Melissa's: I am IN

A few weeks ago I received a flier in the mail for Melissa’s Road Race.

It is a very popular race that sells out quickly. I decided that while I had a great race last year I would not do it again. And then I got the flier. After I tossed it out...I started thinking.

For those who know me. They know I LOOOOOVE to think and then overthink. Haha.

Then last Tuesday, registration day came. And at 6 pm after a quick chat with Crystal, I signed up.

So why the hesitation?? Let’s Back track a sec. 

Melissa’s is a very popular race in Banff National Park. Registration is capped, since it is in a national park space. A lot of Alberta runners love it....it’s a nice time of year (though can be cool up in the mountains). It has two distances – 10km and 22km. Though in past years the longer distance has varied – due to Bears on course or aggressive moose, or construction.

In 2010, I ran the 10km. I was heavy. Probably about 2010 pounds. It was hard but I got thru it. I was just starting to do longer distances. And after running 10k in jsut under 1:25, I vowed to get in fighting shape!

 In 2011 I ran the 22km, which was shorter due to construction. GONG SHOW! I was pissy about the poorly organized water stations. Seriously handing me a communal jug of water to take a swig outta at about 12km into a race doesn’t cut the muster. you know...And on a warm day, I think there should be more than 2 water stations. It taught me to bring my OWN hydration!

There was poor directional signs and last minute changes and poor course markings it was no where near 22km. I think it might have been something like 20km. After the race, I swore I would never do it again. All this despite this race standing as a personal best. But they never adjusted thee actual distance, so I cannot say I did a half mara in under 2 hours.Cause it wasn't really a half. 

I took 2012, I broke it off with Melissa.

And then in 2013, I ran the 10km at Melissa's. I don't recall WHY I thought I would give the 10km another go. Probably because I wanted to prove to myself that I could conquer that hill. And It was GREAT. It was not a PB, but I ran it almost 20 minutes FASTER than 2010. 

HELLS YEH! 

Since Melissa's in September, I have not had THAT same kind of race. No. Wait. The Banff Ekiden Relay in October was that kinda race! Apparently there is something about running in Banff ♥

But even still I thought that if I did in 2014 I would do the 10km again...still wasn't cool with the 22km. it's not the distance, but the race organization itself.  

So on Tuesday, I clicked. I was was...aw hell. Why NOT?? Maybe it needs another chance. Aaaaannnd...the half doesnt have much for hills :-)

And...c'mon!!! This is a GORGEOUS place to run! 

And I am excited to do it. The website says 21k. So I guess we shall see how far it really is. Looking forward to next fall! 

More Yeti Fun in Nose Hill Park

Yesterday was another Yeti Race. Had so much at the last Yeti race, I decided I had to do another

A few weeks ago the second race got cancelled due to lack of so. Can't really snowshoe on bare paths can you? So we patiently awaited the third snowshoe race. And then we got a Chinook. Temperatures soard and snow melted FAST.

So the organizers were awesome enough to send out an email telling us to bring crampons. OR if we didn't have them they would provide them for us to use.

So we get to Nose Hill Park which is a great running area - if you like to feel like you are getting off the road. You on't see many houses...and its like you are not in the city at all!

We arrive. And holy hell it's windy. So how windy you ask?

Yup windy!! As in winds gusting somewhere between 70-90 km per hour!

My friend Trevor took this vid (and those pics of ME on the blog today!) 

It was a small race, not near as spectacular as the splashy Vancouver Yeti Races are.

I like to think we might be small, but we are mighty in spirit! And we make due with what we have.

No electricity at this park. But hey...we are here to run!

My friend Tara comes to find me an I run into Lindsey! 

We pick up our bibs, our Hillsound Equipment  Microcrampons ...and go off brave the elements! 

 And off we go to the start! 

We are not running on any of the gravel pathways, but on the grassy areas that have snow packed trails. 

There is snow, but just not enough for the snowshoes. As we get moving in that first kilometre I notice the crampons give an AMAZING grip. As we head down into the first valley over some uneven ground and I start to get settled. My pace isn't as steady as it is on the pathways, but this is super fun, and it great to just be outside in nice nice temps. It is sitting at about 5C - but the wind makes it chilly. Glad I have my fav windbreaker on today!! We have a super steep part which lead to a skating rink. Wicked. Can you say photo opp? As we are looping around it, Tara says, let me take your pic!

Woohoo some single track...but there isn't a real path to be had as there is a lot more snow in this area.

We wind around a fair bit and begin the climb back up to get to the start area for a second loop. As we climb we loop past a wood teepee where a couple of us stop and take pics for each other!

Then we climb back up and loop around again to get to the start area to start the loop all over! 

It was a great run and a hellova workout! It was more like a trail run with a little slip and slide over some of the snowy parts. And a core workout trying to stay upright in the nasty wind gusts!

The second loop is tough going, but feels great. It's a lot of effort to slug through the snow and the climbs are tough. But I love the workout. And I love having no music. I am sorta hating the wind tho...

As we approach the finish there is a steep climb but then there is a great flat stretch to push and burn! 

Wooohooo! Afterwards we had some hot chocolate and won a few pries! I got a water bottle some chews and a buff! We had a lot of fun afterwards staying warm and got some great pics.

Oh and one of the best parts is when your pal wins 

the big prize of 15 6-packs of beer (and shares with you) ! 

Thanks to Jordan Bryden and TriIt Multisport for organizing the Calgary Yeti Races! 

He and his team have awesome spirit and have put on two great events! 

I say we need one more Yeti!!! Don't you think? 

Small race! Mighty in spirit! 

Hypo Half.

It was so bloody cold all week. The last few weeks. WHAT was I thinking?

oh I know...It won't be THAT cold...nooooooo. But it was. It was -26C (That's a balmy -15F).

Oh Joy.

Now that temp would be fine to stay inside and "chill"...but instead...I forged out to run a half marathon.

Yup. Good Gawd. 

Oh Hypothermic Half. What an appropriate name...
I  got up extra early to eat, ASSess the temps (somehow in my wee little mind I kept thinking it would warm up) and get my layers on. It seemed NOT so bad when I got out to start my car. I figured a sparkle athletic skirt would add some sass too!


Then once I parked and had to walk several minutes to the race start I realized it was hella freezing out there. REALLY FreezIng! ack. The walk over was slippy. And Cold. Did I say cold???

Press ON!!


As I arrived and headed straight inside to stay warm with the rest of the runners. Immediately I see Sue and Kev. And right about that same time Cori comes racing over. I think all three of us practically shouted, "Who's  @#$@#$% idea was this?"  Then my friend Tara (who was WALKING the course) came up! Much laughter and photos ensued. And bitching and whining.

And giving mother nature the finger.

And then we headed out. I know you are wishing you are with us....

Or right this is a race recap. sigh. 

I could have titled it my slowest half ever. Or THE PW (personal worst). But that wouldn't be very positive would it? Nor would it to bring up the cold again. It was COLD. 

This race is a gamble. Its a bad time of year. Sometimes its lovely and warm (well still winter but close to 0C). And then other times its deep freeze weather. you never know what you will get. And crazy enough it sells out VERY fast. 

So. I'm here. Let's do it. Enough Bitching. We get going. At first it is a gong show with a ton of us on ONE sidewalk. So we are all shuffling along. And even that is a tad slick. We all start together. Slow and easy. the goal (for me) is to finish and not die frozen in a hep on the course. I think that is a good goal. I figure that is isn't snowing so it cannot be worse than that Hypo Half I did in Edmonton when it snowed 16cm. And I ran reaaaaaaal slow. 

Cori Sue and I start together. The map I saw outlined the route. Head out west, then back to Fort Calgary for brunch. As we were running we are directed to turn EAST. We all look at each other and say...no why are we going this way. But Why would people at the back of the pack  be right when EVERYONE else was headed the way that I KNOW the map didn't outline. 

Slow and steady we keep going. Sue pulls ahead. Cori and I decide to stay back. By the first walk break it is evident that our GPS is WAY off what the course markers say. Shades of Chestemere's Loop around the Lake (I think Cori mentioned that several times as did I...no we aren't bitter. nooooo) Cori an I aren't impressed. We are seriously off. This race had BETTER smarten up.

We take a few more pics giving mother nature the finger and Cori's phone dies at the 7km mark. I think at the 8km I snapped this on the bridge...we look so happy. NOT. 

That was the last of the shelter really. We cross that Crowchild bridge and man...the wind picks up. VILE it is cold and we feel it. We also wonder where the hell is a water station. We do have water...but both our damn  bottles have FROZE. There are a few volunteers out  cheering, but not many. So on we forge. The goal is to just finish. But 

Just a kilometre before the turnaround Cori runs ahead to get in the bathroom! Sue passes me saying the turnaround is jsut ahead. And then I see Cori. And, I do something I have never done in a race. I say EFF THIS ant turn around to join her. I already know that I am WELL past the halfway mark and that I will get in 21.2km...so I do not care to run up to the the water station. 

We ran together for a bit, but I was not running well at all. Cori pulled ahead just before Crowchild. And when I got there there was signage that was lying on its side. Do I go left. Do I go right. Stupidly I go right. And realize that I shouldn't have. So I come back and wipe out (HARD) on the down hill trying to get back on the path. SO I keep going. and figure at next bridge I will double back over.  Because now I see not one sign. (it's OK...apparently I didnt miss anything since there wasn't a single volunteer or very few signs - or blown over signs on the other side of the river). 

So at 14st I whip across the bridge and am back on the path. I do not see any signs. I hook up with a pair of runners very unhappy about lack of volunteers and signage. 

I keep running. It is clear that running to the zoo will make this a 23km route for me (thanks to my stupid wrong turn). I keep questioning the route? I see NO signs. And again...I see something. its a sign NEEAAR the bridge. oh really??? so veer right? Or straight? Last time I went with gut and went wrong. Sooo. I ignore gut and turn. And again no signage. But I think I have to be right. There is only about a kilometre left to what I THINK is the finish. And I will be well over 21.1km on my watch.  SO am I wrong. I am I disillusional? Am I seeing a mirage? Am I falling into that sleepy zone people who die in snowbanks experience? OK fine. Sightly ovedramaaaaaatic. But you get the picture. 

So I keep on the pathway and and follow the path to the path up back into Englewood. As i come up to the bridge I see Cori. And fully realize I created my own course the past 7km. FRIG. 

But I have run almost 22km. And frankly that is worth something. We race to finish.  And run into Sophia! I think we both warned her NOT to turn east at the start!! ha! 

Then we RACE inside to the bathroom. Poor Cori was about to burst! 

And when we get into the bathroom only one stall is available.

oh look! Our own Sochi bathroom!! Wohoo Olympic Spirit! 

Kev, Tara, Cori, Sue and I all had personal worst times. 

But as Sue says We Bloody Did IT! (she may have cursed too!). Something to be proud of. 

We got our brunches. And then had to go up two flights of stairs (Cruel Punishment for after a half don't you think?) to the dining lounge. Had a great time laughing about the race. And me getting lost wiping out and well really buggering up the race.

Brunch was delish! Tea was EVEN BETTER!
Thanks to Sue for the Photo! 

Yup. We conquered the cold. Managed to muddle thru with PWs (never to be repeated) 

and survived icy brutal paths and lack of water stations (a bit of an unforgiveable error for me). 

Isn't it funny how the after pics make ANY race look fun and more fab 

than the actual misery of the 'bad' race? 

I don't think I might not be doing another winter race soon. 

Oh wait. 

I am signed up for a I have a half marathon March  22nd. 

(yes. it's ok if you call me batshit crazy!)

My Rock 'n Blogger News

I thought I had announced this before...but I guess I never did make it OFFICIAL!

I am pretty hot-diggity-damn excited to be doing a wee bit of travel in 2014 for a couple halfmarathons. I have only done one American run (Run To The Pub in Bozeman, MT last March) and one other race outside of Alberta (Okanagan Marathon - Half - in 2012).

But this year I  will be off to VANCOUVER!!! One of my favourite cities. I will go out in May for the BMO Marathon to run a half on my birthday weekend.

AND then again in October. And, part of THAT fab news is that I have been invited to officially rock n' blog for the inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Oasis Vancouver Half Marathon & Cunningham Seawall 10k! I have been wanting to do an RnR race for a few years..so stoked this will be MY inaugural race too!

The news came out a while back...and I guess I forgot to officially announce it! 

I am super excited to meet some bloggers I have had the pleasure of 'getting to know' online the past couple years. It is kind of cool that these fab ladies are also part of the #RNRVAN Rock 'n Blog team: 

Nicole @ Nicolevanzanten.com

Krista @ Read.Bake.Run.Repeat

 Nikki @ Slow is the New Fast

There are a lot of cool bloggers who are part of the RnR team...so maybe some of their fabulousness will rub off on me, too! 

 I really was thrilled to see my profile up on the rock 'n blog site! 

WOOTIE! 

Now to figure out an amazeballs costume...it is rather close to Hallowe'en....

I figure there is a superhero sparkle theme going to happen! 

GUESS WHICH SUPERHERO!!  

STAY TUNED for more deets. 

To keep track of all the latest Rock 'n' Roll Vancouver news, 

make sure to like them on Facebook  or follow along @RunRocknRoll on Twitter! 

Wordless Wednesday: #beastmode

Cold Weather Runners Are BEASTS

Canadian Grrls Kick Ass!

COLD Weather Running. As in sub-ZERO.

With all the awesome winter weather we have been having, I have been struggling with getting out there for a run. Or getting out there for a long enough run. 

It might be pretty...but it's cold!
 ♥ Good ol Canadian Winters ♥

Motivation is hard when it's slippery. It's snowy. It can be icy. Dangerous... wah wah! It's cold...it is hard to log miles. 

How cold? 

I mean cold. I don't mean having to wear capris and long sleeves out  for a long run (no offence to you in warmer climates..but THAT ain't cold!). 

I mean deep freeze. 

As in 'I just ran a half marathon in -26C (-15F)' ... yes THAT cold. 

So with that I thought I would give a little bit of advice (or my opinion) on WHAT the heck to wear to brave the cold! This topic has been done to death...but sometimes I find you need a cold weather expert to wade in on this topic!

What makes ME an expert, you ask? 

This photo. HA! No really... this info is solely based on being Canadian, reading numerous articles ... and well, living on the Canadian prairies for most of my life. I hope some of it helps you! OR gives you a laugh.

LAYER. Remember this basic rule: wear a base layer, insulating layer and make the top layer windproof. Find a brand you love. Make sure it wicks..cause you do sweat. Depending on how cold it is you may need to add a layer. Sometimes I wear a jacket AND then put my windbreaker over that.

COVER UP! We Canadians know that some days our skin needs to be covered. Frostbite HURTS! Cover your ears, hands, wrists, ankles and neck. We learn early that up to 50% of body heat is lost through the head.  Wear a balaclava or toque to keep warm. Mittens are warmer than gloves. On a really cold day, I wear mitts over my gloves! You can't freeze your lungs in sub-zero weather.  The body warms the air before it enters the lungs. Some people like a face mask to help help warm the air.

SLOW DOWN. Shorten your stride to improve footing on icy roads. Wear trail shoes, yak trax, or ice grips over the soles of your shoes for greater traction. Speed work is best one on a track...at least where I live! Take corners and turnarounds slowly. 

WARM UP! In cold temperatures take a bit of time to warm up properly, start your runs at a comfortable pace and slowly build up the pace to a pace slower than your normal training pace.

THERMALS? That's up to you...If I am out for 2 hours, I will put on long underwear under my warmest pants. OR if it is really windy, then on go the wind stopper pants. I like wool socks all year round. Find thermals socks if you find your feet get cold.

LUBE UP! Protect your face (ears an nose especially) from the elements with vaseline or face balm. My fav (year round) is Kiehl's Cross-Terrain UV Face Protector! And keep your lips covered with your fav chapstick or moisturizer?  

HYDRATE. You need water. This can be a challenge if you are out longer than 2 hours. Ever had your water freeze? It sucks! Wear your water bottle under your jacket to keep it from freezing. Put HOT water in your bottle or pack. 

It is hard to get out there, but with the help of friends you CAN keep focussed. 

I am trying to remember that...with a marathon coming in just 16 short weeks I have to get out there snow, rain, or shine! 

 It really does make the "I don't wanna run in the cold" a LOT more fun. 

 Suffer in numbers! 

 And then revel in the accomplishment! 

And...most of all...know when to say it is JUST to dangerous to run. I pull the plug at around at -40 (the point where Celsius and Fahrenheit meet!)

 I call that at -40 (the point where Celsius and Fahrenheit meet!)

And sometimes a few degrees warmer than that. Warmer. HA. get it??? 

Do you treadmill throughout the winter? 

Or, do you brave the elements?

What is your fav or least fav part of winter running?

When do you say 'uncle' to mothernature?