...and We Interrupt this Post...

...to bring you the latest news from Banff!

This past weekend, we got a little gift from Mother Nature. One last glorious fall weekend, complete with warm temperatures. At this time of year, you embrace every one of those good-weather-moments that you can get. There were invitations coming from all directions to go running to long and beautiful places, but this recovering-from-injury girl had to be cautious. I got out there and enjoyed myself, just at a more leisurely pace. Essentially, I took a long walk with a little running but it was magic. I decided to do one of my favorite fall loops, starting and finshing at Cascade Ponds. There are a number of incredible trails in this area only 6 kilometres from Banff and on some of these trails, I've yet to see a single person.

As well as getting out for my leisurely walk/run, I got to spend lots of quality time with Keith including a stroll up Tunnel Mountain and a sunset tandem ride. The weather was so good and the day so amazing, we didn't want it to end.

Date night on the tandem: I was bitch on the back :)

Last week, I got to see the Physiotherapist and the diagnosis of my little injury was Anterior Compartment Syndrome. I had already taken 15 days off of exercise, cold-turkey, so I was feeling pretty good. The swelling and pain had disappeared and I have walking and standing pain-free for about 10 days. But, I was being super-cautious. Anyhow, they told me to get out there and take my legs running and see how it felt. I ran on Friday, 40 minutes flat and easy with Keith, without any pain. So, next day on the glorious and sunny day, I decided to do the long walk/run. I ran for an hour and I walked for another 2 and a half hours for about 20km total. Slowly and on soft terrain. I also threw in a hill for good measure, up to my favorite secret viewpoint of Lake Minnewanka. Apart from my body feeling sluggish, it all went great and no pain at all. So, on the road to recovery.

All of that aside, it was so good to be out there and enjoying one last weekend of "free" good weather. It was a gift. Another gift, is that I seem to be well on the road to recovery, and I should be good to go for next weekends trip to the Grand Canyon. Yup, I've had this one on the calendar for a long time. Keith and I have a wedding in Vegas and we thought we'd sneak in another quick trip to the Grand Canyon. Last year, if you remember, Keith was the one who was injured and he didn't get to make the run. I did get to do a solo R2R2R, which was the best anniverary present ever! This year, we're booked in at the North Rim Lodge and we're going to do a civilized run: a run from the South Rim to the North Rim, a meal and a cushy bed, and then a run back from North to South. Now that's the way to do a Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim.

Here's the photos from Saturday's run, a most picture perfect blue sky day in Banff. I even cracked a sweat.

Gleeful in October