Tales of Trails, Mountains and Rocky Roads

I have recently done something that has surprised me - I've stepped outside of my comfort zone and have started my own YouTube channel. Filming myself and being in front of the camera doesn't usually sit well with me, but this past week or so, I've made a couple of short videos, and I've actually found myself enjoying doing them. They're far from perfect, but given I'm a complete novice with minimal quality equipment at the minute, I'm really pleased with how they've come out. Working in media even in the hobby capacity is certainly a far cry from my role as a project manager at GE. I've always enjoyed being creative and I love writing, which is why I've kept this blog going for almost 12 years. I also enjoy making things, and I've done some pretty big latch hook projects in the past, which are sadly tucked away in a box in the basement rather than on display for all to see. In more recent years, I've become far more interested in the len...

Last weekend was probably one of the best I've had for a while. It started on Saturday morning when I headed to Edmonton with the three pups and Andy, to collect my swag for and take part in my second running event in just a week. This time it was the Turkeys on the Trail (TOTT) 10k and I was excited to have Wilson, Tillie and April joining me for the entire run. Due to Covid, it was hit and miss as to whether the TOTT would go ahead, but thanks to the amazing organisers Jess and Jay Kinsella, things went virtual which meant it was a definite go.  There are a couple of reasons as to why I was keen to do this particular event. Firstly, it is a charity event, and whilst in previous years a non-perishable food item or a turkey has been the entry fee, this year it was a monetary entry fee, with all proceeds going to the Edmonton food bank. Secondly, when I first did TOTT back in 2018, we still had our big pup Brandy, who was recovering from knee surgery at the time. That particular day...

Shortly after the Backyard Ultra, a friend posted a link to a trail race that would be taking place at Chickakoo Lake Recreation Area, with the option of competing in the solo 55km race or as a member of a relay team. Unlike all other running events this year, this would be an in-person race capped at 100 runners, and it would strictly follow Covid protocols and local public health guidelines, to ensure the event could still go ahead safely.  I desperately wanted to do the race but I wasn't sure whether I would be fully recovered from the BYU to be running a tough and hilly 55k trail race. It would also be taking place towards the end of November which increased the liklihood of freezing temperatures and deep snow which was sure to make things even more challenging. Not one to shy away from a challenge, I found myself signing up and started to look forward to the Bar-Ka-Koo Ultra and Relay :) In the days leading up to the race, we had a fair old dump of snow, and most of my run...

It's now been 5 weeks since I was laid off from work and I have been keeping myself busy updating my resume and LinkedIn profile as well as scouting the local area for jobs. I must admit that the lack of structure to my days is getting difficult and it is getting to the point where weekdays are merging with the weekends and there is no defined difference. It doesn't help that Andy has been in quarantine again and has had to keep himself locked away following his return from a business trip in Brazil. Thankfully, he has been back for over a week now and is still feeling well - only 5 and a half days until his release and we can finally resume normal life together again. Although not working at present, I am being quite disciplined in planning my days and I set aside 3 hours a day for online training courses and job searching during the week. I'm also still walking the dogs 3 times a day, the only difference being that they now go to the dog park more than once a day, and of ...

It's been over a week now since I represented Team Canada at the Backyard Ultra in Kelowna and I admit to still being a little bewildered by how well the race went for me personally. Of course, it was by no means a solo effort, and that sense of teamwork was faultless throughout the entire weekend. My original plan for October was to have a good race at the Grizzly Ultra 50km in Canmore and I was enjoying getting out on the trails in nearby Devon and the Edmonton river valley to get myself prepared. I knew I was being overly optimistic that the Grizzly would still go ahead, and it was inevitable that it too would become a victim of the Covid pandemic.  My training had been going well, I was starting to feel fit again, and when the announcement finally came that yet another race had been cancelled, I desperately needed something to fill that void. It was then that I recalled a friend asking if I had considered putting my name forward for the Canadian Team at the Backyard Ultra. ...