June 2016

June 1st:  Four brave souls:  Cheryl, Larry, Rod and Bobtoc walked the Forest Grove Drive route backwards under clouds heavy with rain, and got thoroughly soaked in the process.  Time and distance, 1:06 and 6.8 km or so  respectively. Flora was  also on Forest Grove Drive, saw her briefly; she was on another mission not to do with the Cruisers.   

Coquitlam Cruisers ran Tuesday morning.  Heather and Jennel ran from Jennel’s house to Rocky Point, then to Panorama to David, down Ioco Road to the Port Moody rec centre parking lot to the path alongside Rocky Point to the Old Orchard Park beach, then returned uphill, to Guildford,  Noons Creek then up the Creek (love that!) to return to Jennel’s home.  Weather hot, distance, 11 km.

Saturday June 4th:  On a salubrious day, undoubtedly the best day of the year,  RA Edie, Eoin and Laura, Flora, Larry, Rod, Bobtoc welcomed Tish Oliver back to the ranks of the Cruisers after too long an absence Saturday morning at the Burnaby Lake parking lot.     The eight took a route different than the customary Central Park Greenway leading west; instead went south on Kensington at Sprott St. into the Burnaby Village Museum area onto Sperling to the Deer Lake beach, passing the boat rental area then continued south and west on the south perimeter trail leading close to Royal Oak, then north to the City Hall parking lot area via the Deer Lake Parkway to tour the Farmers Market situated on the parking lot, oohed and aahed at the fruit and vegetables etc displays, even vodka, regrouped to use the concrete stairs at the north of the parking lot area leading down to Ledger Avenue, Norland Ave back to Sprott St. then east to return to the Burnaby Lake parking lot.  Edie  with canine April and Eoin extricated themselves from the runner/walkers to use a shorter route; their distance and time 6 km and 1:23.   The distance and time for the other six were approx. 8 or 9 km and 1:41 respectively.  Weather: blue skies, warm to hot temperature;  experience, terrific.       

It was a hot one!

Monday June 6th:  

RA Edie, Laura, Rod, Tish and Bobtoc met Monday on a hot hot evening at the Centre.  The five quickly resolved to walk due to the heat.  The route chosen was familiar; the Stoney Creek trail, north on North to Chapman, Robinson, south to Foster , west back to  North Road to Lyndhurst in Burnaby to Willoughby, south back to Cameron St and the Centre; time and distance,  1:24, 6.5 km respectively. The six dripped and stretched at the Centre’s corral fence before departing for their homes.

Coquitlam Cruisers:   Weekend runs:  Friday afternoon Heather ran 8 km with her neighbour;  Sunday evening Jennel had to “keep up with the Joneses”  so also ran 8 km.

Wednesday June 8th:  

On Wednesday evening, it was a noticeably cooler evening than the weekend but it was perfect for running and walking.  Rod, Edie and canine April walked the Forest Grove route; distance 7 km and time 1h 20 or so.  Larry, Cheryl and Laura ran a similar but not entirely identical route, going along Eastlake up Underhill, with Larry and Cheryl doing 2X hillwork, then the three ran along Forest Grove, and instead of going over the Gaglardi overpass, continued along Forest Grove, crossed Broadway and continued down to Production Way/Eastlake intersection, then back along Eastlake/Beaverbrook to return to the Centre.  Got over a few more hills that way.  Hills are our friends, remember?  We just have to get over it.  Distance 10 km, time 1h 10.  Cheryl says next time we can add a loop around Ash Grove and/or Maple Grove and add more hills – yay. On the way back into the parking lot of the Centre, a truck pulled up and someone started waving at us – it was Chris Keeling!  He and his partner Christine are still in the area and said hello.  It was great catching up with them and we hope to see Chris sometime when he comes out for a run.   

From Flora – she did hill workout running and walking, Underhill X4.  Hills are her friends too! 

From Jennel - Today (Thursday) Heather ran 8km on her own, then rode her bike for a while.  Meanwhile, Jennel hiked the Coquitlam Crunch on her own and had a little adrenaline rush!!  On her way back up the Crunch, her husband texted her and warned her, be careful & RUN!!!   There were a bunch of police cars down on Barnet Hwy. and police with guns trying to find a someone in the bushes!  Good grief!  Jennel RAN faster than she has EVER run in her life!  She saw a lady with a dog, made her turn around and they ran up the hill together to a more populated area.  They were fine, thank goodness….but this was just a reminder that running in pairs or groups is a good idea!                 

                                                                                                             

Saturday June 11th: As Larry predicted on his June 9 update, the Cruisers who appeared Saturday did in fact choose a number of destinations although the six all started out west on Cameron St.  On a soggy morning, Larry and Rene’,  Flora and RA Edie, and Senators Rod and Bobtoc formed three groups, the first being Larry and Rene’ used a fast pace and  the usual route passing the IGA corner continuing to Kensington Avenue before returning; their time 1:38 and distance approximately 15 km.  Flora and Edie ran/walked, used the same route but extended to Kensington Rink and return, time 3:03  including  pit stops, distance approximately  15.5 km.  Rod and Bobtoc rogged to the IGA corner, reversed direction to Shellmont, hung a left up Shellmont to Underhill, south to Forest Grove Drive then east crossing the pedestrian overpass back to the Centre;   time and distance 1:53 and approx. 11 km respectively.  The six did not manage to run between rain drops…

Coquitlam Cruisers:   On Thursday Heather ran 8 km, then rode her bike.  Jennel hiked the Coquitlam Crunch solo.  Enroute, husband Tony texted her to advise her to be careful since armed police were on Barnet Highway searching for a culprit in the bushes.  As it turned out, the culprit was much closer to Burnaby than in Jennel’s vicinity.  Jennel says the experience is a reminder to run in pairs or groups is a good idea.  (Amen to that).

Monday June 13th:  RA Edie, Eoin, Laurie, Rod, Tish  and  Bobtoc met Monday at Cameron Centre on a cool, cloudy evening, perfect for running, rogging or walking.  Edie complete with canine April combined with Eoin to walk the Stoney Creek trail to North Road and return, distance about 4 km;  no time provided.  The remaining four ran west to the so-called IGA corner before reversing direction to the Shellmont hill, hung a left up Shellmont to the intersection of Shellmont and Underhill, proceeded east on Forest Grove Drive back to the Centre using the Gaglardi overpass..  Time and distance  1:41  and about 10 k respectively.  The six then rested their laurels so to speak at the rustic fence outside the west entrance to the Centre and enjoyed the quiet time and scenery before breaking to return to their respective homes. 

Wednesday June 15th:On Wednesday Alex, Eoin, Larry, Rod, Flora, Tish and Bobtoc met at the Centre on a cool, no precip evening, conditions deemed perfect for walking and running.  Alex and Eoin opted to walk, their destination being the nature house on the north trail leading to Burnaby Lake and return; their distance and time,  9km and approx.. 2 hours.  Runners separated into two groups, the destination of both being Joe’s trail to  North  Road and return.  Larry and Rod comprised the first group; distance of both groups being 7 km, and time for Larry and Rod, 1:04; time for Flora, Tish and Bobtoc, 1:15.

Coquitlam Cruisers:  On a bit of R & R time.  Jennel reports:  Heather &  I are both staying fairly active.  She reports to me that she has run 8km here & there.  I go out too, but taking it easy for a while.   But not to worry…things will pick up again as we’ll have to get back into the running routine as we have to Rock & Roll Half Marathon to train for in October.

Saturday June 18th:  Seven Cruisers:  Rene’, Larry, Flora, Sherian whom we had not seen for a while, glad to have her with us, Rod, Bob, and a late arrival Eoin, met at Rocky Point Saturday on a threatening, weather-wise morning.  Destination for all was the usual route to the north shore.  Rene’ and Larry ran to and returned from Sasamat Lake, their distance and time 18k and 1:55;  Flora and Sherian ran to and returned from April Road; distance 8k;  Rod and Bobtoc ran and rogged to the pearly gates at the imperial Oil facility and return, distance and time 11.5k and 2:05, plus extra time to the pier;  Eoin walked the route likely to April Road, although I do not have his elapsed time.  The seven all experienced some rain before completing their journeys, but while they became wet their spirits were not dampened.   

Coquitlam Cruisers: Contemplating the Vegas half.  Jennel got a bargain on new running shoes, her brand, her size.

Monday June 20th:  Seven Cruisers:  Cheryl, Flora, Eoin and Laura, Rod, Tish and Bobtoc met at the Centre on a no precip, temperature idealforrunning evening, the best night of the year, at the Centre.  The route used by all for the run/rog/walk was Eastlake west to Broadway to Shellmont, east to Underhill to Forest Grove Drive, east to the pedestrian overpass to the Beaverbrooks to return to the Centre; distance and time, 7km, 1:32 to 1:37, finalized by stretch and some banter at the rustic fence we all know and love.  Love. Well, a bit of poetic licence there. 

 Men reading maps - scary stuff!!

Coquitlam Cruisers: Jennel back on track; first run/walk post marathon Monday.   New shoes on; solved knee problem.  Did 8 km, 4x, on Parkway Blvd.  Heather ran 8 to 10 m on the weekend.  Panic city for Jennel; lost a ruby from her ring; found at home.  (Life is good).

 Catching Up with the Canadian Coasters….

They wanted to take the photo quickly in case the goose had "to go".  Len with a farmer's tan?

Important Information from Debra Colvin:  Last night we camped in White River which is the birthplace of Winnie-the-Pooh who was born in 1914. Lieutenant Harry Colburn purchased the bear and named her Winnie after his hometown Winnipeg. Winnie became the soldier's mascot and was left in the care of the London zoo where she was watched and loved for almost 20 years. Author A.A.Milne and illustrator E.H.Shephard gave the fictional character Winnie-the-Pooh to Milne's son Christopher and the world.

 









Still smiling….                                           
Those pesky mosquitos won't get Miriam.

Wednesday June 22nd:  

RA Edie with April, Eoin and Laura, Flora, Larry, Rod and Bobtoc met at the Centre Wednesday on a cool but comfortable evening.  Their destination and activity were Burnaby Mountain, walking, via the Stoney Creek trail, North Road to the power line trail heading north and return; distance about 6 km and time 1:33.  Post-mortems were conducted enroute of the ongoing EUFA games being played in France.  Eoin proudly wore the jersey of Ireland’s team, which won their game against France, 1 nil, in the 86^th minute that very day. Cheryl was unable to walk/run with the gang due to work commitments, but she did show up and graciously brought coffees, sugar and cream for those present from “our” Tim Horton’s emporium at North Road.  Our thanks, Cheryl !  A nice touch to be sure.

Scotia Half June 26 2016

Yesterday three Cruisers and a number of runners from Rainy’s group participated in the annual Scotiabank half marathon or 5 k race, both having their finish in Stanley Park.  The day was sunny, but hot for the runs.  Congratulations to the participants, who were cheered on at the Park by Rod, Rachel, Flora, Bobtoc, plus  Alex, Christina and John Saremba, the three having cycled to the Park.   Kudos big-time to RA Edie, who drove the half marathoners to UBC then drove back to the Park to compete in the 5 k. 

Chip time statistics are:

Half Marathon:

Carla  Castellani                                 2:06

Rainy Kent                                          2:09

Larry Kuhn                                          2:13

Joe Turtle                                            2:24     1^st in his age group

Kathryn Ford                                       2:26

Cheryl Davies also completed the half but her previous foot injury showed up; thinking she would not

complete, unfortunately she removed her number bib and consequently did not have her time recorded.

5 KM run:

Edie Kernighan                                               40:04

Thirteen Cruisers and “athletic supporters” celebrated the day at luncheon at the Burnaby Lake Golf Course.  A good time was had by all; great company and continuing warm and sunny weather, enjoyed at a patio table outside.  Life is good!

 Canadian Coasters Arrive in Sault Ste. Maria

Monday June 27th:  RA Edie with canine April, Flora, Laura and Eoin, Rod and Bobtoc on Monday evening at the Centre opted to walk due to the heat.  The route chosen was the Stoney Creek trail which provided some shade.  Edie, Laura and Eoin walked to  North  Road and returned; their distance and time 5.5 km and about an hour.   EUFA games were post-mortemed   somewhat  particularly England vs. Iceland.   Flora, Rod and Bobtoc continued on North Road to Chapman Ave., hung a right onto Chapman, then reversed direction at 41 minutes; their distance and time 6.5 km,   1:21.

Wednesday evening Bobtoc will be at the Whitecaps game with his bride.

Coquitlam Cruisers:  Jennel’s injury was identified as sciatic nerve injury by a physiotherapist.  She has had some relief, more to come.  Heather is still off running; she feels she should be back into her runners in a couple of weeks or so.

New term from Jennel’s physio.  R. I. C. E. is now P.O.L I.C.E.   Protect, Optimal, Loading, Ice, Compression,  Elevation.    Here endeth the lesson for today.

Wednesday June 29th:  On Wednesday evening, it was perfect summer weather, nice and sunny but not too hot, definitely the best evening of the year.  Edie, Laura, Tish, Flora and Larry walked the Stoney Creek trail up North Road, along Chapman, continued along Robinson to Ebert Ave. and back to Cameron Centre, with lots of fun conversation.  Oh yes, distance was 7.5 km, time 1h 20m or so.  It was so nice out, no one really wanted to go inside after.  A pleasant evening to be sure (unless you were with Bobtoc watching the Whitecaps getting the Voyageur’s Cup snatched from them…but then they lost in Toronto last week too!). 

From Jennel: Heather & I went for a nice 8km walk Tuesday evening.  Jennel drove to Heather’s house and they took her dog Burrows out for a walk up Shaughnessey, down Prairie, up Coast Meridian.  Stopped in for some Bubble Tea for Heather & a Starbucks Frap for Jennel.  All was good….we discussed how this past marathon took a toll on our bodies!  We both are about to lose yet another toenail!  So, we both decided that we may just take the summertime to just take it easy and do some walking together. Not sure that was “us” making a decision or our bodies telling us!!!!