Sunday, November 21, 2010

Why Hello, Winter.

Tunnel Mountain


Dust off your skis, dig out your mittens, Kahtoola's, long underwear, gaiters and fuzzy winter boots. It's Wintertime in Banff. Pretty much overnight this week, the temperature plummeted by 15c and Mother Nature dropped 25cm of fresh fluffy dry snow all over town. Needless to say, I'm excited.

Before

After

As well as the arrival of the snow and cold temperatures, we have entered the Dark Months. I psyched myself up after work on Tuesday and headed out on the Tunnel Mountain trail with my headlamp. The snow really brightens things up in the woods, but even this mountain girl gets scared in the woods when it's dark. Really dark. And scary. Note to Self: Next time, plan better so you're not running around in the woods by yourself after dark. Still, somehow I found myself running on Sulphur Mountain this weekend, in very cold temperatures when it got really dark, really quick. Note to Self: It takes much longer to run up Sulphur Mountain when it's covered in loose snow. And, as a bonus lesson: It Gets Really Dark, Really Quick.

So, I learned a few things this week. It always takes a little re-adjustment to get used to winter running. And running around in Winter. Everything takes longer and works slower. Including me.

14 comments:

  1. I hear ya. I'm psyching myself up for the extra time it's going to take to dig out and get to work tomorrow. Not my favorite thing, but I do love all the snow we're getting!

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  2. I guess we knew it would hit you sooner rather than later. Glad you are happy to see the arrival of the powder!! Have fun - find some running partners for after dark please!

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  3. Well hey you WENT. I tell myself I'm going to go run in the dark but then I don't after work. It has to be the dark morning. Dark but not scary because monsters don't get up early.

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  5. Glad to know I am not the only one psyched about winter running! I was called 'crazy' by more than a few people this week for going out for a run in -20....and I did it three days in a row, because this is why I started running! Love it!

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  6. Look at the snow - love the snow light. Be careful in the dark on your own - you're sooo brave. Hoping we have a good winter again and I can actually use it this year!
    Kaz

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  7. I am constantly regaling whoever will listen about the mad people I've discovered, who run up and down MOUNTAINS for the love of it. Now I have to tell them they do it in the dark and in minus 15 plus. I just don't think they will believe me. Keep running!

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  8. Gretchen - Yup, I'm prepping myself with the 15 minute extra head start in the morning. The weather here is a huge source of entertainment as well. Living in a small mountain town, the discussions of the Good Folks of Banff revolve around the weather. It's a non-stop dialogue of the ever-evolving status of the current and predicted forecast. Weather it seems, plays a huge part in our day to day lives.

    So, Pray for Snow!

    Hi Happy Trails, reality has set in. And my mother would be pleased to know you're looking after my best interests. :)

    Danni! I'm so to have learned that the Scary Monsters don't get up early. :)

    Hey Carolyn! Damn lady, you're getting hard-core! Running is actually one of the best things to do when it's cold. Running and Cross Country skiing are the 2 things guaranteed to make you sweaty, despite the frigid temps. That's why it's perfect. Being fun is the bonus! Glad to hear you're still getting out there. Go you!

    Kaz,
    Noooooooo, I'm not brave - that's why I mentioned that the woods are scary after dark! Maybe Danni is on to something.....

    Hi Helen!
    It's funny what one's perspective of "normal" is. But you're right, I'm not running into a lot of people running around in the dark, in the cold, by themselves! It's just me and The Scary Monsters. I'm definitely changing to the AM, now that I know that they don't get up early. :)

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  9. Thanks Girlie. :) Come back to Coyote Two Moon in March!! I somehow got talked into entering the 100 miler...

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  10. Hi D - still waiting for the snow to fly in Vermont? It's going to be awesome nestled in your little cabin in the woods.

    Why hello Ms. Sue, Adventure Woman Extraordinaire. HA!! How did that happen? You're leaving that crazy man in charge of it all? He'll be lost without you!

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  11. Banff is celebrating 125th anniversary this year. Be sure to check out all of the great events planned throughout the year.

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