Does anyone love speed training?
As painful as they can be, I choose to make my speed training sessions as enjoyable as I possibly can. This is my only weekly workout where I am by myself, well just me, my mp3 player and my watch. Knowing full well that it goes against all basic safety and running rules, both ear buds go in, I hit shuffle, turn up the volume and away I go. Without music I am not sure that speed training would be bearable! Here is today’s 30 minute random playlist:
- Still of the Night – Whitesnake
- Highway to Hell – ACDC
- Gunnin’ – Headley
- No Sleep Til Brooklyn – Beastie Boys
- Animals – Nickelback
- Hey Man Nice Shot – Filter (this was awesome for intervals, I almost hit repeat)
- Cowboy – Kid Rock
- What It Takes – Aerosmith (stetch)
Happy Labour Day
Met the running gang in Golden Ears Park this morning for a 100 minute loop. We ran Coral Trail to Mike Lake Trail, up Incline, down Switchbacks and Eric Dunningand back along Alouette Valley Trail. Had a huge turn-out (28 of us), it was great to see some faces that I haven’t seen in a while.
I am sad to say that Fall is in the air…goodbye Summer, I will miss you 
Buntzen Lake Hike
Enjoyed a great hike/run at Buntzen Lake, previewing the 5 Peaks Enduro Course (plus a bit). It started off rainy, but by the time we hit the second viewpoint on the Diez Vistas Trail, the rain was gone. The views were spectaular (check out the pics in the gallery), well worth the climb. Once again, this group proved that we know how to eat!
You never know who you might run into out on the trails
“Saturday Morning Run” YouTube Video
Check out “Saturday Morning Run” YouTube video. The footage was captured from our last group trail run of the Summer at Hayward Lake in Mission.
What to wear on your next run
A good rule of thumb to follow when deciding what to wear for your next run: dress for weather 10 degrees warmer than what it actually is (if it is 15 degrees out, dress for 25, if it is 5 degrees out, dress for 15 degrees). You may be a bit chilly to start, but will warm up quickly.
Jacket or no jacket?
Jacket or no jacket, that was our big dilemma this morning. Back up to UBC Research Forest again, this time running what we call the “Blue Trail”. We quickly found out the the “Blue Trail” doesn’t start out blue! The suspense must be killing you…we started out in jackets but they were off within the first 10 minutes.
Diez Vistas Hike pictures posted in the gallery
September 1/09
Here it is, the start of my official running diary…blog. Most of my runs involve my running partner, the fabulous Conny, with the exception of my once a week speed training session. There isn’t much silence when we run, there is usually a recap of what we have missed since the last time we ran, random girl talk, solving the world’s problems, and a lot of laughing…oh how we laugh. Our usual stomping grounds are in Maple Ridge or Mission, but we are always up for a road trip!
Today, Conny and I celebrated the first day of September with a trail run from UBC Research Forest to Mike Lake (a good 20-25 minute climb), a loop around Mike Lake and back down.
Although we have been running together for years, we both learned something new about each other today. I was surprised to learn that Conny does not love getting out of bed in the morning and going for our run. She was quick to point out that she does enjoy the run once she is there and loves the feeling of being done. Conny learned that I like her to lead and “set the pace” so that she breaks all of the spider webs!
Conny "setting the pace" at Mike Lake
Steep, scenic course the setting for 5 Peaks race
Steep, scenic course the setting for 5 Peaks race
posted: August 19,2009
Whistler – Whistler is a can’t-miss destination of the season for the 5 Peaks Trail Running Series, the popular string of events that encourages runners of all ages and abilities to get out there and hit the trails.
The B.C. chapter of the national race series is storming back to Whistler on Saturday (Aug. 22), when organizers expect about 600 runners will test themselves against the beautiful but challenging alpine course set at the top of Whistler Mountain.
Amid a coastal B.C. leg that has included races in stunning locations such as Simon Fraser University (SFU) and Mount Seymour, the Whistler event is being billed as an epic run, the “best of the season so far,” Keri Cawthorne, B.C. race director for 5 Peaks Adventures, said last week. read more
5 Peaks Series: Whistler Race Recap
Article post: Trail Runner.ca
Whistler Mountain – Saturday August 22nd, 2009
519 racers crossed the start line of the fourth race of the 5 Peaks BC Trail Running Series on Whistler Mountain last weekend.
Starting at an impressive 1860 metres the runners tackled the most challenging terrain to date in Whistler’s upper alpine. Steep climbs, technical trails, craggy descents and world-class scenery, what more could you ask for? read more