Run Stettler in Pictures

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Calgary runner Tina, who was in Stettler this holiday weekend visiting her family, invited me to join her long run. I really needed a change of scenery so I happily agreed. Stettler is about 80 kilometres east of Red Deer. I’ve been there a few times for work but I haven’t really spent any time in the town. I left Red Deer about 7:15 a.m. and I arrived in Stettler around 8:20 a.m. 
The plan was to run at least 28 kilometres. (In the end we ran 29 kilometres.) Tina is also running the Calgary Marathon on June 1. We set out on the highway to Camrose. (Sorry I forget the name of the highway already.) It was a beautiful morning. Nearly all the snow had melted from yesterday’s spring surprise. I was relieved because I wanted to wear my new Rider 17s without gettng them soaked.
 

I may have been half asleep (or my legs were at least) for the first 8 kilometres. We had a lot of room to run on the shoulder but there weren’t many cars on the road. I tried to wave to every other driver. Country people like that. I thought when in the country ….

I loved looking at the farm houses and the hay fields. There’s so much beauty in every blink. At times I felt like I was in the wild west.


Apparently churches are a big thing in Stettler. 

I may have peed behind this thing. Do you know what it is? I have no clue now that I think about it.

  

We ran straight 14K before turning around and heading back. We were running at a much slower pace than I am used to but I loved every minute of it. Sometimes it’s just nice to take your time and enjoy the journey. Sometimes I get so caught up in my training that I forget to stop and smell the flowers so to speak.

          
By kilometre 26, I was craving chocolate milk. Don’t ask me why. I always carry my ATM card for emergency situations like this one. I ran ahead and popped into the store. I gulped a big swig before continuing. 

And here’s the evidence of my long run. Next week it’s back to 32 kilometres. My new shoes felt awesome and I feel awesome. Must be the country air.

12 Comments

  1. Loved the pics! When I was just a little boy, I think my Calgary aunts and uncles used to talk about places like Stettler and Retlaw and now those placenames just resonate!

    1. Ha ha thanks. It was nice running along the countryside. It was so quiet and calm. I need to do that more often 🙂

  2. When I got to my aunts…two of my uncles mentioned they passed us on the highway running!! Too funny. Legs are feeling pretty good. I will try to do the raise legs higher when i am feeling draggy like you suggested!! It felt good mostly…need to raise the bar on those midweek runs I think!

  4. Great post, and pics! My grandma lived in Stettler when I was a kid, so it's especially fun hearing about it 🙂

    1. That's cool. I need to run in more communities, more often. This coming Saturday I am running in Sylvan Lake. I can't wait. Any relatives?

    2. Of course my mom says VERA!!! She was the secretary at the Church for a long time!! haha small world always.

  5. that's a grain bin that you peed behind!
    signed the farm kid that grew up in sask!

    1. Ha ha well now I know! I lived by a pig farm in Nova Scotia when I was growing up 🙂

    2. I was just going to say that! haha lots of em out here where I grew up!

    3. I was also looking to see if anyone had replied with the answer! Growing up in a small town comes in handy when photos like these are posted 🙂

  6. I like the photo journalism! Looks like you and Tina had a lovely Easter weekend run. How do you like your Nathan pack?

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