Race to Slow Creek

I just returned to Portland from Boise. This is my annual pilgrimage to inflect great pain and suffering on myself with the annual Race to Robie Creek. This year had a couple of hiccups. First off, I was never supposed to go. Remember that Turkey thing? Yeah, I should have been overseas, not here. So, that slightly effected my training. In other words, I went and ran the weekend before the race. I don't think that is quite the formula for success.

The other snafu was we missed Micheal on this run. For those of you that don't know, Micheal is my arch nemesis, well, at least in the running world. Yes, I always run in white and he always runs in black so everyone knows who's good and bad. In my first three attempts at Robie, Micheal beat me. Finally, last year, I beat him. I was feeling good about being 'conveniently' out of the country for this one. Then my slipping move date forced me into the darn thing. I was sure to be schooled by Michel. Unfortunately, Michael's grandmother passed away a week before the race, so he didn't have a change to properly kick my butt. Our thoughts were with the Lauber clan and we lifted a couple of toasts for them.

Race day was also hot. About 75 degrees and pure sun. There is very little shade on the course. Five people were taken by ambulance off the hill with dehydration. As I right this, I have a doosie of a sun burn on my right arm. All in all, tough running conditions.

So, complete lack of training, missing my normal 'rabbit', and near heat stroke give me my personal worst of 2 hours, 6 minuets and 38 seconds. My PR is 1:54, so not too bad considering. Will I make it next year? Will I have moved to Turkey by next year? Time will tell.

Thanks for the Peterson's for the housing, Mark for carpooling, Lee for dragging my up to about mile 7, and everyone for making so much pain be so much fun.