Thanks echoguy and Streaker156!

I'm a first time marathoner who finished the Pig Sunday--I wanted to thank you both for some good advice! I was a little worried about completing after I missed the first 2 weeks of April due to injury, but I took echoguy's advice about backing off the pace on "the climb" and Streaker156's about running "the first third with your head, the second with your legs, and the third with your heart..." I took the first 9 really easy and felt great the whole race--I even had a negative split (barely!) Thanks again, your voice of experience on the forum made all the difference in the world to me--I just wanted to let you know how much you helped!

jaangel
I'm a first time marathoner who finished the Pig Sunday--I wanted to thank you both for some good advice! I was a little worried about completing after I missed the first 2 weeks of April due to injury, but I took echoguy's advice about backing off the pace on "the climb" and Streaker156's about running "the first third with your head, the second with your legs, and the third with your heart..." I took the first 9 really easy and felt great the whole race--I even had a negative split (barely!) Thanks again, your voice of experience on the forum made all the difference in the world to me--I just wanted to let you know how much you helped!

I agree with your post. The advice on these boards were great and Echoguy had me prepared for the hills. I started with a goal time in mind and then I changed it to wanting to get to the 20 mile mark in good shape - which I did. I enjoyed the marathon and that's the first time I can say that I enjoyed one. If I'm able to run it next year, maybe, I'll shoot for a time.
I love my first Flying Pig experience.

Congratulations on your successful marathons! I thought this year's Pig was the best yet. The organizers did a great job, especially in reacting to the last minute course interuption. The weather conditions were perfect and the crowds were phenominal as was the work by the volunteers manning the water stations. It will be hard to top this year's race. Again, congratulations.

I agree--I was very impressed by the organization, and had no idea that they even had to make last minute adjustments. The crowd support along the course was great. I didn't actually expect to have fun and enjoy running a marathon, but I did! This was my first Pig--my only two previous races were 10 milers, one of which ended up being 11+ miles due to a course re-route. No one told any of the runners what was going on, nor did they move any water to the re-route from mile 8 to the end of the race (including the new finish line). They didn't move the timing equiment either, so the whole race was scrapped as a "fun run." (It wasn't terribly fun!)

I add my congrats for finishing strong.

Isn't it an important part of life to be able to learn from those who have more experience? I am so glad that you were able to take our experience and make it work for you. Running marathons can be a blast and the Flying Pig is particularly special. Please spread the word (like a review on marathonguide.com) and we hope to see you on the starting line on the first Sunday in May 2009!