The Cabot Trail Relay ... NEVER say NEVER!

December 27, 2012.

I can't decide if I'm more excited or terrified about my next adventure. Either way, it has been decided - I'm doing the Cabot Trail Relay.

Now there's something I never thought I'd say - however, I've also learned to never say never. So, let me back this story up to the beginning - although I'm not exactly sure where to begin, but all the more reason to start another blog series. Right?

There are a few beginnings I could start with:
Beginning #1. About 10 years ago, I dated a guy who ran the Cabot Trail Relay every year.  It was a trip (more like an experience) he anticipated and talked about for months. Since he was a marathon runner (and I wasn't), it was something I never thought I'd EVER realistically be capable of doing.

Alternate beginning #1. About 10 years ago, I dated a marathon runner (yes, same guy) who encouraged me to try running. Much like the relationship, it didn't last long and I didn't enjoy it much. The furthest I have ever run in my whole life was about 7K, and that was 10 years ago.

Alternate beginning #2. About three years ago, I swore I would never be a runner again. A year later, I started running to train for the Warrior Dash. I actually liked it and continued running as an addition to my regular fitness routine.

Alternate beginning #3. This year I became a volunteer FAB coach to train young girls to run 5K. Through FAB I met two FAB coaches - Stacey and Pam. Pam is a member of the Cabot Trail Relay team called 'Chicks Running Clicks'. Stacey is joining the team this year and convinced me to join too.

My Cabot Trail running and training pal Stacey (left),
Me (the insane one), and our FAB bestie Alex (right).

I'd say each one of these experiences has led me to this point. And, let me add, I can't run 5K without stopping at least twice. Usually three times. It also takes me about 35 minutes.

The Cabot Trail Relay is a 276 kilometre, 24-hour relay around Cape Breton Island. There are 17 legs, the shortest leg is 12K. Did I mention there are steep hills? By May 25, I have to be able to run a 6-minute kilometre.  I have four and a half months to increase my distance and my speed.

Seriously, am I out of my mind?

As a FAB coach, we teach FAB girls how to set goals. Well, I'm about to put my money where my mouth is. My goal is to run at least 15K in 90 minutes by May 15. There it is, in writing.

I'll keep you posted on my progress. Wish me luck! And, never say never - cuz, hey, you jus' never know.

I miss the mountains already!

Sad day today … starting to head east again and the last little bit through the mountains. We finally saw big horned sheep – it was like they knew we really wanted to see them, so they were just standing there on the side of the mountain waiting for us.

We’re taking a different way back this time – the Yellowhead across through Edmonton and we landed in North Battleford, Sask for the night – about an hour from Saskatoon (Saskatcha-toon if you’ve seen Grown Ups.) It was our first night in 15 days that we didn’t sleep in a tent. Tomorrow is another day of driving to get us closer to Ontario and hopefully we’ll be able to do a few more days of camping before we’re back to reality.

Just an observation, but it’s kinda cool to see the names of NHL players posted on town signs who came from these remote towns. Those are dedicated parents who must have driven them hours a day to the closest arena – not to mention distant cities for games.  

 

Westfalia count = 20

What a view!

Today we made our way to Jasper and took the Tramway to almost the top of Mount Whistlers. This wasn’t like the little ski lift we took last year at Lake Louise to the top of a ski hill …. This was a gondola that took us up a mountain! What an incredible view of the mountains and lakes from up so high.

We then did another 1K hike further up the mountain – wish we’d known about it ahead of time so  we didn’t have to do it in flip flops (I seriously need a pedicure!)

We made a quick stop in Jasper to see the new totem pole that we saw being built and painted last year.

We paid a visit to Mount Robson P.P. again, lucky for us it was one of the few days when the clouds had cleared enough to see the whole mountain and we stayed at Mount Robson P.P. again – it was one of my favourite spots last year.

Westfalia count = 18

Our feet are sore.

We managed to get a site at Kicking Horse Campground today. YEAH! Although it was in the RV area, that's ok, it was much much better. They have way better mountains over here.

We spent two days wandering around Yoho doing the tourist thing. We did a 5K hike to Wapta Falls, saw Emerald Lake where the water is even greener than Lake Louise, checked out the Natural Bridge, The Spiral Tunnels, Takakkaw Falls, and did a Walk-in-the-Past hike to an old deserted locomotive.Our feet are so sore!

One of the coolest things we saw today was the merging of two rivers - Yoho River is milky white and Kicking Horse river is green.

Westfalia count = 15

Kootenay and Yoho

The morning began with a nice dip in the Lussier Hot Springs inside Whiteswan Lake P.P. It was freezing this morning – only 8 degrees – so Dave was the only one brave enough to put on his bathing suit and sit in it, I only went in up to my knees. What was cool about Lussier is it’s a natural hot spring in the wilderness as opposed to the developed pools at resorts.To get to this one, you have to walk a bit of a distance down a steep path to a fast moving river where there are three small pools built up by rocks. It was pretty jam packed at 8 a.m.

We made a quick stop in Invermere to buy a new huge home-away-from-home. Dave can actually stand up in this one.Left Turn Clyde and his gf seem to like it.

We drove through Kootenay National Park and made our way to Yoho National Park. We didn’t go this way last year so we saw a whole new bunch of mountains. We arrived on the Friday of the long weekend, so sites are scarce. We managed to get one that was basically in a parking lot with a picnic table off the highway. But who cares, we’re surrounded by beautiful mountains.

Westfalia count = 12

good morning mr. bear

Our conversation at 7 a.m. this morning:

Dave: Jennifer, there’s a bear in front of your car.

Me: there is? Where?

Dave: in front of your car

Me: oh, ok. What are you gonna to do?

Dave: I’m going to go sit in the car. You coming?

Me: uh, ya.

For something that you always think would be a terrifying experience was actually very non-eventful. We just stood outside the car and watched as our new friend went about his business wandering around eating berries and digging old tree stumps for bugs. He hardly even knew we were there.

We had delicious eggs bennie at the Prince of Wales hotel for one last view overlooking Waterton Lake and the mountains.

We stopped at Frank’s Slide where in 1903 the side of a mountain slid and killed more than 90 people in the small mining town below. The debris field is 2 miles wide, 1 mile long and 3 stories high.

We crossed the Alberta / B.C. border today at 2:27 p.m – so we spent 7 days in Alberta.

We randomly came across the world’s largest truck in Sparwood, B.C. I initially thought it was just meant to be a tourist attraction – but it’s actually a real truck used for mining.

We stayed at Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park, a 30 kms drive down a steep dirt logging road deep into the mountains on a beautiful crystal blue lake. It was the last night in our trusty tent, the zipper on the door broke so we had to sleep with it partly pinned. The bright side is we’re no longer in bear country so didn’t need to worry about bears curling up with us during the night, the not-so-bright side is it was very windy and chilly, so made for an uncomfortable sleep.

Westfalia = 10 (that’s 7 today!)

Today is my mom’s Birthday. Happy birthday mummzie!

Hellllo mountains. I've missed you.

Finally! The mountains! Hello mountains, I’ve missed you. We arrived at Waterton Lakes National Park, known for “where the plains meet the mountains” – also known for the Prince of Wales resort and its breathtaking view overlooking the crystal blue lake and mountains.

Our campsite was at Crandell Lake about a 10 minute drive into the mountains. We’re surrounded by a view of a different mountain peak in every direction.  

 We’re definitely in bear country. When we registered, we were warned about the recent cougar and bear sightings. Ok then. The next morning we woke up to the sound of what we think was a bear  growling at a dog, and saw 3 more bears during the day – one from the road climbing up into the mountains, and two more on the side of road so close I could reach out and pet it – of course, I didn’t. Driving along the parkways you never know what wildlife you’ll see that will cause you to stop. We came across a large pack of mountain goats just out strolling down the road – we had to sit and wait about 10 minutes for them to move.

We spent the day taking in all of the incredible scenery.  We went to Red Rock Canyon and took a short hike up to Blakiston falls and also went to Cameron Lake where it’s winter 2/3 of the year. Every trail had warnings of black bears and grizzlies, so we avoided taking any remote hikes (our moms will be happy to know that.)

Westfalia count now = 3