Spring Running, in Pictures

What a beautiful couple of days in Vancouver this weekend.  The temperatures were up around 17 and 18 degrees on Saturday and Sunday respectively and 2 weeks out from Diaz Vista 50k I had a big weekend of training planned.

I wanted to get in a good long run on Saturday, aiming for 3 or so hours and then back that up with somewhere round 4 or 5 on the bike on Sunday.  I had read up a little on breaking up weekend long runs over a couple of days having the same training effect as doing 1 really long run.  I figured this split would see me get some good time in on the legs as well and a lot of ground coverage at a lower heart rate on the bike.  My ride today is definitely worthy of its own post so ill get on with logging my run on Saturday.

I have been planning a run for a few months now that goes from my apartment in the west end, through Stanley park, over the Loins Gate, along the Capilano Pacific trail up to Grouse, up the Grind, then up to the peak.  I would return via the BCMC trail and follow the route back home.  This sounds like a fun run to me.

I’m not sure the distance or time required but decided that I would give the first part of it a shot this weekend to get familiar with the route and the Capilano Pacific trail and I figured that I could do that part in about 2.5 to 3 hours.  There is too much snow right now to attempt the Grind so I would be happy just to find the way and turn around at the bottom of Grouse Mountain.

I started out and as usual was a bit sluggish.  Not sure if its due to a lack of training of late but it seems to take me a good 45 minutes to warm up and enjoy running these days.  But the weather was spot on and I turned my run into a very scenic tour.  I also started out with my ipod which is rare for me but there is a lot of new music out of the Winter Music Conference that I want to catch up on.  By the time I hit the Capilano Pacific trail I ditched the ipod for the more serene sound of the water falls, trees, and my heavy panting.

The run itself was a lot of fun and I cant wait to include Grouse Mountain in it in the summer.  It was a bit tough near the end and my legs were definitely tired, still got a few niggling problems with feet and ankle but for the whole had a great morning out at it, took it very easy and got lots of photos of this magical city along the way.

Lost Lagoon - Stanley Park

Lions Gate from Prospect Point

Lighthouse from Lions Gate bridge

Canyon along the Capilano Pacific trail

Cleveland Dam

Trail Head - Trans Canada Trail

Capilano Pacific Trail

English Bay - Home

Home to Cleveland Dam, return.