Saturday September 3rd:Alex ,RA Edie, Larry, Laura, Rod met at the Confederation Park at 7:30 am and  Bobtoc joined them sharp at 7:38…  Rain was p*****g down heavily, so the six opted to motor to the Caffe Artigiano in the 4300 block Hastings St to wait out the weather.   When the rain abated, the six returned  to  Confederation Park and Bobtoc led the group on an abridged version of the walk Wednesday evening to the west side of Capitol Hill, using Penzance Drive to Cambridge St, to Delta, Gamma, Hythe, Glynde, Springer, Ranelagh Avenues, then Dundas St to view the home of concrete, two  patios framed in glass, a waterfall at the rear of the home, and what appeared to be a small pool in the middle of the lower patio.  The view from the said vantage points were enjoyed once again by four and by two more, of the runners.  The six then returned to Confed.  Time out, 53.38, distance about 5 km.


Monday September 5th: On Monday am, Labour Day, RA Edie, Larry, Laura, Eoin, Len, Flora, Rod, and Bobtoc met at the Burnaby Lake parking lot under heavy dark clouds which surprisingly did not shed rain on the lake parking lot or indeed the route taken. The eight used the Central Valley Greenway since a bear and cub were seen last week in the Piper Spit area of the north trail.  Moving west.  Rod, Edie and  Laura formed the first group out, followed by Larry, Flora and Bobtoc, with Len and Eoin forming  the last group, which walked.  This last group had with them Len’s granddog Jax and an in-law dog whose name I did not catch.  The first and second groups ran, rogged or walked to Renfrew Street and return, distance for both, 14.5 km and times 2:08 and 2:43 respectively, including pit-stops at McDonalds, and for the last group, some time used to clear the trail near the beginning of the outing of broken glass from an alcohol bottle.  Len and Eoin walked 6.83 km , time about 1:30.  Temperature was comfortable, a bit cooler on the return trip, making conditions perfect for the outing.

September 7th:  On Wednesday  Alex and Angela, RA Edie, Cheryl, Larry and Bobtoc met at Confederation Park near the Eilleen Dailly swim pool building, which was open for business in a big way, as were the parking lots.  The six ran, rogged or walked using streets in the Burnaby Heights area:  Pandora west to Boundary Road, north to Cambridge east, then Eton St at Esmond Avenue,, continuing east to Willingdon, south to the park, backtracked to Eton St to await Alex and Andrea who went to Trinity St, met them at Willingdon and Eton, from which the six returned to Confederation Park, did a lap on the track and returned to the swim pool  building.  Distance 5.4 to 5.7 km, time for all, 1:09. The group were spared rain, enjoyed the overcast skies and the perfect temperature for the outing.  All enjoyed this pristine part of Burnaby; took Bobtoc back to his child and youth years when he attended school and “pedalled drugs” in what was then called Vancouver Heights.

Coquitlam Cruisers:  Heather and Hennel separately ran approx.. 8 km; planning for the Rock ‘n Roll 
Half. 
September 10th: 
The trio Alex, Larry and Bobtoc were the only Cruisers appearing Saturday on a comfortable-temperature, cloudy with sun morning.  The trio started their trek at 8:24 am sharp, using the Central Valley Greenway once more.   Before the three got underway they checked the cars parked at the arena where many folks were preparing for the annual trunk sales; a gorgeous  1930 Ford Model A coupe was one of the cars parked, so the trio gave it the onceover before starting their trek on the Central Valley Greenway.  Alex wished not to go too far, ended up with time of 1:38 for approximately 7 km return.  Larry and Bobtoc were a bit more ambitious; their route included going from the park to the Gilmore Skytrain station, hung a right to go east on Dawson St to Rosser Avenue, turned south on it and continued on Rosser, which curves east, to stairs on the north side of the Willingdon overpass, continued over it to the stairs on the south side to Still Creek Road, east to Douglas Road, continuing into the trail leading back to Sperling Ave and south back to the parking lot.  Time 2.00 hours, distance, call it 12+ km. 
Looks like the beginning of a perfect day at Kits Beach


September 11th:  Coho Run
Five Cruisers participated in the Coho Run on a spectacular day – sunny with a light breeze – perfect for running/walking.  The scenery was spectacular as we made our way by Kits Pool, the beach, over the Burrard Bridge, along the seawall past 3rd Beach before heading up the hilly trail through the forest to Lions Gate Bridge and along the North Shore Seawall to Ambleside Park.  The Coho Festival was in progress and a pancake breakfast was served.  We attended the awards ceremony before heading back to Kits on the shuttle bus and then home.  Running through our beautiful city in gorgeous weather listening  to the sound of waves.  Priceless!

Total finishers 434  Average finishing time : 1:29:23
Rob Stagg               1:14:29 11th in M6069  O/A 93
Alex Lau                  1:34:01   5th in M7099  O/A 303
John Saremba        1:41:47 17th in M6069  O/A 354
Christina Saremba 1:35:49 45th in F5559   O/A 320
Flora Johnson         2:05:10 64th in F5559   O/A 407
Edie Kernighan       2:05:10 14th in F6069   O/A 408 

 We are truly blessed!
The Cruisers – Another Great Event

September 12th: Monday was stag night at Cameron Centre.  Alex, Eoin, Norman Lum, Rod and Bobtoc attended with favourable weather to enjoy.  Since Rod played field hockey Saturday, the first game of the season, noteworthy bigtime since the game was Rod;s first  for him in his 60th year of hockey; Congratulations Rod!  Not only was it his first of the year, but since only 12 only players for the team showed up and one player was injured 10 minutes into the game, Rod had to play out the remainder of the game.  Knackered was he!  (ladies, don’t faint at that word; it’s an English expression for exhausted). Also a number of Cruisers ran/walked the Coho Run Sunday, a 14.5 or so distance from Ambleside to Kits.  Stats later. The route taken by the five was FGD backwards, distance close to 7km, time for Rod, Alex and Norman about 1:22 and for Eoin and Bobtoc, 1:28.

September 14th: Wednesday saw Flora, Larry, Laura, Rachel, Rod and Bobtoc  at  Cameron Centre on a perfect evening; no rain, ideal temperature, not cold, not hot.  The route chosen was that of Monday; FGD backwards.  Larry, Laura, Rachel and   Rod did the route in 1:07,  and Flora and Bobtoc in 1:13, distance about 7 km.  Rachel RN was welcomed to her first outing for several weeks, due to her hours at VGH.
Coquitlam Cruisers:  Heather and Jennel, winners of free passes, did a high intensive one hour workout Wednesday at Orange Theory Fit in Port Moody—treadmill to rowing machines to crunches to weightlifting and stepping; felt like doing a marathon.  Awesome, just like Libby does with hill training. Fun!  Not cheap, Jennel says, $28 per hour.

Today Christina and I had an excellent day hiking to the viewpoint at Frosty Mtn meadows to see the ancient Larch trees starting to turn a brilliant yellow color. Lots of superb views along the 8 km trail (one way) along with some excellent birding and botany sights. That is the good news. The not so good 
news is that I will miss art class tomorrow, as we are booked to pedal the Kettle valley railroad down from the Coquihalla former toll booth in the expected heavy rain. Cheers to all.

September 17th:  Good news:  Bobtoc will not need to water his grass Sunday, one of the three days in which odd numbers (addresses that is) can water.  The rain deluge Saturday, enjoyed by Alex, Larry, Laura, Rod and Bobtoc was sufficient to satisfy the grass, flowers, trees, and folks running or walking outside.  Susan Vedoy who walked a short distance with the five returned home by bus, her intention not being to do the tri-city.  The five others did do the tri-city run. Laura early on was thoroughly baptized with water sprayed on her by a bus headed north on the Second Narrows Bridge.  The route taken from Eilleen Dailly swimming pool included running south on Willingdon to Eton St, west across the field north of Eton to the trail leading to the foot of Boundary Road, onto Fellowes Road a few metres to the stairs leading down to the sidewalk on the east side of the bridge and continuing across to North Van, onto Main St, past the  car wash which strangely enough had no cars being cleaned, then the five returned on the same route although used Yale St from Boundary to return rather than face the hills on the trail leading back.  The incline on the bridge going south is longer than that going north, which assisted the five in getting their legs exercised.  What fun…  The five were thoroughly soaked, but the outside temperature was fine.  The five did not tarry too long at the finish but headed to their respective homes.  Total distance, 9.4 km, times, for Alex and Rod, 1:33 and for the threesome Laura, Larry who waited for Bobtoc, 1:39.  Actually, the run-rog was fun.

September 18th:  Terry Fox Run – Len, Miriam and Alex ran the Terry Fox Run at Swangard Stadium, while Edie, April, Laura and Eoin walked 5k from Blue Mountain Park.

September 19th:  Alex, RA Edie, Rod and Bobtoc showed up Monday at the Centre on a threatening-rain, a bit cool evening.  The decision made was to walk-run  the FGD route
frontwards utilizing Eastlake, Underhill, Forest Grove Drive to the pedestrian overpass, the Beaverbrooks , and Cameron St back to the Centre.   Distance and time,  6.5 km and 1:19.  The four encountered light sprinkle,  areas of no rain and of some rain earlier than our run over the route.

Coquitlam Cruisers:  On Monday Jennel ran solo from  Panorama to Town Centre, doing 1 lap of park In POURING RAIN, then back up extending her run to Forest Parkway in Port Moody then back up extending her run to Forest Parkway in Port Moody around the corner to Holly Ave, then back home.  Total 10 km, soaked to the bone.  She called it refreshing!  On Tuesday Jennel and Heather met and ran 2 laps of Town Centre Park with some interval training included.  Heather;s distance 9.5 km, Jennel 10.58 km.
September 21st:  
Alex, RA Edie with her grandnephew Tyler, Eoin and Laura, Larry, Flora, Rod and Bobtoc  on Wednesday evening chose to run west.  Edie with Tyler and Eoin decided to walk the FGD route; their distance 6.6 km. Rod, Alex, Larry, Laura, Flora and Bobtoc’s destination was to the IGA corner and return.  Rod, Alex, Laura and Laura, completed the return route in 1:17, with Flora and Bobtoc trailing them, their time being 1:46, distance for the six being  approx. 10k.  Weather conditions were perfect; no precip, temperature ideal for running.  The best night of the year!

September 24th:  Alex and Laura started at 7:15 am, ran from Cameron Centre to Kensington Ice Arena and back to the Centre, distance 15.8, time 2:04.  Edie, Flora and Christina met at the Fort Langley Pub parking lot and ran the 12k out and back to Derby Reach on a lovely morning.  

Christina added on 6k to bring her total distance to 18 while Flora and Edie waited in the coffee shop.  Christina and Edie did a short walk in Fort Langley and Flora spent most of the day there.  

Flora and Christina rescued a salamander.

September 26th:  RA Edie, Flora, Rod and Bobtoc opted Monday evening to walk from the Centre using the FGD route frontwards using Eastlake, Underhill, FG Drive, the overpass, the Beaverbrooks back to the Centre;  distance 6.6, time 1:20.   Overcast skies, a hint of sprinkle as we finished the walk.

September 28th:  On Wednesday night Alex and Larry took advantage of a sunny fall night (although it got dark fast) and ran, yes ran, the whole way!!  Started out along Cameron and Beaverbrook to Stoney Creek trail, up North Road, Chapman, Robinson, felt that hill on Robinson (must have been because we were running hard!) until Smith, kept on Robinson until turning west on Ebert, then cut over to Cottonwood, headed north along Clarke Road past the Burquitlam Skytrain station which looked like it was ready to go into service, crossed Como Lake Road, headed south on Clarke, North Road, turned west on Cameron and back to the Centre.  Distance 8.5 km, time 1h 02m.  Amazing how quick it can go when you run the whole route.  No ill effects were noted from the activity.  Bobtoc, Rod and their spouses took in the Whitecaps game – a victory for the home side.  Neither Bob nor Rod were selected to play though, despite a photo of “Bob Whitecap” that is floating around the email universe somewhere thanks to Rod…!!  Alex will be helping Len on Saturday at the Ride for Refuge.        
                               
                                                                             Here is an action shot of Bob.  Who knew???