Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

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Robbie-T
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Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby Robbie-T » Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:48 am

This race is part of the Ontario Masters Series it is a tough race course, a race that some regulars are happy when it is over, but come back every year for the abuse.
XC is a fun sport, I love the competition it is very stiff, and I enjoy the challenge and getting my butt kicked. This year there were 2 men over 80 and 6 men 70-79!! very inspirational.

It is two 4k loops,
1st km slightly down hill easy to get a good start, but has a about a 15-20ft mud hole to run through you can't go around it.
2nd km is more like a trail course, a very steep down hill maybe 100m, then after a bit it climbs back up the same distance, going up the top 1/3 of the hill is very thick mud that you can't hardly run through, most everyone walks through it. That hill is almost impossible to run up when it is dry. Last year guys were walking up it dry.
3rd km is try to recover from the hill, and then start a gentle climb
4th km is ~500m of incline that seems to never end then some small ups and downs through thick long grass and leafs to the finish.

After the first loop you really just want to stop, because it is enough of a workout. But you can't and you know you have to run that damn hill one more time.

For this race I tried to stick with my friend James Earl this year, he's 50 but don't let that fool you, he was 29:56 last year I was 31:13 last year. I think I'm a bit faster now so I was hoping I could stick with him this year. Right from the start he was in front of me, and by the end of the first loop he was getting further and further away probably 200-300m. I felt good that I was that close though. Coming up the hill the second time everyone was walking the top half, I pushed it here and pop up just behind them but I was gassed. I had to recover fast and hold close to him for a chance to catch up. In the final km, I over took him in the final 600m going up the long incline. By then I was done from trying to catch him, and I knew me passing him would be just enough for him to pick it up, he is a great, experienced runner. He did and I could not go with him that time to the finish.

He finished 31:04 over a minute slower for him, and as it turns out looking at the results most fast guys were about a min or more slower this year too over last year, probably mostly due to the very muddy hill
I finished 31:11 in 29th spot, last year I was 44th position.

So even though I was only slightly faster, I did run a much stronger race compared to the other runners.
This is a tough XC course, only that one km is fast the rest you are always struggling to recover.

The XC Provincial championships are in 2 weeks in New Market, a 5k course, I'm going to stay away from the candy until then ;-) and give it a hard go there, that will set me in good shape for the Egg Nog Jog in mid December. I want a solid PB at the Egg Nog Jog.

pictures http://robbie-t.kicks-ass.org/2009-11-Sunnybrook%208k%20XC/
Mississauga Marathon - 2:52
Around the Bay - 1:58
Click>> Race History
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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby scrumhalfgirl » Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:52 am

congrats - that's a great improvement in placing! keep your eyes on the prize - not the candy!
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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby cgraham » Mon Nov 02, 2009 12:21 pm

Nice job Robbie!
2009 Highlights
Marathon - 2:54:05 (Mar 22 - Tokyo)
Half - 1:20:00 (Apr 26 - Hartwell)
5k - 17:09 (Acura 5k - Jul 19)
800m - 2:16.80 (York U - Jul 28 )
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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby Doonst » Mon Nov 02, 2009 12:27 pm

Not too shabby my friend. Making gains when others are slower, that's Robbie-T; reminds me of the ITT last year.
next up:


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And all you drunkards crawl out
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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby Marg » Mon Nov 02, 2009 12:36 pm

Creeping towards the front of the pack. Must be just enough to keep the hunger fresh... 8)
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ian
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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby ian » Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:03 pm

My legs and lungs are burning just reading about that race. Once again, you had the perfect mindset for getting your best possible result.

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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby Jo-Jo » Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:18 pm

You're one tough cookie :D




Now...step away from the candy...right now :evil: :wink:
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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby trixiee » Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:50 pm

Robbie-T continues to inspire!
Well done RT! :D
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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby tgilpin » Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:58 pm

Wow...you never cease to amaze me!!! Congrats on the fastastic race and the nice improvement over last year!!! Good luck in 2 weeks!!!
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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby shaggytour2005 » Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:05 pm

Awesome work against some super talented runners and a crazy tough course. This hill seems to be a haunting image. How fitting they ran this event right after Halloween.

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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby Run26.2 » Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:15 pm

Tough course! Way to bring it!
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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby Garrett » Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:20 pm

Great placement jump this year, congrats!

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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby Kristen » Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:46 pm

Awesome job! And smokin' time... the pool of mud challenge sounds like fun and you got to do it TWICE. :D

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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby Darth Tater » Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:49 pm

I feel sick just reading your report. :sick:

Good job Robbie!
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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby b_squared » Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:23 pm

Sounds like 8km of muddy mayhem and you ran a great race to get through it. Congrats

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ratherBrunning
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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby ratherBrunning » Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:01 pm

Great job Robbie--congratulations and GL with your upcoming races! :D
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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby richie-rich » Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:17 pm

Super run Rob. I'm sure "the hill" at egg nog will seem like an anthill for you this year. Great job

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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby Ken B » Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:46 pm

Congratulations on a super run Robbie. I cannot even comprehend running that fast on a level road!! Fantastic!!!

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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby eljeffe » Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:39 pm

Damn you make XC sound fun. I'm all over this...... in 2011. :|

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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby VeloCarrie » Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:49 pm

:shock:


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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby casual-runner » Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:44 pm

Congratulations, speedy and always improving :clap: :clap:
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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby West Grey Runner » Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:09 am

Robbie-T

Wow, sounds like a fun course and chasing James just added to the enjoyment, very cool.

Good luck in New Market, see you at the Nog Jog!

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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby Strider » Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:11 am

Nice one brother - that made me smile - need that. Good job tough young fella.
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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby Lx2run » Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:16 pm

Nice run Rob, I'm sore just reading this.
No candy? Now that is determination.
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Re: Robbie-T @ Sunnybrook Cross Country 8k

Postby chunkymonkeymelonhed » Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:22 pm

Sweet result Robbie -T, congrats
On the books for 2017:
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Run for Water 10K- May 28th
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