What a beautiful and awesome day for a run in the mountains! Does
it get any better than this? And a great turnout at around 55
hardcore trail addicts - I love it! Ean Jackson pointed out that
our little training run turnout today was probably bigger than all but
the top 5 ultra-races in Canada on race day - not too shabby.
Our route was scheduled to be Cleveland Dam to Cypress Mountain parking
lot and back but we used our better judgment and made a slight
adjustment. Most of us did a full loop by cutting off the Baden
Powell at the Skyline Trail and headed directly down (up) the power line to
Cypress Road and the top lookout. Along the way, various runners
cut up or circled around one trail or another. Some were avoiding
the dastardly road up Cypress and others were taking it easy in
preparation for Larch Hills 50Km Race in Salmon Arm next weekend.
I managed a serene chug up the pavement to the Cross Country / Tobogganing
area before slipping up the snowy trails and back to the BP. I
hooked up with a couple other people and we patiently made our way to
the Hollyburn chute before eventually getting off the snow. It
took quite a while before we found dirt again and I would say there is
still 4 feet of snow in areas ensuring that we'll see some on race day.
I caught up with Kelsy, Francine, Brad and Casper for our tumble down
the chute toward Cleveland Dam ... we had some tired legs (Francine)
from climbing to Eagleridge Bluff on Saturday (not me) so the pace was
just fine as always. Once we were back to the cars in just under 4
hours, I continued on to the Grouse parking lot alone for a nice mellow
end to a perfect running day.
My new adidas Trail Response shoes held up well and kept me firm footed
on the mud and snow alike. adidas is a proud and very
much appreciated sponsor of the Knee Knacker along with many other
dedicated sponsors.
Please support them whenever you can.
Next weekend brings us the Trail
Work Party on June 8 at 8:00 a.m. We'll be meeting at Grouse
with goodies supplied by Delany's and
materials provided by the District of North Vancouver. Please come
out if you can for at least 4 hours. The more people we have the
more we can accomplish.
And next week's run on Sunday will be
Grouse to Old Buck return. A nice 4 to 6 hour run and starting ONE
HOUR EARLIER at 7:00 a.m. See you there!