The Flying Pig

Well, today is the day I leave for Ohio. I’m excited and nervous at the same time, which is excepted. Something would be terribly wrong otherwise. I’ve taken precautions like buying new shoes, preparing what I’m going to wear on the big day, and resting my legs.  I will be fine. Like Nina did with the Frog Love 5k, here are a few tips for myself as I prepare for the big day.

1. Waking up on time: The race begins at 6:30am sharp! That is fine by me, but usually I’m just starting to wake up at 6:30am. This is going to be interesting.

2. Eat Breakfast.I usually don’t eat breakfast before running and considering the time I have to be up, I’m still not sure what I’m going to eat. I don’t want anything that’s heavy. I was thinking of drinking a low-fat, high carb and protein shake, but I’m not sure.

3. Items to carry: I won’t be taking my Ipod. Now this is going to be interesting. I need music to run. I’m not like others who like to run in silence or talk the whole time. Without my Ipod I don’t know what I’m going to do, but since this is such a big event, I think it will go by smoothly. I may carry a small waist pouch that has the essentials like tissue and Gu.

4. Warm Up: Warm up says it all. I don’t think I have to explain the consequences if I don’t warm up.

5. Line up position: This event is all-in-one and what I mean by that is there will be wheelchair racers in the front and they get a 5 minute head start. Then the speed demons are next, the middle of the pack runners, the slow joggers and walkers. This event is going to be huge because the half-marathon, marathon, and relay races start at the same time.  I’m would be in the middle.

6. Pace:You can’t help starting out fast because of the adrenaline rush right before you take off and the crowd cheering you on, but I’m determined to start slow. I want to run at a 10 to 10:30 pace so I’m going to continue to aim for that.

6.  Cool down and party hard because it’s over!