Final Race Training Update

It's been a tough two months getting ready for the Race to Robie Creek which takes place this Saturday, April 18th at 12 noon.

On April 4th Vanessa and I ran ten miles together. We wanted to see how our individual running paces would work out. We did fine. Vanessa appreciated my "snail pace" and we managed the 10 miles without too much trouble. Kim had dinner and wine ready for us afterwards. (Much appreciated.)

On April 7th I ran 5 miles (before work) and included some hill work.

Then April 9th was 7 1/2 miles with hill work.

Yesterday Vanessa and I did 8 miles together.

This week we will be scaling back as we make sure we're rested and ready for the race.

(Notice how casually I write five miles, 7 1/2, and ten miles. Nothing in those sentences mentions the socks I've worn through, the many blisters I've had nor the blackened toenails. None of this training has been easy. It's been all sweat and blood as I push this 54 year old body into a continuous jog.)

Our strategy (read desperate plan) is to stay together and to take a break at all rest stops for refreshments and oxygen intake. We're hoping to finish the race in under 4 hours. The top runners will finish in just two hours or less. (We won't be among them.)

From Half Marathons.net:

"From the starting line in Fort Boise Park, the race takes runners over a combination of paved roads through the first eight miles of the race, after which the race then switches over to dirt roads as the course winds through the mountains on its way to Boise's Aldape Summit. From miles 9 through the finish, the course then makes its way downhill, featuring a nasty hairpin turn at mile 9 that "haunts your dreams," organizers say.

While slow and steady, the rise in elevation throughout the race is also significant -- the starting line is at just above 2,500 feet above sea level, and runners reach an elevation of about 4,500 feet above sea level at the highest point in the race, as participants trek through the sagebrush-covered hills area known as Rocky Canyon."

There's a distinct possibility of running into some snow. To give you an idea of the terrain I took a drive up the route this week. (Some crazy, crazy people actually use this route for race training.)

A couple pics of the race route:



Doesn't look too bad, right?
Remember, we'll be climbing 2000 ft in elevation. It's steeper than it looks.



See that white stuff beside the road on the right? Yeah. It's snow.

And a view from the top, looking away from Boise:







The weather forecast for race day is 66˚ and mostly sunny.

We'll be happy just making it to the finish line on our feet. Then it will be party time! Or something. Probably more like recovery time.

Our route:





Wish us luck!