Training Run — Sunday, May 2, 2004
Grouse Mountain to Mountain Highway Return, 14 Km
It was sure great to get out and start the training for our 16th Knee Knacker season. I was more than ready to get back on the trails and was very much looking forward to seeing old friends again and making new ones. We had a great turnout for the first day. There were at least 25 energetic runners and I’m sure we were all glad the weather had finally cooled down from quite a hot week. Although it was muggy and the entire run was through the mist, the weather was very nice over all and the trail was dry.
Glenn Pacé and I gave a few pointers about our training and answered questions. Glenn is our lead trail coordinator for this year. He is on the look out for race sweepers and marshals so please help him to fill all those very important spots for race day. (Please send your e-mails to me for this at volunteers@kneeknacker.com). Also, Glenn will be “leading” many of the training runs as opposed to some of us that will be sweeping the runs. Glenn is an accomplished trail runner so feel free to challenge him with extra distance or just bug him with questions about what it takes to have a great race day.
I asked all the non-race participants to sign a waiver this year for our insurance needs. We will be doing this at the start of each training run but you only need to do it once for the season. If you’re entered in the race then you’ve already signed the waiver indicating your understanding of the dangers.
Although most of the people at the training run had been on this section of trail before, we still had many people going off track. This is a well marked section of the Baden Powell Trail but there are also lots of feeder trails. Please be sure to follow the square and triangular orange metal markers. The triangular ones usually have “BP” stamped on them and the square ones are large (about 2”) but just plain orange. And please do your best to stay with someone that knows the trail. Even though it is well used and well marked, there are many confusing turns and twists.
For good measure, a few of us scampered up the Grouse Grind at the end of the run. Laddie put on her best smile and let me chase her to the ¼ mark but I know that Glenn, Tracy and others went on further (to the top I’m sure). Doing a hill climb at the end of your run is a great challenge but also an excellent way to build muscle for those tough sections. Just remember that our Sunday runs are supposed to be slow and easy so take your time and stay healthy.
I’m expecting a much larger turnout next Sunday now that the Vancouver Marathon is over. We could easily have 40 or 50 people so please be sure to show up on time and get those waivers signed. Bring your questions and encouraging attitudes (as always) and invite others to join you to see what truly great trail running is all about.
We’ll see you next Sunday at Grouse Mountain for another out and back but this time into Lynn Canyon. Meeting time is 8:00 am.
Craig Moore
trainingruns@kneeknacker.com
