Snowshoeing at Mt. Seymour

The Vancouver area has been under fog for several days now - a cold raw fog. Today Neil, Dave, Wendy and I went up Mt. Seymour. It was a sunny warm day up high with beautiful views down on Vancouver amongst the fog.

Wendy almost there!

Plenty of snow.

Vancouver under the fog below.

Wendy and Dave.

 

A beautiful warm day in the snow!

Winter hits the Diez Vista Trail

This past weekend Neil, Dave and I went from Sasamat Lake up the Diez Vista trail return to Sasamat. The above pictures tell the story. Severe blow down of trees, deep snow and complete obstruction of the trail. It was a cold wet outing - a character building one! It took us a couple of hours longer than planned. The forecast is for feet of snow on the local mountains over the next few days - be careful out there and stay in bounds!

Introducing Fergus

 Here's Fergus - the new addition to our home. He is a Norfolk Terrier, now 12 weeks old.

 Fergus and I running at Hayward Lake - look closely he's there.

 He tried hard to get over this fallen tree - but he needed a little help.

Santa brought him this sweater which he wore with pride.

 

It's December 31st and we are celebrating at home tonight with family and relatives from Montreal and Australia. Well I did it - the Marcothon that is - it is not an easy thing to do but it is the best challenge to keep you moving through the month of December - thanks Marco it helped keep me energized!

 

This time of year also challenges us to look ahead to our goals for 2013. I'm excited about the upcoming year of running. Here are the goals I have set so far:

• Continue with the TRX classs every Tuesday night throughout the winter months.
• Ride my spin bike 2 times per week.
• Run back to back longer runs on Saturdays/Sundays.
• Run after work Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
• Complete Dirty Duo 50 km (March)
• Complete Diez Vista 50 km (April)
• Complete Chuckanutt 50 km (March)
• Participate in Fat Ass events throughout the year
• Complete the Cateran Run in Scotland (55 miles - May)
• Complete Vancouver 100km (June)
• Complete the Knee Knacker 30 miles (if I get in! - July)
• Complete the Squamish 50 mile (August)
• Bag some new peaks in the Bagger Challenge
• No Whining (well maybe a little...)
• No Lollygaging
• Train Fergus for the trails.

Happy New Year!

 



Snow Shoeing at Whistler

Heading Out at Lost Lake Park

 Here comes Chris!

 Gordie and Kendall

 Kendall overtakes Gordie

 Nice trails to run on.

 Kendall styling!

A check of the map and a water break - Chris and Kendall.

Winter is Here! - Snow is on the Trails.

 The Powerline Trail - Buntzen

 Golden Ears Park - The Horse Corral Trail

 The Top of the Incline Trail - Golden Ears Park

Nice Flocking!

 

 

It was a  busy week! And wow fitting in the Marcothon is a challenge. It sounds simple - run for 25 minutes every day in the month of December. I usually run 4-5 days per week with longer runs Saturday and Sunday and shorter runs during the week. To add a run to those off days takes some planning especially during this busy time of year. I've managed to keep it up though!

We are really enjoying the winter conditions that have arrived in Vancouver. The snow is just minutes away up the mountains - a perfect place for it! 

Pure Satisfaction Run!

Today was the Club Fat Ass Pure Satisfaction Run! Craig is the RD but was away in Kamloops so Keith Nichol stepped in to take the reign. It was a cold and rainy day with snow not long after the climb out of Deep Cove - very nice winter scenes! Not long into the event Rachel joined me and we made the journey together. It was great to catch up with Rachel and all she has done the last few years and hearing her goals for 2013. This is a really knarly route that kept us out there for 5 hours. Awesome trainer!
It feels great to be back doing a longer run each weekend. Another event next weekend on the Seymour trails. I have managed the Marcothon, 25 minutes each day - although tough some days!...now I must plan for the week ahead.
Cheers!

Day 4 of the Marcothon

Today I managed 25 minutes of running after work prior to attending one of Neil's work Christmas parties. There is a run I can do from the house on the road that provides a good hill workout. This year Neil said he was going to try to participate in the Marcothon - try he did but unfortunatley he did not get his run done today. It's over for Neil but I'm sure he will support me along the way - I'm planning to run prior to work tomorrow morning - I have another Christmas party right after work tomorrow night. It's pouring with rain here which makes it a bit more challenging to be motivated to get out the door! Hope Dave Berg is still in!