In the fall bought pair of running shoes. It was an impulse buy when I was at MEC, I walked by the discount shoe bin and saw a pair of shoes similar to Naomis. So I figured they were ok and as they were only $50 I picked them up. I usually make fun of runners and running but I hear about it all the time because I am a regular listener to the “Rich Roll” podcast and I love hearing about things that guys and gals like Kílian Jornet and Courtney Dauwalter can do. I like the idea of being able to cover so much ground in a short amount of time. Exactly the opposite of mountaineering where the desired task is so very slow and the more difficult the route the longer it takes. Any late last fall I did a short run with Heather and we did 5 min jog, 5 min walk, repeat for 30min. It sounded so easy so the running part I did on my toes, it did feel easy but the next day I was crippled. Not just the next day, it actually lasted for two months or so. During our deep snow and deep cold event I was able to again walk for 30 min without pain. And ski touring was fine. A couple of weeks ago I decided to try running again. I googled how to start running and the plans all seemed too complicated. I would need a spreadsheet while on the road to know what to do next. Run-walk-jog slowly-sprint-and all for different times. So I came up with my own plan. The first day I ran away from the house for one minute, then turn around and run home. Repeat that the next time. Then move up to two minutes out then home. Repeat. Three minutes and so on. Now I’m up to six minutes one way and I just broke the 2km barrier, ha. I don’t run everyday, just when it is suitable. Heather often joins me, which is so nice to have a break mid day together. Another thing I like is that it really is hard but it only takes a short time. Shoes on, walk down the driveway to warm up, run, cooldown as we walk back up the driveway.
On Saturday I was able to work again for Whistler Heliskiing. The day wasn’t quite as perfect as the first, but I think we all had a great time. The day felt a lot like a normal day of work, I wasn’t nervous/excited and I was able to enjoy every bit of it. The photo below is actually from my first day. I didn’t even pull out my camera as it was flat light and I guess I didn’t feel creative.
I was asked to work again on Sunday but I declined because i’ve decided that I want to work only one day at a time. The ski days are quite long, I cannot eat as well as i’d like to, it can be mentally taxing and every day does involve some amount of stress. I was content to take the whole day off and go to church and relax, but, it also happened to be the 30th Spud Valley Loppet. Heather and I decided to enter into that. The turnout was great, the weather was ok and Heather and I stayed together and enjoyed the skiing and visiting as there were many old friends there too. We did the loop twice completing 10k. It was our first time on x-country gear this year and we felt happy. Although we did not make it to the podium I did win a draw and ended up with 10 pound bag of Shaw Creek Potatoes. How is that for a Pemberton prize?
For the 2nd time this year I was able to get out ice climbing. The first day was on the Duffey lake road at a climb called “Closet Secrets”
Yesterday Jia again invited me out for a day on the ice. On Blackcomb we climbed most of the routes, both pure ice and mixed. I was feeling good and safe with those bolts protecting the tenuous moves, so much so that I even fell on one. A swing in the air was the only result. Boy my forearms were pumped by the end of the day. To complete the day I had some blood drawn for new tumour markers, then I had my 2nd round of acupuncture. This time on my back, I was a bit too comfortable and fell asleep for some unknown time.
Finishing up my visit to Whistler I picked up my CT Scan images. Ive had a look and finding anything interesting is not something that comes without the training. I did find this full torso image that I though was fun to see.
