Sunday, February 22, 2009

Robie Creek Love Affair

Last year's lucky ladies who actually got a number and the coveted shirt to wear with pride...

Will the Race to Robie be run this year? That is the burning question of the day - for the past 6 days more like. Robie Creek is an insane race that takes you uphill on the backside of Boise for 8 straight miles, then drops you off the edge of the mountain for the remaining 5.1. It's not a race that you run with the intention of keeping all 10 of your precious toenails. It takes your breath, gives you side stitches, makes you feel weak, tempts you to walk, and beckons you each year to try, try again.

So why would anyone want to do this year after year? Oh, ask the 2,000+ people that sign up online feverishly each President's Day. It's a gamble to get in to the race. Due to logisitics and narrow mountain roads, there are only approximately 2,300 spots for this brutal race. And, believe it or not, there are way over 2,300 people who want a number.

Alyssa and I were part of those crazies who wanted a number. I've run this blasted thing 6 times, and I consider it a "rite of spring" each year. Well, after 51 minutes on the computer trying desperately to claim our fame for this year, we were turned away due to "category full" postings on the sign in page. Blast. Double Blast. And even more swearing to follow...

What to do? Do we train anyway? Do we try for another number in the second chance lottery? Do we buy another's number on ebay due to the fact that another has realized how HARD this race actually is and is now too chicken to run it? Do we go to packet pickup and beg for someone to let us buy his or her number then run the race as a runner with another number?
Decisions, decisions...

Until those decisions are made, yes, WE WILL TRAIN! Each day WE WILL RUN! Each Saturday WE WILL FIND HILLS TO CLIMB! Each Sunday OUR LEGS WILL SCREAM AT US!

Because, WE LOVE ROBIE CREEK! Sigh...

4 comments:

jo said...

Are you okay? I think you may have a case of the crazies!!!

Just playing with ya...I know you'd really like to run in that infamous race and send my most positive vibes your way in getting your hands on a ticket.

Good Luck!

Ted and Leslie said...

I think you are a bit crazy because when I ran that race (and I use the word "run" VERY loosely) I remember thinking right about mile eight "hmm....I wonder how they are getting me down from here?"

Ahhh...memories! Well, I will think positive thoughts for you so you can get your race numbers and run Robie!

alyssa said...

no, mom.
the legs scream at YOU on sunday :)

Yeargains said...

I just had to laugh at that beautiful daughter of yours! Obviously she is young enough not to let her legs scream at her! LOL!

Lisa