Dear Robie Creek,
Tomorrow I will miss you. I will miss sitting feverishly at my computer with fingers revved and poised over my keyboard to frantically try to type faster than thousands of other runners who, for some strange sadistic reason, want to enter your coveted race.
Tomorrow I will miss you. I will miss the anticipation of training in tall drifts of snow and preparing to climb your steep 8.5 miles, often by myself, to reach the summit called Aldape. I will miss the relief that fills my body as I go 5 miles downhill to reach the finish line. I will miss the delicious feast of food that waits for me after the finish line is crossed and my t-shirt is picked up.
Tomorrow I will miss you. I have managed to get into your race for the past 6 six years and I have finished your difficult course in less than 2 hours 10 minutes.
Tomorrow I will miss you. I will miss the comraderie of 1500 other crazies on race day who, together, make the trudge up your winding, dirt canyon road.
Tomorrow I will think about you. I will remember the way I put sunscreen on my face last year without wearing a hat. I will remember the way sweat poured down my face and trickled into my eyes and burned them incessantly until the sunscreen had worn off.
Tomorrow I will think about you. I will remember the lovely sunburn I received on my right arm that outlined my ipod attached to that arm. I will remember how that sunburn outline tattoo stayed with me throughout the winter to help me remember that gorgeous day.
Tomorrow I will think about you. I will think about the training runs Alyssa and I ran last year to prepare for the pounding we would take from you. I will think about the gnarly trails we decided to take in the freezing wind and icy conditions to the top of the world - to the top of the world of Boise anyway. I will remember how nice it was to have a running partner who enjoyed climbing the hills and trails with me for a common purpose. I will remember how well Alyssa did and how excited she was to win a "medal" for taking 2nd place in her age group.
Tomorrow I will think about you. I will think about how nice going for a run is. I will try to remember how it feels to have my legs move freely beneath me without feeling like my hip is going to explode. I will think about this when I am climbing an infinite amount of stairs going nowhere in particular inside a gym and doing a bazillion exercises meant to strengthen my core. Sigh.
Robie Creek, I didn't know how much I would love, hate, miss, regret, and enjoy you. Please don't give your participants a cute t-shirt this year. Please don't give a great swag bag on number pick up day. Please remember me, because next year...
9 comments:
stop making me miss it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh Kris! You are too funny I miss you already. I know you will be in it next year! Just let that little nerve thing of yours heal first. Take care of yourself girlie! Love you!
Oh mom I'm sure you'll be able to run it next year! Don't think about it too much though. It will all be ok :) yah
whoops i am on your account so that is why it looks like it is from yourself but it is actually me, Lindsay!
You make me want to hurry and sign up...Not! Wow, I had no idea what you had to go through. I hope you can hurry and get better so that you can beat you body up some more :)
Your poor girl! You are still a stud(ette) no matter what Kris!! You are awesome!
Oh sad. Does this mean you're still not feeling any better? Ragnar is calling your name. It wants you to heal. Listen to the call....
That almost made ME want to do Robie...but then I got a grip. :) I sure hope you're able to do all you want very soon!! You're awesome!!
Oh, man...I'm sorry you can't go torture yourself:) Perhaps next year...you just get better, okay!!!!
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