Cross-Training with a “Forbidden” Trek.

In the midst of training for my first half-marathon, I decided to do a bit of cross-training so, from Vancouver where I was checking out the local spas, I headed up to Coastal Trek Resort on Vancouver Island for a few days of hiking.

I really appreciate that owners Andrea and Shayne Stuchbery bent the rules a bit to allow me to stay for just these “few days” because the minimum stay is typically seven-days. The whole focus of this intimate, family-run property is health and fitness and the week-long program revolves around daily hikes. There are more than 100 different options in the immediate area and each daily hike is selected by guide Mike Black based on guests interest and fitness level.

After the first day of what might be called a “starter hike,” I was ready for the big one – a 27 km (16.2 miles) signature hike across Forbidden Plateau. Shayne explained it to all six guests as we sat around the massive dining room table enjoying a healthy breakfast. As well as being co-owner, Shayne also guides hikes and he says the 27 km, the retreat’s flagship hike is his personal favourite. Turns out, I’m the only one up for the challenge. So while Mike takes the rest of the group on another day-long hike, Shayne and I will traverse the Forbidden Plateau.

While the name – Forbidden Plateau – sounds more than a bit foreboding, Shayne assures me that it is nothing of the sort. In fact, he said, I always do it in my bare feet. How difficult can a hike be if this man can do it barefooted?

This will be no outing to smell the wild flowers, enjoy the view or snap photos – this is a hike for fitness sake and the goal is to complete it in the record time of six hours, which Shayne tells me he did with a previous thirty-something male guest.

The beginning of our trail, which is on Washington Mountain in
Strathcona Provincial Park (located in the centre of Vancouver Island and designated the oldest park in British Columbia) includes a touristy boardwalk, followed by a groomed forest trail, soft on the feet (good for my barefooted guide) and dappled with sunlight. At Murray Meadows, about 8 km into the hike, Shayne announces “now we’re at the hard part.” The next three km, a collection of roots, muddy patches and water hazards, really slows the pace. Then comes the warning, “the most difficult part is still to come.”

At noon, about the 11km mark we stop for lunch on a rocky spot between two lakes. We take just enough time to rest our feet and enjoy part of the picnic lunch – which includes a chicken wrap and steamed edamame (soy beans) - prepared by the chef at Coastal Trek.

Not long after lunch we hit one of the longest “difficult parts” - a steep and constant incline up the saddle between two mountains that takes us up about 1,000 feet.

While there were many gentle parts – forest and meadows - the route was more obstacle course than hiking trail and many parts were not groomed. We encountered sections strewn with huge fallen limbs, rocks that made walking difficult, slippery muddy patches, two significant inclines and lots of mosquitos. We passed through beautiful old-growth forests and peaceful lake-side meadows. The only sounds, other than those made by our own voices, were those of birds, squirrels the occasional rushing waters or trickling streams.

The highlight for me was actually one of the most difficult sections - a treacherous pebble covered terrain of an old ski hill closed down in the 90s. It was like walking on marbles and we really slowed the pace. It was here I took my one and only tumble of the day. Ouch. Turns out it afforded the day’s most scenic view. We were looking down on Comax Village, Georgia Strait and the Coastal Mountains beyond.

It took close to seven hours to complete Forbidden Plateau Traverse and along the way we met only one other person – a solo trekker looking to set up camp for the night.

Cold drinks, snacks and iced hand towels were waiting for us back at the resort. We didn’t make the six-hour finish time but still I feel a great sense of accomplishment. Especially when I learn that only 2 per cent of guests set out to complete this great hike. Along with Mount Kenya, Havasu Canyon and Grosmorn Mountain, I see it as another notch in my hiking belt. And, yes, except for the pebble-covered ski slope, Shayne did it all in his bare feet.

Anne Dimon is the editor of Travel to Wellness

Getting back in the swing of things

I have a confession to make. I found it really difficult to get out the door and go running over the summer. I don’t know what it is about the summer that sometimes makes it difficult for me to run. Is is the hot weather? Is it because my mind is in vacation-mode? Is it because my daily routine is off-kilter?

I’ve come to the conclusion it’s that lackadaisical state we get into, a result of some of the reasons just mentioned. The heat, the vacations, the lack of daily routine. But I’m not alone. As a health & nutrition counselor, I see it all the time. Many people put off their health and weight loss goals until September. They make excuses as to why they can’t start a healthy regimen during the summer - they’re taking a trip, the kids are home from school or they just lack the motivation.

Come September, they realize they haven’t lost those extra pounds put on during vacation and oops! those Fall clothes are a bit snug. They decide to take some action and get their health back on track and contact me for some help. I outline a plan and schedule coaching sessions to assist them with their goals. I’m going to do the same with my running.

I’ve added running days and times into my calendar just as I would any other appointment. That’s how I have to look at it - an appointment. Just like a meeting with a client, friend, or business associate. I wouldn’t skip them and will do the same with myself. My scheduled running sessions are appointments with myself. Time set apart to help me live a better live. A way for me to get healthier, happier, and feel a sense of accomplishment. Why not do the same for yourself this September?

The weather is cooler, vacations are over, the kids are back to school, and daily routines are back in order. No more excuses. Give yourself the gift of health and get out there and running!

Happy running and healthy eating,

*Dinneen*

Why I run

I am 32 years old. I am the mother of three beautiful children, who never let me forget - for even one minute - how precious life is. I am a wife, a friend, a daughter, a sister. I am an ex-smoker.

My children are full of energy, a pure love for life and spend most of their days just begging for one more minute of sunshine, or hoping for one more playdate with a friend.

I have spent most of my life acting as if I was living life to its fullest ... capturing moments and enjoying my family and friends, and the beauty of the world we live in.

But in all honesty, I was in denial. I started smoking when I was about 16 years old (smoked for a good 15 years!!) and although I would have never admitted to anyone that I was addicted, I definitely let cigarettes control and dictate my life, my schedule and my ability to truly participate in life.

Everything involved with my day - from sunup to sundown - revolved around smoking. I smoked when I first woke up ... smoked one last cigarette before going to bed.

When I had the kids in the car on a long drive, we'd pull over to a rest stop, just so I could have a cigarette. I would make my family wait in the parking lot after a long grocery shopping trip so that I could have a cigarette after buckling them into carseats.

What I failed to realize, pack after pack after pack of cigarettes, is that I was short-changing myself, my kids, my husband and my life. What I saw as a harmless way to relax myself, pass the time or even sneak in a bit of quiet moments for myself during the day ... was in truth, a horrible addiction that really had a controlling hold on every part of me.

On May 18th of this year, I had one cigarette left in my trusty hiding spot, and I forgot to ask my husband to pick up a pack for me on his way home from work.

May 19th was my first day on the road to being an ex-smoker.

Later that week, I also decided to start running. I wanted desperately to replace my addiction to smoking with another obsession ... a healthy choice this time. Running it was.

I signed up to run a half-marathon on September 27th and have been slowly training my body to respond to what running asks of it.

I'm nowhere near where I should be to run this half-marathon, but it's ok. I've set out to simply cross the finish line, whether I walk, run or crawl over.

I watch other runners at the gym and often am in awe of their spirit, their determination and their will. I read the blogs of runners and wish I could be "where they are" ... running 20 milers on the weekends ... part of running clubs and with a slew of races on their list of accomplishments.

Then I realize ... I am those runners. Simply because I get up, lace my shoes and start to run ... I am one of them. It doesn't matter if I am only able to run 2 miles at any one time, or if I can't fathom running a 10:00 split. It doesn't matter if the clothes I run in match, or if I am familiar with the latest hydration belt on the market.

I am a runner.

I run because I love my family. I run because I want to always choose a quick run over a pack of cigarettes.

I run because it frees my mind. I run because it gives my body something to attain. I run because it makes me feel strong.

I run because I want my children to see me accomplish a goal.

I run because there's nothing else like it ...

I haven't had a cigarette since that day in May ... and while it isn't a simple road, it sure feels good to be able to breathe again. To start my run and know that my lungs are pure again ... and able to function as they were meant to function - - for many days to come!

Happy running,

Naomi

Team Member Cloud shares her story

Less than 8 weeks until my fourth half marathon, and I’m going to count the weeks down in this blog. I’d like to say I’m a great runner but I’m not. At 47, I putz around the event courses like a woman in a more, how shall we say, senior division? Average finish times are what my timing chips turn in most often. I don’t really care, because I run for just about every other reason out there except competitive performance. To keep from smoking, for mental health, to study residential landscapes more easily than while driving (I moonlight as a landscape designer), for weight control and to fight osteoporosis, and because sweating feels good – pretty much in that order.

The latest reason is Team in Training. “TNT” is an amazing organization/program now celebrating its twentieth year supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society while helping train amateur athletes to compete in various types of endurance sports events including triathlons, marathons and half-marathons and raise funds for LLS.

As a TNT team member I have access to awesome coaching, various informational clinics (such as nutrition, shoe/equipment, injury prevention, fund-raising, speedwork/form), a web page to collect donations, and team social events to help me reach two goals – athletic and fund-raising. I have competed in two Team in Training events and this fall will run in the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco CA on October 19. I have found that because of TNT’s guidance both goals are amazingly easy.

Each team has an Honored Hero, who is a patient being treated for any type of blood cancer. This Hero is local and we celebrate our successes together periodically throughout the training season. I never fully calculated the power of my ability to do something important for someone else. Through Team in Training I have raised $7600 since I started and if I make the goal for the Nike Women’s Half Marathon, I will have raised (with my blessed donors) over $10,000 in 12 months’ time. That’s a dent! And 75% of whatever I raise goes directly to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. That’s a great ratio.

If you know a woman who could benefit in her body or her soul, or both, please tell her about Team in Training.

By the end of August we’re supposed to be doing 10 miles, according to the training schedule TNT provides. Then the remaining 3 is achieved more gradually, Sept – Oct. As an old lady I worried about stepping it up 4 miles in August, from 6 to 10, and now I have a bit of a knee injury. I fell on my bike during the Acworth Women’s Sprint Triathlon on August 10 and somehow injured the inside of my left knee. So my training has been extremely guarded and I’m not on schedule distance-wise. I will HOPE to do 8 - 10 this weekend. Please send good vibes my way.

Team Member Judy wants to know what's on your IPOD?

WHAT'S ON YOUR IPOD?

I don't know about everyone else, but for me, the I-Pod has made it possible for me to run again. Getting my former couch potato self off and running always meant dealing with that part of myself that whines loudly and unceasingly, like a kid on a cross country road trip. You know what I mean. "I can't breath." "My feet hurt." "Are we done yet?" "You mean we've only gone one tenth of a mile?" "We always run down this road, can't we do something different?" "If we don't stop right now, I'm going to have a heart attack. Really. I mean it."

Music on the MP3 player works as well as puzzles, snacks, books and auto lotto worked to occupy my sister and me back in the 1960s or, in my daughter's case, a portable DVD player and her Gameboy.

It's not like listening to the radio, since there are no commercials and you know that every song you'll hear is something you like. I've found that I need bright music with a good beat, nothing dark or heavy metal. The absolute best is Bruce Springsteen. When "Born To Run" comes around, I'm always re-energized, practically sprinting as I mouth "Tramps like us, baby, we were born to ruuuuuuuuuuuuun!" I also like hearing him do "Badlands" and a song called "American Land" which always reminds me of seeing him in concert last April. It's an uplifting Celtic tune with filddles and accordions and you just can't help but move your feet.

Other songs that get me going are "Copper Head Road" by Steve Earl, "Bad To The Bone" by George Thorogood, "Tusk" by Fleetwood Mac and "Beds Are Burning" by Midnight Oil. A good saxophone solo helps, too, like the riff in Gerry Rafferty's "Baker Street."

Of course, you do need to be careful running with headphones on, as you're not as likely to hear cars coming. I'm lucky enough to live in a subdivision where there's not much traffic and most of my route is in an uninhabited development. The only people using the roads there are other runners, cyclists and people walking their dogs. I just hope the housing market stays flat and no one moves back there for at least another year or two.

So, I'm curious. What's the song that gets you past the wall and keeps you going to the end?

Advice for getting started--Team Member Dinneen

As an on-again, off-again runner (and as a health & nutrition counselor) one thing people often ask me is how to get started running (or exercising, for that matter). Whether it’s a friend, colleague, or client I tell them all the same thing, “just start...with one foot in front of the other.”

What I mean is to just to get out there and do it! Nobody starts off running 5 miles right away. They all start off slow. It takes patience, practice, and most of all, a desire to get outside and have some fun.

For clients who currently don’t exercise, I tell them to just start walking. Even if it’s around the block a few times. Then slowly begin walking further and longer. Then you can start adding small bits of running in between. For example, walk 5 minutes, jog for 2 minutes, walk for 5, run for 2, etc. The thing is to start of small and slowly build up.

For beginners or the non-athlete, a good book to read is John Bingham’s “The Courage to Start.” John is a columnist for Runner’s World Magazine and was “once an overweight couch potato” (taken from his website - so his words, not mine!), who at 43 started running and hasn’t looked back. His books talk about his transformation from being a sedentary guy to a runner and athlete. His writing is funny, uplifting, and best of all, inspires you and tells you how to get started yourself. You’ll read about his struggles, frustrations, along with his triumphs and happy moments. Running, like many things in life, can be tough and not always easy, but the rewards make it all worthwhile.

Like John, I’m a regular person just trying to get some exercise, keep my weight down (I love to eat!), be healthy, but most of all, feel a sense of accomplishment and have fun.

That, my friends, is what running (and life) is all about. Having some fun.

So if you too have an on-again, off-again running relationship, I invite you to not only follow my running progress, but to join me on the road to becoming a real “runner.” We’ll have good days, bad days, days when we want to quit, days when we can’t imagine quitting, and days when we wonder why the heck we ever started running. As John Bingham says, “the miracle isn’t that I finished, the miracle is that I had the courage to start.” So just have the courage to start.

Guest Blogger Nicole gives back to Bay Area girls

Nicole has found a way to give back to young girls while incorporating her passion.

I have been a runner since I was 13 (currently 27). I have always enjoyed running, and believe there is a real value to not only your physical health but also to your mental health. Being a runner, gave me the confidence I needed as a teenager to get through all of the challenges one can face not only as a teenager, but also as a young woman who desired to succeed under very challenging circumstances. As an adult, I look back and wonder how different my life would have been without track or cross country. Since this was such a great benefit to me, I got involved with an organization that teaches girls about the importance of staying active, being a part of a team and building that self confidence at an early age to carry through the rest of her life. I am currently involved with Girls on the Run of the Bay Area and have taken a role as the events chair.

Girls on the Run is an after-school running program for girls that teaches the importance of exercise while also teaching them about empowerment, self-respect, friendship, teamwork, and goal setting. Many of the girls deal with death, violence, and other uncertainties in their communities every day.

Have you figured out a way for your passion to benefit others?