View from Cariboo Dam, looking east, with bonus heron.
With The Rains easing up for the afternoon, I decided to don my running clothes and get my steps with a walk to the lake and back. I recorded the return as an official™ exercise, which is recorded below.
It was cloudy but relatively mild, with some light drizzle, some sun and basically a bit of everything. I saw two herons, no salmon and pretty near every dog was on a leash, hooray.
I ran about the last 500 m, just to improve my overall pace and burn a few extra calories, as I had bacon for breakfast.
There is still a lot of debris at the lake and on the river trail from the wind, but nothing that wasn’t difficult to navigate around.
Overall, a pleasant afternoon outing. Now I can transform into Couch Potato Man.
‘Tis the season for changing leaves.
Stats:
Walk 134 Average pace: 8:40/km Location: Brunette River trail Distance: 4.03 km Time: 34:35 Weather: Cloudy, some drizzle Temp: 12°C Humidity: 80% Wind: light BPM: 108 Weight: 164.5 pounds Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Total distance to date: 947.07 km
Ah, the joys of early summer: Warm weather and sun, light breezes, shady trees, and rowdy, barking dogs.
Wait, let me back up.
I decided to walk to the lake and back today (an 8 km round trip) and declared the walk back to be exercise, so I timed it on my Garmin. This just generally means I walk without stopping to take photos, admire the scenery, etc. I did all that stuff while walking to the lake.
For the most part, the second leg of the walk was fine, until I got to a group of people on the river trail with three dogs between them. One dog was on leash, the other two were not. All three dogs were kind of large. The two unleashed dogs were running all over the place, making it difficult for anyone else (pedestrian or cyclist) to navigate around them. Then they got even more, uh, unleashed and started circling and snapping at each other (playfully), ignoring everyone and everything else. Several times I had to stop, as they were giving me no way to move forward. One owner kind of waved his hands around, like he was vaguely trying to shepherd his dog. This seemed to have no effect on the dog.
The dogs eventually whirled enough out of my way for me to pass. Both owners had leashes in their hands, but their dogs were obviously too precious to be leashed–except when they get to the end of the trail and return to the sidewalk, where they will immediately leash their dogs because:
They don’t trust their dogs enough to not run into traffic and care about the dog’s safety.
But otherwise don’t care about anyone else’s safety with regard to what their dogs–which they already show they don’t trust, per the above point–will do.
Dog owners.
As for the walk, it was fine. Here are some pleasant photos, none of which contain dogs, rowdy or otherwise.
Sun, shade and riverA fallen tree forming a natural bridge on the Brunette River.The fish ladder and start of the Brunette River. A great blue heron is fishing at the end of the ladder.
Stats:
Walk 133 Average pace: 9:13/km Location: Brunette River trail Distance: 4.02 km Time: 37:05 Weather: Sunny Temp: 26°C Humidity: 42% Wind: light BPM: 113 Weight: 167.1 pounds Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Total distance to date: 943.03 km
I decided to go out for a walk on the river trail, and so I wouldn’t be bothered getting hot ‘n sweaty, I dressed to run. I even pondered a short run, but it was mid-afternoon on a Sunday and opted not to.
I walked to the lake but stopped to take a few photos, so did not record it as exercise. The walk back I did record, the stats are below.
Here are the photos:
Brunette RiverBurnaby Lake, just west of Cariboo DamA leaf on the river trail, getting way ahead of itself
Stats:
Walk 132 Average pace: 9:09/km Location: Brunette River trail Distance: 4.02 km Time: 36:43 Weather: Sunny Temp: 22°C Humidity: 50% Wind: light BPM: 109 Weight: 168.1 pounds Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Total distance to date: 939.01 km
I have not been keeping up with my runs, plus I’ve been sleeping poorly and stressing out and stuff, so this morning I checked the forecast and it looked like it would stay dry until at least 2 p.m. so I changed into my jogging clothes and set out to just do a brisk walk to the lake and back.
Which I did!
On the way back, I ran probably about half the distance (around 2 km) and got some good burns a few times by running up the stairs at Hume Park and the one block uphill stretch of Kelly Street. The stats below reflect the difference in pace between the two walks quite nicely.
The water fountain has finally been re-opened at Burnaby Lake. I took advantage.
Drink all you want until late October or so.
I went from Detraining to Maintaining on my watch, too, which was a nice bonus.
The weather was mild and though I wore long sleeves in case of rain, I would have been fine in a t-shirt.
Overall, it was nice to finally get back out, touch trees, and sweat a little. If all goes well, I’ll do a short 2.5K run tomorrow.
A slightly different view from Cariboo Dam, between walks.
Stats:
Walk 130 and 131 Average pace: 9:10/km and 7:49/km Location: Brunette River trail Distance: 4.02 km Time: 36:51 and 31:29 Weather: Cloudy, some sun Temp: 15°C Humidity: 66% Wind: light BPM: 110 and 134 Weight: 168.9 pounds Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Total distance to date: 934.98 km
Brunette River, pre-walk. Brightness before the next storm.
I went out to stretch my legs this afternoon and ended up walking to the lake. Since I was there, I figured why not make it an exercise walk coming back. So I did.
Since I wasn’t dressed for running, I didn’t do any running, but as a strict walk, my pace was pretty perky at 9:00/km. The weather was mild and cloudy, and it seems I just beat the incipient showers by the time I got back.
I took a lot of photos on the way to the lake, where I found the water fountain has been locked up for the winter (and probably a good chunk of early spring, if history repeats), but there were still some nice leaves here and there providing colour.
In all, a pleasant and unexpected bit of exercise.
Stats:
Walk 129 Average pace: 9:00/km Location: Brunette River trail Distance: 4.02 km Time: 36:14 Weather: Cloudy Temp: 9°C Humidity: 84% Wind: low BPM: 114 Weight: 168.6 pounds Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Total distance to date: 926.94 km
Brunetter River, on the first leg: Remebering what blue sky looks like.
Yesterday was a run day, but I didn’t run, because the weather was poop. Not literal poop, though these days I don’t entirely rule out that possibility.
I contemplated doing a workout on the treadmill, but instead I just lazed around, stuffed my face, and finally barely hit my 10,000-step goal around 9:30 p.m.
I resolved to do better today and planned a walk to at least the end of the river trail and back. I ended up going to the lake and split the walk in two, which turned out to be handy, as each leg was quite different.
The first walk was brisk, with an overall pace of just under nine minutes per km. I felt perky, but had to use the loo when I got to the lake, so I declared the first walk done at 4.02 km.
After sipping some water at the fountain by the dam (still nort packed up for the winter yet, to my surprise[though it has been pretty mild[), I started off again, but upon reaching the river trail, I found myself wanting to run and I ran most of the way back from there, coming in with what amounts to a very slow running pace of 6:50/km. I had one km of pure running that was 5:44/km–not bad for a non-run!
Overall, with the mild conditions, gentle breeze and patchy blue sky, it was nice to get out and get some exercise in. Even the river was less stinky than it has been lately.
Tomorrow, I should do a proper run.
About 2.5 km upstream from the above shot: Two gates open at the dam as the Brunette begins its journey east. Fish ladder on the left.
Stats:
Walk 127 Average pace: 8:57/km Location: Brunette River trail Distance: 4.02 km Time: 35:58 Weather: Cloudy Temp: 10°C Humidity: 84% Wind: low BPM: 116 Weight: 167.3 pounds Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Total distance to date: 922.91 km
And:
Walk 128 Average pace: 6:50/km Location: Brunette River trail Distance: 4.03 km Time: 27:32 Weather: Cloudy Temp: 11°C Humidity: 82% Wind: low BPM: 133 Weight: 167.3 pounds Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Total distance to date: 922.91 km
Brunette River: Very high. The sky is blue, but the wind was ripping.
Today was supposed to be a run day. I waited as a few morning showers passed, with the promise of better weather later. The better weather emerged, with actual sunshine. Yay! I changed and headed out.
As I headed out, I realized the high winds of the previous night’s storm were still rather high. I secured my cap and continued off to the lake, observing the ground for debris to see if I might need to reconsider.
I spied one large-ish branch down in Hume Park (photo below). This raised an eyebrow. I pressed on.
I could not avoid being in the shot. Enjoy! Also, this was tiny compared to other tree parts I saw later.
At Lower Hume, a very large tree was laying across the roadway. I opted not to take a photo because of the three workers already doing their part to remove it. I wish I had because by the time I returned, they had already cleared almost all of it away. It was, as mentioned, a very large tree. This caused both eyebrows to raise up.
When I got to the river trail, it was not as festooned with debris as expected. I cautiously started down and as I neared a bend by The Old Tree Bridge (years ago a giant tree fell across the river and was so tall it formed a bridge across the river that remains to this day. It’s not a very good bridge, as the other side is just a sheer wall you can’t climb up or anything), I heard a loud crack, then another. I stopped and looked about. I couldn’t see the source and continued on.
But I thought I recognized the sound–wood breaking or snapping.
I got to where one of the famously leaning trees was famously leaning, but now also swaying ominously. I pondered questions like, If it started to fall, how much time would I have to react and get out of the way? Do you feel lucky, punk? And others.
At this point, I felt the health benefits of not getting clobbered by a tree outweighed the health benefits of a run, so I turned back. A few minutes later I heard more cracks, looked to my left, and watched as several large branches snapped off another very large tree and tumbled to the ground. I kind of jogged out the rest of the way, so I did get a run of sorts after all.
I will try again Wednesday, when the risk of being bonked by nature should hopefully be lower.
Stats:
Walk 126 Average pace: 8:51/km Location: Brunette River trail Distance: 4.71 km Time: 41:39 Weather: Sun Temp: 11°C (feels like 5C) Humidity: 70% Wind: high to extreme BPM: 110 Weight: 167.7 pounds Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Total distance to date: 922.91 km
I decided I needed to get out and touch trees, so I dressed for a run, not really planning to run, but better to be prepared. I didn’t really prepare as well as I should, because I opted to not wear sunblock, though fortunately that didn’t come back to burn me, as there was lots of shade and the sun was often diffused by what seemed to be encroaching (though still relatively light) smoke haze.
When I got to the lake, I had to use the loo, then decided after to stretch the walk from 8 km to 10, but miscalculated and ended up stretching to 11 by completing the full Spruce/Conifer Loop before starting back homeward. On the way back I started listening to music, which put some pep in my step.
I was about 500 meters or so from the entrance to the river trail at North Road, and roughly 2 km from home when I rounded a corner and spied a large black bear up the trail ahead of me. When I say large, I mean big enough to probably swat me dead with one good swipe of its salmon-fresh paws, just like in the movie Grizzly, which traumatized me in 1976 (and was also very stupid, but also awesome to 12-year-old me).
The bear seemed more interested in its general vicinity, so I was able to discreetly backpedal around the bend without it seeing me, after which I jogged a safe distance away, to contemplate next steps.
As it turns out, a short time later, a cycling couple came by. I flagged them down, they confirmed the bear, but said it was wandering off and was likely now gone. Did I feel lucky? I called Jeff and this allowed me to “make noise” by talking to him while I cautiously walked forward. Eventually I came across a couple walking and did not notice a bear chasing them, which was a good sign. I asked them about the bear and they laughed and said probably the only English they knew, which was, “Sorry, we don’t speak English.” Fair enough. I was pretty close to the North Road exit now, so continued on, bear-free.
As for the actual walk, some running, but not a lot, and more than I’d expected, because I hadn’t built-in “jogging a safe distance away from a giant bear” into the outing. It was warm and a bit muggy, but not too bad in the shade. The light had that weird yellow cast to it that said smoke haze was probably rolling through.
Overall, I was glad to get out, glad to not get eaten by a giant bear, and will be relieved when the bears go off to hibernate for the winter, so I only have to worry about rogue coyotes or maybe especially squirrelly squirrels.
NOTE: I very briefly thought about taking a photo of the bear, but figured it made more sense to move back, since it hadn’t noticed me. I’d like to think that was my version of some kind of survival instinct.
Graffiti on the No. 1 Highway overpass. Also what I got after seeing the black bear.
Walk 125 Average pace: 8:09/km Location: Brunette River trail/Burnaby Lake Distance: 11:02 km Time: 1:40:53 Weather: Sunny with haze Temp: 27-28°C Humidity: 58-55% Wind: light BPM: 113 Weight: 166.9 pounds Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Total distance to date: 918.2 km
I am writing this a day late because I remembered that I hadn’t posted just as I was heading for bed, and bed won.
But! I normally run Mondays and still felt iffy on doing a full run again with The Knee. So I settled on a brisk walk-run to the turtle nesting area at Burnaby Lake and back.
The weather was gloomy, but mild–20C, with occasional light showers. It did not feel cold at all.
I walked to the lake, then detoured to the fountain, then immediately detoured again because apparently drinking water immediately kicked in my “Gotta go!” reflex. By this point I was well past the 4K mark, so I walked up the trail a bit to make it an even 5K before turning around and heading back.
Then, perhaps invigorated by the water (in my body and falling on me) when I hit the 6K mark on the river trail, I began to ran and ran two full km, each at the same pace of 5:39/km. I kept running through Lower Hume Park to finish out at 9 km total.
My right knee survived. The way I would describe the affected bits is a little tightness, not pain or achiness. So I think I’ll be OK (ho ho).
I’ll try a real run™ again on Wednesday. The weather is back to more summer-like now, but it should be cooler in the morning.
Stats:
Walk 124 Average pace: 8:09/km Location: Brunette River trail/Burnaby Lake Distance: 9:02 km Time: 1:13:26 Weather: Clouds and light showers Temp: 20°C Humidity: 76% Wind: light BPM: 124 Weight: 166.8 pounds Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Total distance to date: 907 km
Although to be fair, it was a fairly light drizzle. But we’ve had enough precipitation that the FIRE DANGER signs are now gone (for now, possibly until next summer).
Today is normally a run day, but I was not feeling very enthused about going out, partly because of the showery weather, and partly because I didn’t want to risk hurting the right knee, which is mostly feeling okay after a few days of rest.
In the end, I compromised by doing a brisk pair of walks, to the lake and back. There was pretty much no real running, save for a few brief moments here and there, but I maintained a pretty good pace on the way back.
The first walk was dry, but it began to rain very lightly on the way back. As it was still 19C, it didn’t feel cold or anything. It was nice to not have to slather all my exposed skin with sunblock before heading out.
As expected, it was fairly quiet due to the weather, though I did encounter a few other joggers and dog walkers (with leashed dogs, woo).
I might try a run tomorrow (Saturday) or may just wait till my next usual run day on Monday. I shall ponder.
I will not be running, however, on Sunday (the 25th):
“You can totally still stroll on the trail, just be ready to share it with 400 other people all at once.”
Walk 122 and 123 Average pace: 9:26 and 8:51/km Location: Brunette River trail/Burnaby Lake Distance: 4.01 km/4.03 km Time: 37:51/35:36 Weather: Clouds and light showers Temp: 19°C Humidity: 80% Wind: light BPM: 113/114 Weight: 166.1 pounds Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Total distance to date: 897.98 km
I surprised myself today by going out and doing just that. I even rank a lot more than I expected. I just felt good, because it was cloudy and cooler (but not cool).
There was one off-leash dog (boo) but it stayed clear of me (yay). There was also some weird little mouse of some sort. I took a few photos of it (see below).
Also, when I got home, we had no hot water (boo).
Otherwise, a nice hour or so out touching trees and moving the legs.
This little mouse (with white belly) was running around on the river trail, unperturbed by my presence. Leaves coincidentally provided for scale.
Stats:
Walk 121 Average pace: 8:34/km Location: Brunette River trail/Burnaby Lake Distance: 8.03 km Time: 1:08:50 Weather: Cloudy Temp: 19-20°C Humidity: 76-73% Wind: light BPM: 121 Weight: 167.5 pounds Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Total distance to date: 889.94 km
Brunette River, early in the walk. Still lush ‘n green.
After a regular week of running, my first walk-as-exercise involved little running, but a wee bit here and there. Mostly I wanted to get out, get some fresh air, stretch my legs, and touch trees.
I did these things.
It was 27-28C, but not overly unpleasant. The walk to the lake and back still affords a lot of canopy/shade.
There were no dogs off-leash, which is weird! I don’t think I saw any on the river trail, which is also kind of weird for a Saturday.
Also weird: Apparently someone spotted a bobcat or lynx at Burnaby Lake (as I did back in 2017), as the cat sign has appeared at the lake. AFAIK, it only goes up when there is an actual sighting:
Leash your pet, then hope it does not get eaten by a bear or wild cat.
Overall, a fine outing. Now I can eat an entire chocolate cake as reward!
Stats:
Walk 121 Average pace: 9:12/km Location: Brunette River trail/Burnaby Lake Distance: 8.03 km Time: 1:13:46 Weather: Sunny Temp: 27-28°C Humidity: 56% Wind: light BPM: 111 Weight: 166.9 pounds Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Total distance to date: 881.91 km
