Flying Pig Marathon

[Dennyha]

Well, it sounds like there will be several of us WISHer's at the Flying Pig.

DW and I are planning on doing the 5K on Saturday, and then I will do the 1/2M on Sunday. Thanks to the insight from Krista, I've changed our reservations to the Comfort Suites at 11349 Reed Hartman Hwy, instead of staying downtown, where I was going to have to sell a kidney to scratch up the funds. We're planning to drive down Friday after work. We'll either catch the expo late Friday, or early Saturday morning.

We'll be looking for a carb loading meal, especially Saturday evening. Perhaps this would be a good opportunity for a mini-WISH get together.

 

[Goofyin08forErica]

Windwalker and I will be there too. I would be so cool to have a WISH meet.

Erica

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hey Everyone: I'll be running the Flying Pig 1/2 on Sunday, May 6th. What about the Montgomery Inn for a WISH meet up on Saturday, May 5th? Oh Krista and Steve what do you natives think?

http://www.montgomeryinn.com/index.html

 

[windwalker]

Erica and I are staying the whole weekend in Cincinnati for the Pig. We are either doing the half or the full haven't decided for sure yet. It was very chilly last year and we froze. Make sure you bring warm stuff for after the finish.

We have a friend who lives there and will be staying close to her on the Ohio side, we will be making reservations soon and if you want we can caravan to the race, our friend knows where the best parking is, to avouid the crowds.

We will have dinners planned for friday saturday and a group party at a hotel in Newport with several runners and walkers from the RW forums. The expo is great and the Newport area has a nice aquarium. We will give you our cell #s so we can all meet at least for the Expo and Dinners.

Dave

 

[Dennyha]

Montgomery Inn sounds nice, but I'll defer to the locals' pick. I'll also be glad to provide a cell number.

If anyone wants to PM a cell number to me, I'll collect them and PM a list back to the group later.

 

[skfulkers]

Guys,

This is great! We're actually going to get WISHers for the Pig! MelR, Christa, anyone else--have you caved in yet and decided to run with the swine??

Eating together on Saturday would be great with us, too. I know everyone is suggesting Montgomery Inn. That's fine with us, but just so you know, it's not exactly the greatest place to carb load before the race. The house specialty is ribs, ribs, and more ribs. I'm sure you could find things on the menu that would work for carbs and a little good protein (like grilled chicken and mashed potatoes), but at that point, what's the point of going there? You can get grilled chicken and potatoes anywhere. They're famous for their BBQ, especially the ribs. Like I said, Krista and I are completely fine with eating there before the race (we can't ever pass up Montgomery Inn ), but I didn't want anyone to be surprised by the menu, especially if you're the type of person who needs "normal" food before a race.

If you guys want, we can list some good Italian restaurants around town that would be great for carb-loading (Bucca di Beppo comes to mind), or we can just go with Montgomery Inn. If anyone is sticking around immediately after the race, we could always hit the ribs then, too.

Anything works for us. I guess we've got awhile to figure it out, but let us know what your thoughts are. We can call these places ahead of time if we think we're going to have a big enough group that we'll need to make special reservations.

Meeting on race morning--yeah, that would be a great idea. Once again, we know the area pretty well, so we can try to give directions and make a certain place to meet that everyone can find. The race starts right next to Paul Brown stadium (the Bunguls stadium) and travels along the river for the first mile or so, and there are all sorts of places we can meet around the area to hang out before and during the pre-race corrals. The expo this year is at the Duke Energy Center on the Ohio side, which is about 3 blocks directly north of the starting line for the marathon. If anyone wants, we could meet and go to the expo together, too, maybe before we all go to dinner.

Oh, this will be exciting! And to everyone who can't go--we'll make sure to get lots of great pictures and we'll represent WISH well.

So what do you guys think? What about dinner? Like I said, any ideas you guys have--let us know and we can research and check things out as needed.

Steve

 

[aladdinsgirl]

What a great idea for making a Flying Pig thread, Denny. Thanks!! Now, we won't bug everyone else on the regular thread. Eh, maybe I'll do it anyway, just because I like bugging people.

Stephen's working on a long post about the Pig, so I'll just throw this little bit of info out there. If you are sure you are running the Pig, you might want to go ahead and sign up as Jan. 31 is the last day for the early bird registration. Right now the half is $50 and the full is $60. I think the price rises to $55/$70--still a bargain at Disney standards!

Oh, Stephen just posted, I'll have to see what he wrote.

Just wanted to add, Montgomery Inn is one of my favorite restaurants, 2nd only to 'Ohana!!! I love me some ribs!!!!!

 

[princessmomma]

Krista or Steve,

Tell me about that 3 mile long hill in the half marathon???

 

[aladdinsgirl]

Krista or Steve,

Tell me about that 3 mile long hill in the half marathon???

Honestly, I don't remember it being THAT bad. The incline was long, but pretty gradual, so it didn't seem that steep. The view from the top of the hill (Eden Park) is absolutely gorgeous, it was even better because at the top of the hill was a group called the Delta Kings (they sing barber shop quartet-type music) and they were singing "I'll Fly Away O Glory"--I got goose bumps!! The worst part was a very sore bum the next day from muscles that are nevered used, but no where near as bad as the bathroom squat you get from running a full. Sorry if that's TMI, guys!!

OT--are you running Chicago this year?

 

[Dennyha]

Montgomery Inn is a great restaurant, and I would be happy to go there if that is the choice, but perhaps Bucco di Beppo would be better. More carb choices, and I'm guessing Montgomery Inn is going to be packed...no, about 3shades past packed. I'd prefer a place that is less crowded.

Steve and Krista, why don't the two of you make the recommendation. We're gonna be on your home turf.

(BTW, I caught the Bunguls crack. )

 

[princessmomma]

Honestly, I don't remember it being THAT bad. The incline was long, but pretty gradual, so it didn't seem that steep.
OT--are you running Chicago this year?

Thanks for the info on the hill, Krista!

No, won't be doing Chicago again, too many others to experience!

 

[princessmomma]

Steve,

Since you are already back up to 10 miles with a sub 10 minute pace, why arn't you running the full marathon?

 

[getnthinr]

Hi folks! Looks like I'll be doing the Flying Pig half as well. (I'm planning on returning next year for the full on its 10th anniversary.)

I'll be staying with some friends in Ohio. Our plans are still up in the air, but it will likely be a short visit couched between two long drives for me, driving from NC to OH. Maybe we can find a WISH meeting spot before or after the race (though I warn you that I'll be finishing very close to the 3:30 timeframe).

I was so blue that I was going to miss out on the WISH Minnie meet, so I'm excited to visit with my WISH buddies at the Pig.

 

[getnthinr]

The expo is great and the Newport area has a nice aquarium.

The first time I did the Pig (in 2000), I visited the aquarium and the zoo -- both are terrific! Can't wait to return to the expo and get a new supply of Flying Pig-wear. They have loads of cool stuff!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Wendy- That's great! Glad to have another WISHer on the Flying Pig Team!

Colleen- I really hope you can join us. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it works out for you. Maybe you can share a ride with Wendy, you both are coming from NC, right?

As far as restaurants to meet at, I'm fine with anything. I would just like to get some carbs and be able to meet and chat with my WISH team mates. I'll go with any recommendation that Krista and Steve have.

 

[skfulkers]

Wendy--that's great that you'll be able to join all of us!

Krista and I will call a few places this week to see what kind of setup/reservations they can give us for a group. Denny, you're right, Montgomery Inn may be way past crowded that Saturday, but I'll call them to see if they can set something aside knowing that we'll have a group.
We'll check into Italian places, too. I know Buca di Beppo is pretty good about accomodating groups of all sizes, and the setup is such that it allows for good conversation, fun dining experience, etc. Here's the menu if anyone wants to see it.

http://www.bucadibeppo.com/

There are a ton of other places we can try, too, but I know these couple are pretty good for groups and the food is great, too. Let me know if you guys have any other suggested places or see any place that you'd like us to check out.

By the way, are we going to sport these things on our faces for the race...

http://www.shorelineshivers.com/marathon/Pig Face.JPG

Have a good Monday, guys.

Steve

 

[keenercam]

How cool that there'll be a WISH contingent at the Flying Pig! I am so excited for you guys! Just remember, those of us doing the Minnie will be thinking of you!

Now we just need to find a race on the "left side of the country" to get a WISH contingent on that end the same day, and we'll have the country pretty much decked out in WISH lime green! :

 

[aladdinsgirl]

By the way, are we going to sport these things on our faces for the race...

http://www.shorelineshivers.com/marathon/Pig Face.JPG
Steve

I am NOT wearing those during the race!!!!

Okay, here's my 2 cents on the pre race meal. Buca di Beppo is an awesome Italian restaurant and a really fun place to eat. The only "problem" with Buca is they serve everything family style, they have a huge menu so you pick what you want, but it is served family style. Also, they cannot split checks for numerous parties, so everyone would have to have cash. I just wanted to put that out there so no one was surprised.

Other Italian restaurants in the area....

The Olive Garden www.olivegarden.com
Maggiano's Little Italy (my favorite Italian restaurant) www.maggianos.com
Johhny Carino's www.johnnycarinos.com
Carrabbas Italian Grill www.carrabbas.com
Bravo Italian www.bravoitalian.com
La Rosa's Pizza (Cincinnati famous) www.larosas.com
Buca di Beppo www.bucadibeppo.com

That's all I can think of. I'll try to think of some more, but I think that's about it!

Wendy--Another WISHer!! I think we have more than the Minnie has!

 

[plutosmyfav]

I'm having a lapse of sanity and thinking of joining you all.

Is anyone doing the full? Is teh full course hard (lots of hills)?

If I fly in, will I need a rental car to get to a hotel and then to the race? Any chance on doubling up on cars or hotels? (females only )

If I do it, I'd either fly in late Friday night or early Sat morning and return Sunday night.

I wish it was Columbus, at least I'd know my way around

Sunny

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I'm having a lapse of sanity and thinking of joining you all.

Is anyone doing the full? Is teh full course hard (lots of hills)?

If I fly in, will I need a rental car to get to a hotel and then to the race? Any chance on doubling up on cars or hotels? (females only )

If I do it, I'd either fly in late Friday night or early Sat morning and return Sunday night.

I wish it was Columbus, at least I'd know my way around

Sunny

That would be awesome Sunny!!! We're really getting a good team presence at this race.