Check back here to get a glimpse into some of the breathtaking runs I've discovered throughout BC and other parts of the world. Enjoy!
Whistler, BC:
My husband and I travelled to one of our favourite locations this weekend: Whistler, BC. Whistler is our "home away from home" (thanks to my wonderful in-laws) and we're up here almost every other weekend in the Winter. As much as I love coming up here for the Winter snowboard season, I think Whistler shows best in Fall.
Colourful leaves and bright blue skies provide a breathtaking backdrop for this little piece of heaven and nothing inspires me more to get outside and go for a run.
While Whistler's Valley Trail system offers miles of running terrain for all jogging levels, we, or should I say I, have a "go-to" 10km run that starts at Chateau Whistler and travels the circumference of the Whistler Golf Course. Interested in checking out my route? Click here.
Now I know not everyone goes away for the weekend looking forward to a 10km run and I aim to make this blog relatable to all running types. Therefore, I've invited my husband as a guest blogger to give his impression of the run I dragged him out for this morning. I'm sure many of you can better relate to his thoughts on getting up early and going for a jog.
Let me just preface this by saying that my husband is a pretty fit guy and, like the majority of the male species, doesn't require much practice to be good at sports. However, it's not unheard of for him to order pizza when we're on the last leg of a run. Enjoy!
Marques' Version:
For me, going up to Whistler for the weekend is all about relaxing and enjoying my time away from everything. This image was shattered as I was forced awake by my athletic apparel attired wife at 9am. “Ready for 10k!!??” “Um no, I’m ready for another hour of bliss and not doing anything.” I turn over and hope I can win this battle of will. Is it even light out yet??
Like the loving wife she is, she jumps on me, grabs my stomach and says, “this isn’t going anywhere by itself.” That’s it, I’m up and dressed in 30 seconds. I could not be any more ready to destroy her on the asphalt. I’m now itching to go but it’s cold out, very cold. I can work with this, run faster and I’ll be warm (sometimes being delusional has its advantages). So we start running. I’m doing ok, definitely not my usual 4:30 pace but hey, gotta keep trucking. After not even one km, she asks me if I’m ok? What does she mean am I ok? Did I forget my shoes? Am I bleeding? Yeah I’m ok. Please body let me finish this ahead of her.
Things are going great, I’ve got my decent pace and I start envisioning runs of grandeur, hey let’s do 15k. I’ll show her how fit I am! Now at this part of the run, everything is uphill. The only decline for the next km or so is the hit my ego is taking. The golf course we were running around was nice and all but all I could think about was how nice a hot shower would be. @#% it’s cold!
Candace is well ahead of me at this point and I’ve accepted my defeat. To rub this in she starts taking photos, seriously!!?? She “enlightens” me that the scenery is beautiful and I should look at the trees and surroundings. Ummmmm what trees?! The only thing I have been looking at on this run was her figure (while I could see it) and the next footstep I would be taking.
I then round a corner and have to pretend I don’t know her when I see her with her camera out taking pictures. She starts to aim it at me. THERE ARE STRANGERS AROUND! I’m not too happy about this run already, let alone starring in a running photoshoot.
Candace is always telling me to focus on nature and all that. Doesn’t really work for me so I spend the last few km’s thinking about my fantasy hockey pool. Finally, I approach the end of our run which is identified by Candace standing and waiting for me. She’s got the biggest smile and is so happy I have come on this run with her. For me, this makes it worth it. And she has to make dinner tonight now.
