Robie Creek was great this year. Weather was awesome and I was able to beat my goal. I got to the start about an hour early and picked up my chip peed a couple of times and just relaxed. I even fell asleep for a few minutes lying on the grass. When the race started I wanted to make sure I didn't repeat any of last year's mistakes, so I didn't push myself at all at the start (that would have been hard to do with the crowd anyway). My first mile was just about 8 minutes. Then, as the hills started, I just tried to keep my cumulitive pace close to 9 minutes per mile. I kept my pace steady and comfortable and made it to the top averaging just over 9 minutes per mile. I had three goals going into it this year. 1: Finish under two hours. 2: Run the whole way. 3: Pick up my pace on the back of the mountain better than I did last year. I met all three goals, so I was really happy when I crossed the finish line. Then came my second race. I had an appointment at 4pm in Meridian that I didn't really expect to keep, but I wanted to try. So, after I crossed the finish line I grabbed a bit to eat, some Gatorade and a Diet Pepsi (not sure what I was thinking there, except that it was cold), and took off for the bus. I hitched a ride with a stranger that just happened to live about a mile from my house, so I made it back home by 3:45. That's got to be some kind of a record. Overall a really good time and I can't wait 'till next year. iPod song of the day: "It's a Long Way To The Top If You Want To Rock and Roll" -- AC/DC
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