It's been busy times since my whirlwind of travels and finishing up all major races for 2010. Great to be home and enjoying all things local. Here are just a few quick tid-bits on things:
I got so excited to be home for a weekend finally that I just wanted to get out and support a few local events that were happening. Last Saturday I drove up to Whistler to participate in the Run for Fun Foodbank Fundraiser 5km. Despite a near heart attack on the race course and the pure realization that I am not sprinter material, I enjoyed my old run around the Whistler golf course route. Some of BC's Nordic athletes kept the pressure on me to just keep pushing (yes, I was tapped out.) When did I last do speed work? Hmmmm.....ummm, May I think it was!
Then Saturday I went down to check out the Hallowe's Eve 1/2 Marathon on the north shore. Always get out to run some of the wet and rugged trails in the Vancouver area. Lots of speedsters on the line but it was all good. I finished 3rd female overall and was just fine with that. I didn't have the competitive drive in me right from the start but rather, thought it would be good just to get some miles in on the trails with a bunch of other runners. Heart rate was a little too high for my liking and I felt like crap all day Monday. Laura thankfully fixed me up with a great massage (she continues to save me time after time.)
Yesterday I flew to Toronto for a speaking engagement at the Ontario Land Trust Alliance conference in Peterborough. I presented on a topic that I call "Lessons from the Bucket List." Always great to share experiences that have come from the past 9 years of adventures. I was so fortunate to get to re-unite with some old friends and meet some incredible people. Just I have so much passion for exploring the world via outdoor pursuits, so do these people for the lands and areas that they work hard to protect and conserve. It was a reciprocal kind of inspiration! Way too quick of a trip though.....I fly home today but managed a quick exploration run around High Park this morning.
I'm starting to think about 2011 - please email me with "amazing races that you just have to do once in your life" suggestions!!! I'd love some suggestions. In the mean time, 14 of us are busy prepping for the TCC Costa Rica race end of January. Sunshine here we come - can't wait!
