Smith Creek Loopy Loo's

Today the PACE scene hit Smith Creek on the westside for our training run(s).  The 25k would venture out for what would be their longest run of the summer clinic.  Everyone ran very strong and steady and did a great job on a rather relentless trail.  Smith Creek is one of Kelowna's nicest mountain bike areas.  The trail gradually ascends on single track and offers a mecca of fun twists and turns and bridges and logs and well, you get the point.  It's a fun mountain bike ride!  But it is also a really fun trail to run...

It challenges you because most of the ascent is all runnable.  So it's just a matter of time before your legs start to ask for forgiveness.  There are some of the most beautiful views and I will go so far as to say one of the best descents in Kelowna.  We managed to make it up to the top (the extra loop, don't remember what they call it) and then we repeated the top section again before coming all the way back down.

The 25k group did a great job!  3hrs, 21k and 2600 feet later we returned to the cars.  The 25k group were off and likely on to enjoy a post run coffee... :)  The 50k group, rehdyrated, refueled and headed back out for another 2hrs.  Sarah had taken a bit of spill early in the run and banged her leg.  Once again, this girl showed her 'tough as nails' attitude and continued on to complete the 5hr training run.  We also shared the 2nd outing with Tammy, Andrew and Kevin.  All three of these runners are so strong and positive.  It really does make a difference when you surround yourself with people like this on the trails.  I was inspired as I witnessed Tammy take a bump in her training today and manage it so well... right to the finish.  This is another 'tough as nails' ultra runner who sets a humble example of work ethic and passion.  The boys were on fire and tore up that descent.  In fact we didn't even see Kevin until the last 400m of the trial where he was waiting for us :) 

All in all, another great training week so far!  Today actually marked the the most amount of weekly running I have ever done in my life.  Today marked 15hrs this week, in total.  I am really proud of myself.  I wasn't sore at all from Hell Hill the previous day.  The only thing I noticed is it took me 1.5hrs to warm up again.  I am seeing this more and more.  I guess the good thing is that I do warm up and have stronger 2nd half of my runs.

Sarah and I took our training to the next level today too.  We stopped into Valoroso on Sutherland for some Italian Pizza... we figured we owe it to ourselves to get our tastebuds prepared, as well as our legs...