August 3rd:  Five Cruisers met at the Centre Saturday on a cloudy, warm but comfortable-for-running/walking morning.  Larry and Alex walked to Como Lake, took one lap before returning, their time and distance 1:45 and 0 km.  Laura, Rod and Bobtoc ran to Hillcrest St in Coquitlam alongside Mundy Park.  Bobtoc rung Flora’s doorbell to permit her to meet the morning.  She emerged amd an aura of rumcokecigarsmoke, her usual Saturday am habit,  including honing her credit cards (a custom which started in Maui,just kidding) and greeted the cheerful trio. Under the circumstances she was MOST polite.  The trio then returned to the Centre.  The route to Mundy Park and return was Ebert Avenue, Robinson Street to Foster Avenue to Hillcrest and the same route was used going west to the Centre.  Time and distance, 1:37 subtracting some minutes conferring with Flora, and 11 km respectively.
On Friday Alex ran the Miracle Mile in Dunbar sponsored by the LGRR club.  His time was 8:17, not too shabby at all.  Congrats, Alex.
On Sunday Jennel  ran down to Lafarge Lake to meet up with Heather at 5pm, from there we ran down Guilford to the end of the pier at Rocky Point, touched the end and ran back.  We parted ways. Heather watched her husband play volleyball and I ran home.  However if 18km wasn’t enough, I decided to throw in 1km of hill reps (just for you Libby)
Total distance:
Heather….11km
Jennel …..19km  (time 2:12)

Christina, Debra, Sherian, Laura and Edie ran 9.25k at Rocky Point on Sunday.  The humidity was 83% so we lost a lot of water but had a great run.

Six Cruisers met at the Burnaby Lake parking lot Monday on a hot morning 7:30ish.  Larry walked, and Alex,RA Edie, Laura, Rod and Bobtoc ran, all six using the “new” trail in the Burnaby Lake grounds leading to Douglas Road thence Still Creek Road, continuing to the Greenway Urban Trail through to the pavement under the Skytrain.  The five continued to Renfrew St, took a pit stop at the Mcdonald’s restaurant on Grandview Hwy and Renfrew and then returned to Burnaby Lake.  Time for Edie and Rod, 2:10, for Laura, Alex and Bobtoc, 2:17; distance 14.5 km, and for Rod who Bobturned (in Anamarise “Bobbers”, 15 km.  Laura, Alex and Bobtoc lost a few minutes picking blackberries which were prominent along the route.  I hasten to assure Nancy Stagg that the trio did NOT pick lower than four feet from the ground.  Larry’s walk took him to Costco at Willingdon  before his return to  Burnaby Lake; his time and distance, 1:30, approx 8 km. The heat was less intense on the return leg due to a breeze from the east which ameliorated somewhat the temperature. 

Proof that Cruisers sometimes cross at the light and wait for it to be green!

August 7th:Seven Cruisers:  Alex, RA Edie, Larry, Laura, Rod, Tracy and Bobtoc met at the Centre Wednesday on a hot and steamy evening.  Due to the heat, the seven walked to Clarke Road and Robinson St in Coquitlam via the Stoney Creek trail, North Road to Chapman St, east to Robinson, then returned to the Centre via  south on Robinson to Foster Ave, west to North Road, crossed North Road into Sullivan Heights to Willoughby Avenue, south to Cameron Street and the Centre with Tracy breaking off in Sullivan Heights to return home.  Tracy ran several blocks on Chapman St on the outward bound leg of the walk and then reconnected with the group.  Time for Tracy, 1:16, for the remainder, 1:25, distance 6.75 km, temperature high 20’s.


Jennel was busy Wednesday evening also.  Here is her report:   I ran alone 10km from my house in Westwood Plateau down to New Port Village.  There I saw through the Runner’s Den window (it was closed) a bunch of New Balance & Aasics shoes with a tag saying $59.99 OBO.  Then I had to run back UP Heritage Mountain Blvd.  The LONGEST Hill in B.C. I think!?!

August 8th:  On Thursday evening RA Edie and Christina ran 7 km on the Poco Trail.
On Friday Rod went out from home in the morning, out up Production way to the old IGA, around Squint Lake for a pit stop and back up Shellmont. A quick stop to speak to Adele in her office, and then back home through Forest Grove. Time out 1h28, distance 13km. Took the GPS to golf yesterday and walked 3.5 km playing 18 holes. Played 9 holes this morning with the kids after my run. Have a good run tomorrow. Pat and I are officiating at an Athletics Meet in the Valley.
On Saturday RA Edie, Rick Davidson , Larry and Bobtoc met at the Burnaby Lake parking lot at 7:30.  RA Edie, Rick and Boboc ran west from Burnaby Lake parking lot using the Greenway Central Valley Urban Trail leading to the Central Valley pathway which is under the Skytrain route and then diverts parallel to the Skytrain route in East Vancouver as far as Victoria Drive before the return to Burnaby Lake.  The trio enjoyed a cloud cover, cooler temperature, a breeze from the west, and a smattering of soft rain near the end of the run.  Time for Edie, 2:46, for Rick and Bobtoc, 2:52, all times inclusive of a pit stop at the McDonald’s restaurant at Renfrew and Grandview Hwy, distance 18 km on the dot.  Larry ran/walked from the parking lot to Gilmore and Still Creek Road,, then ran (!) yes, ran (!) back to Burnaby Lake, time 1 hour st minutes.  Distance estimated at 8.5 km.  Alex had a short run on his own near Burnaby Lake later in the morning, and after that on his bike found the four who were enroute variously out of Burnaby Lake. 

On Tuesday, Alex, Edie and Judy walked 18.5k using the BMO half instructions starting at 25th & Cambie, across the Cambie Street bridge, through Downtown, Chinatown, Yaletown, along Pacific and into Stanley Park to Lost Lagoon, then along Hastings and Cordova to the Waterfront Sky Train.  We enjoyed perfect weather and beautiful scenery.








August 12th: Four Cruisers:  Alex, RA Edie, Rod and Bobtoc decided to walk from the Centre using the Stoney Creek trail to North Road, south on North to to corner of Clarke and North Road, viewed the progress of the Skytrain construction and the impact of it on the Burquitlam Plaza shopping centre, then walked south on North, then west in Sullivan Heights to Willoughby Avenue, south through to Cameron Street then into the Centre.  Weather:  fairly hot, some cloud cover, approx 23 C, time 59 minutes, distance 4.0 km., blackberries tested, small and tart, all picked shoulder height or above, Nancy.   
Jennel made the four look like pikers.  Here is her report from Poco:   ran 20.16km, in 2:20.  I decided to do my LONG run today as the weather forecast doesn’t look promising later this week.  Ran down Panorama to David, down to Town Centre Park…did 4 laps of the Park & Lafarge lake, got board, so I ran S. on Westwood to Lougheed Hwy. where the Running Room is, then headed East on Lougheed for a few min. to get to Pinetree, made my way back to the Park, ran the perimeter and headed home bound.  Ran up Bramble Lane (HUGE HIll) then back to Sandstone and did 1km of sprints uphill!  Just to make the run extra fun because I LOVE those hills!?!  Jennel:)

August 17th:  Five Cruisers met at Burnaby Lake parking lot 7:30  Saturday on a cloudy but humid morning.  Rene, back from Switzerland, not having run for a month, was welcomed back by Larry, Edie, Rod and Bobtoc.  The five set out north then west on the Central Valley route.  Larry and Rene ran as far as Boundary Road before returning, their distance 11k.  Edie, Rod and Bobtoc continued through to Nanaimo St, taking a pit stop at Renfrew and Grandview Highway, on the return run to Burnaby Lake parking lot; their distance 16.5k;  time for Edie and Rod, 2h 12min,  and for Bobtoc 2hr 22 min.  The humidity encountered on the westward portion of the run was ameliorated by a breeze from the east on the return run.
August 19th: Three Cruisers:  RA Edie, Rod and Bobtoc met at Cameron Centre and ran/walked to Como Lake Monday on a particially cloudy evening and moderate temperature, great for the run.  The trio walked east on Cameron, crossed North Road to Cochrane Avenue, continued on Appian Way to Robinson St , east on Foster Ave to Lakeshore Drive into the Como Lake trail, took one lap, left the trail for Lakeshore Drive, south to Foster, west to Porter St, south to Ebert, west to North Road, crossed to Sullivan Heights to Willoughby Ave, south to Cameron and back to the Centre.  On the way back we met Chris Conn’s wife with their dog Rudy.  Brief chat , good to see her, then moved on.  Total time, 1:25, distance 8.28 km.  The evenings are getting darker!  Dig out your reflects to don soon.
 Jennel’s run in Coquitlam:
“I think I just ran a half marathon tonight!?!  I ran 21.17km in 2:24:44  Apparently my longest run yet and my fastest!?!
Ran down to Town Centre Park and ran the perimeter of that & Lafarge 2 times, then made my way up David to Coast Meridian (HOLY MOLY HILL!), ran back down and up David to my home as it was dark by now and did 6km of hill sprints up and down my street!  Sucker for punishment I tell ya!  Best part of the evening is I swallowed a gulp full of protein!?! (aka mosquitoes)  YUK!?!

August 21st:  Five Cruisers:  Larry, Louise, Rachel, Rene and Bobtoc met at and ran from the Centre Wednesday on a warm evening for some hillwork, via Eastlake to Underhill, 2x plus a run down Underhill to Broadway to Arden, east on Shellmont to pick up Rachel, continuing past Underhill to the lane leading to Cinnamon Drive, continuing east on the trail to meet Forest Grove Drive, over the Gaglardi pedestrian overpass to the Beaverbrooks back to the Centre.   Time and distance, 1:30 and 11 km respectively.  A warm evening with a breeze on the way back to the Centre.


A quick check-in from the Staggs. Berry season is quickly coming to a close for another year. There are still some blackberries about in Mundy Park but they won’t last too much longer. Our run times will improve shortly as the berry stops become fewer in number. It’s been a great year for mid-run snacking so get out there while you can. 

For anyone interested there is an excellent series of articles in the July issue of Runners World about the Boston Marathon and the aftermath of the bombings. The articles will give you a good idea what it was like to be there and highlights the amazing courage of the emergency personnel, volunteers, and just plain folk who rose to the occasion. A number of the articles can also be viewed online at runnersworld.com.
Next for me is the inaugural Vancouver Eastside 10K on September 14, then the Fall Classic Half in November and then the Vancouver Full in May. Those should keep me out of trouble. Nancy continues to train, skipping the events but celebrating with food, wine, and scotch – generally in that order of priority.
That’s it for now. Enjoy the sun while it lasts!
Rob & Nancy


Jennel’s Friday run:
30 min. of laps!  My goodness!  There’s a workout!  Felt like I had just ran a marathon!  WOW!  That’s all.

 August 24th:  Five Cruisers met at the Burnaby Lake parking lot Saturday 7:30ish on a muggy morning for runs on the Central Valley Greenway.  Larry and Rachel ran to Gilmore Avenue and return, distance 9.6 km, time approx 60 minutes.    Alex, RA Edie and Bobtoc ran west, with Alex and RA Edie going as far as Clark Drive and return; their distance 20.4 km,  time per Edie 3.08.  Bobtoc ran to Commerical Drive and return, 19.2 km, time 3.14; times for the three lsd runners inclusive of pit stops at non-operating facilities, and providing directions to lost motorist near Burnaby Lake on the return leg.  The lsd runners enjoyed a breeze and respite from the humidity on the return leg.

August 26th:  “I  ran 13/14km Monday night.  The battery on my GPS went kaput, so I’m not quite sure the distance.  Ran from my house, down David, around Towne Centre Park & Lafarge Lake twice, then back home.  1.5 hrs.   Got home before the RAIN started.”  Jennel.

Three Cruisers:  Alex, RA Edie with canine April, and Bobtoc walked from the Burnaby Lake parking lot on the north trail 2.6 km out and returned on a perfect evening for walking or running- weather warm, cloudy, a few drops of precip.  Time and distance, 62 minutes, 5.2 km.
    
August 28th:  Four Cruisers met at the Burnaby Lake parking lot 6:30 pm and connected with Rainy Kent’s group.  Alex, Rene, Larry and Bobtoc joined Rainy’s group, some going south, some going north.  Larry, Alex and Bobtoc used the north trail, Larry staying with the majority who ran to the bridge near the nature house; his time and distance, about 40 minutes, 5 km.  Alex and Bobtoc went well past the bridge, 30 minutes out then 32 minutes back, their distance between 7 and 8 km.  Rene ran the trail circling the lake, his distance 10.5 km.  Sorry, do not have a time for him.  It was good to reconnect with many running friends.  The group endured high humidity; were soaking wet after the runs or walks.
Jennel ran 10.17km Wednesday Morning in Coquitlam..  Tony, my girls & I had  “raced” down Heritage Mountain to the Runners Den in NewPort Villiage.  They took the car and I ran!  “They won”…but next time, I’ll beat them!?!