Monthly Archives: June 2016

Past two months, have topped 200 miles/month – that’s a lotta morning treks 🙂  #happyendorphins

Decided to share a few morning faves over the upcoming months, in a new segment titled ‘morning run series’.

Kicking off things with my local ‘go-to’ run – whenever short of time but still wanna post a quick 5 miles.  Literally step out the front door, trek Louisville to Lafayette, circle 2 reservoirs & catch a high Colorado sunrise over our local Flatiron peaks.  FAAANNNTASTIC!

 

 

morning run series: Waneka Lake

 

 

After a play day in Banff & a pre-marathon Canadian wedding (another first – LOL>), slept in for a late 9am race start – first marathon outside the U.S., first all-kilometer trek (42.2K), first of my Canadian Province Quest (10 provinces, 5 years).

Banff MarathonCanadian blogger friend Sarah pulled up in her Jeep rental, armed with bagel & peanut butter.  Curbside pick-up.  Pretty sweet, huh?  Canmore to Banff – 20 minutes.  On-street parking, short walk to Banff’s Central Park, 10K road race already in progress.

Layered up, trusting the day’s forecast: rain would stop, temps remain cool, wind breezy.

Small field of marathon runners, quick pop & we’re off.  One, two kilometers in town, then dropped onto a bike path which paralleled Trans-Canada Highway 1 to Johnston Canyon in the Park.  Pine & marshy meadows high-fenced to contain wildlife from entering the highway.  Vista views of the Park’s high chiseled peaks – STUNNING!

Unfortunately the distance between markers (miles vs km) wasn’t noticeably different – my first experience with kilometers – but the incremental # of markers, a bit overwhelming.  100% mental.  17, 18, 19 – nope, still not halfway.

 

Parks Canada asked us to pass on this notice (Issued June 1st):

 

The Wolf activity has been very active in the Banff Region.

 

WHAT:  Wolf warning

WHERE:  Bow valley of Banff National Park, including campgrounds and day use areas.

WHY:  Wolves have shown bold behaviour and accessed human food in a campsite.

 

Never approach, entice or feed wildlife.

Ensure all food, garbage, and pet food are stored inside a building or vehicle.

Supervise children and keep pets on a leash at all times.

If you are approached by a wolf, act aggressively to discourage it from approaching.

Carry bear spray and know how to use it.

 

Please report all carnivore sightings to Banff Dispatch: 403-762-1470

 

Route Change (Announced June 16, 2016)

 

Due to the increased and consistent wildlife presence, mainly wolf and bear activity, Parks Canada has determined that the Half and Full Marathon courses will be adjusted. As a result, Parks has granted runners exclusive access to the renowned Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail Route.

 

This beautiful route will still offer an accurate and fully serviced course for the participants. The Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail was built in honour of Banff National Park’s 125th Anniversary. The trail is a testament to, and celebration of the values of the national park, encouraging visitors and Bow Valley residents to explore the landscape in an environmentally friendly way.

 

toujours frais

toujours frais

An impromptu lap was added between kilometers 16 & 25, because of wildlife concerns.  Elite runners passed on the left…weird to be lapped, then to lap others as the race drug on.

30K achieved, loop craziness ended.  Thin air, strong headwind – but no heat.

Instinctively knew I was finally returning to Banff centre.  12 kilometers to go – a 10K run is 6.2 miles, must be just over 7 miles left.  Whole lotta estimating.

Had never previously seen a ‘40’ marathon marker.  Exact same wave of relief as passing mile 25 in the States 🙂  Couldn’t yet see the Finish but knew it was coming.  Turned off Bow Ave, short ‘city’ trek, then up Banff Ave to Central Park.

Banff MARATHON FINISHER – Alberta, first of my Canadian 10!!

 

2016 Banff Marathon

Congratulations K R on completing, with a finish time of: 4:48:40

 

Shared a walk along Banff’s Bow River with my pal Sarah, before hustling back for a hotel shower & autobahn return to Calgary – 630 flight home, work in the morning.  No post-marathon lasagna this day…had to stomach Tim Hortons (fast food Canadian).  Ho hum.  Celebrated belated Dad Day [on] Thursday with steak & grilled corn – lovin’ me some summer (thanks Ash & Tom).  YUM!

Next weekend:  Campobello Island, New Brunswick

 

 

Ticket in hand, Friday night flight – next stop: Calgary, Alberta.

Sunday would be my first O’ Canada marathon, first race outside the U.S., my first in kilometers.  Hold on, rewind – that’s still 2 days away.  BANFF!  Bucket list destination.  Similar to Montana’s Glacier Nat’l Park last July, sometimes the marathon run is only a small subset of life’s Master Plan.  I’m going to Banff Nat’l Park – heart of the Canadian Rockies.  YES!

Rental car pick-up, hour drive to my Canmore lodging (short 20 minutes from the Park).  Struggled motoring in kilometers. Gave up holding 80 on open highway, opted to stay with traffic – cruising 120 kph across the flat prairie landscape.

45 minutes in, the Canadian Rockies towered ahead – HUGE, spectacular.  WOW!

Hotel check-in, quick bite to eat.  Most amazing part of the evening?  Met – in person, in the flesh – my favourite blogger OF ALL TIME.

Started reading Sarah’s Nunavut-based blog posts while trapped in my NYC metro-train commuter life, 5+ years ago.  Sarah left behind her comfortable Ontario home, took a job in the Canadian Arctic & shared her adventures online: sarahontheroad.com   HUGE fan.  Ice fishing, polar bears, Inuit narwhal hunting, the Northern lights – telling ya, hooked.

KISMET.  Booked my marathon spot last Fall.  Meanwhile, Sarah took a professor position at a Toronto area university & left Nunavut. FaceBook messenger mid-May: Sar’s heading West for a cousin’s wedding.  Just outside of Banff…in Canmore, Alberta.  On the same EXACT weekend as my first Canadian marathon.  Folks, can’t make this stuff up.  KISMET 🙂

Saturday a.m. – curbside pickup.  Banff in Sarah’s Jeep Liberty.  [You didn’t think that kinda lead up was gonna end with late nite burgers?  Come on.  Kismet, remember?]

Towering snow-capped peaks.  First stop: Lake Louise.

Clear, pristine, turquoise hue.  Mountain reflection on the lake reminiscent of Colorado’s Maroon Bells.  Quiet.  No words.  Just WOW!  With as much solo trekking as I do – gotta say, life’s best memories are much better shared.  Full heart.

Next stop: Lake Agnes.  Back in Sarah’s rental?  Heck, no.  2-mile hike UP.  My kind of day.  FAAANNNTASTIC!

UP UP UP thru towering lodgepole pine.  Iconic views of Louise below.  Mirror Lake.  Waterfall.  AND…a tea house.

 

LAKE AGNES TEA HOUSE

An iconic Banff & Lake Louise experience, accessible to hikers of many abilities.

 

The Lake Agnes Tea House was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1901 as a refuge for hikers. Climb steadily on a forested trail, past Mirror Lake and the waterfall that cascades out of Lake Agnes, before arriving at the idyllic alpine waters of Lake Agnes and enjoying speciality teas and delicious homemade baking.

 

The family-run Tea House has no electricity or running water. Some supplies (such as flour and sugar for the baking) are flown in by helicopter at the start of the season, but all fresh food is packed up the trail by the staff.

 

 

The hike to the Tea House starts on the shores of Lake Louise near the Fairmont Chateau Hotel and climbs uphill on a wide switch-backed path for 3.6 kilometres (2.2 miles). It is rated as a moderate trail and takes most people around 1 to 2 hours, more or less depending on fitness level. The elevation gain is 400 metres (1,312 feet).

 

The Lake Agnes Tea House is open from early June to October (Canadian Thanksgiving).

 

Added a jacket & ordered a pot of herbal.  Long soak of my alpine surroundings while the tea seeped.  How many times in life is THIS gonna happen, right?  Amazing life.  Just WOW.  Mountain weather turned ‘round the noon hour (just like the American Rockies) – light rain, lower elevations…snow on the peaks (but no lightning 🙂 ).  Quick [downhill] hike return.

Bib pickup at Banff’s Curling Club – my favourite winter Olympic sport.  Ok, maybe not top-top favourite…but always crazy intrigued when they bring out the broom & stone.  Kinda like watching bowling on ice.  Go Team Canada – gold medalists past 3 Olympics.

Early shut-eye before tomorrow’s first 42.2?  Heck no.

What’s a marathon without a pre-race Canadian wedding, right?  LOL>  Wee bit weird attending a wedding party not knowing either groom nor bride.  No regrets though – learned how to properly hold a hockey stick…it’s Canada, eh? 🙂

 

 

He said, she saidcheck out Sarah’s version below.

https://sarahontheroad.com/2016/06/the-american-rockies-meets-the-canadian-rockies/

 

 

Lake Agnes, Banff