Peace Island...Solo Run!!!

 Solo run today....one hour of running. We were camped at Peace Island Park near Taylor, BC so I didnt really know where to run to get 5 or 10km in.  I knew there were some trails along the river, so I figured that was a good place to start.

After completing the loop through the power sites, I headed towards the Island portion. On my way, I noticed a quad trail going up the power line...that was where I would finish my time if needed.

As I finished the island portion of the campground, I kept looking for friends that I recognized. And I ran befind one camper that was parked parallel to the road, a LARGE black dog came running at me, barking and growling!!  This was the first time in my running carrer that I have ever been chased by a dog.

He was very close to my heels, and I didnt want him to bite my favorite pair of trail shoes so I spun around and started running backwards, with fists clenched. I waited for the right moment to give him one swift punch, in the jaw, but unfortunately, the fat old dog tuckered out before he came within striking distance!!  I shouted out, above my panting breaths, right from the campground bylaws, "KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEASH.....OR I'LL KNOCK IT SILLY NEXT TIME!!!"

The owner stumbled around the cornere of thier trailer as I turned around and sprinted off in fear!!!

From there it was just a short run to the bottom of the power line. I felt nearly invinceable and I started up the first hill.

  It was just a brief, but steep climb up the first portion, the an incredibly steep decent down the other side into a small creek. Still feeling fresh, I cleared the creek in a single leap and started up the next incline to the top of the valley bench.

The quad trail soon entered dense overbrush and the north facing slope became quite muddy a slippery. I could see where moose and deer had slid down the trail. (A mental not was made for my descent....)

Soon I reached what I thought was the top, clearly, it was not!!!

I looked at my watch; I only had 20 minutes remaining of running to get back to the campground.  So, with the new percieved top of the hill behind me, I turned around and retraced my steps to the bottom of the powerline hill....

Feeling somewhat conquerous, even though I had CLEARLY outrun and mentally defeated a large fat dog....as I cooled down under the shade of the camper awning, I made plans to complete the hillclimn tomorrow in my 22 km run!!!