Left: Beautiful Deer Lake at Sunset; Centre: Rod, Alex and Bob’s legs (and no, I hadn’t had any Budlime (Rod’s new beverage of choice?) before taking the picture, and yes, my eyesight is not what it used to be); Right: The boys with the mountains in the background. I was mesmerized by the pink shorts – what can I tell you? I don’t suppose Gina will be hiring me any time soon so I won’t quit my day job. Sorry no pictures of the walkers legs (or of mine – thank the Lord for small mercies!) The bad new is that today my glasses broke so I decided not to take any pictures; the good news is that they fixed them so I’m good to go for Wednesday.
Monday: Seven runners and walkers met at Burnaby Lake parking lot. Walkers Adele, Tracy and Larry walked south on the road past the tennis courts and the rowing pavilion, hung a left on the Berm-a Road, then returned via the inside trail to the soccer fields to the parking lot; time out, 45 minutes. Runners Alex Lau, RA Edie, Rod and Bob ran west via Sprott then Norland Avenue to the Deer Lake park area, circumnavigated the lake, returned to the beach at Sperling Avenue, continued through back to Deer Lake Parkway, Norland Avenue and Sprott; time out, 1.01, distance 7.5 km. The seven enjoyed warm but humid conditions.
Wednesday: Alex Lau, RA Edie and Bobtoc ran from the Centre at 6:30 am to meet Rod on the Stoney Creek trail leading to North Road for hill repeats. The temperature was not bad but the humidity was quite high. Alex and Rod did 7x, Bobtoc 6x and Edie 5x. The humidity seemed to take the starch out of the foursome. Time out, 1.28.
In the evening, Alex and wife Angela, Edie, Larry, Rod and Bobtoc joined about fifteen of the Eileen Dailly runners, led by Rainy and Joe at their Tailgate Party, for an evening of culture, conversation, BBQ food and libation. Big Rock and Lime beer was tested by the fivesomeand Rainy and Joe, after the Eileen Dailly walkers and runners did the Bby Lake trail. The libation seemed to replenish electrolytes satisfactorily. The evening temperature was perfect; a welcome change from the heat of the day. The culture bit was mutual admiration of the zany hats worn by those in attendance. A straw hat, covered with medals and ribbons from many runs and races, created by our very own Edie, won the prize, being a bag of Cheesies. We’re not sure just what the message is, cheesy not necessarily being a term applied to excellence. The party broke up about 9:30 with no intervention by the cops. Tish Oliver again was discovered at the parking lot. That girl should get a life away from the Rugby Club! Out thanks for the welcome extended by the Eileen Dailly group.
Bobbit looked awfully nice in his pink shorts and new hat!
Saturday: Seven Cruisers met at the Poco Running Room parking lot at the Westwood Plaza 7:30 am, Lynn and Al for a long walk, and Carla, Christina, Debra, Larry and Bobtoc for a medium run. The seven enjoyed salubrious weather (look it up) for their journeys. Lynn and Al walked 13 km, time 2 hours, the five runners, distance 14km, time 2:13 on routes which started similarly, the walkers using the Coquitlam River trail to David Ave, then walked east on David to the end of the paved road. The runners crossed David Avenue to the end of Shaughnessy then continued on a trailhead (2.5km) to Crystal Falls. That trail was arduous; hills of course, roots, rocks, water, damp forest, but the sight of Crystal Falls was well worth the effort. The route was not designed for speed but displayed lots of natural beauty. One runner opined the experience was the best day of the year. Who could argue? Four debriefed at IHOP.
On Sunday, Debra, with Laurie Brookbank, did her required 29.5 training run leading to the Victoria Marathon. Yikes! Monday is her recovery day.
