Grrrrrrind

The thought of doing the Grouse Grind either excites or scares you…or both, it’s not called the Grind for nothing.  This morning, Conny, Deb, Christine and myself hit Starbucks and then headed out to North Vancouver to climb up the side of Grouse Mountain.  It was to be a special climb, it was Christine’s first time and it was my 1^-year FU to RA anniversary climb.

The weather wasn’t perfect climbing weather, I prefer it a little cooler (but will not argue about today’s temp), and it was cloudy so there would be no view from the top, but really, it’s not about the view.

Grouse Grind facts:

• Length: 2.9km (1.8 miles)
• Elevation gain: 853 metres (2800 feet)
• Over 2830 stairs
• On average it takes an hour to an hour and a half to complete the hike
• Official course records:
  • Men – 25:24 (unofficial 24:22)
  • Women – 31:04

The trail was extremely busy this morning, I passed 174 people, yes most were tourists and students on field trips but a pass is a pass (although I don’t really count pass 168 and 172, 2 Dads packing 20lb babies on their backs).

I don’t know why it does but it always surprises me how ill prepared and unfit some of the hikers are.   Five minutes into the hike I heard one man complain about how tired his legs were…he wasn’t even half way to the quarter way point, yikes.  I am sure that it sounded like a fantastic idea at the time to take a group of pre/early teens on the hike, get them active, something to talk about, but most of these kids were wearing jeans and long sleeved shirts, can you imagine how rank their school bus must have smelled on the trip home? EW.  I saw many inappropriate running shoe styles but didn’t however see any flip-flops or kitten healed sandals as I have in the past.  I did count a Louis Vuitton purse, a Coach swing-pack and a stuffed to max satchel, what are you people thinking?  All of the people watching does make the time go by a little faster and does detract from the burning sensation in your calves and your heart beating out of your throat!

We regrouped at the top, and even bumped into a few other running friends. Grind timer to Grind timer I was 52:36, not bad for my first time up and with so many people on the trail.  My goal is a sub 50 by the end of the summer. Christine loved the hike, and is up for another trip next week, she is a total rockstar!  We timed our browsing in the store just perfectly and walked straight onto the gondola heading back down (I know that we could have hiked back down, but there was a sign saying that it was prohibited, and I am all about signs).  After a quick change of clothes we hit Starbucks again, this time paying “resort pricing”…

Who’s in next week?