Goodbye 2018. Hello 2019.
What the next orbit around the sun will bring?
I’ve been giving a lot of thought lately to what new challenges and adventures that I want to explore/conquer this year.
In a recent conversation, a friend pointed out that I’m living a perfect place now – an hour from the mountains and minutes from an international airport – to seek those adventures.
Franz Josez Glacier, NZ 
Great Wall of China 
Taj Mahal, India
First up … Grand Canyon – bungee jumping?
Will Smith did it … so why not? You only live once (or twice if you believe in zombies). I’ve been in plenty of helicopters in my career (the perks of being a journalist), and I am not afraid of heights. This is the type of experience that I can share with my pretend grandchildren (or more likely Sona’s or Laura’s children). Why not?
Except I am a wimp. And the experience would be over before I know it. Likely I would have my eyes shut the entire time. Nope. Not going to happen. However, I am going to run Rim to Rim (to Rim) with Amber over two days.
We’re still working out the details. Likely we will be heading to the canyon at the end of May. It’s cooler other times of the year but unfortunately I cannot get time off from work earlier in the spring. The distance is roughly 22.5 miles or 35 kms one way.
Factor in the heat, distance and the elevation, this experience will be challenging both physically and mentally. I cannot wait.
What else?
I want to do another road trip – just me the Versa and my GPS. I am considering some options right now. I had a dream about a friend who happens to be in Haida Gwaii right now. It’s been on my list of places to see in Canada – so that is an option. I really enjoyed my time in Yellowknife last year. However my time in the north was too short.
I love Canada. I have never been to Saskatchewan or Manitoba so there’s options there. I would love to see the sand dunes in Saskatchewan but I think that could be a long weekend trip. In Manitoba, I would like to visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Not sure what else there is to see in Manitoba.
That’s all to be decided in the coming weeks.
On the racing front – in progress
I’m always setting and changing my goals. I’m a realist that way. I don’t like to set any big scary goals until I’m truly committed to achieving it.
Last year’s big, scary goal was to run my first 100K. Regular readers will know that didn’t go according to my plan. Yes. Running 100K is still on my list. Still trying to figure out the when and the where. Stay tuned.
I’m heading back to Fernie and I’m going to try my darnest to shave off a couple of hours off my Elk Valley 50K time on this course. Watch out Mount Fernie, I’m not done with you just yet. As well I will be back in Lethbridge for Lost Soul. (I love this race.) Likewise I want to shave more time off this darn course.
I know I have it in me. I just have to work hard for it.
Finding strength
I want to be more consistent with weight training this year. I never felt stronger when I was doing crossfit at 6 a.m. These days I am focusing on upper body strength. I am scaling back on leg training because it really puts a damper on my running. My legs never seemed to recover. I am targeting those weak spots with a goal to make them my strengths.
Yes!!! Same same. Lots of adventures
Excellent plans! Grand Canyon sounds magnificent, take a few pics for us. You are right, we are so close to many amazing things here, we are lucky. You can’t beat the mountains 🙂
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Awesome pictures!
I actually got into weight training because of running, and although it is now many years ago I still remember how it helped.
Similar to you, I also had to do very little leg training. Remember the feeling of always having tired legs :p
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