Its crazy to think that I have had this blog going for less than six months and I just had one blog post get over 1,200 views in ONE WEEK!!! Viewers are from all over North America as well as Europe, Malaysia, New Zealand, and as far away as South Africa!!
I wrote this blog about a run that took place in Kananaskis after posting on Facebook that I was looking for someone to take me for a run and show me some trails around Calgary. Zanne, a lady in our local running group, put me in contact with one of her friends in Calgary. Lisa picked me up at the hotel in Calgary and was my mountain guid for the day!!
At todays race, the 20 km Wandering Wolf, I had THREE people come and introduce themselves to me, saying they follow my blog and were happy to finally meet me!!! That means so much to me and keeps ME motivated!!
You all are the reason I write this, and why I run!! During the race I told the lady I was running with, that I needed to run today, just so I had something to write about!! (I will write about the race in the next day or two.)
I really cannot thank everyone enough. The support in the running community is INCREDIBLE and while I am no expert, I SURE enjoy talking about my races and sharing my tips with you all.
Thanks for keeping me inspired, and keep watching for upcoming blogs!!!
Crossing The finish Line
Crossing the finish line of the Canadian Death Race shortly after 7 AM. 125 kilometres in 23 hours 21 minutes.
Saturday, 21 October 2017
Saturday, 14 October 2017
Powderface Mountain, Kananaskis
When I found out I had most of a saturday to spend in Calgarywith nothing planned, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to go for a run in some new country and meet some new runners.
I made a post on Facebook that I was looking for a running partner and guide in Calgary to show me some new trails. At the recommendation of a fellow runner from Grande Prairie, I was in contact with a lady who used to run in Grande Prairie but now lives in Calgary. After a brief chat session on Facebook, the plans were made!!
Lisa picked me up at my hotel at 10AM and we were on our our way to Kananaskis. About an hour later we were at the trail head for Powderface Trail. It was an 8 km trail which ended at the summit of Powderface Mountain.
There was a light skiff of snow on the ground when we left the vehicle, but as elevation increased, it got colder and the snow on the trail got deeper. I was very happy I packed my winter shoes, just in case there would be snow in the mountains. As we got higher the wide trail turned into single track and the loose rocks that were hidden under the blanket of snow made for challenging footing and a slower pace.
About 6 km in, we arived that the saddle. This is a common turnaround point, even though the summit was just a few kilometers past. After calculating our time back down the mountain and the drive back to Calgary in time for my meeting, we made the final push to the summit.
I have yet to be at a summit that is a disapointment, and this summit was no exception!! While it was not my highest summit, the views of the rugged mountains to the west were a harsh contrast to the foothills and prairies far to the east.
The wind was typical for any mountain summit so after a few quick pictures, it was time to start the descent back down the mountain.
The snow covered rocks and roots on trail made for an exciting run down the mountain. Luckily, our slower pace coming up allowed us to take in all the spectacular views. Going down, was 100% focus on foot placement on the slippery trail to prevent a wipeout!!
As we got closer to the parking lot, we started to meet more people who were out for a walk on the trail. The warm temperatures at the lower elevation made it feel like spring time. The melting snow and wet leave and grass made the air even SMELL like spring!!!
After completing the 16 km trek to the summit, the cool air seemed to invigorate me, but on the drive back, the warmth of the heated seats brought out the drowsiness. After ariving back at the hotel ahead of schedule at 3:45, the plush hotel bed was a welcoming spot for a well deserved nap....
Lisa picked me up at my hotel at 10AM and we were on our our way to Kananaskis. About an hour later we were at the trail head for Powderface Trail. It was an 8 km trail which ended at the summit of Powderface Mountain.
There was a light skiff of snow on the ground when we left the vehicle, but as elevation increased, it got colder and the snow on the trail got deeper. I was very happy I packed my winter shoes, just in case there would be snow in the mountains. As we got higher the wide trail turned into single track and the loose rocks that were hidden under the blanket of snow made for challenging footing and a slower pace.
The wind was typical for any mountain summit so after a few quick pictures, it was time to start the descent back down the mountain.
The snow covered rocks and roots on trail made for an exciting run down the mountain. Luckily, our slower pace coming up allowed us to take in all the spectacular views. Going down, was 100% focus on foot placement on the slippery trail to prevent a wipeout!!
As we got closer to the parking lot, we started to meet more people who were out for a walk on the trail. The warm temperatures at the lower elevation made it feel like spring time. The melting snow and wet leave and grass made the air even SMELL like spring!!!
After completing the 16 km trek to the summit, the cool air seemed to invigorate me, but on the drive back, the warmth of the heated seats brought out the drowsiness. After ariving back at the hotel ahead of schedule at 3:45, the plush hotel bed was a welcoming spot for a well deserved nap....
Thursday, 5 October 2017
Run Group - Who is Inspiring Who...??
Most people have heard of Post-partum Depression....but who has heard of the Post Race Slump??? As a father of three amazing children, I am familiar with Post-partum Depression, but no one warned me of the struggles after running an ultra marathon distance race!!!
For 9 months leading up to Golden Ultra Marathon most of my awake hours (and some of my sleeping hours) were focused on the upcoming race. Training runs, nutrition, running gear, adjusting running schedules with family events...EVERYTHING, seemed to lead towards race weekend. Then, in 15.5 hrs of running spread over three days, it was done.
There was nothing to plan. No long runs to complete and no recovery days to remind me of my previously successful run. The last two weeks have seemed mellow and flat to say the least.... no emotional highs of completing a long run, or the complete exhaustion of hill training.
Last weeks run group was the first run in this session, and the first time I have run since Golden. This time, I have the honor of running with the 5 km intermediate group as a leader. The energy in the room as everyone met for the first time caused a buzz of excitement and the energy today was no different.
After the 2.5 km run today with the group, I was hoping for a running partner to join me on another 5 or 10 km run. Throughout the week, I have felt like I just need to run again!! I wanted to feel that exhaustion and get my blood flowing; work up a good sweat!!
As the runners from the other groups started to come back in, I was chatting with them about setting goals for 2018 and which races we should do in the future. All the while, looking for volunteers to join me for a post run, run tonight....
Finally, Michal came in with his 10 km group and agreed to go back out with me for a loop through the trails before it got too dark.
We talked the WHOLE time, even though his pace seemed to be faster than mine....I tried to block him in on the single track, but we ran side by side on the wider trails and he got me to pick up my pace. While we ran, we discussed race plans for next year and how we planned on training to succeed.
By the time we completed the 8 km loop, my head was back in the game!!! My Post-race Slump had been beaten, and I had that fire in me to run more!!!
The next few weeks, Ill run with the weekly run group, but my spare evenings will be spent hiking, looking for elk and deer to fill the freezer for the winter. Then Im going to train for the 25 km River Valley Revenge in Edmonton. May or June, I need to find a 50 mile or 100 km race which will lead me up to the 125 km Canadian Death Race.
Yes, it may seem like an agressive summer of running, but with my Post-race Slump beat, and the inspiration of the run group and my fellow runners....I can do anything I set my mind to....watch me go!!!
There was nothing to plan. No long runs to complete and no recovery days to remind me of my previously successful run. The last two weeks have seemed mellow and flat to say the least.... no emotional highs of completing a long run, or the complete exhaustion of hill training.
Last weeks run group was the first run in this session, and the first time I have run since Golden. This time, I have the honor of running with the 5 km intermediate group as a leader. The energy in the room as everyone met for the first time caused a buzz of excitement and the energy today was no different.
After the 2.5 km run today with the group, I was hoping for a running partner to join me on another 5 or 10 km run. Throughout the week, I have felt like I just need to run again!! I wanted to feel that exhaustion and get my blood flowing; work up a good sweat!!
As the runners from the other groups started to come back in, I was chatting with them about setting goals for 2018 and which races we should do in the future. All the while, looking for volunteers to join me for a post run, run tonight....
Finally, Michal came in with his 10 km group and agreed to go back out with me for a loop through the trails before it got too dark.
We talked the WHOLE time, even though his pace seemed to be faster than mine....I tried to block him in on the single track, but we ran side by side on the wider trails and he got me to pick up my pace. While we ran, we discussed race plans for next year and how we planned on training to succeed.
By the time we completed the 8 km loop, my head was back in the game!!! My Post-race Slump had been beaten, and I had that fire in me to run more!!!
The next few weeks, Ill run with the weekly run group, but my spare evenings will be spent hiking, looking for elk and deer to fill the freezer for the winter. Then Im going to train for the 25 km River Valley Revenge in Edmonton. May or June, I need to find a 50 mile or 100 km race which will lead me up to the 125 km Canadian Death Race.
Yes, it may seem like an agressive summer of running, but with my Post-race Slump beat, and the inspiration of the run group and my fellow runners....I can do anything I set my mind to....watch me go!!!
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