SERGEANT!

There she be...I called her Sergeant...G.I Jane baby! The last 3 letters of the license plate are SGT, it was only fitting.

I agonized over what I should do for a vehicle for quite a while after it got totalled. You can breifly read about that HERE if you want the background story.

In the end, ICBC ended up rewarding me with a whopping $1200 for her. On the bright side, I did make $500 on the car considering I only baught it for $700!

After countlessly contemplated not getting a car, I realized that I am way too lazy to walk the 20 minutes to the grocery store, suck it up and bike to work and/or hitchhike my way up the mountain (especially in these winter months). With all that said, I decided to buy one.

Then it came down to buying another old one or go for a newer one? Well, I applied for a line of credit and got it. However, having never really had debt in my life I was a little concerned about having one. But, knowing I have to drive the Sea to Sky highway every so often left me feeling as though I needed something reliable. Plus, I wanted a car I could take road tripping and more importantly, something that would hopefully last me a long time.

In the end, I found a great deal on craigslist for this bad girl and I jumped on it. Having a car salesman as a client helped as well. I got a killer of a deal for a used 2005 car with only 65,000km on it. It took me a few days to get over the fact that I had such a nice vehicle. I couldnt help but feel like I was selling out. I live pretty frivolously but here I am spending all this money on a car. However, I know this thing will bring me much freedom and memories. I'm pretty sure that if I fold the seats down I could manage to sleep in it!

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The days have been a little rainy and muggy but I am still managing to get out the door and get my runs in. These aren't even training runs as I am not training for anything- besides life. hey are fun runs where I go where I want, for however long I want.

As for next year, I have decided I am not going to race anywhere I can't get to by car. Over the past few years I have spent all of my money on trips, mostly running trips. I have had a ton of fun in the process but I'd like to take this year to enjoy everything around me because it's just so damn beautiful. I had contemplated heading over to one of the montrail ultra cup races to try and get a spot for western again (bandura, ice age) but when its all said and done, its just way too much money, especially for ONE race. There are so many other hidden gems out there that are local and easier on the pocket.

I am pretty stoked for the next few weeks. Lots of time will be spent with family and friends. I'm heading up to Mt. Baker this weekend and then over to Whistler for 4 days with Peters family. Hopefully my legs can handle all this skiing! Then it's back to North Van for Christmas Eve/Christmas day dinners with the Gilders! Can't wait.

See you in the trails!

Learning to Drive all over again!

Wow, I just had a 90 minute standard car driving lesson. My one regret (not really) in life will have to be not having learned this years ago when I started to drive. It feels so unnatural to have to use my left foot. Usually it just dangles pretty off to the side. I only managed to freak out and cry once.

I started to find all my mistakes/frustrations rather amusing by the end. I think being the instructor for these lessons would be such a tough job. A) you have people totally freak out on you (2) because I was concentrating so much on changing gears etc. I was definitely veering in all sorts of directions, not to mention, almost rolling back into cars on slopes (3) you have to repeat yourself A LOT and (4) and give positive encouragement even when the person is totally blowing it!

Man, that was crazy. I tend to get frustrated when I can't pick something up quickly, especially when I repeatedly make the same mistake over and over. He had to politely tell me that "it's ok, your a beginner, it's going to be tough", "No one ever picks it up right away". However, he did tell me that compared to most, I was "the best". Maybe he was lying to make me feel better but maybe not...I'LL TAKE THAT!

Tomorrow I get possession of a standard car and I guess I'll be learning as I go. The lesson was a good start. It's a good thing Squamish is a bit flatter than North Vancouver. Anyone have any good "Learning to drive standard stories???"

See you in the trails!

SQUAMISH DAYS

I think I have forgotten how to blog it's been so long! I guess 3 weeks isn't that long but when your used to blogging a few times a week, it feel like forever.

Our move up to Squamish has been both amazing (hands down best decision I ever made) but has had it's share of frustrating moments.

We love our place and location. So far, the running I have done (before it snowed) was great and made for some awesome solo exploration. Jen, my local running tour guide, has taken me on a few runs up and around Alice Lake. And of course, the mighty Cheif has called my name more than a couple of times. I actually hiked it with my aunt and uncle yesterday. My uncle had NEVER hiked it, and my aunt hadnt done it since she was 8 years old. The snow was still hanging around but the tourists weren't and we had the Cheif all to ourselves.





I know I should probably explore some new places (up high) but I am a little nervous all by my lonesome in the snow.

The only frustrating thing about our move was the lack of cleanliness on our landlords part. I hesitate to say anything bad about him because he is such a nice and genuine guy, however, our place was filthy when we came to move in. He also has a dog who left behind a colonie of fleas. I can't beleive how incredibly grossed out I get when I spot them. It must have to do with the way they jump around. The straw that broke the camels back was when we woke up at 3:30 in the morning with them in our bed. After trying a few lower key flea/bug sprays, it's looking as though we may have to fumigate. I'm getting the feeling that because I havent blogged in so long, I'm starting to overshare...yes? haha

The week of our move, Peter got in an unfortunate accident in my car (he's not at fault), which ended up being a write off. Peter managed to get away with some scrapes and bruises and the odd ache and pain in his shoulder but overall he is doing well. However, this has left me without a vehicle, which is almost a blessing in disguise because I was considering giving my best go at becoming a bike commutor. This would not only save me a lot of money, I would be able to afford a mountain bike. Even though the money I got from the write off (1990 civic) is not quite enough to buy a mountain bike, it will help towards one. I also wonder how much freedom I would be compromising by not having a car...any thoughts?

I can't beleive all the wonderful things that are available to me within a 10-20 minute drive. I went snowshoeing up in Garibaldi Park with 2 friends of mine. We were only able to make it to the first hut because they had to be back in North Van but that left me wanting to explore more. I must admit, ski touring looked like a lot more fun, especially on the way down. I am just waiting on my bindings and once those arrive, I can assemble my skis and hit the hill. I am so incredibly stoked. Last year was the first time I had skiied in 13 years but it was amazing how fast the skill came back. It also made me realize how much I missed it.

The last thing on my list this month is to pick some running goals for 2011. I find I am struggling with this right now because I really want to enjoy everything I moved to Squamish to discover. I want to climb, mountain bike, ski tour, and pretty much just take advantage of everything that is in my backyard. I fear that trying to focus too much on one thing will take away from all the others. Perhaps, this is a good year to teach myself how to still run/race while finding balance with those other activities.

Peter said it best, why vacation this year when we have everything we need right here in Squmaish. We literally could spend the entire summer climbing here and still never hit anywhere near all the routes that are available to us.

I know I sound like I am turning into a climber but running is still my go to form of euphoria. In fact, there is a rainfall warning going on right now for this area and its pissing rain here today. Nothing makes me want to get outside more than running on a rainy day. It makes you feel so alive and pretty awesome when you see everyone bundled up with the heat on driving down the streets, and here you are, braving the elements!

Alright, time for a run and then a day studying for my final exam!

See you in the trails!

Phantom 19km Race Report

For the past 2 years, I have volunteered with Peter and the Phantom Race, which takes place in the Lynn Headwaters area. This race is put on by the lovely Heather Macdonald of Mountain Madness trail events/clinics. There are 3 distances to choose from- 12km, 19km, and 24km. This year, very last minute, I decided I would run it.

I decided upon the 19km because I just like the route better than the 24km. This race is not a cake walk and has it's fair share of hills, however, none too long. The weather was perfect- not too cold. I wore a long sleeve wool top and shorts.

I got there 20 minutes before the event started because I had to pick up the keys to the moving truck we rented for our big move to Squamish. I was really excited to run and after the gun went off, I darted out full of energy. I lead the female race from start to finish however, I always had a girl on my heels. I was a bit under the weather and my body was not feeling 100%. Often, I will do a race and everything just clicks and I hardly feel any fatigue in my legs. Other times, specifically during this race, that was not the case but I still managed to push through and keep the others behind me.

My favorite part of the run is getting the satisfaction of reaching the top of Lynn Loop. The trail from here is simply fun and uber technical. No matter what the state of my body is, I always have the energy to just giv'r through this section. I saw my buddy Rajen on this section and that gave me a big boost of energy. Before I knew it the race was over. I finished in a time of 1:50, 1st female. I stuck around to cheer on all the other race participants and chow down on all the yummy food that people brought. The save your skin foundation was out in full force and they brought, as per usual, their homemade ministrone soup, yum!

After that it was back home to pack up our place as the big move happened last weekend. Another blog on that to come soon.

Thanks again Heather for putting on such a fabulous race. The volunteers were amazing and it was nice to see Peter, who was manning an aid station, along the way. What's up next? I am not sure...other than a lot of Squamish exploring. I just got my new ski's and am just waiting on the boots and bindings...Can't wait!

See you in the trails!

THE FLAPPER

I had once considered massage therapy as a career but after speaking with a few, many had stopped doing some of the activities that they loved because of how it would affect their hands. Now I get it...



I was totally stuck on this one boulder problem at the climbing gym and tried relentlessly (and repeatedly) to solve it. I noticed a mean callus forming on my pinky finger but just kept going. After my final attempt, I ripped this gnarly flapper and kind of freaked out a bit, like I was expecting it to start gushing blood or something. Of course, it never did and I had to sadly call it a day. Bouldering takes a lot of patience, more than I have with myself when I am playing. You have to rest and recover from each pump. I just wanted to keep doing it over and over and sometimes, you just have to surrender to the rock (or fake rock in this case). Humbled once again.

See you in the trails!

You know your a trail runner when...

This scene is from the garage and if I had taken this picture yesterday, you would've thought that metal rack barfed up about 8 pairs of trail shoes. I am sure our landlords think we're nuts. I have so many pairs of the same shoe that I don't even know which one goes with which. I always tell myself to mark down when I got them (inside the shoe) but I have yet to make that dream come to fruition. Maybe it's a form of hoarding! And these are just the trail shoes!

Alright, time to go dig through and find a not so old looking pair to take out into the trails today!

The Big Move

I was reading a blog post by Tom Craik on his RUN NOW blog. yesterday. He's discussing how he feels on his runs when he isn't training for a goal race. He quotes:

"Run Now" is my mantra on so many occasions, but this morning, while climbing a new route up Grouse, I had an epiphany that some recent restlessness, and lack of present-minded running, came from having no racing goals. I'd been racing and training so much it had become a way of living. About three quarters of the way up it came to me that I was enjoying myself immensely and hadn't thought about my running plans for the coming year. I was so focused on "Running Now" that I was able to just be there."

It is no surprise that I have been feeling this exact same way over the last few months and just like Tom, is has been nice just running, without any goals or expectations other than to ENJOY and run in the here and now.

On another note- I have some exciting news...


(The mighty Chief- it's going to be in my backyard- not a big deal)

A month or so ago, Peter and I decided to move up to Squamish! We are both super excited. Reactions have been mixed but anyone who is outdoorsy seems to be supportive. I get asked "Why?" a lot. That answer seems to be pretty simple (1) World Class Rock Climbing (2) awesome cross-country mountain biking (3) equally as awesome mountain running (4) Closer to ski touring which I am going to start this winter! O' and can't forget my favorite spot- The Zephyr Cafe...and many more. I am excited to explore somewhere new. Peter and I have both lived in North Vancouver all our lives and I think change is a good thing. I am excited to be apart of a smaller community and meet new people.

Now that we are coming closer to the move-out date (Nov 15th) I am starting to notice just how much I do love Lynn Valley but the good thing is- it's not going anywhere! It will be exciting to come back and visit and have our friends come visit us. We have a 2 bedroom apartment in Valley Cliff so if anyone wants to come up, we've got a spare bed!

As for work, I am going to train clients 2 days a week in North Vancouver and start helping Jen Segger with her project X on the other days! This is a really exciting opportunity and the timing could not be more perfect. New Adventures here I come!

See you in the trails.