Happy Holidays, Happy Christmas, Happy New Year!

How fast a year can go! 12 months ago, I was dressed in a Santa costume at a snowy Tittesworth Reservoir in the Staffordshire Moorlands, ready to run my 8^th Christmas Cracker. It was quite an emotional occasion as I was saying my goodbyes to many of my friends, knowing that at some point soon, I would be leaving my home land behind and moving to pastures new across the Atlantic Ocean. OK, it took a few more weeks and a couple more UK races before I eventually left, but by the end of March 2012, me and my boys had packed our bags and waved an (almost) fond farewell to good old blighty.

Fast forward 12 months, and what a year it’s been! I’ve had wobbles about moving, I faced initial home sickness, I’ve lost 2 of my best friends in the form of Sammy dog and Bunny rabbit – one due to old age and the other due to problems during quarantine over here in Calgary – and something I never dreamt would ever happen – I got pregnant only to lose my baby a few weeks later.

It would be so easy to dwell on the bad things, but I’ve cried many tears over the past few months and I’ve come through the other side. Without wanting to sound philosophical, life does gone on – unless of course the predictions for Friday come true and life as we know it really does come to an end for all of us.

Thankfully, no matter what happens on Friday, I’ll have had the pleasure of competing in some fantastic races this year ranging from the Calgary Marathon and the Grizzly 50km Ultra, to the Stampede Half and Banff WInterstart, and last weekend, I competed in my final races of the year, both on the same day, bringing my tally to 14 races in just 9 months.

First up on Saturday was Silver Springs Cross Country in north west Calgary, which marked the mid-way point of the cross country series with 5 more races still to go. I’m currently one of two ladies that has done all of them so far and I’m lying 2^nd lady overall, although it’s the best 6 races that count. With 5 races still to go – and with so many good ladies racing, particularly in my age group -  I’m pretty sure that I’ll be slipping down that leader board by the end of March.

For now though, I’m feeling happy that I’m slowly improving with each race, particularly having finished 3^rd lady at Silver Springs and 38^th overall – my best positions so far.

It was a little sad at the start as we remembered a member of Calgary Road Runners that had died in a mountain climbing accident back in the summer. The words spoken about him touched me, even though I'd never met him, and I found myself welling up with the emotion. He was a key member of the club and loved this particular race, always turning out in his Santa hat being so close to Christmas, and so it was fitting that we all wore a Santa hat in his memory and had a group photograph prior to the start of the race.

Group photo of competitors at Silver Springs XC in memory of CRR that sadly lost his life earlier this year

The course itself wasn’t as picturesque and varied as the one down in Okotoks the other week , but what it lacked in variety was more than made up for by yet another cold, crisp and gloriously sunny day with stunning views of the snowcapped mountains and the Bow River in the valley below. It was quite a bumpy course with plenty of undulations – no significant uphills, but a couple of quite steep grassy downhills, made a little more troublesome thanks to frozen snow and ice in places.

Silver Springs and fantastic views of the Rocky Mountains

I’d woken up feeling somewhat sluggish and drained, so was surprised to find myself up-front with the leaders at the start – a position I hadn’t been in for a very long time – and I began to think that maybe I had gone off too fast.  I was also feeling the cold today – normally it wouldn’t bother me and yet today, my hands and toes were literally freezing and were hurting due to the cold, and it took a while for the old muscles to warm up properly. As the path narrowed to single track, I had no option but to keep going as it was too narrow for people to get past, and I felt pressured to maintain the pace. I eventually ended up in a group of 5, including a lady who kept overtaking me on the uphill, only for me to go past her on the downhill and flatter sections. I didn’t recognize her from previous races, so wasn’t too concerned about the threat to my overall position in the series, and tucked in behind her before she eventually pulled away in the final half mile thanks to a series of wooden steps and a steep incline up to the finish! My legs had gone to jelly due to all the hills, but I was still pleased to run just under 40 mins for around 5 miles of bumpy, icy terrain in freezing cold conditions, and finishing 3^rd lady was a double bonus.

Up and up again at Silver Springs XC, Calgary

After a dash to the life saving Tim Hortons for a coffee and a donut to warm the old bones and refuel, next stop was Canmore – about an hour’s drive away up in the mountains where a lot of my races in recent months have been. Canmore was hosting the World XC Skiing Championships this weekend, so there was quite a buzz about town that was centred around the athletes village, with lots of Christmas activities making it extremely festive. In addition to the skiing, there was also the Grizzly Canmore Winter Night Run – a low key race of 6km or 3km – and having had a great experience at the Grizzly 50km back in October and being organized by the same team, I’d decided to give this one a go.

The sun had already gone down by the time the race started at 4.30pm and the temperature had plummeted to something like -10. Thankfully the firepits around the start area kept the runners warm whilst waiting for the start, although the smell of wood smoke is still lingering on clothes 3 days later!

The course was an out and back along the Bow River Footpath Trail and so I knew that it was likely to be flat. The main concern was the cold and the considerable amount of snow and ice that was still lingering, making it a little treacherous in places but thankfully I’d worn my trail shoes which certainly came in handy.

Before the start of Canmore Winter Night Run

Once again, I found myself at the head of the field shortly after the start, but because I knew the course would likely be flat, I tried to stay with the pace this time. At the first turnaround point, I counted myself at around 10^th place overall and 4^th lady, but we were running with the 3k runners at the same time, so there was no knowing if any of those ahead of me would be finishing in a few minutes.

Heading back to the start area and back out for lap 2, I only saw 2 ladies ahead which meant that the other lady was only doing the 3k and I had now moved into 3^rd place. With the prospect of a prize, and knowing that there was less than 2 miles to go, I really pushed hard, particularly when I saw another lady closing quickly on me from behind with about 20 seconds separating us. I desperately wanted to win something, and I all but sprinted the last 400m or so for fear of her passing me in the closing stages. I was extremely relieved to cross the line as 3rd lady again, ending on a positive note on what I considered to be a successful day of racing.

Having had a warm by the fire pits once again, we headed over to the stage where the presentation would be taking place, a little excited knowing that I would be getting a prize of some description, but as they read out the results, it became clear that they had made a massive mistake. I’d ran just shy of 25 minutes for the course, and yet the top 3 ladies were called forward in times of 32 minutes up to 37 minutes – surely that couldn’t be right! Normally I wouldn’t have bothered querying the result, especially with it being such a low key event and being so close to Christmas, but knowing how hard I had worked to hold on to 3^rd place, I was feeling a little disappointed and bemused.  Having spoken to the organizers, it became apparent that some people that had actually registered for the 6k race had decided to just do the 3k on the night and therefore finished ahead of me, hence been awarded the prize. It still didn’t explain how 32 minutes was faster than 25 minutes, but they generously gave me the prize and I was so pleased that it was a Salomon Camelback, something I have been after for a while due to my return to ultra running and long training runs. I wasn’t the only one affected – the winning man also missed out, but thankfully he received his prize too.

I really enjoyed the event and the whole atmosphere in Canmore, but was a little disappointed that such an error had been made in the results – especially as we all had chip timing – although this does highlight that sometimes it is the runners themselves that are at fault by either swapping bibs or changing things without notifying organizers on the day. It was a lovely festive evening with Santa and a Christmas outdoor movie, but even so, I’m not sure whether I would do the race again. It is perhaps more of a fun run for the less experienced runners – maybe those that are just starting out on a fitness regime or new to racing, or that want to introduce their children to running – but then that makes me sound snobbish and serious, which isn’t really the case.

Whatever I decide, my racing for 2012 has now come to a close and I can honestly say that in running terms, it has been a good year. I’ve had to adapt to my new surroundings and the conditions here in Canada, not just the higher altitude and the dry air, but also the very cold and snowy weather in the winter months which does affect your ability to run at any decent speed. With over a week off during the Christmas period, I’ll be spending some time planning out next year’s races although there are already a few events that are in my line of vision. I intend to do the remaining 5 XC races that end in March, and there is also a new marathon in June that follows the trails between Lake Louise and Banff which I fancy doing. Then of course there is the Frozen Ass 50km in Feb, the Grizzly 50km in October, and a new Grizzly trail race at Panorama Hills just over the “border” in British Columbia in September.

Next year will be a fresh start as I move into an older age group and I already feel motivated to prove myself as a new FV40. We’ll be moving into our new home hopefully sometime in February./March, and with the likely addition of a new friend for Wilson at some point, things really are looking good.

For now though, thank you to anybody that has followed my news throughout the year and I hope you haven’t been too bored with my ramblings and my obvious obsession with this wonderful country. The pictures look good, but to actually be here and experience things first hand on a daily basis can still be overwhelming, and I still have moments of "OMG, the Canadian Rockies!!"

For anybody that has just started running, is returning from injury, has smashed PB’s or achieved new distances in 2012, a HUGE well done to all of you on achieving your goals. Now let’s raise a glass or two to a successful 2013 and all our running endeavours.

Merry Christmas everybody and all the very best of wishes for 2013!

It's Beginning to look alot like Christmas!

Winter has well and truly set in now here in Calgary and over the past couple of weeks or so, we've had 2 snow storms moving through the area resulting in significant snowfall of around 10-15cm. Thankfully, although a few bumps are inevitable on the roads, the country hasn't ground to a halt and it is reassuring to see that life just goes on as normal no matter what the weather throws at people over here.

Despite the weather, I've still been getting out running and have finally managed to get my mileage up to something more realistic in preparation for  my next ultra - the Frozen Ass 50km race, to be held on 18th February next year which also happens to be the same day as my 40th birthday. The race was recommended to me by the awesome ultra runner Ellie Greenwood who used to live in Banff but moved to Vancouver a few months ago. I was meant to have done it earlier this year, but whilst Andy moved to Calgary in early January, my move to Canada was delayed due to the logistics of getting our animals over here and making sure they had all the correct vaccinations, so I missed the race despite having entered.

Running has been hard work, not only because of snow and ice, but also because the temperature has been so cold. Sometimes it's struggled to get above -10 in the day time, and with the added wind chill, it's meant several layers of clothing to keep warm even when out running. The cold air also affects breathing, so I've looked like an Eskimo running away from  a bank robbery on several occasions recently with the amount of clothing and balaclava I've been wearing!

A run home from work on a cold winter's night

One of the great things about Calgary is that we get the Chinook winds. A Chinook is a warm dry wind blowing down the eastern slopes of the Rockies -  one minute it can be absolutely freezing cold, and the next, a Chinook will come along and it can feel really warm, even on a winter's night.

I experienced this last weekend when I went out for a run with Wilson. It had been really chilly during the day with temperatures way below freezing, and having already gone dark, I figured that it was going to be even colder outside. I put several layers of clothing on, but after a mile or so, we turned a corner and suddenly felt a warm draft of air - it was really weird experiencing the dramatic change in temperature and I immediately thought that this must be one of the Chinooks I'd heard so much about. It turned out to be a really enjoyable run - quite mild and yet there was still ice and snow underfoot - and Wilson loved it!

By Tuesday however, we had another dump of snow so it was back to trail shoes and thermals when running home from work, along with a biting wind to contend with. I don't really mind the conditions to be fair, and figured that it would help to prepare me for the next cross country race which was due to take place on the following Saturday afternoon .

The fourth race in the cross country series took place in Okotoks about a 15 minute drive south of Calgary. It's in the Foothills region, and driving to the venue you can certainly see the rolling hills lying at the foot of the majestic Rocky Mountains. The weather was absolutely beautiful with clear blue skies and glorious sunshine, and even though temperatures were still only around freezing point, it felt quite warm in comparison to the past few days. There was still plenty of snow lying around and it was such a picturesque vista that it once again took my breath away - I really still haven't got used to having such fantastic scenery on my doorstep and even now, it often feels very surreal .

The race started in the grounds of Strathcona Tweedsmuir School on the outskirts of Okotoks, and  I have to say that the course was extremely well planned out with a mix of single track paths through woodland, up and down plenty of hills, and at one point, treated us to splendid views of the mountains. It was a difficult course, made all the more so by quite deep, soft snow. Running on compact snow is relatively easy, but when it's "fluffy" and soft, it is really difficult to get a grip and it saps the energy trying to do so. Along with trying to keep your balance on bumpy paths and trails, it certainly made the course even more challenging.

Big Rock Runners - Okotoks XC Race
and tough going in the snow

I felt a little tired before the race and didn't expect to run exceptionally well, so just kept my head down and battled away. At around 5.2 miles, the course was a little longer than previous ones but it was 2 laps so we knew exactly what was coming second time round. I found myself isolated shortly after the start - not fast enough to be up there with the leaders, but not too slow as to be amongst the back end of the field - but I thoroughly enjoyed the run despite finding it extremely tiring and difficult today. The interesting thing was that although I started steady, I found myself getting into my stride and speeding up as the race progressed, and figured that that must be the ultra runner in me - the further I go, the better I feel,  but after 50 minutes of running (yes I know, a shocking 50 mins for just over 5 miles!!) I ran out of course!

I finished 57th overall, and in the top 5 ladies so I certainly couldn't grumble. Although feeling a bit listless for racing today, I actually felt like running, so I headed off back onto the course and took Wilson with me for a bit of a cool down. He'd already had a brilliant morning having spent half an hour playing with a husky that happened to be wandering around the school grounds, but with bright eyes and a lovely wet nose, he was still happy to trot alongside me. I let him off his lead so that he could stride out properly and not have his lead hindering either of us, but with all the snow, he got inquisitive at the sounds and smells hidden underneath, and was happily bounding through the deeper parts and burying his head in the snow trying to sniff out his prey. Yet again though, he was so well behaved - even off his lead - and giving him a shout, he came sprinting after me and trotted alongside until the next sound he heard in the bushes where he darted off again in his endless excitement. We only ran for about half an hour, but the little chap loved it and I'm pretty certain that he could have kept going!

A pleasant cool down with Wilson in Okotoks

And so with Christmas fast approaching, there are just 2 more races for me until the end of the year - another cross country race and the Grizzly Canmore Night Run - both of them on the same day again!! I'm looking forward to them immensely and can honestly say that I have absolutely loved racing over here in Canada for the past few months. I'm certainly no record breaker anymore, I'm certainly no champion, but I love my running, I love the great outdoors, and I love living in and experiencing the wonders of this beautiful country.

Race Ramblings and Winterstart

I've done hundreds of races over the years, so many in fact that some have been forgotten and are buried in the deep dark depths of my mind - it's only when I find an old newspaper clipping or an old black and white photo that the memories of certain races come flooding back. Fortunately most of them have brought feelings of joy, elation and success although there has been the occasional disappointment along the way!

Oh yeh! Used to run for Stoke AC -
National XC Champs 1986 (33rd)

When first starting this blog, I had a feeling that some folks would consider it a bit egotistical and narcissistic - a case of me me me - but they couldn't be further from the truth. I am actually quite a shy person, and I don't particularly like being the centre of attention, but having been pestered by several friends, I finally succumbed to peer pressure and agreed to share my running experiences with those that were interested. I also hoped that maybe others would believe in their dreams and set out to achieve them. However, I created a blog primarily as a record for myself - a place where I could look back and reflect on things from time to time, and try to make sure I don't make the same mistakes again!

It's now November, and I can't believe that I have been calling Calgary my home for almost 8 months. Already I've done a number of races over here to try and get involved in the local running scene, and looking back over my postings in recent months, there are already races and running experiences that I had forgotten about - my wins at the Bow River 10km and the High River 10km earlier in the year, the Calgary Marathon, the Stampede Half and the Millarville Half, and even my first trail race over here at the Canadian Olympic Park where I came away with a unique wooden medal. Without this blog, I would likely forget that I had even taken part in those events, and for that reason alone, I'm pleased that I've kept a record.

The past few weeks have certainly been pretty busy with numerous races - in fact I've competed in 4 events in the past month or so, 3 of which have been cross country events organised by Calgary Road Runners.

The annual Cross Country Grand Prix consists of 10 races at various parks around Calgary, the first of these being at River Park at the end of September. Back then, I was still getting over a miscarriage so I was feeling very unfit, very slow and not particularly confident. The good thing was that nobody knows me in Calgary, so I could take part in the race without any pressure or expectation, and just see how things went.

River Park Classic XC - September 2012

It was a beautiful autumn day for the River Park Classic, quite warm and certainly not the type of weather one would normally expect for cross country. The course, as with all the others, was approximately 8km, and for this race, it involved a couple of good climbs and 2 crossings of the river, whilst runners were treated to some fantastic views of the city from the top of the ridge. I started the race cautiously, not really knowing what to expect, and whilst I felt ok I could certainly tell that I had lost considerable pace and fitness. I ended up finishing about 12th lady and 67th overall - not particularly outstanding, but at least I now had a benchmark for future races, and could gauge any improvement from here onwards.

The second event in the series was a 3-leg relay, this time at Confederation Park. I desperately wanted to complete all 10 races so I could become one of the few to receive the "Iron Person Award", so I spent some time fishing around for other lonesome runners in Calgary to see whether we could muster together a team of 3. Thankfully a chap named Derek and a lovely lady named Lorna were willing to have me on their team, with me running first leg.

I'd had a couple of weeks of more consistent training by the time race 2 came around in October, but the difference was that the weather had turned particularly cold and we'd had some snow. This course was shorter at around 4km but was no less challenging with sharp inclines and 2 crossings of the brook, and of course, the snow made things somewhat slippery. I started more confidently this time, and felt so much stronger running up the hills - the only down side was that the water crossing was absolutely freezing so with toes like blocks of ice, the last half mile or so was run with extremely numb and cold feet. I felt good, I felt strong, in fact I was feeling fantastic and I managed to bring the team home in 23rd place out of 100 or so teams. I gained a lot of confidence from that relay, and it gave me the motivation to train hard and hopefully improve with each race over the next few months.

Confederation Park Relay and a cold day in Calgary

A week or so after the relay event, Calgary had a huge dump of snow accompanied by plummeting temperatures which made running a little more difficult. Refusing to let the weather dictate things, I decided to still run home from work at least 3 times a week - a distance of just over 9 miles if taking the shortest route- and this would ensure that I got a decent run in every day rather than getting home in the dark and ending up doing a boring treadmill run or sitting on my butt with a can't be bothered attitude. 

I'm  probably one of the few people that actually prefers running in the winter months, liking nothing better than putting on my warm running gear and heading outdoors in extreme conditions to battle the elements. The reward? Coming home to a hot bath before relaxing in front of an open log fire with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book, or watching some trash on the telly.

The run home has certainly been helping, and despite it being heavy going underfoot whilst running through Fish Creek Park after work most days this past week or so, I've found it really enjoyable  and have been getting in some decent miles whilst building up a good endurance and stamina base.

Needless to say that when race 3 in the cross country series came around last weekend, I was feeling ready to put myself to the test. The weather was still cold and frosty but I felt prepared with having been training in snowy conditions for the past couple of weeks.

The course at Edworthy Park was perhaps the most enjoyable so far - lots of narrow twisty paths up and down some sharp, steep hills, some flat fast running, and some ducking and diving in the wooded area  overlooking the Bow River. The paths were still covered in snow with some patches of ice and it took considerable skill and balance to make sure you didn't take a nasty fall and go rolling down the steep edge at the side of the ridge.

The narrow paths meant getting tangled up with some of the slower runners at the start and it was difficult to overtake given the course and the conditions, but once at the bottom of the valley, I was able to stride out and overtake a few people. I was once again feeling much stronger, and for once I felt like I was able to pick up the pace although this was still on the snail side for me! Having followed a path a good way down into the valley, there would undoubtedly be a climb back up and when this came, it seemed to go on forever! I managed to run most of the way up and surprisingly for me even overtook a couple of people, but as the gradient became steeper, I finally submitted and resorted to walking about half way up. Being two laps, it meant the same hill twice, and the second time it certainly didn't get any easier!

Edworthy Park XC and 4th lady finish

I finished 52nd overall at Edworthy Park and 4th lady - to say I was chuffed is an understatment. Ok, numbers were probably down compared to the first race, but some of the ladies finishing behind me were way ahead of me about a month ago, so to me that means progress!

With so many cross country and trail races recently, I felt the need to do a road race and having spotted the Banff Winterstart 5 mile night run a few weeks ago, I decided that this was a must. Although it fell on the same day as the cross country, it didn't start until 7 in the evening, so it meant that I could actually compete in both.

Banff is about 90 minutes drive from Calgary, and with the Winterstart race starting in the town, we were already at an altitude of around  5,000 feet. The course is an out and back route that heads out of Banff and up Tunnel Mountain Road - up being the operative word, and having camped at the Tunnel  Mountain Campground several years ago, I was well aware that this would NOT be a flat race! Saying that though, I had actually entered the race for the novelty value rather than chasing a fast time, and with  no street lights and running in pitch black with just a glow stick for company, through an area renowned for the bountiful wildlife (we had already seen some huge elk on the race route an hour or so before hand, and they really were big buggers!), there was no chance that I would even consider going for a PB.

Before the start of the Banff Winterstart 5 mile Night Run Amazingly, there were 2000 runners in this event and each year it's a sell out. It was certainly an impressive sight with all those runners heading out along the road with the various coloured glow sticks, and yet despite the numbers, it wasn't particularly crowded. It was a cool, damp and breezy evening, and with being so dark, it was impossible to tell what position I was in. Normally I have a rough idea, but with lots of overtaking by myself and others, I completely lost track of things. It was also impossible to see ahead of me, and I found myself almost colliding with other runners on more than one occasion being unable to see them in the darkness! Running in the dark gives me the perception of running faster than I really am - I felt like  I was storming along but couldn't see my watch to check whether in reality I was flying or crawling - and I became more reliant on my sense of hearing rather than sight to navigate along the course,  listening out for the footsteps and breathing patterns of different runners.

Before long, we veered right and headed up Tunnel Mountain Road, and all I could see was an orange glow from the glow lamps in the middle of the road, leading runners up the hill. I couldn't actually see the road or the top of the hill where we would turn around and head back, but my legs and my breathing were indicating that we were indeed climbing. I lost all perception of time and became completely transfixed with the orange glow, almost hypnotized by it as I made my way up the hill.

I was shaken from my trance by the sound of runners on the opposite side of the road heading back down the hill, and figured that I must be near the top as it seemed like I had been climbing forever. Sure enough, a few minutes later, I saw the welcome shadows of the marshals in the darkness, and with a little shimmy at the turnaround point, I finally started my decent. I'd been running with people around me but it wasn't particularly crowded, and I figured that I must be in the top 100 as there didn't seem to be that many people ahead of me.  This became even more apparent whilst on the way back down when out of nowhere,  I  was greeted by a steady stream of glow torches heading up the other side of the road for the next mile or so.

Banff Winterstart 5 Mile Night Run - photo of the race by official photographer

Having already raced today I was concerned that I would feel fatigued from the cross country, but in actual fact I was running quite well and feeling good considering. The run back along Banff Avenue was pretty quick despite a strong headwind, and a group of us ran together and picked up the pace. The support was astounding with plenty of people standing at the kerbside as we headed back into town, with plenty of cheering and encouragement taking us all to the finish line.

My time of 36 minutes certainly wouldn't put me in the record books, but I didn't really care - I had thoroughly enjoyed the run and position wise I was 83rd overall. Following the race, there was plenty of food and drink available, including free beer, leading to a fantastic party atmosphere afterwards at the Caribou Lodge Hotel.

It's now November and as the race in Banff has indicated, winter is setting in with shorter days and longer nights. The weather in Calgary has warmed up a little since the weekend and the snow has started to melt, but there is snow once again in the forecast for later this week, and the worst of the winter weather is no doubt still to come. I'm embracing the challenge of running in the winter months, although I suspect that the treadmill will become a good friend over the coming weeks which isn't a prospect I'm looking forward to - at least during the working week anyway.  I'm already yearning for the weekend when I can hit the nearby paths and trails and thankfully, knowing that there are still races taking place despite a potentially hard winter ahead, I still feel motivated to get outside and run. I've also got my eye on a cheeky ultra early in the new year, so there's plenty of things to look forward to.        

Dog Tired .....

I consider myself one of the lucky ones in this world that has had the honour of living with and owning dogs, ever since the day I was born when we were the proud owners of a retired greyhound named Jacko. He was followed by a Manchester Terrier x Whippet named Tim who sadly left us at the tender age of 3, and then Patch, another young whippet cross that we had from Pat Wood of Animal Lifeline in Leek.

Me and Jacko - Black Rock Sands, Porthmadog 1976!

A couple of years later, I left home to work for the Youth Hostel Association in the Yorkshire Dales and Derbyshire where I spent a lot of time running and walking in the hills. I desperately missed having my own dog to walk and run with during this time and couldn't wait to get my own home where I could have as many dogs as the house would allow.

Whilst historically, my family had always had a preference for the gentle natured whippet, I had an obsession with Border Collies who came across as sturdy, obedient and intelligent dogs that needed lots of exercise - the type of dog that suited me perfectly with the amount of activities I did in the hills and mountains across the UK.

Not long after completing my final season at the YHA, I became the proud owner of Leo - a black and tan Welsh Border Collie  - and Sam, a ginger coloured Collie Cross. Both of them were absolutely brilliant dogs, and as expected, they were very obedient and well behaved around people and other animals. I spent many hours running with them, covering miles and miles of woodland trails and open moorland, enjoying that human / canine bond that only a lover of dogs can understand, and sharing our love for the great outdoors.

Me, Sam (L) and Leo (R) -
West Highland Way, Scotland  

 I had over 17 very happy years with Sam and Leo, and my only regret is that I didn't move to Canada sooner as  I'm convinced they would have felt very much at home and loved the open space.  Unfortunately, we lost both of them not long before the move, but I'm fortunate to have so many fantastic memories, and it almost feels like they are still living over in the UK and that one day, we'll meet up with them again.

Since losing Sam and Leo, we have acquired another little dog whose name is so frequently mentioned that I don't think he needs any introduction! His name is Wilson, and he came into our lives almost 2 years ago as a young pup of just 8 weeks of age. 

He was born on 19th December, the same birth date as Andy - and was described as a  Border Collie x Whippet - speed and endurance, gentle natured and  obedient - and so it was that he became a huge part of our lives.

It's funny how things are never what they seem, and had we taken greater notice of the Trade Descriptions Act, I think we would have asked for a refund! 

Wilson went from looking like a Jack Russell as a young pup, to a very leggy and skinny young pup, and as he grew, his legs kept getting longer and longer, he started to fill out a bit and ended up with a neck to rival that of Mike Tyson!

   

Short and stumpy little puppy.........

  

......to a leggy looking whippet type dog!

From an early age, he barked at other dogs and despite puppy training and assessments by a doggy behaviourist, we have never been able to curb this behaviour. Yet he's the most loving and loyal little dog anybody could wish for, although he is still quite a nervous little chap. The assessment showed that he tries to be alfa-wolf but hasn't got the confidence to take the lead, and so he pretends to be a big tough dog when really he'd scarper if anybody more than looked at him. The only time he's obedient is when he takes his toy out for a walk with him - you have his full attention and he will spend hours running backwards and forwards chasing his ball or teddy, even if surrounded by a hundred dogs!

We'd decided to have a young dog again, not only because we missed the liveliness of a youngster, but also because I'd had so much pleasure when running with Sam and Leo and I wanted to experience that feeling again. Wilson has tons of energy and I figured a good hour long run would tire him out. However, the first time I tried to run with him at about 6 month of age, he sprinted like a whippet at the race track, dragging me along with him, and barking at anything that went past - cars, bikes, people, combine harvesters - it really didn't matter. I tried it a few times, but everytime he seemed to behave in the same way, and the enjoyment of running with a dog became more stressful than anything - I just looked like an idiot with an out of control dog!

That was until earlier this week when I decided to give it another try. We'd had some heavy snow in Calgary and wanting to avoid treadmill running for as long as possible, I figured that a run on the tracks and trails around Fish Creek Park would be much more enjoyable, even though there was a good 20cm or so of snow, it was going dark, and temperatures had already plummeted to around - 7 degrees. I had a recovery run planned in and with the snow, it was going to be a slow one anyway, so I decided to take Wilson with me.

He'd already had a good walk around the local fields, but when he saw me putting on my running kit, he started to get restless and nearly knocked me to the floor when I picked up his lead and collar. He was so excited, and once out on the paths and starting to run, he was off before I'd even got my footing on the ice and snow.

The first mile or so was a nightmare. There was patchy ice that I couldn't see properly in the darkness, and I had an over excited little dog that was loving the freedom of running in the outdoors. Arse over tit came to mind on several occasions, but as we progressed, I kept telling him "steady" and he kept looking at me with a hint of understanding and slowed down whenever I said it. 

We eventually reached the proper snowy bits where we could both relax and were less likely to fall over. That's when I really started to enjoy the run! Being in the parkland area meant lots of wild smells and Wilson picked up scents on numerous occasions and tried to drag me off after some wild animals that were unseen to me in the dark, except for a herd of deer that I spotted digging in the snow and trying to find the grass beneath.  We passed a couple of other dogs too, but with a firm "leave it" from me, amazingly, he just glanced briefly and ran by without any commotion. I was gobsmacked but so proud of him.  With a lovely wet nose and looking so happy striding out beside me along the trails, it was clear that Wilson was loving this experience just as much as I was!

Me and Wilson partway through our run

We spent about 45 mins out on our first run together, and I have never seen Wilson look so content when we got back home. He cleared his dinner bowl, and then came and snuggled up next to me on the sofa and fell fast asleep, and I felt a strengthening bond growing with the young chap.

I've since been out on a couple more runs with Wilson and am absolutely loving being with him. Every time i pick up my running kit or shoes, he looks at his lead and collar as if trying to say "take me mum" and it doesn't seem right to let him down.

We are still contemplating getting a little friend for Wilson and the thought of being able to run with 2 or maybe even 3 dogs at some point is very appealing. I'd already started to get my mojo back for running since doing the Grizzly trail race the other week, but now I'm looking forward to hitting the trails and sharing them with my 4-legged friends. In the absence of Andy ever taking up running, I think I've definitely found the perfect running partner :o) 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Back in early June,  I came across a new ultra that would start in nearby Canmore - a 50km race on Rocky Mountain trails that would take place early October. I had just done the Calgary Marathon and had the urge to get back in to my ultra running, so I entered the inaugural Grizzly Ultra 50km Trail Race, and planned out my races over the next few months to ensure I was in tip top shape to run well. I was initially hoping that it would help me to be considered for selection to the GB team at the World Trail Running Championships in Anglesey next year, and along with a small amount of prize money on offer, there were enough incentives to motivate me to train hard and run well.

A month or so later, I had some exciting news and things were put on hold - I was expecting my first child in March next year - but by August I faced the devastating news that I had lost my baby which affected me physically, emotionally and mentally. The Grizzly had already become a non-starter having eased back on my running, but following this upset, I couldn't even contemplate jogging around the block let alone running 50km in the mountains.

Over the next few weeks, I felt apathetic with no motivation for anything, but thankfully  Andy and his parents were extremely supportive and helped to pull me through, whilst Wilson was an absolute God-send and cheered me up no end (it's amazing how animals can interpret your mood and do their utmost best to perk you up!)

During this time, I was still getting updates from the Grizzly organisers about how things were progressing for the race, and with each passing day, I was beginning to feel that I still wanted to be a part of it. By early  September I had made my mind up - I would start the race and just do one lap - 2 weeks later I made the decision to try and make it the whole way round. I knew I wouldn't win, I knew that I would never get selected for the GB team on my current fitness or on my performance in this race, but what I would gain from it was the opportunity to experience running on the trails in the Canadian wilderness.  And so it was that with just 2 long runs of around 16 miles under my belt since June, and with an average weekly mileage of no more than 35 miles, I found myself toeing the line at the Canmore Nordic Centre on Thanksgiving Weekend - no expectations and no race plans except to enjoy the run and to make it round in one piece so I could share my experience with others.

Race day dawned and we were greeted with a frosty -3 degrees, glorious sunshine, and a dusting of snow on the mountains overlooking Canmore. Grizzly Base Camp was buzzing with activity on arrival at the Nordic Centre and I was feeling very excited if a  little apprehensive about the next few hours. It was over a year since I did my last ultra - the Commonwealth Trail Championships in Anglesey when I represented England and had the most awful race ever. That was a similar distance, but held at sea level on a mostly flat course through Newborough Forest. I ran just over 5 hours and finished second to last - my run was so slow that the finish gantry had been taken down as I approached the finish line and everybody had gone back to their hotels - it was very disheartening and I felt like crying that day, whilst my confidence was knocked in to oblivion.

Thankfully the Grizzly would be different. For once I was doing it for me and rather than being at sea level, we were already at 4,500 feet and the route was far from flat with an elevation gain in excess of 8000' - the only similarity with Anglesey was that we would be running through the forests. I was also used to competing in ultras where I have a support crew who fed and watered me at strategic points throughout the race - today, whilst refreshments were available at the end of each of the 5 laps, we were expected to be self-sufficient. In addition, there was the threat of wildlife encounters, and the pre-race briefing warned us to be aware and on the lookout for bears, cougars, and coyotes, the latter of which had been spotted on the course during a pre-race check by the organisers around an hour or so earlier, along with several deer. With 2 bottles of energy drink, peanut butter and chocolate chip clifbars, extra clothing  and my can of bear spray tucked into my backpack, I certainly wasn't used to carrying my own stuff and having the extra weight. In a way though, it made it more exciting for me, more of an adventure, and I couldn't wait to get going.

Pre-Race and a cold and frosty morning in Canmore

 The course consisted of 5 laps;

Lap 1 Grey Wolf at 14km

Lap 2 Cougar at 12km

Lap 3 Lynx at 12km

Lap 4 Killer Bees 7km

Lap 5 Coyote 5km

With over 200 solo runners and a similar number of relay teams, I figured there would always be somebody close by, so the anxieties about a lonely bear encounter started to diminish, particularly on lap 1 where there was the sound of trampling feet for pretty much all the way. I'd started steady, was feeling really comfortable and was enjoying getting into my rhythm which I would hopefully keep going.

Midway through leg 2, I became aware that the number of runners around me was starting to dwindle - one minute there was somebody running alongside and the next, a considerable gap opened and I found myself running alone. The hills were also starting to take their toll on those around me, whilst my own legs were starting to feel heavy and tired.

The first two laps were quite similar - wide woodland trails with plenty of ups and downs, some rocky parts and fantastic views of the mountains. By the end of lap 2, I had already ran further than I had done in nearly 3 months, and with the most difficult legs still to come, I really didn't know how I would cope. My legs were starting to tire, but having spotted Andy and Wilson at the end of lap 2, it gave me a positive boost for what lay ahead.

Leg 3 was a killer and it really did knock the stuffing out of me. There was certainly variety with a very steep descent that went on forever, with plenty of twists and turns, sharp drops and steep climbs, tree roots, rocks and snow covered bridges. Heading downhill for so long meant that at some point we would have to go up, but even the warnings in the pre-race information hadn't prepared me for what was coming. By now, I really was on my own, and the only sound I was aware of was my own heavy breathing and my little bear bell jingling away on my backpack. This section was in very dense woodland with lots of blind bends and I consciously made a noise just in case some critter was lurking ahead and I startled it.  I had ran around 20 miles or so, and as I started the climb back up to base camp, fatigue really was setting in and the lack of long runs and hill work was clearly showing. This was where the mental battle overcomes the physical, where the brain is urging you onwards yet the body just wants to give up. I ended up running and walking up the hills, but then I reached what is known as coal chute and I stopped in my tracks. It was like a sheer cliff of about 200 feet, but rather than a rock face, it consisted of soft trail making it difficult to get a grip. My thighs were burning even when just walking up and I figured that if a critter fancied pouncing on me,  now would be the time as I really wouldn't be able to fight back! Amazingly, some runners were flying up that hill - and I mean runners, not people that were walking like me.

I tried to focus on just getting to the end of this leg as by then, I would only have 12km to do - a little over 7 miles, and I knew that I would most likely finish. Gritting my teeth and thinking positively, I eventually got back to base camp, grabbed some Gatorade before heading off on leg 4.

The next lap didn't get much better. Even though it was only about 4 miles, the first 2 were all up hill and again through dense forest on single track trails and very few people around. By now, I was starting to feel a little dizzy, I was getting palpitations and every time I tried to run, I just couldn't control my breathing. I remember having this feeling when I did the Swiss Alpine 78km Mountain Marathon a few years ago, the cause being altitude and dehydration, so I stopped and had a break, drank a full bottle of Gatorade to get some fluids and salts into me, and ate half a Clifbar. I managed to keep jogging and walking up the hill, and about 20 mins or so later, I felt much better and was able to put more effort into running. I was very aware of a very sore big toe and figured that it must be black by now, and as soon as I faced any downhill, my foot slipped forward in my shoe and battered my toe some more. To compensate, I scrunched up my toes which was causing my ankle to ache and my hip to tighten up due to my change in running posture. With 2 miles of uphill, this time it meant 2 miles of downhill and flat running on some quite rugged terrain, and my feet didn't half take a battering. Cursing with pain for the next half hour or so, I eventually completed my 4th lap, and with just 5km to go for lap 5, I knew now that even if I walked, I would finish the race.

Battle of the mind and body - end of lap 4 and heading off for 5th and final lap

More ups, more downs, but some amazing views greeted us on lap 5. I ended up fishing my camera out of my backpack to take some photos as it was such an outstanding view and it felt very surreal being here doing a trail race in the Rocky Mountains. For many years I have dreamt about living and running over here, but I never believed I would actually be doing it, yet here I was and I was loving it.

With views like this, the pain was definitely worth it

45 minutes after setting off on lap 5, I was heading towards the finish line of the Grizzly 50km Ultra Trail Marathon. I was elated and I felt quite emotional and so happy and relieved that I had done it. All the upset of the past few months disappeared as the realisation of what I'd just done dawned on me. Andy was there to greet me at the finish line along with Wilson and I was also so pleased to see our friend Neil from the UK and Alan Lam who had come out from Calgary to offer his support to many of his friends racing today. I collected my momento - a Grizzly beer glass that would certainly get plenty of use - and a small chocolate bear.

It had actually taken me around 5 hours 45 minutes to finish but I had finished 11th lady, 3rd in my age group and 39th overall - I really couldn't have asked for more given the lack of preparation and focus over the past few weeks.

In all honesty, prior to the race I had no idea how I would do and had so many thoughts and doubts over the preceding week. Would I finish? What pace should I run at? What fuel do I need to take on board? I ran how I felt, and because there was no pressure, it has to be the most enjoyable ultra race I have ever done. It's made me realise that ultra running is where I belong as no amount of PB's or race wins on the road have - or will - ever come close to the emotion I felt when finishing the Grizzly.  Any race is a test of one's ability to push themselves to the limit, but for me personally, I feel like I only truly test myself when I have to battle with the physical and mental side of things - when my legs are crying out in pain but I still have another 2 or 3 hours of running, when there is yet another hill ahead of me but I want so desperately to finish the race that I climb that hill as that's the way to success, even though I could just turn around and walk 400m in the opposite direction and quit. It's the risk of being out there on the trails and being addicted to that element of risk and the unknown. I also find that ultra runners, no matter what their ability, are a different breed of runner. They are very aware of their fellow competitors and look out for them. They are more outdoorsy and tend to have an adventurous spirit and positive outlook on life, they are very unassuming people that are content with life but enjoy pushing themselves to the extreme, and I can honestly say that in the 30 years that I have been racing, no matter where in the world, I have rarely felt that sense of belonging that I feel when I have competed in an ultra.

I'm now on the lookout for more ultras over here in Canada, and as I've said before, there are so many to choose from. One caught my eye earlier this year before I moved here permanently - the Iron Legs 50 miler starting from nearby Bragg Creek and taking in some 20,000 feet of climbing  - and following recommendation from Alan, this may be my main focus for next year, all things permitting. The Rocky Mountains are only a short drive away and it seems such a shame to see them every day and not get out there to explore. I'm an outdoor, happy go lucky kind of girl that likes thing tough, so why the hell not?!