September 2014

Sept. 1st:  On Monday, Labour Day, Alex and Angela, RA Edie with canine April, Larry, a welcome surprise being Val, and Bobtoc met early Monday and tackled the Coquitlam Crunch.  The six enjoyed perfect weather: cooler temperature, some cloud but no precip, almost the best day of the year, as well as few people on the Crunch at 8:00 am.  The six walked the route.  The Crunch trail is much improved since last visit due to new stairs in places, total steps over 500, complete with steel mesh treads.  The adjoining grassed fields were recently cut and trimmed, producing great views for the passing parade.  On the way down, the six encountered many more people coming up, and a crowded parking lot when it was reached at the end of the walk.  Time, distance, height from ground level,  1:46, 5 km approx, return, 280 meters to the top.

From Rod Friday:  Went out this morning in Kelowna, time out 1h18, distance 11 km.  Rod

From Coquitlam:  Jennel on Sunday went for a nice evening run up Parkway Blvd…past the Westwood Plateau Golf course, down Plateau….back to Panorama & home….1.5 hrs.  Lots of  millwork.

Sept. 3rd:  On Wednesday Adele, Edie, Larry, Alex, Laura, Louise, Norman, Rod and Bobtoc showed up at the Centre on undoubtedly the very best evening of the year; comfortable temperature, some cloud cover.  Adele walked from her home in the Forest Grove area; walkers Edie and Larry accompanied her back to her home and returned to the Centre; their time 1:05. Runners Alex, Laura, Louise, Norman, Rod and Bob joined the walkers, their route being the Forest Grove Drive run backwards, i.e., over the Gaglardi pedestrian overpass to Forest Grove, west on the Drive to Underhill, south to Eastlake and return; distance 7 k and time 1:01, with distance for Bobturners Alex, Rod, Norman and Louise a bit farther.  The walkers and runners basked at the familiar fence at the Centre, enjoying the temperature and the sunset. 

Sept. 6th: On Saturday, Bobtoc, Rod, Alex, Rachel and Laura ran along the Burnaby Lake trails to the nature house and return to Cameron Centre.  Distance about 9 km, time about 1h 20 m or so.  Larry and Rick walked 13 km, going around the lake trails.  Nice early 7:30 a.m. start and the weather was sunny and cool, warming up as the morning progressed.    For the enquiring minds that want to know, the Evergreen Skytrain guideway has progressed past the North Road and Austin intersection and will soon link up with the curved portion that extends over the White Spot near the Lougheed Hwy., and rail is currently being installed on the guideway north of Austin.   

(Maybe not suitable as a running route though.)    

While some Cruisers walked and ran, Cruisers Edie, Linda, John and Christina were cruising with the Clan MacLeod on the Indian Arm.  The day was warm and cloudless, showcasing the most beautiful scenery in the world.  We are so privileged to live in paradise. 

September 8th:  On Monday evening, Alex, Rod, Bobtoc and Larry walked the Forest Grove route backwards, starting along Beaverbrook, past the Stoney Creek school, up across the Gaglardi overpass, etc etc.  Time 1h 20m, distance 6.5 km.  It was a great evening for a walk, starting out a little on the warm side, but by the time we returned to Cameron Centre it was dark and getting cooler...boo hoo, fall was in the air.......      

From Jennel:  I ran the Coquitlam Crunch this afternoon in 1 hour, from Panorama, up to the top, then down to the VERY end on Barnett, back up to the Very top again, cut across to Greenstone Court and ran down towards home.  8:16km in 1:01  Now it’s mostly all stairs, so it’s a good run!!!  LOTS of kids on the Crunch as no school at the moment  :(

September 10th:  On Wednesday eve, Rod, Libby, Edie and Larry enjoyed the continuing beautiful late summer weather by walking Joe’s Trail.  Distance 7.8 km, time 1h 27m.  Although it was great sunny weather, by the time we hauled it back to Cameron Centre it was dusk.   A few more members were added to the Galloping Gecko club.

From Jennel:  Wednesday evening Jennel went on a WALK on the Coquitlam Crunch.  She was almost finished her full course, when she noticed a familiar face!  It was FLORA!!!  Flora was hiking with her friend Jillian.  Much to your surprise the 3 women talked & talked & talked…then decided to walk & talk.  We all hiked back up to the top then Jennel parted ways at Panorama going back to her home.  Lovely time….Good hike, good company…can’t ask for more than that!      

Warning from Laura Farrelly:  Flasher spotted near Joe’s Trail, see article at link below:  

http://www.burnabynewsleader.com/news/274772641.html 

September 13th:  On Saturday, Larry and Rick walked to the SuperValu store and back, distance 9.5 km, time 2 h.  Rod and Bobtoc ran along the same route but went farther, going to Westridge school and returned, distance 14 km, time 2h 12m.  Wonderful weather as usual, sun, not too hot.

Laura was also running, she ran to SuperValu and back, running past Larry and Rick.  Her distance was 9.5 km, time less than 2 h!  

From Edie:  We did it!  I finished in 1:40 with a steady 9:40 pace.  I was very happy.😊. Laurie did 1:07.  Well organized run.  Laurie waited at the finish line for me.  I wore my shirt so they would know I was part of the run.

Before and After

From Laura:  Today (Sunday) I did the 10 k Terry Fox run at Blue Mountain Park (Coquitlam).  Met Rene & Denise, & a few other friends there.  I talked to Doug (I forget his last name) - Terry's friend that drove the van on the cross country run.  What a nice guy, he was chatting w everyone, told us a few stories. 

On Monday, only Laura came so she went home. :(

September 17th: RA Edie, Larry, Laura, Louise and Bobtoc ran/walked from the Centre to Joe’s Trail, knowing the group could not run as far as North Road due to darkness which would occur too soon to allow us to go that far.  Runners bobturned sufficient to allow all to finish the trek at the same time.  Time and distance, 55.24 and approx.. 4 km respectively.  The group enjoyed the great weather and temperature, which is part of or BC early autumn.

Autumn brings fewer hours of sunshine.  Lights and reflects from now on please.

September 20th:RA Edie together with canine April ,Flora, Larry, Bobtoc, then Laura  who arrived at the Centre late, moved west enroute to the Supervalu corner.Walkers Edie and Larry turned back shortly before reaching the corner while Flora, Laura and Bobtoc returned to the Centre having turned back at the corner.  The five enjoyed superb weather and temperature as is the experience every year in mid September.  Time and distance for the runners 1:32,  9 km, for the walkers a few minutes more and distance some less.  The five basked at the fence outside the Centre notwithstanding the decrepit condition of said fence.  It was heartening to see that the City has  been on the job by placing a red cone at one of the posts rotten at ground level.  It was more heartening to see the fence still upright solely due to the binder twine Alex Lau used a few days ago to bind the corner post to a metal sign post…   Hint hint to the Mayor?

Sept. 23rd: Larry and Bobtoc walked from the Centre Monday on a gorgeous early autumn evening.  The daring duo’s route was east to North Road, north to Foster Ave, east to Schoolhouse Road, then retraced steps to Robinson St, Ebert Ave and return to the Centre.  Time 1:15, distance approx. 4 km.  No time was utilized inspecting the Meccano set.

From Coquitlam:
Jennel ran 16km on Monday afternoon.  Down David to Town Centre Park doing a couple laps around lake/park, then some speed work on track just for Libby!!!  Then home.

Jennel ran 16km on Monday afternoon.  Down David to Town Centre Park doing a couple laps around lake/park, then some speed work on track just for Libby!!!  Then home.

Sept. 25th: On a nice break from the rain on Wednesday evening, Rod, Libby, Edie, Bob, Alex,

Louise and Larry met at the Centre to welcome Alex and Rod back from their travels, and to witness the ceremony of Libby happily passing along the Fallers Trophy to Rod, after a summer-long delay.  Then the group ran-walked (mostly walked) an interesting route of the Stoney Creek trail, turning towards the school, but wait!! after determining that they could do the Forest Grove route any old winter night, did a u-turn and proceeded to take advantage of the still-there-but-not-for-long evening light and went along to North Road, up to Chapman in Coquitlam, along to Robinson, down to Appian Way, up North Road past the now-completed Skytrain line (rumours of a run to Coquitlam Centre on the Skytrain line a bit premature) and back to Cameron, time 1h 18m, distance 7.04 km, not bad for mostly walking. 

 Sept. 27th:  On Saturday, Rick, Alex and Larry walked all around the Burnaby Lake trails, going the reverse way of the route usually taken, enjoying a beautiful, sunny, summer-like morning.  Lots of runners out there, including Ruby Ferguson running with a group of women, probably getting ready for an upcoming group run (Whistler?).  Time of our walk, 2h 41m, distance 14 km. 

Jennel ran & walked 13km Thursday afternoon.  She ran down David to Heather’s house at Shaughnessey, from there the two walked Burrows (Heather’s dog) around Coquitlam River for an hour (approx 6km), then Jennel parted and ran home.  Good times & LOTS of catch up :)

Sept 29th: Staff reporter Rod informs that he and Louise went from Cameron to the old IGA/SuperValu and back. Time out 1h14, distance just short of 10k.  With a time like that, they must have been running well.

Laura reports that she did an hour’s run on Sunday morning, in the nice warm sunshine.