Training Log Archive: Bash

Georgian Peaks ski hill repeats with 'Bent, each of us going at our own pace. After yesterday's long run, we were both feeling pretty comfortable on the couch this morning with our coffee, dogs and iPads. But the countdown is on for our race so we dragged our tired bodies over to The Peaks. On my first visit this year, I did 3 repeats, and *boy* did my weary legs want to stop after the 3rd repeat today. But in endurance sports, I know I get the most benefit from the training I do after the point where I feel like quitting. As it turns out, the 4th climb felt easier than the 3rd climb. I did a little extra after that because I'm too OCD to stop with 982 meters of climb on my Ambit. :)

'Bent and I met Goose at the Beaver Valley Ski Club. The plan was that the boys would run the Bruce Trail loop to the south end of the Beaver Valley counterclockwise while I ran it clockwise. That way we could say hello partway through and get an idea of our timing. Goose would drive 'Bent to Thornbury after they finished. I would pick 'Bent up in our van after I finished.



We started in fog, which is my excuse for missing my first turn from the Bruce Side Trail to the main Bruce Trail. I only saw one white blaze across the road and I cheerfully followed the main Bruce almost a kilometre in the wrong direction. I was supposed to turn onto the road for a while but didn't see any blazes there - oops. That added 1.8 km to my loop.

I remember some scenic clifftop views on the east side of the Beaver Valley but today I just had to imagine them. The fog had mostly cleared by the time I got to Eugenia Falls, which was lovely. The trail around it seems a bit risky in places even now so I can't believe I was romping around there on ice in my Microspikes in February!





I met 'Bent and Goose a few kms later. They were looking strong even though Goose had cranked his ankle hard two weeks ago and was wearing a brace.

I'd never seen Hogg's Falls before and was surprised to find a crowd of tourists taking turns getting photos of themselves in front of it, including attempts at seductive Instagram selfies by people wearing uncomfortable city shoes. Good grief. I felt a little better when I discovered a tour bus in the parking lot. Turns out I'd arrived at the worst possible time.



There were a trillion trilliums along the trail, especially on the west side of the valley. It was absolutely beautiful in the forest. We'd heard there were black flies and mosquitoes, and there probably were, but they mostly steered clear. There were rocky, rooty and muddy sections, just the way we like it. I passed occasional hikers and backpackers but often ran several kilometres without seeing anyone.



I made another wrong turn but this one I blame on confusing signage. There were footprints so I wasn't the first to interpret this trail marker at a T intersection as "Turn Left".



Turns out it was intended for people coming from the opposite direction but it was attached to the tree at an angle that made it visible from my direction too. That added another 1.2 km to the loop plus a good climb.

Afterward, I picked up 'Bent in Thornbury and got to see Hermes and Hank briefly before we dashed back to ABC to take the dogs out. The Québec Megatrail is four weeks away, and I'd say 'Bent is ready for his 50 km. I'll have one more long run next weekend, then I'll find out if these little bursts of training time been enough to build up to 50 miles. It's not as if there has been any choice so it is what it is. I'm tired tonight but I felt pretty good out there, considering the limited amount of running I've done.

Up the Cascade Trail at Blue Mountain then down The Grind. ‘Bent and I stayed together until the downhill where he pushed the pace. The idea was to burn enough calories to justify dinner at The Crow Bar but I don’t think we came close to compensating for all the wonderful food we ate. Oh well.

I finally got the letter inviting me to make an appointment to replace the faulty air bag on my 2013 Subaru Outback. Until that letter arrived, Subaru wouldn't book an appointment and wasn't permitted to order the replacement part for my vehicle ID #. I've been granted an audience on Sept. 11. Until then, nobody can ride in the passenger seat of my car.