Iroquoia Section of Bruce Trail

 So... my run partner and I have entered a race in Nova Scotia in August-Capes 100. It's 100 miles and we have 36 hours to complete it.  To train, we decided to do the Iroquois section of the Bruce Trail, it's the next one up from the Niagara section near where we live and is 120km long.  To prepare, we split the 120km into approx 30km sections and are completing one a week to familiarize ourselves with it since we've not run most of it. 

Week 1- Edge of Toronto Section to Blind Line and Britannia

Husband had his first day of work and needed to go to Toronto to pickup his laptop so he dropped us off at the north end of the Iroquoia section under a freeway overpass and headed on.  I, Run Partner and 3 other run club members headed off to complete 26km.  There was some road sections (1-2km at a time) and lots of great forest. It was shaded in the woods and had more pine than we have down at our end of the trail.  We had bridge crossings and used a lot of our water supplies because it was pretty warm and were glad one of the runners had brought us all Gatorade to keep in the car, Husband picked us up at the end, getting to the end about 30 minutes before we did. 

Week 2 was pretty tough-it was even hotter. Run Partner and I left her car at Sydenham lookout and got a ride with someone from the local run group to where we'd left off, at Blind Line. We ran 20km of roads (2-4k stretches), open farmer fields and were a bit disappointed after such a nice run the week before.  It really lifted our spirits to meet up with 3 friends to refill water, etc. and run the last 15km with them which was hotter but more enjoyable with more forest and shade.  Our friends all ran out of water and I got down to about a cup left which 2 of them shared while we waited for Run Partner and another friend who were 10 minutes behind us. 

After such a rough run we strategized. We decided we needed to try some things for Week 3.  That ended up being trekking poles, a new, bigger backpack for Run Partner and a way to make drinkable water from the little streams we were finding along the way.

Week 3 was just Run Partner and I.  They all said they had other things to do-mostly work, but I suspect we'd scared everyone off by now.

Week 3 was shady, forested with a little paved bike path and rail trail thrown in.  It was noisier-we were getting back into civilization and the section started off a little unhappily with an unexpected 1.4 km detour off trail and through side streets. Run Partner has hybrid shoes made for both road and trail that have more cushion than my strictly trail shoes, so she runs much faster than me on the road sections, then I catch up in the trail sections.  

Most of the section is in Hamilton, ON.  We discovered, many Hamilton residents like to use these huge metal staircases between trails as exercise.

One section of the trail was COVERED with these teeny tiny frogs!!

Sherman Falls

Run Partner makes it back to car

Week 4 everyone was energized over the holiday weekend and we ended up with 3 women 3 men. We all met up at the Grimsby Pool and took a van to where we left off.

The run started with pouring rain and being off course. We'd run about 1.5 km when we realized we'd seen no blazes (markers) for the trail.  After circling back and finding the trail, I analyzed the maps on the way home.  In week 3, we'd left a paved biking rail trail to join the Bruce for a pretty rough section (overgrown, moving rocks, etc.) when we got back to the trail we were so glad to be done and didn't really understand why we'd gone off the perfectly good rail trail and were almost back to the car, so we took the path of least resistance and finished. What we didn't realize was our little side trail excursion actually crossed the rail trail and took us to the other side of it. Rather than climb the huge bank of stairs at the start we should have rejoined the trail about 3/4 of the way up. Well, that's why we are doing these shorter sections.

After the rain slowed down, we had some forest to cover us from the onslaught, but then a breeze would catch and the leaves would drop all their water on us or we'd run through some undergrowth so basically we were drenched the entire 5 1/2 hours/30km this took us to run.

That being said, this was probably the nicest run despite being really wet.  We had great weather-low 70s and we were drenched.  There was only one long stretch of road near the end, there were very long stretches without crossing roads and a lot of it was across the middle of the escarpment and relatively flat, esp compared to earlier weeks.

Excepting this hill which took us up to the top of the escarpment. Once we were at the top, there was only one more down and up. Pretty good for 30km of trail.

We did not go in this creepy tunnel- it was at Devils' punchbowl which was actually quite dry.

My favorite part was Felker's Falls Conservation area

We made it to the end of the section, everyone accounted for.

Then all "bathed" in the splash pad at the pool which was too chilly for the day camp kids on the playground there.

We are planning to do the entire section in the next 2 weeks. There are a few planning details to work out, but no races between now and then.

Limberlost camping and race

 So, for the first time in 10 years I went camping this weekend.  Those of you who know me know that I refer to camping as "paying to be homeless."  The temperature was amazing, I went with people who know stuff and own camping stuff. Really the only downside was the bugs.  The tail end of horse or blackflies or whatever the painful biting flies were and the 5 gazillion mosquitos, mostly sunset to sunrise.  Since I'm an early to bed, early to rise type during the summer running months, I was mostly saved from the mosquitos taking all my blood. Which is good because I swell like crazy.

Limberlost Forest is a lovely private forest with miles and miles of trails open to the public for free 9am-5pm daily and open to camping.  When I signed up for this race in 2019, Running Partner had already done it previously and couldn't stop raving about how beautiful the course was.  When I signed up, she told me to (as is often how I get myself into these situations).  I was on the phone with her and explained, "but there's several distances-7km, 14km, 28, 42 and 56."  "the 28km" she says.  I signed up so long ago for this race I was still running in miles and didn't fully understand just how far 28km was.  When I told the running group they all said, "are you crazy? We are all running 14!" anyway... in 2019, someone had booked a lodge or Air BNB or something and was going to charge us $50 a night for an actual bed, so I figured it sounded fine.

Fast forward to this year and the lodge is not available. I figured I'd figure something out.  Then one of the other runners said, "you haven't booked anything? You better add the camping. It's only a few weeks out and you realize you can't find anywhere to stay that weekend-it's Canada Day weekend. And you can't beat the $12 a night price."  So I remembered I had a tent, sleeping bag and added the camping. I bought a sleeping pad off Amazon.  3 women (including myself) and 3 men from the group went.  The men had all camped before and had all the things. They planned meals and we all offered to bring various items and foods.  Running Partner had camped and loved camping but hadn't recently and the other woman had never camped.  

We drive the 3-4 hours north and are told to park and camp in a field in between two lakes.  We set up tents (including the club's huge shade tent) and set up 2 tables and all the cooking supplies and bring out the coolers.  The men did most of the cooking all weekend. Our new camper was amazed at what was happening. We were sleeping outdoors! We were cooking food!  In a field!  She was in awe of it all.

The race itself was a really beautiful course of 14km.  I figured it was going well when after my first loop a) I was about 30 minutes ahead of what I thought I'd be at timewise and b) I couldn't wait to run it again instead of dreading it.  I was really happy with my time, though I ended up having horrible leg cramps that started at my toes and moved their way up my legs gradually for the last 7km (so 1/4) of the race.  I actually ended up checking in with the medical tent afterwards.  We determined my electrolytes were good (it's all I'd drunk and I took about 7-12 ounces every 4-5k at every aid station-also, my stomach wasn't upset-my classic symptom) so he told me to keep moving for awhile and eat the lunch provided.  3 days later and about 50km of running later, there's a little twinge, but my legs seem to have recovered from whatever went on-there's some soreness, but no more pain or cramping.

Spring news

 V donated her hair to Wigs for Kids

Hubby and I won big at curling this season. We played together on a championship league team and were first in our league and my Industrial league team won the league as well!

H participated in a Metis canoe paddle painting workshop at Ball's Falls.

H graduated from elementary school.  Our elementary school here goes from Jr. Kindergarten through Grade 8. He will join C at the high school next year.

V got an award at the end of the year assembly for Most Improved Overall

Spring Races

 After Around the Bay at the end of March, I ran the Toronto Marathon at the beginning of May. After ATB I was tired and fell off the training bandwagon instead of using ATB as a jump off.  I was still running, but not doing the speedwork, etc. I should have been doing.  I was hurting for about 2 weeks before ATB and finally bought new shoes after and it made a world of difference.  I have 2 marathons this year-Toronto in the spring and Chicago in the Fall.  

So, I made the decision to use Toronto as a measuring stick.  I knew I wouldn't get the under 4 hours I really wanted, but figured I'd run it the best I could and figure out how much speedwork I needed to do before Chicago. 

I ended up with 4 hours 12 minutes which I'm perfectly happy with. My very first marathon in 2014 was 4 hours 29 minutes and my 2nd marathon last summer was 4 hours 22 minutes (same deal, trained by running a lot but not a strict training plan).  For reference during covid I did two training cycles to run 2 marathons on my one.  One was around our town and I planned and trained it down to the minute and ended up with 3 hours 52 minutes (I would need 3 hours 40 minutes at my age to qualify for the Boston Marathon) and the other was Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It was in November but ended up being 70 degrees that day and I got 4 hours 1 minute.

By all accounts, as long as I can keep from being injured and do some speed training I should be able to get my under 4 hour marathon in  Chicago. I've added mileage and been doing some trackwork so I am slowly getting faster (as you'll see ahead).

I drove up with my track coach who was running the 10k the day before to get our race packets with our bibs, shirts, etc.  We did a slow run to get an idea of the start/finish line.

The day of the race was nice and cool, but started to rain about 75% of the way in and get chilly and windy by the waterfront. I did run the entire way (walking when I got water at aid stations, but running otherwise). But I got it done and got this giant medal and a banana. I got 33/78 Female 40-44; 220/500 Female; 942/1639 overall. Solid middle of the pack performance.

Next up was Rugged Raccoon.  I wanted some night trail experience and figured a race in the dark that was well marked and had aid stations was a good place to start.  It was 25K. I ran it with my running partner and we finished in 2 hours 52 minutes. 

It was a very nice course around the lake. I may want to do the race again in the daytime next year as it was pretty in the dark and I imagine it's lovely in the daytime as well! 

After Rugged Raccoon was the 12 mile creek 1/2 marathon trail race that our local running club puts on. I came in first female!  About 5 km in a couple who was watching on the sideline noted, "you are the first female" I slowed and asked them to repeat it. Then I said, "are you s**tting me right now???"  and decided to race.  See, I'd done a 30km run the day before so this was just supposed to be a double race for a much longer race I'm training for. But if I was doing that well and feeling good, I may as well do it right!  So I took off!  At all the aid stations they assured me I was still the first female that had come through!  

Next up was the Solstice Race-racing 15 hours from sun up to sun down as a relay team of 5.  The course is 4k and some people do the entire thing by themselves, 1/2 solstice, 1/4 solstice or 1/8 solstice.  We ran all day but only one of us at a time and ended up with about 35k each and our team got 171km total.  I felt it went well personally, last year it took me 22-24 minutes to complete each lap and this year I was finishing the laps in 20-22 minutes.

 

Yes, I still run in the cold. Winter in to Spring.

 

This is my 3rd winter running and I have to appreciate some of the unique scenes I was missing when I only ran when the weather was warmer.

This is Swayze falls in our local (10-15 minute drive from home) provincial park.  Also called Selfie falls because everyone likes to take a Selfie in front of it!

This is at Morningstar Mill which is on the Shorthills boundary.

I decided to take Paul and the kids on a wintery walk once the trail was packed down.  H was not a fan.

At Paleolithic falls (in between them, that's not just snow and ice-it is a frozen waterfall!

At Selfie/Swayze Falls.  They did think it was cool they could walk right up to the icicles.

H lost his will to walk on the way back, so we tried to use his snowpants as a sled and a stick as a rope.

I did finally get to go skiing this winter!  It is very much midwest skiing, rather than the west coast mountain skiing I'm used to, so even though I'd not been on skiis in about 20 years, by the end of the day I was on the double diamond/ expert hills.  This is the view from the top.

H finished up his winter skating lessons.  He's decided to take a break for spring.

Paul went to Boston and competed in a curling bonspeil and won the entire competition with his team!

I participated in a race here called "Around the Bay".  It's 30km around a bay of Lake Ontario.  

I came in 2 hours 58 minutes and 48 seconds which I'm thrilled with because my goal was to finish in under 3 hours and I had several injuries that happened during my training. Luckily they mostly stayed at bay during the race.  I learned my lesson and replaced my road shoes and am much less injured these days excepting a case of plantar facitis in my foot that comes and goes.

There were some birthdays to celebrate this spring.  My grandma turned 95!

C turned 17 -he wanted fish & chips and donuts for his birthday.

V is getting ready to donate her long hair for children's wigs so I wanted to get a picture beforehand. I cannot believe how thick and wavy her hair has gotten! Much more like her dad's side of the family than mine.

We ended the curling season on top!  We only had January off due to Covid (last season we only curled until Christmas then shut the club down).  Paul and I and our team took first place on the Club Championship league (the competitive league) and my team took first place in the Industrial League (a more social league).  

I took some people from my run club on a 30 km run a few weeks after the race (we were already trained to go 30 km) on the Bruce trail version of the Laura Secord run. I'd done the Friends of Laura Secord version before, so this was a bit different.  We all earned a badge from the Bruce trail conservancy for our efforts.  

At the end of the first semester, in early February C and I were to go to Texas to visit friends.  They had Covid and we rescheduled for Easter weekend.  3 days before we were to leave, C started to feel terrible.  Yep, he tested positive for Covid-19. Not only were we disappointed to have to cancel the trip, but C was one of the few kids at his school still wearing a mask now that mask mandates have been lifted and he's not been working since the end of December, so it had to have been from school as he goes no where else.  Poor kid!  His isolation period ended Sunday. We'd talked to my mother in law who had offered to make Easter dinner on Monday (we get Good Friday and Easter Monday off here) if we were all better.  As C finished up his illness, Husband tested positive :(.  Luckily curling season is over and they hand quick Covid tests out at the grocery store like free samples. 3 of us have been boosted and the other 2 have had their first two vaccines.  

I tested myself (I have the most exposure to both of them) on the Monday before Easter (when C tested positive) then the following Monday (I was spending time with a friend and was 7 days since exposure-Husband had had symptoms for 2 days and we were closer than 6 feet apart unmasked) and both were negative.

V started to get stuffy and a cough on Thursday/Friday. Husband picked her up from school on Friday and on Saturday we tested her and myself (the CDC calendar suggested because of my exposures whether I had symptoms or not I should take a test on Saturday), we were both negative.  She felt quite crappy over the weekend (there is a bad cold going around her school-2 years of no exposure to germs will do that). But we tested her again on Monday and she felt much better and she is still negative, so we let her go to school. She was begging so that she could participate in a debate about the pros and cons of the oil pipeline out west. That girl never wants to miss an opportunity to argue!

So. fingers crossed but I think the Casa De Covid is no more.  Just in time, too. I am running the Toronto Marathon next Sunday and want to be ready.  This week will be a relaxed taper week, then Sunday is the marathon, then a relaxed recovery week as the following Saturday is a nighttime 25K trail race that I'm doing with a friend.