Race to

Robie Creek

"The Toughest Half Marathon in the Northwest"

Tips

Here are 10 tips for training for the Race to Robie Creek:

1. Complete one long run or walk every week on hills.
2. Gradually increase the long run or walk every other week until you've completed 11-16 miles.
3. Alternate hard workout days with easy workout days.
4. Train on dirt roads or trails.
5. Drink plenty of water on your runs. A pound of weight lost equals a pint of water.
6. Train during the warmest part of the day to adjust to warmer race day
   temperatures.
7. Increase your weekly mileage no more than 10% per week.
8. Drink a fluid replacement drink within 30 minutes of completing a long
   training run or walk to aid recovery.
9. Complete your last long run or walk by April 1.
10. Gradually decrease your workouts the last two weeks before the race to
    rest for the big day.

Additional Information

Dr. Michael Gibson is a Boise physician who specializes in sports and occupational medicine. He is a veteran of the Race to Robie Creek, having participated in 10 of the annual runs, and has completed seven marathons. He is now an avid cyclist. He has been a medical adviser for the race, and currently is medical director for the Hewlett-Packard Women's Challenge Bicycle Race.

His training recommendations for the Race to Robie Creek focus on the care and feeding of the Robie Creek athlete to prevent injuries, weather problems and the possibility of hypothermia (when racers get too cold) and hypothermia (when racers get too hot), dehydration, nutrition, clothing choices, and tips to get to the finish line safely.

"If you're not going for a personal best," Dr. Gibson says, "stop at the top of Aldape Summit and stretch your calves. That way, you won't cramp up going downhill."

When there is concern that race day will be hot, Dr. Gibson recommends these ways to prevent heat stroke:

1. Train in the hottest part of the day to acclimate yourself.
2. Use water sprays.
3. Drink a lot of water.
4. Wear light, mesh-type clothing.
5. Be aware that anti-histamines and anti-depressants will put you at risk for
   heat stroke.

Here's his three-day plan prior to the race:

Third Day Before the Race:

• Drink eight 8 oz. glasses of fluid.
• Do not take caffeine or alcohol.
• Weigh yourself in the morning.
• Weigh before and after exercise to assess fluid loss.

Second Day Before the Race:

• Drink eight 8 oz. glasses of fluid.
• Weigh yourself in the morning. If there is a decrease from the previous day,
  drink even more fluid.

One Day Before the Race:

• Drink eight 8 oz. glasses of fluid. (You can substitute calories in juices for
  solid foods.)
• Weigh yourself in the morning. If there is a decrease from the previous day,
  drink even more fluid.

Race Day:

• Eat light carbohydrates (fruit, toast, cereal) only up until 2 1/2 hours before the race.
• One hour prior to the race, drink 1-2 cups of coffee.
• One hour to 15 minutes before the race, drink nothing.
• 15 minutes before the race, drink 2-3 8 oz. glasses of water, no sugar.
• Drink at every aid station.
• Immediately after the race, drink a carbo drink, then 16 ounces of fluid per hour.

Dr. Michael Gibson
Occupational Medicine Associates
6533 W. Emerald
Boise, Idaho
208-377-1573

What is a Workout?

• A workout is 25% PERSPIRATION  and 75% DETERMINATION.  Stated in another way, it is one part physical exertion and three parts self-discipline.  Doing it is easy once you get started.

• A workout makes you better today than you were yesterday.  It strengthens the body, relaxes the mind, and toughens the spirit.  When you work out regularly, your problems diminish and your confidence grows.

• A workout is a personal triumph over laziness and procrastination.  It is the badge of a WINNER-  The mark of an organized, goal-oriented person who has taken charge of his, or her destiny.

• A workout is a wise use of time and an INVESTMENT in excellence,  It is a way of preparing for life’s challenges and proving to yourself that you have what it takes to do what is necessary.

• A workout is a key that helps unlock the door to Opportunity and success.  Hidden within each of us is an extraordinary force.  Physical and mental fitness are the triggers that can release it.

• A workout is a form or REBIRTH.  When you finish a good workout you don’t simply feel better; YOU ARE BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF.

Points to remember – Before you Begin

2002 Race To Robie Creek
by Tim Severa-YMCA 

Congratulations on setting a goal to do the 2002 Race To Robie Creek.  Whether you are doing it just to complete it or or you have a specific time goal or place goal, you are now committing yourself to doing the toughest half marathon in the Northwest.  Please read the entire points to remember, so that you will be prepared for this tough race.  I don’t think you have to devote your whole life to running to complete this race, but you need to do some other alternate exercises to make you Race to Robie Creek a good experience. 

• Tempo runs should be done at a good effort at about 80%.  Running slightly less then race pace for a period of time, which is on your schedule, does tempo runs.  As your program gets you in shape you will run faster.  Be honest with yourself.

• Fartlek runs are short periods of running at race pace or slightly faster to prepare you for the race day event.  Rest between fartlek should be equal to fartlek time or less if you can handle it.  Keep the recovery active, jogging slow not walking.

• Stretching is very important.  Stretch out easy before and after you run.  Concentrate on hamstrings, quads and calves.  Also the lower back.  Concentrate on stretches more after the run then before. 
• Doing abdominal work 4-5 days a week and strength training workout twice a week will help you in this race.  (A basic workout is included in this schedule ). Very the workouts you do. 
• Be careful running downhill.  Try to keep your feet planted under your weight and not out in front of you.  Practice your downhill running on gradual soft surface hills and try to bring your heels to your butt.

• Long runs are probably the most important run for this schedule.  Don’t miss these runs.  Be sure that you run your long runs at an effort that isn’t to demanding.  Remember just running for that length of time is hard.  Every 3rd week run your long run a little more aggressive.

• Hill Repetitions Long Hill reps should be 2-3 minutes long on a less steep slope.  Short hill repeats should be done on a steeper slope for 30-50 seconds.

• Easy aerobics can be running or anything that gets your heart rate up.  Take a day off as needed.  Easy runs should be done on flat surfaces.

 Key Points About Your Training Schedule

2002 Race To Robie Creek
by Tim Severa-YMCA 

1. Be sure you’ve been running prior to starting this schedule.  A weekly mileage of 15-25 miles should be minimum.  If you haven’t running at all, then be sure to reduce the amount of training by listening to your body.  Rest when success becomes prolonged. 

2. Stretching is very important for this training schedule to work.  Light stretching prior to your run and lots of stretching after each run, especially hard runs.  Always be sure to do enough warm-up with strides and additional stretching prior to speed workouts, especially in cooler weather!  Be sure not to bounce when stretching and hold your stretches at a low pain level for 8-15 seconds each. 

3. Be sure to set a realistic goal for yourself.  Racing prior to your final goal is good but be sure you don’t do it to much.  3-4 times during this schedule would be great.  Run races shorter if possible than your goal race.  The St,. Patrick run on March 10th & the Bandanna Basic 5 miler on March 24th would be excellent races to test your speed and a good work out.  Also the Snake River Half marathon in Lewiston on March 3rd would be a great test of your stamina. If you a fast time goal you definitely should do some racing. 

4. Easy run 30-45 minutes can be substituted by riding a bike, aerobics or any aerobic exercise.  Be sure to stretch well!

5. Yoga is an excellent choice to help your flexibility! Make sure you hum your mantra!

6. Weight training should be done.  Two times a week as adequate with 2 3 sets of 12 reps. To failure on an overall body program.  Keep it simple as short!  Do a 10-15 minute aerobic exercise before you start your lifting.

7. Tempo runs are a medium-hard effort for the time required.  It is not a race pace.  Slightly under that pace so you can relax.  Doing these uphill is a great way to do both your Tempo run and you hill running at the same time.

8. Keep your heart rate up to race heart rate, when doing fartliks or track intervals.  This would be 80-90% or max.  The rest between should be equal to the amount of the interval takes or less on longer intervals and longer on short intervals.  Be sure to keep this active rest.

9. All hard workouts should be done after a good warm-up and a few strides to loosen up with.  Upon completing a workout you should do at least 10 minutes easy jog to cool down followed by thorough stretching.

 14 Weeks to Robie Creek starting the first week of January