For complete details (including schedule) on the 2000 Knee Knacker training runs, please visit our Group Training Runs page.
The last training run of the season was held under cloudy, threatening skies, with the temperature staying in the low teens.
20 of the 25 runners who showed up opted for the recommended shorter run - 7.5 miles from Lynn Valley to Deep Cove. The remainder decided to start at the foot of Grouse Mountain, making for a 14 mile trip.
The relatively short distance, combined with the cool weather, meant that most of the runners were back in Deep Cove just after 9:00 a.m. to enjoy coffee and rolly-pollies at Honey's.
Just 6 days to race day! Time to taper, rest, eat and drink!!
See y'all at the start line @ 6:00 a.m. next Saturday!!!
Last week's run covered the last 3/4 of the trail - the easy part. This week's run covered the first 3/4, which includes the biggest climb of the race, over Black Mountain. The distances were roughly the same, but this run took up to an hour longer for most runners.
The meeting place this week was at the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, for the car shuttle back to the Eagleridge Drive exit off the Upper Levels Highway.
We skipped the out-and-back down the highway ramp that will be part of the course on race-day, and headed straight into the single-track trail. The run was about 22.5 miles long, with no net elevation gain or loss (sounds easy, doesn't it?).
Still a couple of miles running in the snow, but a significant amount has melted since last week. With continued warm weather predicted, it looks like there won't be much of the white stuff left on the ground by race day.
The weekend started out promising with a hot, sunny Saturday. This gave way to heavy rain and thunderstorms overnight. Fortunately they let up just in time for the Sunday morning training run, although the first few miles were socked in. It turned warm and sunny by mid-day, as most runners arrived at the finish in Deep Cove.
About 50 runners showed up in Deep Cove for the usual car shuttle back to the start from the parking lot at the downhill ski area at Cypress Bowl.
This week's run was point-to-point, covering the last 3/4 of the trail from Cypress Bowl (mile 7.5) to Deep Cove (mile 30.0) - a net loss of 3,000 feet. About 10 of the runners took the road from Cypress Bowl to Hollyburn, thus avoiding about 500 extra feet of climbing and a couple of miles of snow. Still lots of snow remaining, but most of it should disappear by race day if the summery weather continues the next 3 weeks.
The rolly-pollies at Honey's in Deep Cove taste better and better as the training runs get longer and longer!
More snow is expected next weekend, as the planned run is the first 3/4 of the trail from Eagleridge Drive to Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. Meet at the parking lot for the Suspension Bridge at 7:00 a.m. for a shuttle back to Eagleridge Drive. Even if it is warm in Lynn Canyon, it could be miserable when we hit the high country at mile 4. Make sure to bring along a wind-breaker, and possibly gloves and a hat.
Back to the cold, wet spring training conditions we all have grown to love in this part of the world. A downpour most of the day, with the temperature never rising above 12º C.
Only 30 runners braved the elements on this day, with but 1 of these a woman. Goes to show which sex has all the brains and common sense!
The run was an out-and-back run starting and ending at the Grouse Mountain parking lot (mile 16). Most runners turned around at the intersection with the Mushroom trail (mile 26.5). This made for a very tough 21 mile training run.
Get ready for some snow next weekend, as the planned run is the last 3/4 of the trail from Cypress Bowl to Deep Cove. Meet at Deep Cove at 7:00 a.m. for a shuttle back to Cypress. Even if it is warm in Deep Cove, it could be miserable for the first 3 to 4 miles in the high country. Make sure to bring along a wind-breaker, and possibly gloves and a hat.
Finally, a hint of summer in the air. Temperatures got up over 20º C by the end of the run!
The numbers are back up, with just over 50 runners hitting the trail shortly after 7:00 a.m. A few latecomers caught up to us on the trail, bringing the total number up to about 60 for the day.
The run was an out-and-back starting and ending at Panorama Park in Deep Cove (mile 30). Most runners turned around at Seymour Demonstration Forest, making for a 16-mile run.
The rolly-pollies and coffee were a big hit at Honey's in Deep Cove again.
Chris Mager wants to extend his thanks to the half-dozen people that came out for the trail work party on Saturday. Chris will be out clearing the trails a few more times before race day. If you'd like to help out, please give him a call at 736-9966 or e-mail him at trails@kneeknacker.com .
Another cool, overcast day on the North Shore, but the rains did not come till the latter stages of the run.
Down to about 40 runners on this day - seem to be losing about 10 runners every week (hopefully, not literally).
Stuck to the schedule this week, going from Cleveland Dam (mile 15 of race) to Panorama Park in Deep Cove (mile 30). This point-to-point run covered the last half of the race.
Many of the runners made a visit to Honey's Doughnuts in the Cove afterwards to re-fuel after a long morning on the trails.
Cool, wet conditions did not deter 50 determined Knee Knackerers from hitting the trails in the middle of the Victoria Day long weekend.
Original schedule was for an out and back run going from Cleveland Dam (mile 15 of race) to Cypress Bowl parking lot (mile 7.5) and back. Route was changed to avoid heading up into the high country because of the wet, windy conditions.
Revised run started with a 1 mile jaunt from Cleveland Dam, down to the Fish Hatchery, along the Coho Loop, and back up to the Dam via the Capilano Pacific trail. This was followed by an out and back from Cleveland Dam (mile 15) westward to snowline (approx. mile 11.5 - 2,800 feet elevation) and back. The jaunt down to the Fish Hatchery was repeated on the way back to the Dam. RD Paul Quinn also led an optional side excursion along the Skyline Trail, just west of Brothers Creek (no report back from him on how this went).
Report from the RD on the Skyline Trail Jaunt:
"It had been 5 years or more since I ran this trail. I thought it was the trail
coming down from the Cypress Bowl observation picnic area at the second u-turn on the way
up to Cypress. Turns out this trail tracks over to the third u-turn. We, me and a hardy
group of 4, never made it to the road. Decided to turn-around after running 45 minutes
out. Not too muddy but plenty wet."
With the Vancouver International Marathon out of the way, attendance doubled this week with about 60 runners turning up. About a 50/50 split between veterans and first-timers.
Training run was again revised to follow Powerline from Grouse to Mosquito Creek due to closure of Grouse Grind access. Some runners turned around at Lynn Headwaters, while others continued on to the Seymour Demonstration Forest and Suspension Bridge.
Perfect running conditions after another week of wet and cool weather. Partly cloudy, with temperatures of 10 to 12º C (about 50 to 55º F).
Everyone allowed for extra travel time due to the closure of the Lions Gate Bridge. The next planned closure is for the weekend of May 26 to 29. Check out all the details at http://www.lionsgatebridge.gov.bc.ca.
Get ready for some snow next weekend, as the planned run is an out-and-back from Cleveland Dam to Cypress Bowl. Even with normal snowfall this year, there is still a fair amount of snow remaining between the cross-country and downhill ski areas.
Training run was revised to follow Powerline from Grouse to Mosquito Creek due to closure of Grouse Grind access. Turnaround point extended to Lynn Headwaters (from Mountain Highway) to make up the difference.
Trail was in good shape on a beautiful sunny day, after mostly wet and cool weather the past 3 weeks.
Approximately 30 runners turned up - 8 veterans and 22 newbies.
Training run coordinator Chris Mager ran off the front, while RD Paul Quinn ran through the field talking with everyone.
Most runners came back along the trail to the entrance at Grouse. Although the Grind is still closed (expected to open in the middle of May, according to GVRD) you can get out through the gate, just not in.
Make sure to carry water and food, and to eat and drink during the run. Do not drink from any of the creeks along the trail - beaver fever runs rampant! For a complete list of what to carry on the trail, see tips from Rod and Chris on the Group Training Runs page.
Lots of fun was had by all. Continue to enjoy, and we look forward to seeing you all out every Sunday morning from now till race day.
Please note that construction on the Lions Gate Bridge this year will result in many weekend bridge closures this summer. The first is planned for next weekend (May 12 to 14) - a partial weekend closure/detour. Full details are available at http://www.lionsgatebridge.gov.bc.ca.