I hadn’t run the Flying Pig Marathon since 2018, but wanted to get my fifth finish - for whatever dumbass reason. So, I figured why not add it to my calendar and sandwich it between a trail ultra and a trail half.

Well, let me count the reasons why I shouldn’t have done that.

Actually, nevermind. Just remind me that should I EVER say that I’m going to run the Flying Pig Marathon, slap me in the face and tell me NO!

Good gravy. I had a horrible day out, and it should be no surprise - insufficient recovery, insufficient road training, unable to cope with hot, sunny weather.

Classic story.

In future, it’s the HALF marathon for me. I was so jealous watching those folks running downhill toward the finish before it started cooking out there. Well, more correctly, before I started cooking out there.

I’ve never had such massive swelling in my fingers, hands, wrists, and forearms. It actually felt like a big bruise on my hand trying to grip things. And I had some weird on-and-off coughing fit for 10K through the middle miles until I had a sit in the shade.

Whatever.

On the plus side, I gutted it out and got to the finish. I found a Gu flavor that I like - raspberry lemonade. And an absolute angel gave me an ice cold Coors Light that saved my day somewhere late in the race.

Look, the reason I stopped running the full was because it’s the same story every single year for me - it gets hot, I get miserable, and I’m usually sandwiching it between trail races.

I like running road races when it’s cold - like Millinocket, Maine in December. That’s great fun on ice and sand.

Meh, next road course will be the Redlegs Run with my buddy, Nancy - the original running instigator. 5K with her sounds wonderful.

Seriously, the Redlegs Run is the best value in running - you get the race, finish is in on the field, sweet medal and t-shirt, loads of post-race food, and a game ticket for the following week.