Human Wheels

Human Wheels...spin round and round...

Since my last posting I have been busy playing around on my human wheels. Hiking, running, biking and dancing my way around the Comox Valley. Good times, good friends:)

Here are some pics of where my 'wheels' have taken me lately...

Biking with Rat Buddies in the Forbidden Trails...


Hiking Mt. Becher...I have been up there 6 times this year already!

Dancing in the teepee Chai Tent at The BIG Time Out in Cumberland with friends:)

Running up and down Becher...again...cause I just can't get enough of the view up there...

Hiking all over the Valley with my Tuesday night ELM Women Hiking Clinic crew...

Do you know where this is????

How about this?

Or this?

Hiking with my inspiring Peru Crew...just over 1 week until we meet in Peru!

Running...and relaxing(????) with my ELM Leaders on our scouting runs for Adventure Running...

There are so many amazing places to play in this Valley...

Thank you for a wonderful summer my friends!

Cheers,

Sarah.

BIG

Hola Amigos!

BIG things are in the worx this month and the 'change' is in the air. You know how I know? Three clues:

BLACKBERRIES - ugh.

CRICKETS - oh my.

DEW - yeesh.

That can only mean one thing... but I won't say it out loud...

BIG THINGS

I have been doing some BIG THINGS.

I will spare you the details of the ELM staff party last friday- but let's just say there were poles involved and I have some BIG BRUISES from the 'fitness' class.

BIG treks/runs with my BIG daypack to get my body tuned up for the BIG trip.

Liz and I scampered up the Boston Ridge Trail last Sunday...in the middle of a cloud...we were completely absolutely entirely soaked through and through. Lovely August day trampling through wet wild blueberries covering a non-existent trail. SO FUN! But we will have to return for a view...

Thumbs up...I think! WET but HAPPY at the top of Mt. Becher after scrambling up the alternate Boston Ridge Route.

I have NEVER seen Liz tired!! BUT HERE IS PROOF - she IS human afterall!

Gorillas in the mist...apparently the views are quite nice...

Nice signage!

There are BIG Things in my garden.

We went to Kelowna on the long weekend and when we came home something insane had happened in our garden...the zucchini's had exploded! WOAH! Grilled zucchini, chocolate zucchini muffins, and pizza loaded with zucchini have been on the menu...

BIG TRAINING DAYS FOR THE PERU CREW

With only 3 weeks to go until the BIG adventure in Peru, it is time to tackle the longest and most frequent hikes of the training program. Volume is UP.

Last Saturday we had our final group training hike up at Mt Washington- heading out to Cruickshank Canyon in our boots and gear. IT RAINED. What seemed like a bummer was actually a blessing as the hikers had a chance to battle the elements and try out their wet weather gear before the real deal next month.

Everyone did amazing. I was so happy to see how strong everyone looked! Their training has paid off and in a few weeks they will get to reap the rewards of their hard work...happy hikers on their 7 day trek in the mountains of Peru!

At the Ranger cabin...

Crossing the creek at Lake Beautiful...

Nice view at our lunch break! LOL...

YEEEEHAAAAW!

This weekend brings more BIG adventures for me and all things ELM...

Saturday AM I will be doing a BIG trek once again in the hills above Cumberland this time- with Liz.

Saturday PM I am teaching MOMAR 101 in Cumberland - there is still one spot available if you want to register! This is your chance to learn all of the tricks of the trade as I spill all of my Adventure Racing secrets and give you the upper hand for your next MOMAR!

Saturday PM I will be found bouncing to the house beats in the Teepee tent at the Big Tiime Out in Cumberland! I just snagged a day pass from the good men at SURE Copies- sponsors of the BTO- THANKS SO MUCH!

Sunday AM I will be heading up up up once again for another 4-5hour run/trek with my mountain goat bud Liz...

Sunday PM I will get a rare and special visit from my family who are coming up from Vic to the wilds of Courtenay!

CAN'T WAIT!

Have a wonderful weekend!

SS

RUN A MARATHON

'FROM HALF TO FULL MARATHON' CLINIC

Clinic registration deadline this coming Monday, August 16th! Build from the half clinic to running the Royal Victoria Marathon on October 10th! We need 3 more peeps to get this clinic off the ground so be sure to register sooooon!

CLINIC DETAILS

Ready to go LONG?? If you are comfortable with the half marathon distance then you are ready to train to race in the Victoria Full Marathon with ELM this fall!

This clinic will focus on going for the long haul with programs for novice and experienced marathon runners- building from 21kms and leading up to the Victoria Marathon in October.

Participants will learn marathon training techniques, fine tune form, build strength and increase stamina to reach their goal race times in Victoria.

Next Session:
Time: Sundays 8:00am
Dates: Full Marathon Training August 22nd-October 3rd
Location of classes : Various Routes in the Comox Valley area.
Prerequisite: Ability to run 21k before beginning clinic.
Marathon Training 7-weeks
Cost: ELM Members: $80 Non Members: $90

REGISTER NOW!

2 Weeks in Pics

*View of the Comox Glacier from the top of Mt. Becher on July 17th...

It has been 2 weeks of summer bliss and I have been too busy playing to blog! I am sure you will forgive me when you see what I have been up to...paradise in the Valley!


On the 17th I decided to do a scout run up Becher to check the snow again...snow started at the half way point but was easy to trek over- wet wet wet however! These are the only flowers that had appeard! Mid July and no berries on the blueberry bushes yet!



The view from the top is amazing...snow on the way up...

Earlier that day I led an Orienteering workshop at Nymph Falls Park... SO FUN!

On Mondays I have been doing Adventure Running scouting runs with the fearless ELM Leaders...we have created some fantastic routes for you this summer!

Last Saturday am, Liz and I ran from Mt. Washington to Forbidden Plateau via the Murray Meadows Traverse...27kms 4hours and many many puddles and creeks and blueberry bush scrapes later we had a fantastic run in the mountains:)

After the BIG run it was time to get home and clean up for my backyard martini party! I have some new favorites...hello Lychee martinia! Thanks for the idea Gen!

Brad has been busy 'hunting' while I have been busy 'gathering' pounds of berries for the freezer. He has been bringing home a tonne of beautiful salmon so I have been running the smoker 24hours a day! YUM!

More lovely leader scouting runs...

Unbelievable sunrises at early Bootcamp on the beach...

View from top of Becher!

Gotta run!

SS

Sunday Afternoon Goodies

Amazing blood red BC cherries:) I just finished pitting a bag for the freezer...but it looks more like I was completing a sacrifice. Will take a few days to get the blood off my hands...

Local Berry Patch

I have spent much of my summer so far squatting in the local strawberry patch- Ashberry Farm. I love going to local farms whenever possible and berry season is a great opportunity to do so.

My freezer is stocked with yummy organic red berries and homemade strawberry jam...which tastes like summer in a jar!

I can't believe I have been buying jam all these years...never again!

Freezer jam:

Crush 4 cups berries

Mix with pectin/ 1 cup sugar for 3 minutes

Pour into jars and freeze!

Crazy easy...try it...you won't regret it!

Orienteering 101 Saturday!

Just got home from setting the practice 'O' course for my Orienteering 101 class tomorrow at Nymph Falls Park...FUN! I LOVE orienteering:)

Do you know where this bench is? If so, you got one of the control points in the course!

And NEXT weekend, on the 24th of July, the Victoria Orienteering Club is coming to town and running an Orienteering Event at Nymph Falls Park!! This is a huge opportunity for locals to get a taste of the sport of Orienteering. Be sure to attend this event if you are in town!

July 24, Courtenay, Nymph Falls, Forbidden Plateau Rd.
2:00 - 3:00 Registration and Starts
Courses, Carl Coger, Additional info, 250-592-4944

Happy Trails!
SS

Sunrise Bootcamp Video

Summer Arrives

Summer has finally arrived and I have been making the most of every sweeeet (sweaty) minute! I LOVE it. Hurray for SUMMER!

Here is my week in pics...I must say, I really do love my job...summer is really just the icing on the cake when you work outdoors...

Nikki, Marc and I ride Screamin Deamin on Canada Day...OH CANADA! We love you! Trails are dry, rocks are super grippy, wildflowers are still lining the trails:)

'Indian's Paintbrush' on Mt Becher last Friday...Pascale and I went up to do a 'recci' of the trail as I was planning to take the Peru Crew up for their July training hike...no go! Deep snow right at the entrance to the park! Will be weeks before it melts and the trail is clear. You can still get to the top as the snowpack is firm, but it will be slippery and squishy and you should know the route as the snow covers the cairns.

Jack our scout buddy on Forbidden...

Monday working on bike skills and fitness with a client on the pipeline..summer in full effect and we were taking full advantage during our training session!

Monday evening clearing trail with Kathy & Lynn during our Adventure Running scout run above the dam. Love heading out with my fearless leaders to uncover new routes for our participants...always an adventure!

Lynn finally got to see the cabin on 'Cabin Fever'! Well worth the climb...

Beautiful towering maples and douglas firs in Seal Bay Park on Tuesday evening...during the first hike of our Womens Summer Hiking Series! The shade of this amazing forest kept us cool during our first weekly hike.

Wednesday I hit the water in the afternoon for a paddle training session with a client who is training for a big expedition paddling trip to Greenland next month. Zone 3 intervals 5 on 4 off * 4...while TOWING ME! That's right...

Here is the proof that I was being towed in a kayak for work this week...all I needed was a cooler and a cold brewski! Looking strong Janine!

Wednesday night ride with the Rats and our first warm night meant the first swim of the year in Allan Lake! I didn't think I would go in- even after 2 hours riding in the 30 degree heat. But the water is like a bath!

So nice...now that is pure summer!

Thursday night Adventure Running summer series kicks off with a scorcher! Lisa, Korky, Cindy and I grab a drink and soak our burning brains in the beautiful creek below Sykes bridge. Amazing!

Heading home via Broncos Perseverance! Great hill run ladies!

Post Adventure Run - Yoga bliss with Deb Rolston. Every summer we wrap up our Adventure Runs with Outdoor Yoga in the park. 45 minutes of bliss...


HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

The Best Ice Cream Ever

Got your attention didn't I?

I just got back from paddling with a client on a glassy ocean under a blue bird sky...and I was craving something cold and yummy to cool me down before heading out for my Weds night ride in Cumberland. So I whipped up my favorite 'un-ice cream' and voila- The Best Ice Cream Ever...I HAD to share it with you:) You have to try this cause it is as good as gelato...

2 frozen bananas- thaw slightly in warm water to peel off the skins
1-2 tbs honey, maple syrup or agave nectar
1 tsp vanilla
3-4 tbs cocoa powder (how chocolately do you like it?)

Blend all of the ingredients in a food processor until you get a consistency like soft ice cream. Enjoy as is or put in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to harden slightly. You can add whatever else you like...nutz etc...or stick with my fav- pure chocolate goodness.

Eat without worrying about saturated fat, dairy allergies or chemicals you can't pronounce!

Yummy...I love summer!
SS