Saturday April 21, 2007 I ran the toughest 1/2 marathon course that I have run to date and it showed. Race to Robie Creek is advertised as "The Toughest Half Marathon in the Northwest." The race starts at Fort Boise Park in Boise, Idaho and goes into Rocky Canyon climbing over 2000 feet to Aldape Summit at about the 8.5 mile mark. There is then a 1700 foot drop to the finish over less than 5 miles ending at Robie Creek.
This was my 5th consecutive weekend traveling and I had a head cold mainly due to all the tree pollen in the air here in The Woodlands. I also had my first taste of outer hip pain either due to bursitis or an IT band issue earlier that month. This has been the only race that I've traveled to out of state and seriously considered not starting. The factor that got me to the start line morning of was knowing that I'd have to return to Idaho if I didn't get this race done.
I started the race slow and got slower as the race wore on. I was joined by the majority of runners that walked the steeper inclines in the 8.5 mile ascent. Once over the summit, the last 5 or so miles of the race were pleasant with the steep descent. Around mile 12 I got a minor nose bleed that had me wanting to see the finish line so bad. The bleeding was minor but with less than a mile to go in a 1/2 marathon I had nothing to wipe the blood with so just sort of had to deal with it. That's the only aid station that I had to seek after a race.
After eating my baked potato at the finish (it was Idaho) I caught a bus back to my rental car to get back to my hotel. I slept the rest of the day.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I see that you already have Colorado checked off or I'd say for you to do the Leadville Heavy Half Marathon.
That's my toughest half.
Huntsville, Parkersburg (W.Va.) and Central Park would have to come in behind -- far behind.
Post a Comment