Sunday, October 11, 2009

Falling Down for Hallow's Eve Half Marathon

No, I haven't fallen down! Not recently anyhow. I'm just in awe of the fall colours and beautiful runs. Blue sky, crisp mornings, crackling, orange and yellow leaves, and frost on bridges. There's nothing better than sleeping under warm sheets when the air is cool around you. When you step out of bed it's only for a coffee and a run.

Nine of us grouped up this morning for the first of two Hallow's Eve Half Marathon orientation runs. We met at Jaycee House for 8:30 am to be ditched by Pete Watson. Apparently it was too cold for Mr. Watson and he was n't willing to strip off his puffy blue jacket and entertain us over the next 15 kilometers. Heart-ache aside, the nine of us got over it and set off up through the cemetery and into the forest. After bounding through the rooty and windy forest start, we linked up with Baden Powell and dropped into Lynn Canyon to begin the long climb up to the first switch back of Mountain Highway. This course, although gorgeous with coloured leaves and fun technical trail, is basically a long climb up, and then a long, fast run down. The best parts being off Mountain Highway on Griffin and Snakes and Ladders. People really get flying down there and a shoe with solid grip, and lugs, like Salomon's Speed Cross 2, is a must.

Our group, quasi-led by Duncan and me, cruised easy up the many staircases, had some riveting conversation on topics such as Obama's recent Nobel Peace Prize, and enjoyed the morning. We ran most of the race course ,aside from short Lynn Loop, a six kilometer section of turn over, a steep climb, and more sketchy, fast downhill.

It was a perfect fall running morning on the Shore and thanks to everyone who came out. I hope you're all planning on running the race on October 25th. That goes to anyone who might be reading this. If you're looking for an end of season race with a bunch of costumed freaks, come on out. It's 21k and quite a competitive field. Check out Hallow's Eve Half Marathon and hopefully we'll see you out there.

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