Getting serious with my plans to run the Vancouver New Year's Day Fat Ass 50 and to not neglect my midweek runs, I couldn't find an excuse this morning for not heading out.
It was raining, really hard. The roads were flooded and the trails looked like giant mud puddles. Our furnace had broken down the day before and I was slowly turning into an icicle. Moving could only be good!
Trutching along neighborhood roads I contemplated what I like about running in the rain. Unless you are made out of sugar like Rain No Train Jackson, it's really not so bad once you are out there...isn't that what they tell you before you jump into an ice cold glacial lake?
Here are my 10 reasons to run in the rain:
1. The shower afterwards feels really good.
2. It's good for your skin (is it really?).
3. It makes you tough.
4. Nobody else is out there.
5. I like jumping into puddles.
6. People think you are crazy.
7. The air feels purified.
8. You don't cheat and start to walk.
9. You can test how long it takes before you get hypothermia.
10.You run faster to stay warm.
What are your reasons to run in the rain...or not to run in the rain?
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
A New Trail
Setting out for my morning run. The problem with the routes in my neighborhood is, that unless I am willing to run on the road, there is a lot of up or down involved. Nothing just easy rolling or flat.
In my search for a fairly easy 45-60 min run I thought of doing a new combination of trails on an out-and-back course. Starting downhill on the Mosquito Creek Trails I planned heading west on Bowser and then somehow making my way back on neighborhood roads. However, when veering west at the bottom of Mosquito Creek, I thought of investigating the trails along MacKay Creek instead. To connect both green ways only means one block on a residential road and cutting through a parking lot.
Only problem was that the only time I ventured along MacKay Creek when we first moved here more than 5 years ago, I got utterly lost. Now, we are talking about an urban park, limited by a highway to the north, a major thoroughfare in the south and residential neighborhoods to the east and west. 5 years ago, I ended up on tiny trails in thick underbrush. I was trying to find an exit to the north, where there are two pedestrian crossings over/under the Highway. Not only did I never find these crossings, I had to loop all the way back and find a different way home. I have not returned to these trails since.
Instead of staying east of the creek, I decided this time to check out the west side. I assumed, that the small trail I was following, would connect with a residential road. To my surprise, I noticed an even smaller trail forking off to the right, winding right along the creek. This must be were the Capilano Canyon Night Run leads the competitive group. The trail was quite technical with lots of slippery roots and makeshift bridges over little tributaries. Huge mud puddles made for wet feet and very dirty shoes. After about 10 min, the trail led me to a little concrete bridge and an intersection. Left, I guessed, would bring me to Pemberton Heights. A right turn up a steep hill brought me to the Lucas Centre, from where I crossed back into the Mosquito Creek trails, guiding me back home.
Total running time was 45min including a few dead end and stops to decide which way to go. Perfect little mid week run.
In my search for a fairly easy 45-60 min run I thought of doing a new combination of trails on an out-and-back course. Starting downhill on the Mosquito Creek Trails I planned heading west on Bowser and then somehow making my way back on neighborhood roads. However, when veering west at the bottom of Mosquito Creek, I thought of investigating the trails along MacKay Creek instead. To connect both green ways only means one block on a residential road and cutting through a parking lot.
Only problem was that the only time I ventured along MacKay Creek when we first moved here more than 5 years ago, I got utterly lost. Now, we are talking about an urban park, limited by a highway to the north, a major thoroughfare in the south and residential neighborhoods to the east and west. 5 years ago, I ended up on tiny trails in thick underbrush. I was trying to find an exit to the north, where there are two pedestrian crossings over/under the Highway. Not only did I never find these crossings, I had to loop all the way back and find a different way home. I have not returned to these trails since.
Instead of staying east of the creek, I decided this time to check out the west side. I assumed, that the small trail I was following, would connect with a residential road. To my surprise, I noticed an even smaller trail forking off to the right, winding right along the creek. This must be were the Capilano Canyon Night Run leads the competitive group. The trail was quite technical with lots of slippery roots and makeshift bridges over little tributaries. Huge mud puddles made for wet feet and very dirty shoes. After about 10 min, the trail led me to a little concrete bridge and an intersection. Left, I guessed, would bring me to Pemberton Heights. A right turn up a steep hill brought me to the Lucas Centre, from where I crossed back into the Mosquito Creek trails, guiding me back home.
Total running time was 45min including a few dead end and stops to decide which way to go. Perfect little mid week run.
Trick'Or Treating
Trick Or Treating with the children is such a rush of frantic activity. Running from house to house, marvelling at the decorations, getting a bit scared at the spooky display at the corner house, where every year the prop standing near the walk way...suddenly jumps at us. Dividing the candy. 10 pieces are allowed, the rest goes into the dungeon...and is eaten by the chocoholics in the house. Fireworks on the street in front of our house ends the evening. The display gets more amazing with every year. Lot's of money being burnt up...
The Boy That Ate A Marble
We had a big scare yesterday eve. Just before setting out for a rare night out, the kids were ready for an early bed/reading time and just putting the finishing touches to a long overdue playroom clean-up. I was answering an email and about to get changed for the theatre when my older daughter was screaming hysterically that her little brother was choking on a marble. Nothing like an adrenaline rush...I did 3 things at once, grabbed the phone, yelled for the other responsible adult in the house, who was in the downstairs office and ran into the playroom ready for the Heimlich... When I go to the little marble eater, he was holding his throat, but screaming on top of his lungs, breathing. Established that the marble went down and he was not in pain or distress, apart from being very embarrassed. After calling the nursing hotline for follow up advice I decided to not go out in case there would be unforeseen complications...Ean went to the musical alone :-( Son slept like a baby, but Daughter was very upset and couldn't sleep. I hope that was the last time that my precious son sucked on a marble. Hopefully it will pass, it's a heavy steel marble, fairly small. Never a dull moment!
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