November

November 1: Six Cruisers met Wednesday on a damp evening, although the rain eased almost to nil for the duration of the run.  Tracy ,on a rare occasion away from her duties at RCH,  joined RA Edie, Larry, Libby, Rod and Bobtoc, for a Forest Grove Drive backwards run, i.e., the Beaverbrooks, the pedestrian overpass to Forest Grove Drive, west to Underhill, south to Eastlake, east back to the Centre.  Distance 7 km, time 1:03, less for Tracy and Larry.  The six more or less dressed in orange and black, and for Rod, Bobtoc and Edie who brought Army caps back from Ottawa, photos taken of them for Edie's blog and posterity.  Rod reported to the group that his needs of fallen leaves for mulch have been satisfied.  Good news indeed!

Saturday: Larry, Len, Rod and Bobtoc lucked out by experiencing little or no rain predicted Saturday and ran from the Centre to Mundy Park, with Larry and Len leading the way whilst Rod and Bobtoc meandered along to Como Lake, lapped it once, then continued to Mundy Park via Foster Ave., as did Larry and Len,  Larry and Len greeted Flora at her home.  On their return to the Centre, Larry and Len ran north to Regan, and Smith Aves to return to the Centre.  Rod and Bobtoc returned from Mundy Park via Winslow, Foster and Ebert Aves to North Road and back to the Centre.  Time and distance for Larry and Len, 1:34 and 12 km; for Rod and Bobtoc,  2:00 and 13 km. 

NB: Rod Hargreave's field hockey team's prowess Saturday pm:  won 2-0.

On Wednesday evening six Cruisers plus canine April showed up at the Centre.  Larry, Libby and Sherian ran the usual Forest Grove route, their time 1:15, while RA Edie with canine April, Bobtoc and Laura opted to walk/run only to Eastlake and Underhill and return, their time 45 minutes and change.  The six were unencumbered by rain.

Jennel went for a run while the kids were in school on Tuesday.  Also Wednesday, ran down Parkway Blvd. & back up before picking up my daughter, Anamaria at school (got to get those runs in when I can!).  …..and Anamaria just received her 3rd shoe on her necklace meaning she’s run 30km!!!  Yahoo!  She’s running more than me!?!  Maybe we can do the Scotia Half together!!!

Santa Barbara event:

Runners Christina, Debra, RA Edie and Bobtoc, together with athletic supporters Marie, Chris Nicol, John Saremba, Flora and Ross, Linda Spanier and Chris (Edie's sister from Parksville) invaded the Santa Barbara area for five blissful days to soak up sunshine and enjoy the culture and Spanish architecture of the city and surroundings.  Various subgroups toured by, eg. a walking tour starting from the public library, guided tour of the gorgeous Spanish influenced architecure of the Courthouse, a cycle tour by Christina and John, shopping, strolling State St, the Santa Barbara 90 minute cable-car replica bus, using the Santa Barbara MTD city bus system, a bargain for all particularly seniors, the Pier at the SB waterfront,  the 10+ km walk by the four runners plus Redcap John from the hotel in Goleta to the Earl Warren sports complex, being the race expo for the Marathon and Half marathon, on the day before the runs, the dining out enjoyed by all, the laughter enjoyed for the duration of the stay.  Thanks, thanks, thanks, to RA Edie for her flawless planning, organizing transportation from YVR to Los Angeles, to Santa Barbara and return, and to Christina for her FEEP duties.  I've forgotten exactly what the initials stand for but they could be fabulous exciting event planner, ie, planning the special dinners for the group.   Back to the march the day before the Marathon and Half, the four runners were trashed somewhat, and such a march they took the day before does not constitute good tapering before an event.

The organization of the Marathon weekend was first class, the route beautiful, the last hill a bit of a killer, and the ability to run alongside marathoners is always a thrill. 

Larry previously provided the chip times for the four Cruiser finishers.  Awful times, but the event was memorable to be sure; cheerful and competent volunteers, lots of teens in the volunteer mix.  Some things, however, never change.  Again, NO martinis, neither shaken nor stirred, available at the water tables.

Saturday and Sunday:

 Larry wore shorts on Saturday - he did not cheat.  On Sunday, Bob and Edie got a medal for the 10k at the Fall Classic to commemorate the 30th Anniversary.  Bob was aghast.😳. We had blue skies which made it a nice run in beautiful UBC.  Rob ran the half in 1:41 while Bob and Edie ran the 10k in 1:22.  Hmmm….

Sunday Birthday celebration for November Cruisers at Burnaby Golf Course with 14 Cruisers and Athletic Supporters in attendance.   Lots of hot air available to blow out the candles.

November 18th:  Monday, Edie's report: Rachel, Edie and April ran/walked to Underhill and Broadway and back in about 50 minutes.  It was raining quite hard off and on but the air was fresh and it was good to be outside.

November 20th:  On Wednesday, Larry (in shorts) Libby and Sherian did the Forest Grove route, starting from Beaverbrook, over the Gaglardi overpass and you know the rest, until we got to Underhill - then proceeded down Shellmont to Meadowood, ran along the streets looking for Christmas lights, found one house with lights, then made for Broadway, back down Underhill, along Eastlake to Cameron Centre.  The skies were clear, the stars were a-twinklin' and once we were moving we weren't cold at all!  Distance, 7ish km, time 1 hour 10 minutes.  

On Saturday the 23rd, Rod, Larry and Len ran the SuperValu route along Eastlake, Underhill, Broadway and the golf course, taking advantage of partially clear skies and not too cold temperature, running 9.65 km, time 1 hour 27 minutes.  Informative discussion of computers and electronics ensued.  

From Jennel:  a few laps of running around the track while the girls were in gymnastics.  Lots of walking this week.  Nothing big…fighting a potential cold!
     

At the Ugly Sweater Run, held at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam, Edie, Laurie (and Laura?) participated in a 5 km run (no stats available) and got nice toques (no tiaras though), and had some Steam Whistle Pilsner Beer.

  (No report of any Budweiser beer at the event.)      

Rod, Laura and Edie along with canine April walked to Broadway and Underhill and back.  Rod had his shorts on!  Brrrr!  As Rod says, FFC (Effin' Freezin' Cold)....It was a lovely evening for a walk, much cooler than California though.   

California Dreaming….

From Jennel: I got in another run this afternoon.  Slow run down the Coquitlam Crunch, then time was pressed, so I had to run UP that hill too!  Yikes!  1 hr and some change!  

On Wednesday, Alex, Edie, canine April, Sherian, Larry, Laura and Libby ran the Forest Grove route, crossing the Gaglardi overpass, up the Forest Grove hill and along to Underhill, where Alex, Edie and April went down the hill to Eastlake and returned to Cameron Centre, while the rest of the crew went down Shellmont, into the Meadowood neighbourhood, counted 12 houses with Christmas lights, and a couple with Xmas trees up already, cut down to Broadway, then Underhill, Eastlake and you know the rest.  It was quite mild, no rain, great for wearing shorts.  Alex, Edie and April's distance and time, approximately 7 km, 1 hour 10 minutes, while the others' was about 8 km, 1 hour 20 minutes.  Bobtoc stopped by to say hello and is recovering from his cold.  

From Jennel: Wednesday -  Ran Up & Down Parkway Blvd. many times today.  Approx 1 hour.  Thursday - Sucker For Punishment!?!  Jogged slowly downhill on the Coquitlam Crunch this morning…enjoyed a coffee at Tim Hortons.  Sat a little too long though; had to RUN full tilt back up the hill in order to be on time to pick up Sofia from preschool.  Good workout that’s for sure!         

On Saturday, Larry, Laura and Alex met at Burnaby Lake and ran along the Skytrain trail to Boundary Road and back, about 10 km give or take, time 1 hour 10 minutes.  It was a surprisingly good day for a run, as at the time it was not raining, fairly mild, but there sure wasn't a lot of bright daylight.  One of those mornings where you just might think about rolling over and sleeping in, but once you get up and get out you find it isn't too bad after all.   We spent some extra time doing a good stretch after as some of our muscles felt a little tight.  Must have been the cool, damp air. 

Rod went to Cameron Centre and went up through Lake City/Underhill and back  through Forest Grove usual way.  Time out 54 min, distance 7 km.   He had a field hockey game in the afternoon - his team had a rare loss, 3-2 in the rain.