When I began to formulate a plan to run from Powell River to Vancouver, following a route which has never been completed in its entirety, in an unprecedented length of time, it became clear that gear was going to play a major role.
I was recently approached for a list of the best ultra marathons in Canada. Ones that are crazy, fun, historic or are otherwise noteworthy. I thought I pass the question on to you. What are your favorites?
My personal list (out of races I have either done and volunteered at) is:
One of my favorite hidden gem trail races is the Walk in the Park (WITP) in Kamloops, BC. I ran it this past weekend under unusual circumstances and figured I'd share the story before my dirty running gear goes through the wash.
If you are doing any serious trail running, you have either used gaiters or have seen other runners with gaiters. Have you tried to buy some and have them shipped to Canada only to find out it costs more to ship than the actual costs of the gaiters? Would you like to have a local alternative?
I was out for a run on the Baden Powell Trail with a pal the other day. This friend was a bit nervous about competing in his first Knee Knacker 50K. We got chatting about hints and tips. In case you are also looking at doing your first ultra, I thought I'd share some of those thoughts here. If you've done a few long running races, please share your thoughts on my hints and add a few of your own:
I dug out my hydration pack today to get packed up for the Squamish Scrambler tomorrow. To my disgust I found the thing was overgrown with specks of mold....Yuck.
I have been taking great care to dry out the bladder, tube and mouth piece after each use... but after Mike and Melissa's run in November I was so bushed that I must have just dumped the water and lovely Action Jackson packed the thing away. It's been rotting quietly in the basement storage ever since.
Don't you love running during the balmy days of spring, summer or even those crisp, sunny days of fall?
Unfortunately, it's monsoon season on the wet coast. It's also getting cold. With a heavy heart, I have tucked my shorts into the back of the closet. Problem is, I don't like running in tights. I don't like the restrictive feeling and the heaviness when they get wet.
My calf muscle first went "boing!" on a 30-minute run around the neighborhood before dinner one Saturday evening in late January. There was no "pop", just what seemed like a low level cramp in the muscle between my heel and my calf. (I think the technical name is soleus muscle.) I ran through it, but it got worse, so I hobbled home. No pain the next day, but I figured it would be good to give it some rest.
If you are doing any serious trail running, you have either used gaiters or have seen other runners with gaiters. Have you tried to buy some and have them shipped to Canada only to find out it costs more to ship than the actual costs of the gaiters? Would you like to have a local alternative?