Adventure Week - Adventure Wednesday June 25th 2014

Running 12K - Birthday Party - Skateboarding - Biking 30K

This past week has been crazy and very complicated but I still managed to do something for Adventure Wednesday! Usually we try to do something new every Wednesday but this week was a bit different! 

Last week started with a 12K run from downtown Calgary to Oakridge! First long run since I did my first half marathon! I love and enjoy running with my dear friend Michelle!

Peace, Love & Running!

On Tuesday evening I went back home to go back to work on Wednesday! "AdventureWednesday" was a bit different this week! It was Georgia's birthday and we surprised her with a chocolate strawberry cake! After celebrating at our place for a bit we decided to go to Banff for dinner and some dancing! Dinner was delicious and a lot of fun! I bet Georgia won't forget her first Birthday in Canada! 

Happy Birthday Georgia

Because of the Birthday surprise we didn't really had an Adventure Wednesday so we decided to try Skateboarding on Thursday after work! Well I must say Skateboarding is harder than it looks! I did have a lot of fun though! I had protection for my hands and knees but thought I didn't needed anything for my elbows! Well now you can guess what I fell on when I slipped of my skateboard! Hahaha ... Should have seen that coming! 

Rollerblading & Skateboarding - Sooo much fun!

After all that action I was looking forward to Friday afternoon to do NOTHING at all! On Saturday I came back to Calgary after work! I'm going to stay in Calgary for about two weeks - looking for rainbows & unicorns :)

Today was another nice Adventure! My friend Michelle and I went for a 30K bike ride through Fish Creek Park into Cranston! What a lovely week! After all the "bad" news last week I really needed some time away! Thanks to all my friends that made this past week special in so many ways!

Lovely bike ride in Calgary

I'm very grateful for my friend who keeps me on my feet and supports me in everything I do! I love you girl (you know who you are)

Not sure what the next Adventure Wednesday will bring - but I am ready for anything :)

Climbing - Adventure Wednesday June 18th, 2014

Climbing At Elevation Place In Canmore

Wooohooo what an amazing Adventure Wednesday. The weather wasn't so good this week so we decided to try out climbing at the elevation place. Well that was fun. I've actually never been to the elevation place before but really love it. The last time I went climbing was 2001 I think! I am very happy we went today.

We took a little tour around the climbing-gym and then tried the Clip In Trublue! Just clip in and start climbing. It's all mechanical and when you are done just let go and slowly descent to the bottom. Well I must say ... Depending on a machine and then letting go was very scary for me. After a couple of times I got it and had so much fun! First 3 photos is me ... starting to climb ... up up I go and ... I am on my way down.

 

Can you see the blue line behind me in the next photos? Georgia and I wanted to try climbing before deciding if we like it enough to do it again. Because we didn't take the course to hold each other, we were only allowed to climb to the blue line (without a robe) or just the clip in's. The next photos show me just having a blast and hanging around, lol. Really fun but also hard on your hands and arms.

   

As usual I spent my Adventure Wednesday with Georgia. As you can see in the photos below she had as much fun as I had. We did climb beside each other in the beginning & then started to take turns when our hands needed a break. We watched some of the other climbers while having a sip of water and while trying to give our hands a little rest.

We are planning to go climbing once a week and are probably taking the course to support each other to be able to climb even higher. I loved the atmosphere at the elevation place. Everyone is very friendly and supportive. Someone showed us how to make it easier to climb. Georgia posted a video to my FB timeline. It was harder than it looks. Hope you enjoy!

Another Amazing Adventure Wednesday!!

Sulpher Mountain - Adventure Wednesday June 11th 2014

Sulpher Mountain

The plan for last weeks Wednesday was to go kayaking in Banff. We decided to take a bus later than usual which made us 10 min to late to rent a kayak on that day. Well Adventure Wednesday was still on so we changed our plans quickly and went to the Gondola in Banff up the Sulphur Mountain! Have you ever been up there? Isn't it just stunning?

No kayaking meant enough time to go on a little hike from downtown Banff to the Gondola. We walked through the forest for a while and then along the street for the last couple of meters.

 Hike through the forest to Banff Gondola

It takes about eight-minute to the top of Sulphur Mountain, elevation 7,486 feet. The view is incredible and breathtaking. At the summit you can stroll along the Banff Skywalk to Sanson's Peak Meteorological Station or just take in the view from the restaurant's observation deck. I also love to just find a nice spot to enjoy the sun on my skin.

Being one with nature!

I could sit like thid for hours. What an amazing view. We spent close to 3hours up there. We had a fantastic time! Here are a few photo.

Incredible view at the top of Sulphur Mountain!

Being silly and having fun!

At Sanson's Peak Meteorological Station

I think that's it for this weeks blog. Not sure what is the plan for next Wednesday but I'm looking forward to whatever we do! I am glad though that I am able to take a few days to relax and do nothing (not much). This past week has been "crazy". We did yoga and a fitness workout on Tuesday - Hike and Gondola on Wednesday and just in case I wasn't sore enough - Georgia signed us up for white water rafting on Thursday. Oh my!! I must say - first yoga lesson was harder than running my first half marathon. I did have a blast this past week though. It was fun and something new. I was a little scared of white water rafting but loved it. Will definitely do it again! One last question! Does anyone have any suggestions for Adventure Wednesdays??

Your questions - my answers!

Some people must think we runners are all crazy - Signing up for an event to run/walk 5K/10K/21.1K/42.2K/50K for pure pleasure. Who never signed up for a race has no idea what they are talking about. 

Here are a few answers to why I do what I do.

Why do I run?

To free my mind -To forget my surroundings for a while - To be one with nature.

Here is a photo I created with some more answers!!

When I run the world around me becomes quiet. It's just me, the trail/track/route and nature!

Here is a question for YOU! Why don't you run?

Isn't it to hot or cold outside to run?

Well you always can choose to run inside in a gym BUT I think if you are dressed right it will never be to hot or to cold for a run.  I love running when it is warm to enjoy a nice breeze and the warm sun on my skin. I also love running through Winter Wonderland. Everything looks like it is covered in a white blanket. Absolutely beautiful.

 

Why are you still running after you were injured?

Well good question. I still love running. I love being part of the running community. If we all would stop doing things after we got injured we all wouldn't do anything anymore. I seem to have more problems with my body if I don't exercise. I can feel if I take a break from being active for to long.

Running is fun? 

Yes I think running is fun. Running makes me happy. You can make every run fun and special. Run with friends. Change your route! Sign up for a race and dress up! Run for a good cause!

 

Totally Fun!!

These are questions I got after I finished my first half marathon!

Did you win??

I must say - I do not run to win! I don't care if I am the last person to cross the finish line. I am a winner just because I do cross the finish line - no matter what place.

What place did you finish?

I actually don't like this question. As I said before I don't care what place. All I care about is having a great time and that I finish my race. We were 15,000 runners on June 1st and for me it doesn't matter so much what place I finish - for me it's more special to be part of such an big and amazing event.

Did you run your half marathon without a break?

I did take breaks - I followed a 2:30 race bunny which ran 10min and walked 1min ... All I have to say to this question is - Please sign up for your first half marathon and let me know if you were able to run 21.1K without a break!!

How were your knees? (Had knee surgery Nov. 2013)

My knees are doing fine. Thanks for asking. Even if my knees would case me any trouble - nobody ever said I can't walk parts of my half marathon or any other run for that matter.

Were you fast?

Define fast? Well I was faster than if I would be sitting at home watching TV. Every runner is different. I run because I love it and not to compete with other runners. If you run for example twice a 10K then you can say - yes I was faster at the second 10K race that I did ... but I think you can't say you are fast if you do something for the first time. Running 5K/10K/21.1K/42.2K for the first time - I think all you think about is finishing.

How did/do you feel?

I felt and still feel pretty amazing. It is an incredible feeling to be among all these other runners. It is an incredible feeling to be part of something so special. It is an incredible feeling to cross the finish line. I always get very emotional during a race and especially after a race. After my first half marathon on June 1st I felt like doing a HAPPY dance :)

Happy Dance!!

If you have anymore questions please let me know.

I'm A Half Marathoner Now

What a fantastic day!!

Today is already the 10th of June and I still can't believe I am a half marathoner!

I was part of the Calgary Marathons 50th Anniversary 2014 with 14,999 other runners! Wow, how awesome is that? Congratulations to everyone! We all are amaaaazing :) 

50th Anniversary 2014

It all started with an very very early morning! I must say I'm so not a morning person but June 1st I felt awesome waking up at 4:30am to get ready and to meet my friend Michelle at her house around 5:15am. We left right after that and met up with Keith at the Southland Station. I loved seeing all the Calgary Marathon runners on the C-train. It's amazing to be a part of the running community!

Here are a few photos before the big race began!

 Quick taking some photos before the place gets crowded with all the amazing runners.

 "15,000" runners waiting for the race to start!

 

And off we go!! I ran my first 3K with Michelle and Keith together. After that I tried to follow my 2:30 race bunny. She was awesome and had a fantastic pace. I did so well that I was surprised when I saw the 14K sign. Unbelievable!! I already did more than half and still felt like I just started running. Wow! Amazing feeling! Around 15K I decided to take a few photos along my run. I wanted to enjoy the view and make some memoriable moments. 

Whaaat? 14K already? Awesome moment!

Wherever you look - half marathoner everywhere!

 

Unfortunately I lost my race bunny at that moment but did well by myself in the middle of all the other half marathoners. At the 17K mark I hit the wall - my legs got really heavy and I took a longer walk break. At K18 I got some of my energy back and pushed myself to the finish. 

Last little hill! We can do this!

These were the longest 500 meters ever ...

My goal was to finish my first half marathon in 2:30 but because I took a few photos and had to take a longer walk-break after K17 - I finished in 02:34:00 which is still pretty impressive for my first half.

The moment I crossed the finish line I was looking for Jenn who told me she would be there handing out medals. I didn't see her but she saw me :) She gave me a big hug and gave me my first half marathon medal. Very special moment.

Amaaaazing volunteers at the finish line!

I'm a HALF MARATHONER now.  Proudly wearing my race shirt!

After I finished I went inside to get some water and something to eat. I promised my friend Michelle I would be at the finish line when she is crossing it after running her 50K. I was in the middle of the crowd cheering on all the runners that were finishing their race after me. The crowd was amazing. The volunteers throughout the race were fantastic too. HUGE Thank you to the organizing committee, volunteers, police officers, spectators, residents and friends who made MY FIRST half marathon an unforgettable event.

After standing in the crowd cheering on everyone I realized I should probably go back inside to get something to eat for my friend. I knew that there probably wouldn't be much left after 6 hours. So I got food and went back outside again.

One of the bigger highlights on June 1st, 2014 was becoming a half marathoner BUT when Jenn asked me if I wanted to give my friend Michelle her medal after she finished her Ultra - that made my day extra special.

Holding mine & Michelle's medal!

 Cheering on my friend Michelle as she crossed the finish line & handing her the marathon medal.

What an amazing day I had. It is an incredible feeling to be amoung so many other runners. I can't wait for my second half marathon which will be Sept. 7th 2014 in Canmore!!

Thank You Michelle & Jenn for an unforgettable day!

I have done 1x6K - 3x10K - 2x5K and now 1x21.1K ... Amaaaazing! Every race has a special meaning - moments that I will never forget!

To everyone out there - This is just the beginning :)

Grassi Lakes - Adventure Wednesday June 4th, 2014

 Hike to Grassi Lakes

I finally have a few minutes to blog about our last Adventure. Georgia and I decided to go for a nice hike this past Wednesday. We both work at the Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge and started hiking from our place to Grassi Lakes. 

Stairs going up to Spray Lakes Road

We followed the Spray Lakes Road past the Nordic Centre to the end of the pavement then turned to the parking lot.

Approximately 100 meters into the hike is the first intersection. At this point you can choose the easy or more difficult route. I always choose the hard way up and the easy way down! If you choose the more difficult route you will have an amazing view of Canmore and the Bow Valley.

Part of the difficult Route

 

 

Taking a little break & looking back - how far we've come!

 

Beautiful view over Canmore and the Bow Valley 

          

 

 Ha Ling Peak & Waterfall

After hiking 6.24Km we finally reached our destination. The two beautiful turquoise blue lakes are amazing. 

 One of the Grassi Lakes.

We spent some time up there & watched some climbers. We decided to walk the easy route down which appears to be a fire road . We saw one Caribou and three Elk's on our way home. We also stopped at the Quarry Lake and walked through downtown back to the Hotel. The loop going back home was 16.45Km. It was so worth it. I love Canmore!!

 Elk along our way back to the Hotel!

 Quarry Lake

I've been to Grassi Lakes 4 times and love it. It's a great hike in Canmore, Alberta. Come for a visit and try it out!

Distance: 3.9 km (from parking lot) - Difficulty: Easy - Elev. gain: 165meters - Time required: 1 - 2hours

What an amaaaazing day. Looking forward to our next Adventure!!