Rain Running....Not Really!!!

During todays thunder showers, I posted on the Triple Terrain Train Run Facebook page, that I was going to go for a 45 min run tonight...rain or shine!!!

Coach Krista was quick to respond that she was in....and I was instantly worried!!!  Ive seen pictures of her watch with paces well below the 5:00/km mark; I dont think mine goes below 6:00/km when Im on the trail!!!

I knew there would be few people eager to run in the rain, but I missed the group workout last night so I wanted to go!!!

I also am a firm believer that it is very important to train in the rain.  Clothes chafe differently when they are soaking wet, and your feet become MUCH heavier when water logged.  

When I we met at Evergeen Park, a heavy down pour had just ended.  In the moment before the next rainstorm we left the parking lot and headed into the trails with jackets on.

Soon the sprinkling stopped and just the chilly wind at our back kept me motivated....  I though it was just on our LSD runs that we are supposed to run slow enough to talk the whole time, but Krista didnt seem to have any trouble talking as she set the pace.  I fell in line behind her and tried to respond to the conversation between gasping breaths!!!  ....I did my best!!!

At the first small hill, I took the opportunity to remove my jacket.  Im not sure if it was Krista's efficient pace, the heavy, wet sand we were running in, or the lengthy conversation we were having about being chased by dogs; but I was sweating BUCKETS!!!

When she called out the "12 minutes remaining" call, the pace seemed to quicken. As the distance between us lengthened slightly, I did not have the extra air available in my lungs to carry on the converation with her.  I was in "catch up" mode!!!

The final minutes of the run were nearly a sprint for me.  I glanced at my watch and noticed my current pace of 5:19/km!!!  I finished the run a close second place to Krista (which was also last place).

That is what a great coaches does - keeps you company and provides the motivation to get you going; then on the homestretch, leads you faster than you though you would have gone on your own!!!  Thanks for the GREAT run Krista!!!

Ups and Downs...

 Todays run was supposed to be 22 kilometers.  As I left the campsite at Peace Island about 10:30, it was proving to be a warm day, so I packed as much water as I could...1.5 liters.

On a typical run, that will last me 25 to 30 kilometers so I figured with the increased temperatures, I should still have enough for 22 km.

I retraced yesterdays path and pushed steady to the top of the final bluff.  This was just over 2 km from camp. From there, the trail doubled back down a pipeline and descended nearly back to the original elevation.  In a small clearing, the trail forked and headed back UP!!!

The picture below was at the 5.5 kilometer mark.

So far, the trail was steep up hill or steep down hill.  There was very little distance that I was at a steady run.   I was already starting into my second 500 ml bottle of water. I knew I would never make 22 km with the water I had.  My water consumption was nearly double what it usually is....this was creating a problem.


So I strategized and made a plan to continue on running until I was half finished my second bottle of water, this should allow be enough water to get back to camp, but would only be roughly 14 kilomers.  Far short of my goal!!!

No sooner had I put my plan into action, than an ATV came up the hill. We chatted for a bit and I told him I was going to stache my water here and get it one the way back.  He then offered me another liter of water which I graciously accepted!!!

With additonal water, this meant more distance, so I continued on the ATV trail which descended down the bluff in a series of switchbacks.  The decent wasnt too steep and the trail was well traveled by ATVs, so I was able to fall into a steady pace.

Two and a half kilometers later, the trail ended where the Pingle Ck Rd meets the highway.  A quick drink again at the bottom and I started back up the hill. This is when I discovered another problem...the WHOLE 2.5 kilometers was the same grade....!!!  If I was going to walk up the hills, I would be walking the entire 2.5 kilometers to the top!!!

So I opted to run in the shade, and walk in the sunshine. This actually worked quite well and the steady uphill running pace was quite sustainable.

When I reached the top of the switchbacks, it was only 5.5 km back to  camp so I followed the ATV trail onto a gravel road.  This road too, was a gradual climb.  I had already run 9.5 km and roughly calculated my turnaround point to be at km 13, so I continued up the road.

Soon I realized that I was going to run out of water before I completed my total distance so I turned around at kilometer 11 and started to head downhill on the road. This felt AMAZING on my legs and I made up some good time.

When I reached the next low point, it really was "a low point"....  I still had roughly 4 kilometers to go and I still had 2 more HUGE climbs to make. It was in the bottom of a narrow valley, there was no wind and the heat seemed to suffocate me. I knew I still had a lot of climbing to do, so I was trying to ration my water.  There was a small muddy creek with stagnant water, unfit for drinking but it was still refreshing as I rinsed off my legs and arms.

As I started the steep uphill climb, I wished for some trecking poles....  I was sure they would make a difference on these steep climbs, so I broke a couple small saplings and used them to assist my weary legs.

As odd as it sounds, this was a HUGE morale boost!!  It gave me something to focus on other than my legs which were quite fatigued, and it help the tedious grind up the hills go a bit faster.

When I finished the final descent off the powerline and onto the road, my pace didnt really quicken that much.  I still was roughly a kilometer from the camper and in the valley floor, there was little wind to cool me from the intense sun.

When I turned onto the straight road in the campground, I could see three little boys on their bikes watching me approach.  They seemed to be somewhat concerned by what they saw coming at them....and I began to wonder how bad I really looked!!!  I tried to smile at them and nod, but then they all put out their hand for high-fives....

Luckily, my eyes were brimming with sweat already so they couldnt see the additonal water welling up in my eyes. Their simple little gesture was the perfect end to my run!!  I had gone through MANY physical ups and downs and this was by FAR my most mental run.

Due to the need for "water management" I was not able to complete the targeted 22 km....but after completing 17 kilometers, I was happy to be finished and enjoy a cold shower to cool down!!

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!!!