Race To Robie Creek Half Marathon 2011

Plunderin Fer Booty

I completed my second Race To Robie Creek yesterday ... finishing a mere 25 seconds faster than last year with a time of 2:18:19.  Bleh. Here is my list of excuses ...

• I've been sick for over a month with a nasty cold that prevented me from doing ANY running for weeks!  I have been on antibiotics for a sinus infection for nearly a week. 
• LEG CRAMPS FROM HELL!!!! I've never experienced anything like it.  After finally making it to the summit, I started my downhill speed portion and immediately felt the strangest rolling cramp sensation across both my calves.  I tried to run through the pain but eventually my legs would cramp so bad I'd have to stop and massage my calves.  I stopped 10+ times and lost a LOT of time on what should have been the fastest portion.  Very disappointing given that I felt like I had plenty of fuel in the tank, my legs just wouldn't cooperate. Who can say the uphill portion was easier than the downhill?? ... Pretty sure I'm the only one raising my hand!!
• I did not run the training mileage I did last year ... yes, I ran more hills to train, but my legs were not as strong as last year as I did not have near the miles under my belt.

Finishing ... Finally!

Nevertheless, it was a fun day.  My friend Suzanne completed her first Robie race after we trained together on hills ... and my other friend Ryan set a PR on the course.  It is always fun to finish a race, especially one this tough.  Now, only one day later, I am making plans for more training, more racing ... And MORE Robie! (oh and NO MORE excuses!)

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