It was a great day for a great run today. The first half is a nice distance and a good way to actively begin our taper to race day in 2 weeks. The temperature reached at least 25C by the time we were done and the sun was shining through a completely blue sky. It only cooled down when we crossed through the long and thick snowy patches on both Black and Hollyburn.
We had over 40 people start the run at Nelson Canyon Park. This is the official start of our race this year and it takes us up through a scenic section of old growth forest as we work our way toward the BP Trail. Nobody seemed too anxious to start but I asked Bill and then Gottfried to start us off on the 3500’ climb up Black. They laughed at me but it spurred them into action.
By the way, Gottfried is likely the most knee-knackered racer ever for our event after he trashed his knee in 2004 after falling just after Mountain Highway. I watched the rescue people lift him out that day but he keeps coming back for more, more, more!
Moments of note today: 1) Mark Courtenay coming to Francine’s rescue as a Grouse attacked her on the way up Black. Last week this poor Grouse was in the same spot apparently, probably protecting its young. 2) Lots of snow still on the higher elevations. It’s quite heavy in some spots still and that made it easy to get across some of the soon-to-be muddy pits. 3) There’s certainly more snow than usual at this time of year: less than in ’99 though. 4) Ranger Jay was there to greet us at his Hollyburn Ranger station … did you know he’s a retired teacher and enjoys watching out for us on our training runs? And for those of you doing the volunteering at that spot on race day Jay said he would help you drive the water jugs up to your station.
Did you enjoy seeing the “hikers” going up through the Hollyburn ski runs? Some were in their street shoes and nice long pants? It looked quite special to see them trying to avoid the mud and water on those narrow trails. What was that about?
At the end of the run today there were a lot of people hanging around at Cleveland Dam soaking up the sun feeling very happy. They were even still there when I dragged my sorry butt in after noon … not record setting time that’s for sure. Part of the reason was that I thought I had been waiting for 3 lovely ladies to catch up with me to perform my sweep-for-the-day duties but somehow they got in front of me. So on my way down through the Properties I eventually caught them and I think we were all quite surprised.
So now it’s less than two weeks to go. It looks like we’ll still have snow on race day but I wouldn’t be too concerned. There will be some slippery parts and you might fall through once or twice but that’s what a good adventure is about.
Next week we do the last ¼. Please meet in Deep Cove at 7:00 am and carpool to Lynn Canyon or LSCR. There seems to be some dispute about the traditional starting spot so I suggest you listen up to find out where to go. Either way, I’m going to try to sneak a ride from Glenn to the Cove so that all I have to do is run home to Lynn Valley and say hi to everyone making their way toward me.
See you next Sunday,
Craig Moore
(e-mail me with our feedback form)