Squamish Training Run - 6 Hours

It was an early rise to get to Squamish by 9AM to meet up with Wendy for another LONG Run. The skies were clear and the forecast was for a warm spring day. Wendy very kindly did a drop bag full of fluids and goodies out on the route she had planned for today. We met at the Canadian Tire parking lot and headed out across the highway to run on the dyke that follows the river. We came upon the place where the annual Eagle count is done(the picture of Wendy and Neil). Wendy led us along some roads in Brackendale before we hit the immense trail network that Squamish has to offer. Once onto some open forest roads the signs of bear were every where. Perhaps more than one bear in the area with the piles of scat we kept seeing. The views were spectacular of the Tantalus Range and the trails were incredible. This area is very popular for mountain biking and Wendy took us on a new trail that the district has invested in. The bikes were just flying down and we had to swiftly jump out of the way. At about the 4 hour mark we came upon the drop bag Wendy had stashed in the woods. We had an incredible choice of water, Gatorade, coke, chips and cookies. Great trail food to fuel us for another 2 hours of some more of Wendy's favourite trails. We finished the route in 6 hours. We were all in good form but I did notice a bit of burning starting to happen on the bottom of my foot. This was my big big issue last year at WHW (team Ambrose I see you smiling!) So I must figure this out. Wendy suggested new socks for long runs and events. I am game to try that. We left Squamish to head back home to clean up for Carrie's 50th birthday party. We arrived a bit late but just in time to eat! It was nice to catch up with friends we haven't seen for a few months. Pat did an awesome slide show of Carrie's 50 years! Today we ran on our local hill behind us for about 1 hour. We were a bit pushed for time with it being Mothers Day here today. We had hoped to get to Mountain Equipment Co-op on our way to the family Mothers day celebration at Kendall's and Chris' but missed the opening hours. So I will be on a mission for new socks this week prior to Tender Foot Boogie 50km next weekend which goes from Squamish to Whistler. Appropriate name for me with my tender feet! Let's hope I can still Boogie!! Thanks Wendy for showing us such awesome Squamish trails!! Looking forward to the next outing!

The First Knee Knacker Training Run

After running 50km's yesterday we had a bit of a sleep in and drove to the North Shore to do the route of the first training run for Knee Knacker. We missed the official training run but joined up with Craig and Heather for a good 2hr:45min outing. I felt strong and Craig commented a few times - how far did you run yesterday - you are doing good! It was good to get back on the Baden Powell trail. This section is really knarly - hence Canada's knarliest 50km event! It was raining and the roots and trail were quite slippery - caution was taken to avoid the dreadful wipeout. Including Friday night - that adds up to 10 hours of running this weekend. Planning another 50km long run next weekend...it feels like the training is coming together.

50 km in the Forest!

Today Wendy, Neil and I arrived at the Malcolm Knapp UBC Research Forest here in Maple Ridge for a 9AM start. We were determined to get another good long run in this weekend. Wendy is training for a 50 miler the same day as WHW. There are a few route options in this forest - there is a 10km loop that is popular for Ultra Runners to do loop repeats on (half up, half down) or a 25km loop that goes up, undulating and then down. We had discussed doing the 25km course and then adding in two 10 km loops. Wendy proposed the option of doing the two 10 km loops first and then head out on the 25km course. What wisdom she had!! After the two 10km loops (with a few km side trip to Loon Lake and onto the Loon Lake trail)we were still feeling good and after re-fueling at our drop bags we headed out in good form. It was about half way on the 25 km loop that "oh my I'm tired hits" and the only option is to keep going! With the help from some gels and our favourite sandwiches we were fueled and kept the run going! We were out there for a total of 5hrs 45mins. Not bad considering the terrain! In the photos you will see the deer behind me that greeted us at the forest edge first thing and the posts that have been scratched by something. At first we thought it was bears but then had a flash to Kitty's scratching post and realized it was most likely Cougars who use these sign posts as scratching posts. There were shavings at the bottom of the posts just like the cat scratching posts. We all stayed together for the rest of the run!! tomorrow we plan to do the first training run route of the Knee Knacker 50km - Canada's Knarliest Ultra in July. We have both done it a few times but like training on course as it is very course specific with the terrain. We won't make it for the 8am start but will join Craig and Heather for a more leisurely Sunday start.

Squamish - 6.5 hour training run!!!

The Biostatistics final exam was Thursday and we took great pleasure this weekend boxing up the notes and cleaning up my study. The last few months of work, school and of course running have been a full on effort. Ahh but nothing good comes easy!! We started the weekend with a 4AM rise on Saturday to volunteer at a local trail run. Andy joined Neil and I to pre-sweep the course and add more markers as appropriate. This course is the most well marked trail run I have ever seen. They don't quite do the same with ultra events (and yes I have been lost a few times!) Neil and Andy did an awesome job of placing the trail markers as I ran ahead and pointed to where I thought they should go.;-) It was a very wet cold morning so I needed to keep running to try to stay warm. My nickname soon became "princess" where would you like the next one? It was a fun outing. Once back we quickly took the wet clothes off and warmed up in the car. It was interesting going from so cold to warm I fell asleep in the car on the drive home. We were only out there for 2.5 hours. Perhaps it was the 4AM wake up. Today we were up early too to drive to Squamish to join Wendy, Bill and Jess for a long run. We have been keeping up with about 50-60 km/week but with shorter runs during the week with back to back weekend runs of 2.5-3hours. We really needed to ramp it up on the long runs. Wendy is very familiar with the trails in Squamish and planned an awesome outing for us today. We were out there for 6.5 hours and covered lots of ground with good climbs, downhills, technical terrain and amazingly I felt good and was still able to run at 6.5 hours. I was pleased and realized that although I haven't had the time to participate in any long events in the last few months my weekly mileage has probably given me a good base. Wendy is keen to to join us for long back to backs taking us right up to West Highland Way. It is what it is and we will do what we can do!!
Great run today - thanks Wendy, Bill, Jess and Neil we discovered some awesome trails!

The weather was awesome for running this weekend. Clear skies with a refreshing breeze! Friday night we enjoyed catching up with some running friends at a wine and cheese party in North Vancouver. They managed to convince me that British Columbia can produce a decent red wine. I was doubtful prior to the tasting! Saturday I had limited time for a run but we did manage to pull off a loop of Hayward Lake - 17km of undulating terrain. We enjoyed it so much we went back and did the loop again today but in the opposite direction. It was good to do that 2 days in a row...Neil just said tonight let's do it again tomorrow! The Trillium flowers are blooming in the woods at Hayward Lake and the Daffodils and Tulips are looking good in the garden. Heading into the final week of classes and then the exam the following week. I've almost made it through Bio statistics.

Mount Gardner - Bowen Island

Today Neil and I met up with Wendy at Horseshoe Bay to board the 9AM Ferry with our bikes for a journey to Bowen Island. This was our first outing in the 2010 Bagger Challenge. Once on the ferry we discovered that we had left the directions/map in the kitchen. No worries - we have been to one of the planned peaks before. A new Peak on Bowen Island has been added this year to the Challenge. From Snug Cove where the ferry docks we pedalled our way on the undulating road in search of the base of the new peak - Mt. Collins. Working off recall of the map it became obvious that we really didn't know where we were going. We came upon a local lady walking her dog. Neil politely asks her for directions to Mt. Collins. "You can't go up there she says, there is no trail." Yes we know that but we were planning to go anyways Neil replies. "you can't go up there it is private land and that would be trespassing." We got the feeling she was not happy that we would consider going up her local mtn that has no trail and no public access. We got back on the bikes and came upon a local runner - thought he would know for sure. "don't know....never heard of it...don't know" he kept repeating. OK maybe Mt. Collins wasn't meant to be today. So we head back to the base of Mt. Gardner and perhaps we will see people up there that know. Stashed the bikes in the bush and set off. The skies cleared and we had a great climb up through the forest and were rewarded with awesome views of the snow capped North Shore Mountains. Not another person in sight. Hmmm...thought there might have been some other hikers/baggers out since it was Easter Sunday. Had a great run down and we came to the agreement that one peak today was a good start to the 2010 Bagger Challenge - Doc Morgan's Pub was calling. Unfortunately the island had been hit hard in the storm that happened on Friday and they were low on beer choice and had no food to order. Just when we were about to leave Fish and Chips arrive at the table next to us - not what hungry runners/bikers want to see - others eating!! We had a good laugh that it was an interesting outing today on Bowen. Found food elsewhere while we waited for the ferry. Next time I think we will check the ferry schedule as well as bring the map!

It's Here - North Shore Bagger Challenge | Club Fat Ass

It's Back! April 1st brought the start of the 2010 Bagger Challenge. See the highlights and follow the excitement at the link below. Last year was the inaugural year and it took us on many great outings with fellow baggers. I was the winner of the "Baguettes" - the female with the most peaks bagged. Wendy was close behind me! We are planning to get out and bag our first one this weekend that will include a boat ride and a bike ride. Another peak has been added to that journey - can we find it and do both in the same day? Apparently the newly addded peak requires some route finding skills and bush whacking - note to self - wear long tights and long sleeves!


North Shore Bagger Challenge | Club Fat Ass