Yesterday I went to the Radium Information Centre to find out about possible trails that I could run today. Yes I probably should have researched before hand but I reckon it’s more fun this way. Besides a website or guide-book can only say too much.
The young woman at the booth was quite helpful and suggested I try the Old Coach Trail. Thankfully, I didn’t have to drive far to access north end of the trailhead.
I set off around 10 a.m. this morning. If it were a regular day, I would have started much earlier but hey, I am on holiday. I get to sleep in and linger over coffee. I slept really well last night. Truthfully it was slightly challenging to get moving this morning (no thanks to those two glasses of red wine).
The Old Coach Trail in Upper Columbia Valley is teeming with history. Markers lined the route pointing to significant highlights. At first, I thought they were kilometre markers. I only wished I had read the pamphlet before I ran. Now I will always wonder what the heck I was supposed to be looking at.
Once again I was overwhelmed by the spectacular scenery. I admit there was a lot of start and stops in the first two kilometres. I felt so fortunate to be running in such a beautiful part of Canada. Not everyone has the means or the time to get a couple of weeks of from work to just embrace living and our beautiful country.
The route takes one down and then up through the valley. It’s hard not to stop to marvel at the glorious views of the river and the mountains in the distance. (Sorry if I am more corny than usual. I can’t help it.) The 16K run took me quite a bit longer than it should have but I was not racing myself anyone. Sometimes we just need to think and forget about PRs, deadlines and all that jazz.
I felt like I was flying …. winding downhills kept my pace honest and a smile on my face. I didn’t see anyone save for a random dog. I assume most people were working or were at the hot springs. I loved that I had the trail to myself. I could scream or cry without an audience.
I ran at a moderate pace and made it to the turn around within an hour. I ran faster on the way back because I was getting cold and I really needed a coffee. This run is pretty chill, if you are in the area. It’s nice and hilly but there are good stretches of flat running.
I didn’t feel like I worked that hard yet when I got back to the resort, I was feeling quite sore. I did my usual mobility and stretching routines but I still felt sore. My right leg was giving me some serious grief. I had planned to go run this other short trail after the Old Coach Trail but I wasn’t feeling it.
Instead I went to the Radium Hot Springs. It was fun. Usually I am not up for hanging out half-naked with strangers in a hot pool. I made this exception because I knew it would do my body some good. I stayed in the pool for about an hour. It was pretty chill and quiet. A group of Korean tourists from Daegu were getting into the pool. I couldn’t help but attempt my poor Korean speaking skills with them in the change room.
Tomorrow I am off to the little red cabin! I am excited to explore the area and to get some more time on my feet.