Back in the Saddle Again!

Whoopi-ty-aye-oh,

Rockin' to and fro,

Back in the saddle again!

Whoopi-ty-aye-yay

I go my way,

Back in the saddle again!

-Gene Autry

I love this photo. It's 100% pure fun. Kind of how I feel when I'm out there running on the trails. I sure am glad to be back out there.

Yesterday, I took the body out for a test-drive after the "week-from-hell." And guess what? I'm not broke anymore! Just like that. I am still in disbelief.

Here in Banff, the temperature dropped from 21c to +2c on Friday. Would you believe we awoke to snow for my Back in the Saddle Run?!?

I was joined by a couple of new friends, Simon Donato and Ian Lofthouse. Thanks for joining me for a run boys, the company was great! We took an easy cruise along the Spray River and every now and then, the clouds would lift and give us a glimpse of freshly dusted mountains. It was a cool, beautiful morning and we had the trail all to ourselves.

Checking out the rocks at the old Quarry

Happy Runners - Checking out the view.

I would show you the view, but the camera is being a moody bitch! She is cranky with me. I managed to run for 3h 10min. and I was pretty elated. The body felt good. I was supposed to run a leg of the Banff-Jasper Relay today, but I thought it was best to bow out. I couldn't walk earlier this week. Who knew that I would and am back running?? Me so happy! The run was followed by a hot tub and stretch. My new pre and post-run ritual. Warm up the muscles, then stretch them.

Today, I felt a little stiff so another hot tub, stretch and out the door for a run. My body felt surprisingly good, but I think other parts of me are sore from all of the stretching! Mike and I headed up to Lake Minnewanka to enjoy another easy-cruisy run on the shoreline. Another run of 3 hours. Go me! There was lots of fresh snow on the mountains, but the trail was dry and perfect. The bitchy camera didn't give me one good usable photo. :(

I will admit to being a little sluggish today, I think I had a food hangover from a fantastic 6 course dinner that my friend Brenda cooked last night. Very Iron Chef. She made 6 courses all using the ingredient, Chocolate. :)

On that note, enjoy the photo and the video from our Trans Rockies Run 2008 Road Trip. And watch out for Jackelopes and those who ride 'em!! Yiiiihaw!