meet!
I have heard a lot about the hills out there! I wonder what they compare to… if anything… out here?! This challenge sounds so cool. I love that you got to do it, and that your daughter went, too!
Love the “pig pen” and “finish swine”. Sorry to hear about your shoe! That 3-way chili looks delicious.
I want to hear more~ Sounds like so much fun.
There are SO many darn hills in Cincinnatti!
Awesome pics, Marcia! Can’t wait to hear about the rest 🙂
I would do this just to say that I crossed the Finish Swine. That seriously cracks me up! Congrats to Thing 1! Did Thing 2 recover her shoe?
Carla like a pro, Thing 2 continued on to finish the race, get her medal THEN she went back for her shoe. Haha! Priorities, right?
Ugh – I would have pitched those shoes on the spot – not cool!
Great job finishing – can’t wait to hear about the half.
And, great job to the girls!!!
Love it!!! Way to push through, especially amidst those crowds and the challenging course! Great pictures, especially the one of you and Pigippedese. All of the pig-themed names are really clever. =D I can’t wait to hear more details about the rest of the weekend!
What?! Someone spewed on your shoes? No way!!
This is a lot of racing! Looks like the pig-rubbing did its job 😀
That sounds like a fun race!
Wow, I didn’t realize the races were the same day! Nice job!
The theme is kind of hilarious. Who doesn’t need dog food and tampons?
It sounds like they have so much fun coming up with pig-related names for everything!
Congratulations to Thing 1, and to you for finishing both of those races! I love the “finish swine” haha.
Ewww…hornked on your shoe? Ewww….
You were PINK, I’m sure on my behalf, yes?
Well, Louise, I always knew you were badass but you certainly proved it here. What a cool series, though – I’m glad you got to partake.
btw, I think it’s been 5 years since I’ve done a 10k – those things scare me! Ha.
I used to want to do the Pig for my Ohio marathon. Perhaps I still will, I’ve just been so out of the marathon loop for a couple years! Who can resist a multi-race challenge? Those kids, forcing you to do crazy things 😉 Glad you enjoyed it.
I can’t wait to do this one next year!!