June 1st: On Monday evening, Rod, Terri-Lee, Larry, Laura, Flora, Rachel, RA Edie with canine April, Shiraz and his brother Firad (hope I got the name right) visiting from Cape Town, South Africa ran the Eastlake route, up Underhill, which everyone said seemed longer and steeper than usual, and returned along Forest Grove route, over the Gaglardi overpass and you know the rest. It was cloudy and a bit humid, like the weather couldn’t decide what to do, but it wasn’t anything to complain about. Distance was about 7.5 km and time was a brisk 55 minutes, with RA Edie, April and Flora coming in about 20 minutes later. Bobtoc is back from Europe and came by and gave out beer to some of us – Bitburger lager from Germany. Rachel cooled off by having some after the run but don’t worry she wasn’t driving. Bobtoc will be pleased to know that Alex kept up the subsidized shower tradition while he was away.
June 3rd: On Wednesday night, a cloudy and somewhat humid evening, Rod, Terri-Lee, Larry, Flora, Libby and Alex ran or walked Joe’s Trail. We actually enjoyed the coolness of temperature which we know will be short-lived. Distance about 7.5 km and time 1h 04m, with Rod, Flora and Alex finishing in a bit more time of 1:17. The “heritage” fence outside Cameron Centre is now wrapped in yellow caution tape but we’re still using it to lean on for our cool-down because we always have and that’s just the way it is…
June 6th: On Saturday morning at the early time of 7:30, we were glad we started then as it warmed up quickly. Rod, Larry, Rachel and Alex ran the Burnaby Lake trail to the nature house, then went up Piper, crossed Lougheed Hwy., up Lake City to Broadway, up Arden/Greystone into the trail by the golf course, back onto Greystone, crossed Duthie, used the running trail to the bridge over Hastings near Westridge school, then returned to Cameron using Greystone, Arden, Broadway, Underhill, Eastlake, etc. It was a hilly course that would make Libby proud, a tough run in the heat, and on the way back a run up Shellmont was considered but rejected, to the chagrin of no one. Distance 16 km, time about 2h 30m.
The heritage fence that we lean on at Cameron is repaired for now – new shims put in! So it will be stable for a few weeks. And the yellow caution tape has been removed which is too bad, as it gave the fence a dressed up look.
June 8th: erri-Lee and Rachel report: Flora and Terri-Lee ran 7.04 km in 1h 12m and Rachel ran 8.45 km in the same time. They ran through Stoney Creek trail over the bridge to the school to the Gaglardi overpass up Forest Grove. At Underhill Rachel turned back and Flora and Terri-Lee ran up Underhill to Shellmont, turned right onto the trail behind the school and store, exiting on Forest Grove – took the stairs and crossed over Forest Grove, over the overpass through to Stoney Creek and back to Cameron Centre. They found Rachel, who got separated from them and did a Bob turn back but couldn’t find them, on the Stoney Creek trail to return.
Jennel reports: Saturday, Jennel, Anamaria & Sofia were at Town Centre Park for Field Hockey and looked over and the Relay for Life was going on. We ran/walked 1 lap of the track for our loved ones; then enjoyed the activities being held at the park. Was a fun afternoon and VERY HOT!!!
June 10th: On Wednesday evening, more gorgeous weather, as the five runners and three walkers stayed together, sort of. Runners Terri-Lee, Libby, Edie, Larry and Alex ran the Forest Grove route starting from Beaverbrook, over the Gaglardi overpass, up the big friendly hill, over to Shellmont, down through the Meadowood neighbourhood, along Broadway, Underhill, Eastlake etc etc. We felt we had to do the route to make up for the Monday run fun. Distance 8.07 km, time 1h 12m. The walkers, Rod, Laura and Bobtoc, did largely the same route but did not take the Meadowood detour and so their distance was a little less, 7.5 km in 1:22, a fairly quick time for a walk. Interestingly it was noticeably warmer on the Eastlake portion of the route which gets no shade during the day when it’s (yawn) always sunny, as Alex also noticed on Monday night.
June 13th: On Saturday morning, another warm, sunny, great day for a run and we took advantage of it in a big way, doing a long run. Terri-Lee, Larry, Alex, Edie, René, Flora, Bobtoc and Rachel started out from the Burnaby Lake-Central Valley fields parking lot and made our way along the Central Valley trail route past Douglas Road, along Still Creek Road. Bobtoc ran with Flora and Rachel to Rupert Street and then he returned; time 2h 37m including pit stop at the Real Canadian Superstore, his distance estimated at 15 km. Flora and Rachel continued downtown and ran along False Creek and returned from the Main Street Skytrain station to the Holdom station, refreshments at Starbucks, estimated distance 20 km and time about 2:45. René, Alex, Larry, Edie and Terri-Lee made their way along the skytrain trail route to Clark then took the bridge to Terminal Ave, continued around the north side of False Creek to Hornby, then made their way to the Convention Centre/Canada Place, did more running along the boardwalk, then walked back to Waterfront Centre, had some refreshments at Tim Horton’s (no lardballs consumed of course!) then took the Skytrain back to Burnaby Lake, met Flora and Rachel at the Holdom station, and we all continued on the train to Burnaby Lake station, running distance 21.1 km (the Full Half distance!) and time about 2:45. There was plenty of shade along the CV/Skytrain trail route, with an estimated 70-75% of the route being shaded. A great time was had by all and the weather was enjoyed immensely. Probably the last long training run before the Scotiabank Half for most of us.
June 15th: On Monday night, it was hot out there! My car thermometer showed 29 C and although some were surprised when I mentioned it, we all became convinced after we started out and walked down Cameron to the bridge leading to the trail to Winston on our way to Joe’s Trail. So now you know our route – Joe’s Trail. Terri-Lee and Rachel actually did some running most of the way along Joe’s towards North Road and part way back, then met the rest of the walkers, Bobtoc, Laura, Flora, Larry, Edie and her friend Darlene, and walked with them to North Road. Fortunately that trail route had a lot of shade. We all turned back and walked all the way to Cariboo Road at which point Rachel and Laura ran back to Cameron Centre with the rest following them by walking. Bonus points to those who ran! Terri-Lee and Rachel walked/ran approximately 8 km while the rest distanced 7.5 km or so, time about 1h 22m.
June 16th: John, Christina, Darlene and Edie enjoyed a 7.1k walk starting at Hyde Creek Rec Centre through neighbourhoods and trails up Burke Mountain to Harper Road (excuse me for saying a bad word!). Lots of monster houses on the hill taking the place of the trees. We stopped to view ducks in their diminishing pond, teenage geese. a border collie puppy named Lightening and heard the owls but didn’t spot them. A wonderful way to spend a Tuesday evening with our FEEP pointing out the highlights as we passed.
June 17th: Wednesday evening Adventures in Cruiserland – Where’s Waldo?
The Cruisers planned to meet at Central Park. Libby, Flora and Edie were there early but we didn’t know each other was there until Flora texted Edie and they met and then Libby saw them and came over. Rachel came down from her ivory tower and then we saw Louise looking for us. So we were only missing Alex, who we thought for sure would be there since he lived so close. We texted and called to no avail, called Angela who said he left home 20 minutes before, so we thought he must have gone to Cameron (he did) so we started out. We ran into the park and then came back towards Patterson about 1.5k into the run and who should drive by but Alex! We waved and ran after him but then he disappeared. At the tennis courts we called him and he told us that he had parked in a different place and run into the park to look for us, not realizing that we had been hot on his trail. He said he would run to meet us so we started off again. I said to Libby that I wouldn’t be surprised if he came up behind us instead of in front of us and sure enough he did. We really do need a tow rope for Alex! After that we continued on the Terry Fox Trail more or less together and managed to do 7k. It seemed cool at the beginning of the run but it was very muggy. Running through Central Park was pretty and a nice change. After the run we went to Rachel’s building to admire the magnificent gardens before going our separate ways. Louise is doing the Longest Day 10k on Friday so we wished her a good run. Edie.
Editor’s note: All’s well that ends well…“more or less together”, what a great expression. Thanks to our intrepid reporter Edie for the entertaining account! Another typical running night…
And from Jennel! YEAH!!! I had a few hours of FREE time today!!! The girls were in school and Tony is getting more independent in his cast (ruptured his Achilles Tendon 3 weeks ago). So, off I went on a RUN!!! Up and down the Coquitlam Crunch! Approx. 9km….fun, but goodness, I always forget it takes much longer to run back up!!! LOL Jennel 🙂 
On Saturday morning, Terri-Lee, Flora, Bobtoc, Laura, Edie, Larry and René started out from the Burnaby Lake parking lot and met Sherian at the Burnaby Lake Skytrain station, and the group took the train down to Commercial Drive station, where Bobtoc left us and commenced his run back to Bby Lake, distance 11 km, time 1h 50m. The rest of us got on the Expo train line and got off at Main St. station where we met Alex, then we went down to the Science World area and met Rachel and her friend Bride, and the 10 of us commenced our run through the crowd and excitement at the Dragon Boat races on the south side of False Creek, ran to the Planetarium area at Vanier Park and up and across the Burrard St. bridge (great view from that bridge!), then back along the north side of False Creek to Science World. We stopped at various points along False Creek to admire the fantastic views and watch some of the Dragon Boat races. False Creek sure is built up now with all those condos but there is a lot of green space too and the waterfront walkways are wide enough for bike riders, skaters, walkers and runners. It was a beautiful sunshiny day and not too hot! Distance was 10.4 km for most; 11.4 km for Terri-Lee and Larry and about 13 km for René due to their alternate routes and Bobturns. Time about 1h 20m. Some of us went to Tim Hortons after and Rachel and Bride went back to watch the races.
June 22nd: Alex, RA Edie, Flora, Laura, Rachel, Sherian and Bobtoc gathered at the Centre on a steamy evening Monday. The group opted to run/walk using the Stoney Creek trail to North Road, north on North Road past Chapman Avenue before returning via the same route to the Centre. Distance and times, 5 km, 1:04 for most, and 1:09 for Alex and Bobtoc.
June 24th: On Wednesday on another steamy evening Larry, Laura and her work colleague Heather, Terri-Lee and Bobtoc met at the Centre for run or walk to Joe’s Trail, the first three to run; their time and distance to North Road 1:10 and 7.4 km respectively, and the latter two to walk, their time 1:16,, distance 5.7 km, having not reached North Road before their return to the Centre. Flora appeared on the scene at the Centre too late to join the five, so waited to greet and meet them upon their return.
Sunday June 28th:Seven Cruisers braved the intense 30c heat Sunday morning to run the Scotiahalf from UBC to Stanley Park. Transportation arranged by RA Edie worked out well according to the seven; what would we do without Edie? Congratulations to all seven for a fine showing~
Stats, chip times:
Rene 1:59
Larry 2:17
Alex 2:25
Terri-Lee 2:39 NB her SEVENTH HALF THIS YEAR!
Edie 3:13
Flora 3:13
Minnesota Rachel 3:13, the latter three ran together from the start line.
Lunch was enjoyed at Mulligan’s pub at the Burnaby Mountain Golf Course together with Athletic Supporters Angela,Tim, Marie, Bobtoc, Denise, Ross, and Laura and Eoin, the latter two having cheered on the runners on at Beach Avenue near the Stanley Park finish. Good on you, Laura and Eoin! Staff at the pub provided some comedy relief for the 15 in attempts to sort out the separate bills. No prob; mission accomplished.
News: Denise Lattman now jobless, having retired from her profession as school teacher in Surrey. Congratulations Denise! .
Rainy and Joe did the Coast to Coast Walk in June: I looked at our agenda and this is how our trip went….
May 22 – Left London at 5am bound for St. Bees – walked to Ennerdale Youth
Hostel
May 23 – Walk to Honister Pass through the high pass
May 24 – Walk to Patterdale Youth Hostel
May 25 – Walk to Shap
May 26 – Walk to Kirkby Stephens
May 27 – Walk to Keld
May 28 – Walk to Reeth
May 29 – Walk to Richmond
May 30 – Walk to Ingleby Cross
May 31 – Walk to ChopGate
June 1 – Walk to Glaisdale
June 2 – Walk to Robin Hood’s Bay
I would have loved to have done this in about 14 days instead of 12. It
made for some super long days and we didn’t have a rest day which I think
was a big mistake as to how I felt when I finished. Joe was fine….he is a
fabulous walker! I had some nutrition problems because the food wasn’t the
food that I normally would eat and there were a couple of days where I just
couldn’t eat which took its toll on my energy level and disposition to say
the least. I think the biggest reward was when we were walking up the big
hill at Robin’s Hood Bay heading to our B&B after dipping our toes and
having our beer….I looked back and saw the most incredible rainbow (as you
can see in the photo). It was almost like someone was saying to me…..”you
did it and you did a great job and here….this is just for you!!”….I
honestly cried…!!
Would love to see photos from your trip…! We were obviously there when
the sheep were starting to lose their wool….these guys totally made me
smile….sometimes on days when I didn’t think I had a smile. The one with
Joe walking beside the fence with the cow…..this cow followed him
forever…..it was hilarious…!!