Jovent79 US: Our Super-Girls at the Flying Pig Half Marathon

The first weekend in May is always a big deal in Cincy - at least for those of us who are tired of pounding the treadmills over a long winter and are itching to head out into the sun. The Flying Pig is a run that many people take very seriously for qualifying and records and the like. Some of us take it seriously because we dread the hills but love the crowds that cheer and help us get the adrenaline rush till the end :)

This year was no different. The day was a gorgeous one, the sun rise breathtaking, the music at the start line infectiously peppy. We had been ditched by the rest of the Jovents but our enthusiasm was not deterred :P .

We set off at a brisk pace, across the bridges, a lovely cool breeze from the Ohio, a great crowd up and about to cheer even at 7am on a Saturday! 'Hurry up, it is time for my nap' said one slogan outside the old age home as we ran by, 'Ryan Gosling is waiting at the finish line' promised another. Oh, if only!! Mile 5 and we were running through downtown, the sidewalks busy, confetti and banners everywhere. Leading up to the dreaded mile 6. The hill up Gilbert. Then the hill up Eden. The hill past the gorgeous apartment building we all envy the view of. The hill that never seemed to end. I was ready to die. 'You are running better than the government' quipped one guy, that is some high class wit and cynical cheering for you. Thank goodness for the friend I ran with who never let up the pace or the steady encouragement. Then, finally, the upward climb seemed to slow. 'Downhill in a mile!' Yelled a bystander :) Oh i could have hugged them if I hadn't been so scared that if I stopped I would never be able to start up my legs again.

And then, finally, the promised downhill came. Madison was reached, and we caught our breaths. And then used all our downhill strategies. Down the road we flew, our legs moving with gravity that was finally on our side, recovering from the insult up the hills.

The music got louder as we rounded onto central parkway, the cheerleading people promising all kinds of alcohol and carbs at the finish line. A little loop as we got onto the last mile. Many people kicking their last burst for the end, all of us going along with them. And then the overhead countdown to the shiny glittery finish line, spontaneous smiles on our faces as we thought of the waffles and bacon awaiting us at the end, legs pumping, not really feeling them but just operating them at the spinal level, and the ever present crowd so excited for all the finishes.

And we did it!!