We respect everyone’s different comfort levels with group activities during this challenging time. Please use your discretion on participating in group activities and keep in touch with us.
June 27
On Saturday, Flora and Edie left Cameron at 8:10 and instead of walking the Stoney Creek Trail, turned up Noel to visit Pat and Rod. They weren’t home, so after admiring their beautiful gardens and getting sprinkled (on purpose), we set off towards Stoney Creek where we met Alex. Exploring was in order. We took the usual path at the bottom of Cameron and turned left into the trail under the overpass. This trail took us to Cameron and Beaverbrook (who knew?). We retraced our steps and took the next left and followed several paths by Stoney Creek where Flora and Alex tested the berries. We came out on Government and jaywalked to Rod’s trail close to the stop light (close to the railroad tracks) and found the parallel trail to Joe’s Trail where we found amazing graffiti, then a path to Joe’s Trail to North Road, through the shopping centre where we had a cold drink and followed the paths to the tunnel and back to Cameron. We were out 3 hours and did about 8k, including a little bushwhacking. Adventures close to home.
Started at 25 degrees and ended at 32, but not much humidity. Be calm, be cool and stay safe.
Here are some pictures of the outing.
From Ivan: On a very hot morning, I headed out to complete the Virtual ScotiaBank Half Marathon which I’d signed up for earlier this year. I parked at Burnaby Lake’s lot (by the stables) and left a cooler with water and electrolytes in the car (which served as my water station). I did two loops around Burnaby Lake (taking the outer trail) stopping for much-needed fluids after the first lap. Total time: 2h:50m and change. Started running with 26C and finished with 33C on my back (wowzers!)
From Jennel: Facaldo!!! That means “it is HOT” in Italian!!! LOL All schools were CLOSED today (Monday) (and now tomorrow too) due to extreme heat. So…us gals went to Old Orchard Park for a nice SWIM! It was lovely…..barely anybody goes to that beach. I didn’t run, however, we swam lots and did tried some paddle – boarding. Fun times and the water kept us cool.
Hope everyone’s keeping cool!
Thanks to all for reporting on your activities.
Edie for AWOL Larry
June 23
On Wednesday evening, two Cruisers attended at Cameron Centre – Alex and Larry ran along the Stoney Creek trail and up North Road to Chapman, then returned the same way, followed by a walk up Cameron to the library and back through the paved trail in the park, to obtain a distance of exactly 5 km in a time of 44 minutes. Although it was hot (27 C) the trail was shaded and there was a bit of a cool breeze which helped to deflect the heat. Alex walked around the park before our run so he added about 1.5 km to his distance.
Lots of second vaccination doses either already done or imminent for many Cruisers. Let’s beat this pandemic!
Larrytheyounger
June 21
On Monday morning it was a hot day already as the group gathered at 8:30 a.m. at Cameron Centre – Kevin, Susan, Alex, Rod, Larry and René trekked their way through trails which were largey shaded (thank goodness!). Walkers Kevin, Susan, Alex and Rod travelled along Joe’s Trail, whilst runners René and Larry went along the Burnaby Lake trail to the nature house, then reversed direction and jogged back, crossed Cariboo Road and went into Joe’s Trail and rejoined the walkers about 3/4 of the way to North Road.
The walkers had walked the trail to North Road. Then the reunited group walked back alongside an upper gravel trail right beside the railway tracks until just before the pedestrian crossing at Government St., and saw the old rail line, some of which was still underneath the brush that had grown over, and the remnants of the trestle bridge that ended at Government. From there the group walked the usual route along the trail between Government and Eastlake and back up to Cameron Centre. Distance for the walkers 7 km, distance for the runners 10 km and time for all was 1h49.
Lots of second vaccination doses either already done or imminent for many Cruisers. Let’s beat this pandemic!
Larrytheyounger
June 19
On Saturday morning, Kevin, Flora, Susan. Edie, Larry, Rod, Alex and Angela met at the Squint Lake parking lot and walked to Bobtoc’s house to greet the Bobster and Marie, who are doing well. Maybe another couple of months or so for Bobtoc to rejoin the Cruisers on walks. The group’s route on the way was along Halifax St., up Howard Ave. to Heathdale Court. The return route was Howard down to Halifax, then down Holdom to Broadway and a stop into Parkcrest Plaza, then continuing back along Broadway, a laneway to Sperling, cut through Sperling elementary school to Gibson to Duthie, then Montecito and Phillips to Squint Lake. Distance about 9 km, walking time about 2h30.
Lots of second vaccination doses either already done or imminent for many Cruisers. Let’s beat this pandemic!
Larrytheyounger
June 18 – Longest Day Virtual 5K / 10K
On Thursday morning, several Cruisers met at Centennial Park at Burnaby Mountain to walk the Longest Day virtual 5 km run/walk. Edie, Alex, Kevin, Susan, Flora and Larry walked through the trails that led up to SFU Ring Road, then walked along that road and up some stairs to the SFU main shopping street near the bus depot, then returned to the park the same way, distance 5 km and time 1h02. The group had some snacks thanks to Edie and her pickup of the race packages, which contained some interesting beverages such as a watermelon drink. Barry Jones, who was walking his dog, stopped by to say hello. It was nice to see him. We enjoyed the beautiful sunshine. Also noted was that city crews were clearing out the wood panelling inside the former Horizons restaurant. Wonder what’s next for that building. It was a perfect morning. Edie sent some pictures below
Ivan went out solo in the afternoon to complete the 10K version of the same virtual event.
The race kits were loaded with goodies of all kinds – biggest one I’ve seen for any race.
Longest Day Virtual 10K
June 16
On Wednesday evening, Larry, René, Rod, Kevin, Alex, Susan, Edie, Eion, Laura and canine Lucky enjoyed a sunny summer evening by walking the Stoney Creek trail to North Road and back the same way. Larry and René jogged the route most of the way, also running up the Burnaby Mountain trail to the gravel area just north of Chapman, then jogging back down North Road and back to the trail to return to Cameron Centre. Distance for Larry and René was 5 km, time 44 minutes, distance for the walking group was 4 km and time 48 minutes.
Tuesday Report from Jennel: I didn’t run today (after my long run), but I did take the dogs for an 11 km walk up to Westwood golf course and back. Lovely walk…HUGE hill. So if anyone is looking for a great hill for hill work…I ran Johnson Road up to Westwood golf course!
Let’s hope the vaccinations continue at a rapid pace. Lots of second doses either already done or imminent for many Cruisers!
Larrytheyounger
June 14
On Monday morning, Rod, Larry, Alex, Kevin, Len and Jax walked down to Joe’s Trail and followed the trail to North Road, returning the same way. Along the way Rod noted a very long train that was running parallel to us as we were on the trail, but miraculously we were not delayed by it at the train crossing at Cariboo and Winston. There were some threatening clouds, however we were not rained on, which was a relief after the monsoon rain last night in some areas. Distance 7.7 km, time 1h40.
Monday Report from Jennel 🙂 Sucker for punishment…Jennel ran the Crunch twice with dogs at 9 am….then dropped them off at home and went back out to Town Centre, then to the Running Room area. Tried to make short cuts to get back home, like cutting through the mall parking lot….but still ended up being LONG. 18.50 km total. But, I beat the rain! So that’s a plus 🙂
Let’s hope the vaccinations continue at a rapid pace.
Based on information from discussions amongst the Cruisers, the vaccination rate in the group is very high and many have either already had their second doses or are scheduled to get them within the next couple of weeks. Well done Cruisers!!
Larrytheyounger
June 13
On Saturday morning, the group did not go to Bobtoc’s as he had another commitment, so Larry, Susan, Flora, Edie, and Len met at the Squint Lake parking lot and walked the urban walkway along Greystone, crossed Duthie Ave., more of the urban trail to Sherlock Ave., crossed Curtis St., resumed the trail to Westridge elementary school, onwards to the laneway behind the Kensington Plaza, crossed Hastings St. at Kensington, up Hastings St. to the trail extending north opposite Hammarskjold Ave., then returned the same way.
Once we got to Phillips and Greystone, we took a trail which led to the main trail to the Squint Lake parking lot, however, a large tree had fallen across that trail, so we had to use a smaller, less-travelled pathway around the tree, which turned into a brief bushwhacking adventure in the forest, then crossed a small stream (or was it a raging river?!) and a hop, skip and jump onto the main trail again and back to civilization! While on our brief journey through the wilderness that was the forested area between Phillips Ave. and the Squint Lake playing fields, we came across what looked like a teepee, constructed in an unknown time – could it be a remnant of an ancient encampment? Probably more recent! See photo taken by Edie.
We capped off the walk with coffee and donuts supplied by Edie and Flora at a picnic table beside the children’s playground at Squint Lake park. A reminder of the olden days when we occasionally went to Timmie’s/Starbucks/Cafe Artigiano. Many thanks for the coffee and donuts Edie and Flora.
Let’s hope the vaccinations continue at a rapid pace. Hopefully the pandemic end is nigh!
Larrytheyounger
June 11
On Wednesday evening, Rod, Alex, Larry, René, Ivan, Susan and Flora attended and the group set out on the Stoney Creek trail, with Ivan, Larry and René running along the trail, up the trail to Burnaby Mountain to Chapman, then down North Road and returned. Alex jogged up North Road to Chapman and back the same way. Rod, Susan and Flora walked the creek trail to North Road and returned the same way. Distance for the runners was 5 km, distance for the walkers was 4 km and time for all was about 49 minutes – a good pace for all! The weather was cloudy and a bit cool, but great weather for getting out with the group.
Let’s hope the vaccinations continue at a rapid pace. Hopefully the pandemic end is nigh!
Larrytheyounger
June 8
On Monday morning, Larry, Kevin, Alex, Len and Jax met at Cameron Centre and walked up to Cottonwood and Robinson where we met Edie, and with Edie we proceeded along Cottonwood to MacIntosh where we met René who was doing an 8 km run. René continued on his way while the rest of the group continued to Falcon, then went east on Smith to Como Lake Park, did a lap around the lake, then returned to Cameron Centre via Smith, Falcon, Foster, took a jig on Robinson to Ebert, then crossed North Road down to Willoughby. Distance 8.5 km, time 2h10.
From the Coquitlam Cruisers: Jennel and Heather ran their BEST FRIENDS 15 km this morning! The weather was PERFECT……the scenery was absolutely gorgeous…as our route was from Heather’s home on Karley Cres. through the beautiful trees, over the Red Bridge and back. We ran our 15 km and will receive our medals in about 8 weeks. There has been a delay as we ordered them from the States…but we did it! Jennel then walked home…another 5 km…but that was just walking.
From Susan: I walked 15 km yesterday (Monday)…to Burnaby Lake Piper Spit, through the trail to Cariboo, crossed the street and up Joe’s Trail to North Road, up to a little retail area, through a secret trail (in which a stranded retired Mexican doctor was woodcarving last summer until he was able to return home), under an overpass, coming out by Lougheed Mall, into the library to snag some books, then home via Eastlake, Broadway, Arden and Phillips.
Let’s hope the vaccinations continue at a rapid pace!
Larrytheyounger
June 6
On Saturday morning, Rod, Larry, Kevin, Alex, René, Edie, Susan, Len, Miriam and Jax met at Cameron and jogged/walked down to the Burnaby Lake trails and took the trails to the nature house and Piper Spit, then returned the same way. Larry and René jogged past the nature house and went partway in the direction of the Central Valley parking lot, then returned to Cameron Centre, running a distance of 10.7 km in a time of 1h10, then walked back down to the trail between Eastlake and Government St. where they met up with the rest of the group, who also had walked to the nature house and were on their way back to the Centre. Rod walked part of the way into the trails, then turned back early due to another commitment. The walkers spent some time at Piper Spit, seeing the ducks, geese and baby ducks and goslings. A photo of the little ones is attached, thanks to Len and Miriam’s photography.
The group then walked back to the Centre, time 1h50 and distance 10.7 km (Larry and René’s total run/walk distance was 12.7 km). Good luck smiled at the group as we got our walk/run in before the brief monsoon rain that followed! Susan topped up the Cruiser walk with a solo one along the urban trail to Kensington Plaza and back, so her total distance for the morning was 11.1 km. Yet another “what-a-great-morning” morning!
From the Coquitlam Cruisers: More distance was covered on Thursday by Jennel and Heather in the hot weather…Heather ran 12 km then walked another 9 km with her neighbour that evening…..21km:)!!! Half Marathon!!! KUDOS!!!! Jennel only did 17.53 km!! LOL. 2 km walk with the dogs, then ran with Heather and walked when she hit 15 km.
Also on Thursday (the hot weather seemed to spur activity!) Susan walked 13.4 km midday, walking back from a Vancouver appointment…crazy hot!
Let’s hope the vaccinations continue at a rapid pace!
Larrytheyounger
June 2 – Global Running Day
On Wednesday evening, Rod, Larry, Kevin, Alex and René met at Cameron and used the Stoney Creek route on a very warm and humid evening. René jogged along the trail and up North Road to Chapman, then back where he caught up to Rod and Larry, who were walking the creek trail to North Road and back. Time for the threesome was 52 minutes, distance for Rod and Larry was 4 km, distance for René was 5 km. Kevin and Alex walked with Larry and Rod out to North Road, then the two walked up North Road to Chapman before returning the same way, their distance was 5 km and time 1h05.
From the Coquitlam Cruisers: It was a HOT one this morning (Thursday). Heather & Jennel met at Town Centre, ran a lap, then ran to the Port Coquitlam Running Room area…then headed home. Holy Mackerel! It was HOT and a longer run than we expected….between 13-15 km. They did well considering the heat and humidity!
Let’s hope the vaccinations continue at a rapid pace! 2nd doses now underway.
Larrytheyounger
