'Bent and I had a big day planned with Carbon, Carbon's Offset, Myka, Slice, Steve and several other Canmore runners. Starting at Dead Man's Flats, we were going to head up Centennial Ridge to Mt. Allan and possibly do a lollipop route including a scramble up and down Mt. Collembola.
The weather couldn't have been more perfect and the temperature was blissfully cool after the last week in Ontario. Rain was forecast around 2 p.m. but we got on the trail in good time.
Most of the group
A photo by Carbon's Offset to prove I was there
Two of Canada's most successful female adventure racers, Slice and Carbon
We ran together in the early section of double track. When the trail started to climb, the group split up as planned. Carbon, Myka and I maintained a more civilized pace in the second group. The lead group turned off and started the scramble up Collembola, which turned out to be more of a bushwhack than expected. By then, some clouds had rolled in so we decided to stay on the main trail toward Mt. Allan, figuring that we could turn back more easily if the weather got bad. If the weather stayed good, we could meet the other group on the peak and run back together.
After climbing, climbing and more climbing, we were near the treeline when rain started to fall, and we heard a loud crack of thunder. Carbon whirled and started running downhill. Myka and I followed as the thunder continued. Then the hail began - so big that it hurt. Myka put on a second jacket.
There was only one thing to do.
Slice's partner Steve is a co-owner of the Canmore Brewing Company - a much better place to be on a stormy day.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. We ran down the mountain, getting passed by 'Bent and Steve near the bottom. Naturally, the weather had turned sunny by the time we reached the parking lot. We'd had a good workout even without reaching our goal so we headed for Sunday brunch, where we had a good chat with Jason Cagampan! He lives in Vancouver now and was sitting at a nearby table. Crazy coincidence.
Then we went to the brewery. Training weeks are tough. The End.