Daylight Savings Time

After not running this weekend I knew I needed to get in a run early in the week. The trouble is that I work until 3:30/4:00pm and by the time I get home and changed it's getting dark, especially in the trees. I think the official time of sunset is around 4:30, so you can imagine how the blackness sets in rapidly after that.

On Monday I raced home, pulled the zips tight on my Speed Cross II and headed out toward Capilano Canyon. I didn't have my Apex headlamp on right away, but by the time I crossed the river I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. Being in the dark, I find to be quite exhilarating, particularly when I'm alone. I have to admit I get a bit scared. Not enough to stop running, but enough to get myself moving faster. Every little crack and breeze seems to create enough noise to sound like Godzilla is after me. I'm that guy running through the dark forest shouting the occasional, "HELLO!", and constantly shoulder checking to see what beastly organism is chasing me. So far nothing has ever chased me, nor have I ever seen anything, but I suppose I'm better to be cautious rather than ignorant.

I'd had a particularly ugly Monday so when I got home I found it hard not to venture to the comforts of my couch. In hindsight lacing up and trotting into the black was the best decision I made all day. After a burn in the dark I arrived home elated...high on smiles. I really needed to get out there and turn the legs over.


Last night...the Lazy Trail Runner and I hit BCMC and cruised to the top of Grouse under moonlight and headlamp; just his headlamp though, mine had died and of course I didn't figure that out until I needed it. Thank god for the reflective capabilities of snow and moonlight.

It wasn't quite dark at the start, but withing 15 minutes we needed to slow a bit and take more care with each step. Believe it or not, it was darker at the bottom. I guess the lack of snow and the angle of the suns light. Who knows? (Bottom of BCMC)

As we got further and further it became evident that Grouse had received a significant amount of snow. We overheard they got close to a foot yesterday. There was a lot, but I'm not sure about a foot.

(Top 3/4's of BCMC)

I'm loving these afternoon runs that are becoming dark while I'm out there. It just makes me feel that much more alive when I'm done. Maybe because it's snowy or maybe because there are way fewer people out. Whatever it is, it's the perfect way to enjoy daylight savings time and more fall running.

(On the deck of Grouse Chalet in Fast Wing Hoody)

One piece of fall running apparel that has been ideal for me these past few weeks is my embroidered Fast Wing Hoody. In the spring of this year Salomon sent us a Flight Crew embroidered jacket. It's a super light weight windbreaker that packs into it's own pocket. Kinda' K-Way-ish, but cooler. It manages to hold some heat in so it's perfect after a run as well, especially when downloading on the Grouse Tram. It does tend to heat up during exercise, but that's okay on those cooler days of winter. I was so glad to have my Fast Wing II yesterday. The Lazy Trail runner and I are sporting them in the pic above.

Hope you're all out there enjoying the fall and the variety of weather it's bringing us. It makes every run interesting as long as you're prepared.