December 3rd: Rachel, Flora, Rod and Edie did the Forest Grove loop on Wednesday night. Our time was 1:30 for 7+k. We had to watch for ice but it wasn't too bad and it was a lovely night. We didn't see any cougars of the human or 4 legged ilk so it was all good!
December 5th: On Saturday, Bobtoc and Rod walked Joe’s Trail and met the other runners partway, then returned to Cameron Centre, time 1h 11m, distance 6 km. Runners Terri-Lee, Larry, René and Rick ran Joe’s Trail to North Road and back, then, feeling spry, kept going into the Burnaby Lake trails to the nature house, then returned to Cameron Centre, time 1h 20m, distance 11.25 km. It was raining out there but once we got wet it didn’t matter, we were happy to be out there with no ice or snow, and as Terri-Lee says, it doesn’t get any wetter than this!
December 8th:RA Edie reports that Laura, Alex and herself were crazy enough to turn out at Cameron in the downpour tonight. The three of them walked to Eastlake and Underhill, then Alex ran to Meadowood while Laura and Edie retraced their steps to Cameron. Laura gave up on her umbrella after trying to keep it up despite wind gusts. Alex did 8.5k in 1:12 and Laura and Edie were out an hour. Laura and Edie waited to make sure Alex returned safely then all went home to dry off. It was nice to have mild temperatures. Edie says she was quite dry in her rain gear. A medal of courage to all three for withstanding the monsoon!
On
Wednesday, it was wet. That’s an understatement! Larry, Terri-Lee,
Libby, Laura, Flora and Rachel met inside Cameron Centre, waiting to see
which one of us was going to go out into the monsoon. We all decided
to take the plunge as a group – you know “we will all go down together” –
joy in numbers and all that stuff, but there wasn’t joy with the
weather – so we started out going along Cameron to Noel Drive, and were
caught in one of the heaviest downpours ever seen by this observer, with
the rain bouncing off the road a good three feet high, and all of us
were instantly drenched. There was some talk of quitting but knowing
we’d never hear the end of it from others (who curiously didn’t show up)
we continued, giving it ten more minutes. Rachel, with an exam to
write the next day, wisely decided not to put her health at risk, and
turned back. We were starting to think we should have too, but then, as
we ran to Eastlake and Underhill, a miracle occurred…it stopped
raining. Lord have mercy! We decided to celebrate this new weather by
doing hillwork 2X up Underhill – how else do runners in training
celebrate?! – and then continued along the Forest Grove route, Gaglardi
overpass, and back to the Centre. Time 1h 10m, distance 8.3 km. A
quick cool down was done to avoid getting chills, and then us drowned
rats were off to home and hearth - and warm showers too. Ya know,
maybe it wasn’t the best night of the year, but in a warped way it was
fun…
I understand that Bobtoc, Edie and Rod were going to walk today. Better weather hopefully.
Jennel
report: On Monday evening, Heather & Jennel chose not to venture
into the dark, cold, wet weather with the bears & the cougars
(animal and human types). We played it safe and stayed warm & dry -
we ran for 1 hour around Port Moody Rec. Centre indoor track. Then
wrapped it up at Starbucks across the way with a nice “calorie-free”
eggnog latte and Peppermint Latte. As Rainy says, “we’re not keeping
track of calorie intake”, but we did RUN the Track!!! So, that’s track
of something!!! lol
Dec 6th: …And
the theme today is no precip – rain, sleet nor snow. On Saturday,
Larry, Terri-Lee and Len ran to Kensington Rink and returned, using
Eastlake, Underhill, Broadway, Arden, Greystone, etc., with Len running
part way in bare feet on the return portion as the weather was so mild
and dry. Time 2h 07m, distance 16 km. So much more enjoyable without
rain! Laura, Rod and Bobtoc walked the usual Forest Grove Drive using
Underhill. A tree blow-down was encountered on Underhill from Friday
night’s storm, also damage within the treed area on the east side of
Underhill. Time to finish 1h 30m, distance approx. 7.5 km, also no
rain.
December 6th: Laurie, Rachel, Darlene and Edie participated in the Ugly Sweater Run
today, the first two ran and the last two walked. The route was great,
went on some streets we hadn't been on before. It was a small run but
lots of fun. We got toques for the run and hot chocolate at the water
stations. The warm up was very entertaining as were some of the outfits.
It was Laurie's first run as a grandma. After the run we ordered the
children's breakfast at the pub before returning on the sky train home.
No rain.
December 14th:On
Monday night, Rod, Terri-Lee, Louise, Laura, Flora and Larry enjoyed a
rainless evening by running past the Stoney Creek school, across the
Gaglardi overpass, along Forest Grove, up that big “friendly” or as Rod
says “effin” hill, through the Forest Grove area, turned down Shellmont
into the Meadowood subdivision to enjoy the Christmas lights on the
houses, then returned along Broadway, Underhill, Eastlake, etc. It was a
nice clear evening although it did get a bit chilly towards the end.
Most of us wore Santa hats so nice to see people getting into the
season. RA Edie stopped by to say hello and model her new Ugly Sweater
toque. Yes it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so far without
the snow…
From
Jennel: Heather & I ran 1 hour at PMRC indoor track then made our
way over to Starbucks. No calorie-free latte...we both enjoyed a decaf
Americano coffee instead. Good run! Then exchanged gifts, which were
both food!!! lol.
Last
Wednesday RA Edie and Rod picked Bobtoc up at his home at 9:00 am for a
walk. The day started out no precip with light overcast. The trio
headed west toward Burnaby Heights; dropped off Rx’s for Bob and Marie,
at the apothecary on Hastings at Rosser, then continued on to
Confederation Park for a one lap walk on the oval. The trio then
returned to Artigiano Coffee House for coffee and relief at their
restroom, picked up said prescriptions and headed east back to Bobtoc’s
home, using Rosser Avenue south to Frances St, to Willingdon to Parker
St to Delta Ave to Eastlawn to Highlawn to Springer Ave past Beecher
Park, east on Springdale to Howard Avenue then up the last hill (hills
being our friends) on Heathdale Court. The trio experienced light rain
when leaving the coffee house, and rain became a bit heavier for the
rest of the walk. Distance 7.5 km, time inclusive of coffee and pit
stop, about 2h 40m. A great walk and great companionship. Improvement in Bobtoc’s detached retina procedure noted!!!
Rainy reports that 70 people turned out to the O Run All Ye Faithful event on Sunday. Sounds like it was a fun time.
Staff
reporters RA Edie and Rod informed about Wednesday night - RA Edie,
Rachel, Laura, Flora, Terri-Lee, Libby and Rod turned out. Rachel and
RA Edie walked 3.89 km precisely on the streets behind Cameron and
checked out the Xmas lights, while Laura, Flora, Terri-Lee, Libby and
Rod did the usual up through Lake City, up the effin’ (friendly)
Underhill 3X (yay hills!), returning to Cameron Centre by way of the
Forest Grove route . According to Terri-Lee the time was 1h 25m and
distance 8.5 km.
On
Saturday, a great turnout on a pretty good day for a run – no rain, not
too cold. RA Edie, Bobtoc, Rod, Laura, Terri-Lee, Alex, Len, Rick and
Larry attended to the Cameron Centre for the special ceremony of the
investiture of the Fallers’ Trophy to Alex and Laura to commemorate
their recent falls suffered during runs in the past couple of weeks.
From witness statements, Alex’s fall was deemed more spectacular so he
gets the trophy first. Quite an honour to have it displayed over the
mantle for the Christmas season no doubt! And especially so since it’s
been refurbished thanks to Rod, who took great care of it. We
anticipate some competition for this thing of beauty, not that we’re
encouraging anyone to fall! After this big event, Bobtoc left for home duty on orders from his bride, RA Edie and canine April walked, Rod and Laura ran along Eastlake, Underhill, Broadway, golf course to Duthie and back (about 11 km, time estimated at over 1 hour), and Larry, Rick, Terri-Lee, Alex and Len kept going to Kensington Rink, along Curtis/Parker to Howard, up to Frances St., through the Burnaby North high school fields, and back to the Centre the same way, distance 17.7 km, time about 2h 30m, with Terri-Lee doing a bit extra to get to 18 km on the dot.
Rocky Point under water on a gorgeous winter day.
Merry Christmas!!! Editor’s note: Never a dull moment Jennel!!!
On
Monday evening, Rod, Larry, Terri-Lee, Flora and Laura ran while Bobtoc
and Rachel walked. The runners ran along Eastlake, Underhill 1X (give
us a break, it’s Christmas!), Forest Grove, over the Gaglardi overpass
and back to the Centre, while Bobtoc and Rachel walked part of the route
then met up with the runners on the way back. Distance 7 km, time 1h
10m. It was a really nice night to be out as it was mild and it was not
raining, although not as good as California weather according to Rod.
Definitely not a white Christmas this year! It really doesn’t get any
better than this at this time of year.
From
Rod: Missed the 500 steps as I was trying to finish repairing the
workshop floor so I could move the freezer back before Christmas. Went
out later in the day from home up through Lake City then along to
Shellmont. 1X up Shellmont and back through Forest Grove. Time 1h
18m, distance about 10 km.
From
RA Edie: We couldn't have asked for a better day, the weather was
perfect and the trails were in great shape, despite the previous day's
monsoon. It was Libby and my first time on the 500 steps. The views of
Burrard Inlet were spectacular and all of us realize how lucky we are
to live here. We climbed the steps and trail to Horizons, stopped to
use the facilities and then looped down to the Trans Canada Trail
crossroads and back to the Barnet Beach car park. At first I wondered
what I was thinking going up all those stairs but I made it. The way
back was "downhill" with some undulation and one big effin' hill! Total
distance was 10km and time was about 2h 20m. The others would have
made better time without the Rear Admiral but we all enjoyed being out.
Some parts of the trail reminded me of Britain and I missed my walking
poles. Too bad some Cruisers had to keep the economy going by going to
work.On Saturday, Rod, Len, Alex, Larry, Ivan, Laura, Bobtoc, RA Edie and Christina attended and set out to run or walk, with Bobtoc, RA Edie and Christina walking Forest Grove route and the rest headed out along Beaverbrook, Eastlake, Underhill, Broadway and Arden to SuperValu, and on the way back, made the not-unanimous vote (as usual!) to go up Shellmont to Forest Grove, met the three walkers along the way, then back to Cameron Centre. It was a grey day with a bit of rain at the start, and it was tough at first shaking off the turkey effect, but we kept at it and got ‘er done! Time for the runners 1h 21m, distance 10 km, and 7.1k for the walkers in 1:40.
December 29th:On Monday night, there was a bit o’ chill in the air but it was clear and even though it wasn’t a full moon, that moon was pretty bright, as Larry was paced on his run doing the Forest Grove route starting along Beaverbrook, past the Stoney Creek school, over the Gaglardi overpass, up the big friendly (really?) hill, down Underhill and back along Eastlake etc. Time, a somewhat brisk 53 minutes, distance 7.5 km. Bobtoc and Flora did the walking thing along the Forest Grove route and finished about 15 minutes after Larry.
Laura reports that she did a 30 minute swim at the Canada Games pool. Excellent cross training!
Happy New Year everyone!
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