5 Peaks Race pics

Nothing left in the tank....


James thinking that he beat me, but was actually part of the first group that started putting him 1 min behind my finish time.


Mt. Baker in the distance from the starting line.

Race Report

The third of five, Solomon 5 Peaks races is over and it was a tough one, the hardest to date, Mt. Seymour Ski Hill was very unforgiving on a beautiful summer morning.

It started out with a long gradual downhill on a section of gravel road then changing to pavement for the first km or so, finally disappearing into a winding single track trail system where I was starting to feel at home, switching back and forth through the single track circling lakes, up and down hills for about 4 km until I start to make my way back to the starting point/parking lot, it was a long climb, wishing that it would end soon as the temperature was starting to rise. Hitting the parking lot and keeping my legs moving, the hills didn't end there, you make your way up a rocky, steep trail, working your way to the top of the Brocton Chair lift, as your lungs are burning and legs pounding, hoping that it would stop, seeming never ending. Pushing through the pain thinking that I have to be hitting the top soon, snow appearing, must be a sign that there's some downhill coming soon. Knowing I always loose ground on the ascent I always try and push the pace on the downhills and this race was no different, surprising people as I blow by them, a fellow racer at the finish questioning how I'm able to go so quickly and make up so much ground, and also wondering what I'm doing carrying an extra kilo of weight in water while I race up and down these hills.

Running through the mud and rocks, catching up to some of the races that started in group one, 1 min ahead, realizing that I am having a good race. I try and push the pace just a little more knowing that the end is near. The last little uphill takes everything that I have, crossing the finish line in 26nd position overall trying not to throw up on the volunteer as he's cutting the timing chip off my shoe.

5 Peaks number 4, Whilster BC, see you in a 4 weeks.

As promised

A few pictures for viewing from the Weekend in Whistler

(the girls at the Rim Rock)


(the men)


(the Anderson's)

Finding time

Finding some time in my life is a challenge these days, work is very busy with my project well underway and the move to Richmond from Downtown, I miss downtown already but can focus much better on site in Richmond. The location is actually pretty good, with the Richmond Oval being my neighbour to the east the Fraser River to the north, and I still get to see the North Shore Mountains on a clear day, they are just a little farther than before, an extra 30 min bike ride. I can't be bothered sitting in my car at idle on my commute home, I would much rather enjoy the scenery of the Cypress Street Bike Path, with my legs propelling me, especially since summer is in full swing.

My life, the past few weeks;

A best friends wedding in Whistler, an amazing weekend with the reception being at the Rim Rock, the food is unbelievable. Starting with foygras, the main course being duck, amazing.... with a little bit of drinking involved... Not in the best of shape the next morning but that was expected....pictures to follow...

Still trying to fit in the required training for my upcoming races, along with a 30k run last Sunday, which I thought might be a little long, which proved correct while I was trying to make my way home... thank god for those snickers bars my wife gave me a few days before which I luckily decided to to save for my long run...

And here I am with the 3rd of 5, 5 Peaks races, this one being at Seymour mountain, hard to say how this one will turn out, my legs trying to get used to the 1 hr of daily cycling, finding it hard to transition from cycling to running as I found last night taking a small stroll around the neighbourhood, and struggling through my 30 min run.... tonight's mile repeats will tell the tale for what is to come this Saturdays race.....

Painfully Fun Race Report

The Seek the Peak race/fundraiser was an enjoyable race in a masochistic way. The Weather was perfect, a little cool to start but the body warmed up quickly as you found yourself winding through the trails along Capillano River, a beautiful trail and a first for me. I always find myself starting out to fast and hard, usually paying for a faster pace in the last KM's and was hoping to avoid that in this race. As it was a funny start, everyone standing around chatting and the announcer standing on the back of a truck 100 feet from the start line blowing a horn and yelling GO! GO! GO!, and finally we were off as everyone finally clued in to what was happening. As the trail was rolling up and down and finally a continuous upstream you pop out of the trail system at Cleveland Dam park and onto the long arduous run up Capillano Rd Hill to the start of the Grind. I felt OK at this point even though I'm still working on my uphill running, (keep the legs moving)is what I tell myself, better at running downhills. I tried pushing myself up the grind but didn't feel the greatest and still trying to take in fluids and gels to wake my legs up.... at the 3/4 mark my legs finally felt ok, thinking the uphill is over with at this point, so I thought/hoped, was I mistaken. At the top of the grind I found myself running along the fire road up to the top of the ski run, steeper and looser than expected, as guys and gals were blowing by me going downhill to the finish line, wishing I was in there shoes heading down hill instead of up. As I was trying to find the energy in my legs to make to the top, which I had no idea of it's location, it just seemed never ending. Finally turning the corner I could see the end of the hill. Running up the last little incline, happy to be done with the climbing and hoping to catch some of the cautious descenders as I let my legs do the running, a few sketchy sections with the loose rock and the very steep incline making it a difficult decent, trying to keep it together. Saying hello to the bears as I pass knowing that I am nearing the finish line I'm in good spirits, through the line and straight to the Powerade, water, fruit, candy stations to refuel as I was borderline muscle cramping. Happy with my overall time and meeting my wife in the chalet after her 2 time grind climb as she was waiting for me to finish. It was cold at the top, no sun and the clouds were low in the mountains, grabbing a quick coffee from Salt Spring Coffee after stuffing my face with all the other free food and beverages, one of my favorite parts of racing, and off to catch the next tram down before we cathc frostbite.

Thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors for a great race.

And obviously for a great cause for Breast Cancer Awareness.

See you next year

I've decided to run the Seek to Peak race on Sunday, I think I might be taking this new found love borderline addiction to Trail Running/Racing a little far as I am finding that my training is being put on the back burner since my time is being spent resting in preparation for racing.