Blood, flies and the Rockwall

This run took place on the same day As Jack Layton's funeral. I came home and watched it, very emotional. Layton loved the environment so instead of staying home to watch it live, I went and and enjoyed the wilderness. You were and always will be an inspiration Jack Layton. I even wore my orange flip flops to honour you yesterday.

As I arrived at Floe Lake my ankle was bleeding and my legs were screaming for mercy. I had just run 10k straight up, from the parking lot to Floe Lake in Kootenay Park, British Columbia. I don't start off runs well as it takes me time to get my legs under me and my body operating at full capacity. To start a run with 10k of climbing, that was pure hell. I cut my ankle on some rocks on the ascent and my foot was drenched in blood. Even running in the mountains can cause harm to a person's body. With all that said, it was worth it and I got to enjoy the beauties of Floe Lake. 

Crossing this beauty before starting the climb to Floe Lake

An alpine meadow on the way up to Floe Lake

Floe Lake

I am still bringing my body back from an IT Band injury, so my climbing legs have not yet returned. So on the way up I was not setting a very good pace and it hurt my pride to have to take the breaks. Then I realized that the only good thing about doing all this climbing is that the entire second half of the 30k run would be downhill or on moderately rolling terrain. I would really be able to fly then.

At the top of Nema Pass. All downhill now.

After the stop at Floe Lake to absorb the scenery, contemplate this crazy adventure and take some pictures, I hit the trail and started to climb again, this time 2.5k to the top of Nema Pass. My high point on the day. I fared better on this climb as I had some energy after my tiny break, but it was still a pathetic pace I set. I will have to do a lot of climbing and hill running in the next three weeks before my ultra marathon in September.

After summiting Nema Pass, I began the descent and before I got even 80 metres from the summit I saw a group of ladies heading up the scree slope. As I was getting closer one of them yelled, "It's a runner." I found this amusing, they must have either witnessed too many runners and had some kind of experience or were so shocked someone would run these trails that they were simply calling out. Or they just wanted to make sure that everybody knew somebody was coming down the path. Most likely the third one, but I still found the way she stated it it quite funny.

The descent down to Nema Falls was quite uneventful. I quickened my pace to make up for my slow ascent and caught my time per/km up to a respectable pace. If I can maintain that pace for another 20km I will set a respectable time for my first ultra.

The descent trail took me through forests and along creeks and I was constantly attacked by huge flies and monstrous bushes the entire way. I only passed a couple hikers on the way down, as they were slogging up to Nema Pass. I did not envy them and their massive packs.

After 30k I was glad to see the parking lot and the wonderful falls. It was a great run and taught me what I need to work on before my race in three weeks. I headed back to Calgary and watched the fireworks competition at night. It was a great day of adventure and mental and physical exercise.

The river at the end of the run

My "Protege" Emergeth

My latest adventure did not take place in a wild environment or alpine meadow. It happened in Calgary, my home town. I bought a car. A 2003 Mazda Protege 5. The steed that will deliver me to the mountains and the adventures inherent within.

I have my "Rocinante." Now it just needs a name of its own.

I had never undertaken an adventure such as this so I got help from my Mom and Dad. I found the cars and they went with me to look at them, helped me ask the right questions and made sure i got a very nice car. So I thank them wholeheartedly, I could not have done anything without them. Thank you Mom and Dad.

In Don Quixote, "Cervantes skirts the issue of Rocinante’s aesthetic worth by stating that Rocinante was a rocin, a work horse, rather than some noble steed." Similar to Cervantes fictional Rocinante, my new vehicle is not a flashy car or a speed demon. It is a car that will take me on many adventures and be a true and solid car. I do not need it to be flashy, I need it to provide me with the freedom to escape the city, hold me when I sleep at the trail head and take me across the continent from race to race. 

I have to support my favourite Canmore pub. This sticker is on the back of my car.

I found my "Rocinante" and it will carry me to many adventures in the future.

Moose "Brokeback" Mountain

This post will be particularly interesting for those of you that have seen the award winning film Brokeback Mountain. Today, I ran to the summit of Moose Mountain, the mountain used in the film.

Moose Mountain. I would soon be up at the high point (peak on left)

I wish I had a horse to take me to the top as it was a lot of elevation gain in only 6km. The trail started out with a nice descent for a km, which I knew would be hell on the way back, before rising steeply and consistently for the next 6km. After the descent, the trail followed a well trodden fire road before opening into a beautiful alpine meadow before you traverse the ridge of Moose Mountain. Looking at the peak from down below was intimidating and psyches you out. Just knowing that you have to climb that within the half hour leaves a sinking feeling in your stomach. Mostly, because you know that pain that is coming. 

There was little break in the climb until you reach the summit and the forest fire lookout. For me, it was pure hell and happiness. I had done only a little climbing since my knee injury so this was a good baptism by fire. I have never done a run this hard in my life. usually when I do hills I get some rest time between sets, but this was one hard slog to the very top. My legs burned the whole way up and even though I thought of giving up and heading down, I said "Shut up Body, Shut Up Legs" and pushed onward. I was rewarded with amazing views of the mountains, the foothills and the prairies of Alberta. It really is the best place to be in the entire world. Alberta you are awesome.

Me, on top of Moose Mountain. The view behind me is my reward for completing the gruelling climb.

I have a race coming up in the middle of September so I need all the distance and elevation training I can get. This race will be my very first ultra-marathon so I am nervous and excited at the same time. More of that to come later though.

I retuned to Calgary exhausted but extremely happy. I definitely deserved those beers I had later on at a Kensington Pub. Well deserved indeed.

Forgot my shoes today

Don't head to the mountains without your shoes. If you get nothing else from this post, I hope that at least you learn to always bring your shoes to the mountains. I learned a valuable lesson today.

My sister and I headed out to Banff today in the hopes of hiking the Bloom Lake Trail. Halfway out, I looked into the backseat and realized, in my tired state this morning, that I forgot my trail shoes. After much apology, we had to turn around and make alternate plans for the day, which turned out to be absolutely fantastic. Any day in the mountains is better than a day in the city. 

Sometimes a plan does not go according to, well, plan and we have to adapt to the circumstances. Instead of getting angry, simply realize that it is okay, nothing can be one and carry on with another great adventure. You can't control life, you have to absorb what comes forward. 

We hiked into Grassi Lakes instead and enjoyed the beautiful aqua-marine lakes, the towering rock walls and the superb views of Canmore. It is not a remote hike but that does not mean it is any less awesome. I used to climb here when I lived in Alberta so it was fun to go through the area as a passer-by. I enjoyed admiring the rocks and the lakes instead of having to worry about everything that goes along with rock climbing.

After spending a couple hours in the hills, we walked around Canmore, checked out the amazing stores and then had beer, soda and food at my favourite establishment in Canmore, the Grizzly Paw. They serve the best nachos and beer I have ever had. I love walking around Canmore because it is so diverse and eclectic. You see used book stores, high end furniture stores, gear stores, fantastic candy stores, a bagel shop, a fancy itlaian restuarnat. It is truly a town for everybody.  It was a great day and we arrived back in Calgary refreshed and looking forward to our next adventure. Hopefully mine will be a nice three hour trail run tomorrow. We can only hope.

Back on the trails

It's Saturday, time for another adventure in the mountains. This time I am visiting Ribbon Creek in Kananaskis country. We have a trail running date. I arrive at the trailhead around 10:00, it is already quite full with folks getting outdoors for some natural TLC. I load up my bag, gear up, take a pre-adventure dump in the loveliest smelling outhouse in Kananaskis and then head to the start of the trail.

Ribbon Lake Parking Lot. It is great to see so many cars.

Just driving to Kananaskis makes my heart skip, I just love being out in the Rocky Mountains, undertaking as much adventure as I can handle.

The first portion of my run is fairly easy as it is a rolling trail up to Ribbon Falls (11km in). I am currently coming back from an IT Band injury and my feet are not quite accustomed to trail running after the long lay-off. So for the first 10 k my feet are screaming as they are pounded, step after step into the alpine trail.

After Ribbon Falls the Trail began to get steep and then crossed some shale before leading right to a rock face. The only way up was to climb some chains bolted into the side of the mountain.

Once above the rock face, it is a short uphill run to Ribbon Lake and beyond. I round the lake and end up going through the trees before emerging in a beautiful alpine meadow. Running through this meadow brings me to another steep, muddy section of trail and finally the high point of my day, the junction that leads to Guinn Pass or Buller Pass. Now it is time to go down.

One the way down, I am stuck at the chains as a large group is moving quite slowly down said chains. Despite a seemingly inconvenient roadblock, I find it rather fortunate as I am able to take a little break, eat some food and air out my feet. Wonderful.

The rest of the way down my legs feel amazing. I am much stronger now that I have been running for a couple of hours. I fly by the people heading up to the falls and chains and I get to answer a couple questions from a wonderful lady about where I have been. She is amazed that I made it all the way to the junction.

I get off the trail and head to the stream to cool off. Sitting down in the water is exhilarating as it punished my legs with icy cold, alpine water. It instantly makes me feel great and I get to reflect on the run while wincing in pain. I know it is a good adventure when I need to cool off my legs off in a stream.