Royal Victoria Half-Marathon October 8, 2006

Documenting Days Gone By

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Royal Victoria Half-Marathon October 8, 2006

Victoria, British Columbia

Thanksgiving Weekend

October 8, 2006

Me & J Mo

I did not write a race recap after running this half-marathon so what I share here is what I remember today (February 20, 2019) as I write this.  My memory is terrible for some things but for the races I completed many years ago the memories are very vivid.  In hind-sight my stars were not aligned for this race but at the time my thoughts did not even venture there.  

J Mo and I met at the airport for our quick flight out to Victoria.  1.  stars unaligned - Going through security I was pulled aside while J Mo sailed on through.  This was the first time ever I had a thorough security check off to the side where I was facing a wall spread-eagle with my hands in the air against the wall.  I was patted down  from head to toe by the female officer. When she was done and I carried on through with the balance of security and met up with J Mo she had this look on her face and said "What the he!! happened to you!" I got myself together, clothes back in place, hair somewhat styled again and carried on.  2. stars unaligned - The flight was rough where the small plane was bouncing all over the place.  We held on and I said a prayer.  I had never been scared like this before on a plane.  3.  stars unaligned - The evening before the race we went out for our carbo loading dinner.  Mine arrived and it did not look that appealing.  I ate some of it but was turned off and lost my appetite.  J Mo shared a bit of hers with me.  I filled up on the bread and a desert.  4.  stars unaligned - We turned the light out at a decent time with hopes of a good night sleep.  Before midnight a noisy crew arrived to their room  a few doors down and got a party started which went on for awhile before it was shut down by staff. Sleep was restless and on and off from that point on.   5. stars unaligned - We woke to the sound of pouring down rain.  Luckily we were a 5 minute walk to the starting point of the race.  6.  stars unaligned - We made our way to the start and within that 5 minute walk and about 10 minutes to use the restroom then get in line, I was already soaked, before the race even started.    

I remember all that so vividly yet even so, I remember running the race and enjoying it, being lost in my thoughts, admiring the scenery especially the kilometers we ran along the Pacific Ocean.  The views were not bright and colorful but they were distracting and enjoyable.  I was in a zone and just did my thing.  It was not my best race time-wise but I did finish upright with a smile on my face and healthy.  We beamed after receiving our medals, we got caught up in the euphoria that comes with a happy finish and then partied a bit with the crowd.  Eventually we made it back to our hotel room, cleaned up then draped our medals proudly around our necks and went out to the bar to celebrate!  

professional photo from along the race route

I thought these words said it all on how I felt about this race day!  

Penstock Loop February 26, 2006

Documenting Days Gone By

photos are scanned from prints

information is from what I wrote in a journal

Penstock Loop

 February 26, 2006  Sunday

Me,  J Her

5.5 km round trip

10:00am - 12:00pm

As it turned out, it was much warmer in Kananaskis than it was in Calgary.  Temp was about -2C.  The trip started at the Canyon Day Use Area.  It was rolling hills with lots of snow.   We had to break trail most of the way.  We got back to the car at noon and had lunch at a picnic table then just snowshoed along the Lower Kananaskis Lake for a few minutes. 

Looking back:  We were thinking we would be out there for a few hours and that's what we planned for and take gear and food for.  It was very disappointing to find it was a short trip.  I guess we were now more experienced snowshoers and ready to move on up the ladder. 

Grotto Canyon February 20, 2006

Documenting Days Gone By

photos are scanned from prints

information is from what I wrote in a journal

Grotto Canyon

 February 20, 2006

Me,  J Her

4 km round trip

10:45am - 1:15pm

This was a hike along the frozen canyon.  We wore cleats for the ice and our gators more for warmth,  It was about a km of hiking before we reached the canyon.  It was quite neat on the ice.  Took lots of photos  We continued pass the canyon and up to the base of the cave.  Had lunch there.  On the way back the frozen canyon was melting and not too pleasant.  My feet were soaking wet.

Looking back:  We wondered why when we were hiking in the canyon everyone was hiking out.  We realized after wards you need to get in there before the day warms up and the sun gets on the canyon floor ice.  They got out before they were up to their ankles in water.   Is was then I thought it a good idea to take a change of footwear and socks  for after a hike or snowshoe.  My shoes were a mess and my socks drenched and my feet uncomfortable.   I drove home in my bare feet.  

Buller Pass August 28, 2005

Documenting Days Gone By

photos are scanned from prints

information is from what I wrote in a journal

Buller Pass

 August 28, 2005  Sunday

Me,  D.

13 km round trip

670 m elevation

9:30am - 4:30pm

+25C

 

This was a great day!  We started around 9:30, it was a little fresh but warmed up nicely and soon  We stopped a couple of times for a snack on the way up.  As we got near the scree ready for the climb it was cool and very very windy.  At the top we stopped for lunch for 30 minutes or so.  We had a beautiful view of Ribbon Valley and Ribbon Lake.  On the way back we stopped and rested for 30 minutes in an open area.

Looking back:  It was my turn to drive this day and we took the 742 up from Canmore. The drive to the trail head was fine but on the drive home on the 742 I hit a big pot hole and cracked the catalytic converted on my car.  This was an expensive hike!  I liked orange back then but little did I know how much.

Rummel Lake March 27, 2005

Documenting Days Gone By

photos are scanned from prints

information is from what I wrote in a journal

Looking back: is what I still remember today about the day

Rummel Lake

 March 27, 2005 Easter Sunday

Me,  J Him

10 km round trip

400 m elevation approx

10:00am - 2:30pm approx

It was an overcast day just barely below zero degrees.  There had been a snowfall over night.  This is not a maintained trail but there were marks we could follow.  Had to stop a number of times going up.  It was  gradual ascent.  We had lunch at the top.  It was beginning to snow.  Only saw five people.  Beautiful scenery.  Would love to do this in the summer.

Looking back:  This snowshoe trek is memorable for what is wrong in this world!  We arrived at the trail head parking area on the side of the road where there was a Parks Vehicle and a red vehicle with the front window totally smashed out, the side mirrors broken off and left hanging, the side window smashed and the inside of the car covered in snow.   The Park Warden got out of her vehicle and came to talk to us.  She told us this vehicle and been damaged over night probably by young people from Canmore who have nothing better to do.  I was flabbergasted!   I had never heard of such a thing like this happening!  She told us the car would belong to people who went up to the backcountry campground at Rummel Lake for the night.  We were nervous about leaving our vehicle.  She said she would be staying here until the people came down.  We geared up and began snowshoeing.  Part way up we met three people, a Dad, a son, a daughter.  The son and daughter I would say were probably very early teens or almost early teens.  They had snowshoed up for the night, then come down on Easter Sunday and planned to go home to have Easter with the rest of the family.  We told them about their vehicle and the Warden was there waiting for them.  I felt sick about this whole thing and I could tell they now looked the same.  We reached the Lake, did not stay long, there were no views.  We arrived back at the trail head and the Warden told us the family was over at Engadine Lodge waiting for someone to come pick them up and also waiting for a tow truck to come for their car.  We went over to the Lodge and talked with them and asked if there was anything we could do to help out but between the Warden, their family and the Engadine Lodge staff, they were O.K.  I felt so sad, so let down, so disappointed that this could happen on Easter Weekend to a young family who were bonding out in the wilderness, in the middle of winter where it snowed all night.  They were doing what is right in this world but experienced what is so wrong in this world.  

Easter Sunday

This is about shoulder level in the summer.

Rawson Lake February 20, 2005

Documenting Days Gone By

photos are scanned from prints

information & story is from what I wrote in a journal

Rawson Lake

 February 20, 2005 - Sunday

Me,  J Him

12 km round trip

320 m elevation

9:30 am - 1:45 pm

This was a wonderful day! It was very cold for the first while.  We had all our layers on.  We followed along the Upper Kananaskis Lake then turned off to the left to go up to Rawson Lake. We had lunch and then went across the Lake to the base of Mt. Sarrail.  We saw an avalanche.  On the way back we came across the Upper Kananaskis Lake.

Looking back:  I know now we were not at the base of Mt Sarrail.  Reading these few sentences for each event does not make an impression that these outings were great.  It was not until a couple of years down the road when I began to blog that I wrote more of a story line.  Notice at times I did dress in black from head to toe! 

Chester Lake February 12, 2005

Documenting Days Gone By

photos are scanned from prints

information is from what I wrote in a journal

Chester  Lake

 February 12, 2005 - Saturday

Me,  J Her

6.0 km round trip

310 m elevation

10:00am - 2:00pm

What a beautiful day!  The snowshoe up felt easier than when J Him and I did it.  It was clear blue sky the whole time.  There were more people also.  We had lunch at the Lake, sat in the sun for awhile.  No wind at all but it felt cool.  On the way back the wind picked up a bit but it was still beautiful.

Looking back:  During these early years of when snowshoeing was not quite sexy, there were not many options of places to go.  Many trips were made to Chester and Rawson.  Ooops - I did take my snowshoes off again at lunch time after thinking I learned a lesson at Chester just a couple of weeks prior.    

Hogarth Lakes Loop January 29, 2005

Documenting Days Gone By

photos are scanned from prints

information & story is what I wrote in a journal

Hogarth Lakes Loop

 January 29, 2005 - Saturday

Me,  J Him

4.5 km loop

no elevation

10:00am - 12:00pm

We were supposed to do Chester Lake but I felt sick and did not think I could handle the elevation. We parked at Chester Lake but walked over to Hogarth Lakes.  It was slow going because I felt sick. I could hardly move, so it took up to two hours to snowshoe around the Lake.  I felt cold the whole time.  We got to the car around noon and ate there then J Him drove home.  I slept most of the way.  

Looking back:  Why did I even go in the first place?  Maybe I was trying to make an impression so he would like me more.  Was this a good impression?  NOT!!!

Chester Lake January 23, 2005

Documenting Days Gone By

photos are scanned from prints

information is from what I wrote in a journal

Chester Lake Snowshoe

 January 23, 2005 - Sunday

Me,  J him.

6.o km round trip

310 m elevation

10:30am - 2:30pm

 

Snowshoe trip up to Chester Lake.  It was warm starting out.  It was steep at parts.  The alpine meadow was beautiful.  We had lunch at the lake.  We saw an avalanche.  It started to mist and got cool.  The scenery was beautiful.  It seemed a little difficult coming down at times.  Felt very tired.

Looking back:  This was my first ever snowshoe out in the mountains.  You could make your way up and back to Chester Lake and maybe see less than a dozen other people. On this day I learned not to remove my snowshoes when sitting for lunch.  We removed ours when we sat down.  While eating we heard a rumble and a thunderous noise and then we saw an avalanche come down off the mountain right in front of us.  I had never heard nor seen one before and we did not know how far the snow would come.  We wanted out of there so when we stood up to move, we sunk to over our knees in snow and could go no where.  We panicked then noticed the snow stopped at the other side of Chester Lake.  Never again have I removed my snowshoes at lunch time.    

in the meadow

 the view along the way

 lunch at Chester Lake

Ribbon Creek October 31, 2004

Documenting Days Gone By

photos are scanned from prints

information is from what I wrote in a journal

Ribbon Creek

 October 31, 2004

Me,  J Her

did partial hike

8 km round trip

10:30am - 1:00pm

Cool, snow packed, sunny, below 0 

Very first wintry hike.  It was beautiful.  We stopped for lunch at a picnic table, cleared some snow off it.  After we ate, we hiked back.  Met quite a few people heading in, but only one guy was ahead of us heading out on our hike.

Looking back:  We cut this hike short because the sounds of gun shots scared us.  We did not want to run into hunters or god forbid be hit by bullets.  We did not know back then that the hunters would have been on the other side of 40 and the gun shot sounds were ricocheting throughout the mountains. 

Chester Lake September 4, 2004

Documenting Days Gone By

photos are scanned from prints

information is from what I wrote in a journal

Chester Lake

 September 4, 2004  Saturday

Me,  J Her

6 km round trip

310 m elevation

10:30am - 1:30pm

Very cool, rainy on return

Pretty easy 

Very pretty little hike.  On the easy side.  Snow on the ground the further up we went.  It was cold when we stopped for lunch and it rained on the way back.

Looking back:  Do you notice the Canadian flag on my pants?  I put that on when the pants were brand new.  I burned a hole in them when I tried to iron the hiking pants.  Who irons hiking pants anyway?  Not me anymore!  

Heart & Quaite Creek Trails August 28, 2004

Documenting Days Gone By

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information is from what I wrote in a journal

Heart Creek Trail & Quaite Creek Valley Trail

 August 28, 2004 Saturday

Me,  J Her

9 km round trip

10:30am - 2:30pm

Cool, sunny, warm, rainy

Easy 

Very nice hike along Heart Creek but very short.  Stopped at the end for lunch then walked back and then did Quaite Valley.  Rather boring scenery.  Hiked to camp sties stopped to eat then returned.  Wouldn't do this one again.

Looking back:  I was learning what I liked about hiking and while not knowing much about the trails out there, there were lots that we did that did just not cut it.  I needed more! 

Rawson Lake August 6, 2004

Documenting Days Gone By

photos are scanned from prints

information is from what I wrote in a journal

Rawson Lake

 August 6, 2004 - Friday

Me,  S.

9 km round trip

10:00am - 3:00pm

Mostly Sunny +21C

Moderate to Easy 

First time I did this hike. It was great.  A little bit of steepness at about 1 km mark.  Stopped for lunch at the Lake at 11:30.  Hiked a little further to a special spot.  Sometime I would like to do the steep part further on beyond the Lake.

Looking back:  Yes I did write "Moderate to Easy" got it backwards, in fact now in hindsight just saying easy would have been fine.  I had the legs for short shorts in 2004 and it was important to have a nice hair do.  A true hiker?  Not quite! 

Yoho National Park from Takakkaw Falls August 15, 2003

Documenting Days Gone By

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information is from what I wrote in a journal

Yoho National Park from Takakkaw Falls

 August 15, 2003 - Friday

Me,  L.

25 km round trip

10:00am - 8:00pm

Sunny, Hot

Challenging 

What an amazing hike!  Scenery was beautiful. Stopped just after 3 hours at a Chalet for tea and muffins.  I couldn't believe where I was and what we accomplished.  Not a very busy trail.  I would love to hike here again.  Even just to do parts of it.  

Looking back:  When my friend invited me to join him to hike in Yoho National Park, I had no idea what I was in for.  I had never heard of the place before.  He explained some of it to me and I figured I was in good hands as he was a big hiker and also a police officer.  I did not own a first aid kit, did not even know you should carry one, I don't even know if he had one.  I had just enough food and just enough water, or what I thought was enough.  No one ever told me to take extra.  As we were getting into lots of ascending, he began having breathing issues and needed to stop often.  I became concerned.  He timed his pulse and said he needed to sit for awhile.  I remember he asked to check my pulse, he did then he asked me if I was alive!  Mine was around a resting rate, this was when I was big into long distance running and I then began realizing the benefits of running associated with hiking.   His breathing issues were not issues, I learned that it just goes hand in hand with steep extended ascending for some people.   It was a long day of hiking, I ran out of food and I ran out of water.  On the drive home we stopped in Canmore for some quick fast food and drinks.  Then after that, the highway was closed for awhile because of a fire on both sides of the road.  The firemen and trucks were there putting the fire out and then eventually allowed the traffic to go through.  I remember walking through my front door at 3:00am the next morning.     

view of Twin Falls

 Twin Falls Chalet

 snack break along the way

Buller Pass August 13, 2003

Documenting Days Gone By

photos are scanned from prints

information is from what I wrote in a journal

Buller Pass

 August 13, 2003 - Wednesday

Me,  Y.

7.2 km one way

11:30am - 5:00pm

Sunny +29C

Moderate to Challenging 

What a great hike - once we got started.  We got a little lost and spent more time driving.  Not a busy hike. Saw about 8 people.  Last part on the way there was on scree, steep uphill, windy, very cold but so beautiful.  Looked down onto Ribbon Lake.

Looking back:  Those are Merrell hiking shoes I have been wearing.  There was no thought or even concern given to ankle support.  At this time in my hiking life, I did not know about gaiters for keeping rocks and snow out of your shoes.  I see I am getting ready to throw a snowball!  I embraced hiking in snow early on.    

lunch view with Ribbon Lake down below

along the trail

looking back down at the trail we hiked along

Hummingbird Plume Lookout August 7, 2003

Documenting Days Gone By

photos are scanned from prints

information is from what I wrote in a journal

Hummingbird Lookout

 August 7, 2003 - Thursday

Me,  Y.

12 km round trip

9:30am - 2:00pm

Sunny +25C

Moderate 

A steady climb the whole way. Wide, tree lined path.  Not very scenic but worth it to see Troll Falls and the Lookout.  Ate lunch at the Lookout.  Not keen to do this one again.

Looking back:  These were the years when I was a runner more than I was a hiker.  For hiking  I cherished wearing the 100% cotton race shirts I received in the race packages from the races I entered.  I invested in a real pair of zip off North Face hiking pants.  I thought I was the bomb at the time, never again will I go for baggy hiking pants that are covered in big pockets.     

view from the highway of where the Hummingbird Lookout is

 the Lookout behind me

view of Mount Baldy from our lunch spot at Hummingbird Lookout

Troll Falls