Flying Pig Weekend Planning Thread--UPDATED 4/30/07

[skfulkers]

I updated this on Page 2 today (4/30/07), Post #19. Everyone feel free to post your final plans and we'll make sure we're all on the same page. Only 5 more days till race weekend!!

Flying Pig WISHers:

Denny: 5K and Half
Denny's DW M'Lisse: 5K
Erica: Half
Dave (Windwalker): Half
Wendy: Half
Dave (Mouse Skywalker): Half
Diane: 10K
Susan: 10K
Cathy: 10K
Steve: Half
Krista: Half
CJ: ?? (still coming?)

ETA--I added a post today (4/15) that includes a reservation for Buca di Beppo on Saturday night and a possible meeting place for the morning of the race.



Hey guys! I know we're getting close to May 6, so I thought we could all brainstorm for ideas/plans for the weekend. I know some of you are coming in just for this race and others are seeing friends and family in town that weekend, so I thought it would be nice to have a new thread where we could figure out how many people we are planning to have at various points throughout the weekend (plus, I was too lazy to go find the "old" Pig thread and reply to it ).

Ok, here are the big events that we could all possibly meet for:

--Expo--Sat, May 5, 10:00am-7:00pm (it's also open Friday)

--Saturday night dinner

--Sunday before and after the races

--Possible lunch/brunch on Sunday after the race

I'm not sure how much everyone wants to get together. We can do all or some of the events listed above, and maybe just a few of us for each one.

Just let me know what you guys think and definitely reply to this thread if you're going to be here for any of the weekend so that we know who we can expect.

Krista and I have been slacking on our one task--to find a restaurant for us all to eat at on Saturday night. We'll make a couple of reservations this weekend. Probalby someplace Italian (Buca di Beppo, etc) and then we can also make one for someplace like Montogomery Inn, although I don't know how much we'll all be able to stomach of that type of food before a half/full marathon.

Ok, let the final planning begin. What are your thoughts??

Steve

 

[DianeL]

Steve you have excellent timing! I was looking for the original link trying to remember the name of the Montogomery Inn!

Susan, Cathy and myself signed up this past week for the 10K

We are taking the flight with 4 wheels and planning on arriving just after the Expo opens. Staying at one of the host hotels, Susan booked, it's like 0.6 miles from the start/finish area. Doing the 10K and catching the 4 wheeled express home again LOL

So besides the Montogomery Inn is there anywhere else we just HAVE to visit? If we have time I think we will try to visit the Aquarium. What about those Piggy cookies???? Does someone have them that are just a must for the weekend? LOL

We can't wait! I get daily emails from Susan simply saying OINK or PIGGY PIGGY PIGGY LMBO Soon she's going to start writing in Pig Latin In addition we should be wearing our WISH shirts and hope to be around for the 5K as we are talking Barb into doing it

Susan and I ordered both WISH tech and regular t-shirts so hopefully at least one of us will be wearing one on Friday afternoon and perhaps again Saturday before we leave. We'll be keeping our eyes open for the GREEN!!!!!

Happy training!!!! Steve we will be watching for you and Krista at the 5K as I recall you were signed up for it.

 

[Dennyha]

Steve and Krista,
M'Lisse and I will be coming in Friday evening. We're both doing the 5K on Saturday, so we will have to hit the expo either Friday evening, or first thing Saturday morning. We would definately like to do a WISH dinner Saturday evening. (Italian sounds great.) Sunday, I'm doing the 1/2 marathon, while M'Lisse spectates (how's that for a word). If there's enough interest in a lunch after the 1/2 Marathon, we may stick around.

I have collected several cell phone numbers from Flying Piggers. I'll save them until about a week before the event, and then I'll PM a compiled list to everyone who sent me a number.

Hope everyone's training is going well. Keep up the good work.

 

[getnthinr]

Hi, folks. I'm arriving Friday and spending Saturday with friends from Cincy. I would love to get together for a quick lunch after the half if anyone is interested. I have to drive back to NC afterwards, so I can't stay too late.

If lunch doesn't pan out, I'd love to at least say hello to folks afterwards. I'll definitely be wearing my WISH gear on raceday. I'm very slow, so I'll likely be finishing with the full marathoners on this list!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Greetings Everyone: I just found this thread. Steve, thanks for setting up the thread, and Steve and Krista thanks so much for being our WISH team hosts for the Flying Pig.

Here's my plan. The family is driving from Rochester to Cleveland on Friday. DW and the princesses, DD6 and DD9 , will stay with Cool Aunt for the weekend. I will come down from Cleveland to Cincinnati on Saturday trying to arrive in early afternoon. [I still haven't decided if I will drive or if I will take Greyhound. It's somewhat appealing to know I don't have to drive after the race and can snooze.] Plan on going to the Expo in early afternoon.

I'm up for anything for Saturday night dinner team meet. I'm not picky, and pasta sounds really good.

Sunday, I'll run the race, try to keep up with Steve, celebrate with my teammates and head back to Cleveland in early afternoon.

 

[skfulkers]

Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know that I updated the post at the top of the thread with the names of everyone doing the Pig this year. Hope I didn't forget anyone. Just reply and let me know if I got anything wrong.

I made a reservation for Buca di Beppo for 5:30pm on Saturday night (5/5). I made it for 12 people, because I honestly don't know how many we'll have. We could have 5 or 6, or it could be even more than 12. If you get a chance, reply to this thread and let me know if you'll be able to join all of us Saturday night for dinner and I can update the reservation if needed.

Krista and I were discussing places to meet the morning of the race and we figured the easiest and "somewhat" less congested area would be on the mezzanine level of Paul Brown Stadium (the Bunguls, errrr, I mean Bengals stadium). I'll attach a picture to this post. The start line is right down on the street on Mehring Way, and if we all meet on the stadium level, it's close to the "real" restrooms and it's also shielded from the wind if it's chilly that morning. You can also see across the river and view the whole starting area from the elevated area. It's really easy to get to from the street--just go to the corner of the intersection and follow the walkway up the stairs. I'm sure some of us will have WISH shirts on and I'll try to make a sign, too. We can stay up there until about 5 minutes before the start and then make our way down into the starting area (there really are no corrals, everyone just lines up on the honor system based on their approximate pace). Those of you who have done the Pig before--does this sound ok? Can you think of anywhere else that might be better to meet?

Other than dinner Saturday night, does anyone want to meet for anything else? I know there was some talk of lunch after the race on Sunday, and at this point I'm guessing at least Dave, Krista and I would be up for it. Any other interest? It sounds like everyone may be heading to the Expo at different times, so it may be difficult to all meet up for packet pick up.

Any other ideas? Like I said, just reply to this thread so we can see who will be coming for dinner on Saturday and possibly lunch on Sunday. I think Denny had started a list of cell phone #s, too.

It's getting close, guys! Only three weeks from today!

Steve

 

[Dennyha]

Steve and Krista,
M'Lisse and I will plan on joining you at Bucca on Saturday night. We will probably pass on Sunday lunch.

I will PM out the cell phone numbers I've accumulated the week before the Pig.

Thanks again for organizing this.

 

[windwalker]

Erica and I are going to spend the weekend there in Cincinnati. We will have friends trhere and don't know what we are available for. Can we exchange cell #s so we can find each other?

Dave Oink oink

 

[Dennyha]

Can we exchange cell #s so we can find each other?

Dave Oink oink

Absolutely. So far, I have cell numbers for Steve, Krista, Dave (Windwalker), Erica, Wendy, and Denny/M'Lisse. I'll PM the list out to these WISHers, along with anyone else that PM's me in the meantime.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I'm up for the dinner and lunch afterwards. Thanks for making the reservations and doing the planning Steve and Krista.

 

[aladdinsgirl]

Has anyone watched this yet? It's a video of the Flying Pig course. It's the full marathon, but the first 10 miles are the same for the full and half and the finish area is the same.

http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/video.html

 

[getnthinr]

Steve and Krista, I'd be up for a post-race lunch on Sunday. Did we wanna gather at the Flying Pig Brunch that the race offers or do we want to go somewhere else? I'll be driving back to NC after the race so it would be good to refuel and relax a bit before settling into the car for that long drive.

Hey, it just occurred to me that I could do a Goofy Flying Pig by doing the 10K on Saturday and the Half on Sunday. It's another medal, t-shirt, and goody bag, so why not? I'm all signed up for both races and good to go.

 

[aladdinsgirl]

Wendy--A mini-Goofy? You crack me up!

I never thought about the post race brunch, that might be a really good idea. I saw that it's $10 a person, so affordable and then we don't have to worry about finding someplace to get cleaned up and then finding someplace to eat. I was telling Stephen the problem with a post race meal RIGHT after the half was we wouldn't have any place to clean up, the restaurants that wouldn't blink an eye about us coming in stinky are probably not the kind of places we want to eat it (if you KWIM) and the places we would want to go A. would probably take too long if those who want to get on the road home and B. would not be thrilled with us coming in RIGHT after the marathon. Plus, it would be cool to be surrounded by other runners, to keep our high going for a little bit longer. So the brunch idea is something we might really want to look into. Good news is you can buy the tickets at the Expo and I believe the day of the race, so it's not like we need to make a decision NOW.

 

[DianeL]

YAY Wendy!!!! Another one for the 10K!!!

Now sign up for the 5K that follows the 10K and you'll be doing the same as you do at Disney LOL

Actually Susan and I are finishing the 10K and hoping to be fast enough because we ARE signed up for the 5K to walk it with Barb. We're working on making her healthy even if it's killing us

See ya on the morning of 5-5-2007!!!! Wooohooo!!!


OINK!

 

[getnthinr]

YAY Wendy!!!! Another one for the 10K!!!

Now sign up for the 5K that follows the 10K and you'll be doing the same as you do at Disney LOL

Oh my, Diane, what have you got me thinking.... THREE goody bags! And, hey, I'm gonna be in town anyway...

I knew there was a reason I loved these WISH folks!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I'd be up for the post race brunch. I think it's a great idea.

 

[windwalker]

Erica and I are doing a full weekend thing at he Pig.

Friday: Expo, Reds game

Saturday: Cheering for Friends and WISH team at the 10K and 5K. Expo, dinner at that family style place with wish team and RW goup.

Sunday: Half marathon starting with WISH Team and RW friends, party with the RW folks, WISH team welcome.

Monday: drive home.

Hope we can all find each other.

Dave

 

[DianeL]

I'm sooo happy that we'll be able to catch sight of a few of the team at the Expo on Friday and saturday morning!!!

I'm not sure if we are checking in at the hotel 1st or doing the Expo. I know we are arriving around the opening of the Expo so we probably will go there first so expect to see us fairly earily.

The weather is looking good for our weekend and Ihope it's equally nice for everyone's weekend training

 

[skfulkers]

Just wanted to bump this thread back up to the top to see if anyone's plans have changed. At this point, I think we have 7 of us for dinner on Saturday night (Dave, Dave, Erica, Denny, Denny's DW M'Lisse, Krista, Steve) at Buca di Beppo. I will post directions to this place later this week. Our reservation is for 5:30pm. I know Denny said he had a list of cell #s that he was going to PM out later this week, too.

For anyone who's interested, we can meet on Sunday morning on the mezzanine level of Paul Brown Stadium. I'll try to have some sort of WISH sign, but if not, I'm sure we'll still find each other. Everyone has mentioned wanting to do the brunch at the finish line of the half/full. Krista and I are both up for that. I think we all have to purchase tickets at the Expo if we're interested.

If we are or are not doing the brunch (either way), we'll need to figure out a place to meet afterwards if anyone is interested. I know the family reunion area is at the far end of Sawyer Point, so it's a little hike to get over there and you're not around the excitement of the finish line. I'm thinking meeting somewhere around the open area labeled "Saturday Piglet Area" on the map at this link:

http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/race_information/course/06finish.pdf

It's a wide open, grassy area that would be a great place to see the "action" of the finish (assuming it's not raining). It's also right next to the Brunch tent.

I know a few of us are doing the 10K on Saturday, is anyone up for meeting before/after that? Krista and I may not be able to make that Meet since we need to go to the expo on Saturday, but just post here if anyone wants to get together.

I'm sure I'm forgetting things--I'l try to post again mid-week when I've had a chance to collect my thoughts.

Let me know what you guys think. Sound like a plan?

Steve

 

[windwalker]

Just wanted to bump this thread back up to the top to see if anyone's plans have changed. At this point, I think we have 7 of us for dinner on Saturday night (Dave, Dave, Erica, Denny, Denny's DW M'Lisse, Krista, Steve) at Buca di Beppo. I will post directions to this place later this week. Our reservation is for 5:30pm. I know Denny said he had a list of cell #s that he was going to PM out later this week, too.

For anyone who's interested, we can meet on Sunday morning on the mezzanine level of Paul Brown Stadium. I'll try to have some sort of WISH sign, but if not, I'm sure we'll still find each other. Everyone has mentioned wanting to do the brunch at the finish line of the half/full. Krista and I are both up for that. I think we all have to purchase tickets at the Expo if we're interested.

If we are or are not doing the brunch (either way), we'll need to figure out a place to meet afterwards if anyone is interested. I know the family reunion area is at the far end of Sawyer Point, so it's a little hike to get over there and you're not around the excitement of the finish line. I'm thinking meeting somewhere around the open area labeled "Saturday Piglet Area" on the map at this link:

http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/race_information/course/06finish.pdf

It's a wide open, grassy area that would be a great place to see the "action" of the finish (assuming it's not raining). It's also right next to the Brunch tent.

I know a few of us are doing the 10K on Saturday, is anyone up for meeting before/after that? Krista and I may not be able to make that Meet since we need to go to the expo on Saturday, but just post here if anyone wants to get together.

I'm sure I'm forgetting things--I'l try to post again mid-week when I've had a chance to collect my thoughts.

Let me know what you guys think. Sound like a plan?

Steve

There is another group we are part that is meeting for dinner there at the same time. It's the Runners World Beginners Forum group. When you make the final reservation ask if we can all be together. They are great people also, we will be sitting with you guys though. It would be great if we could have the big three intermingle, the runners, run/walkers and the walkers.

We will meet you guys at the stadium, we will be wearing wish racing shirts.

There is also a big party (family) after the marathon on sunday wth the runner group that you guys are invited to also.


Dave