How Wild is North America?

The Big Wild asks "How Wild is North America?"

5 Peaks Rattlesnake Point 2010

Another comparatively successful race held this past weekend and my role as course manager. The biggest race so far by far which brings with it extra challenges. I say comparatively successful because although everything went reasonably well, we still had our problems out on the course - course markings pulled that shoudn't have, injuries, water supply to the aid stations. This to me is the toughest course of all of the 5 Peaks races with lots of roots, rocks, etc and parts of the Enduro course are specifically challenging. This year unfortunately this resulted in some injuries to runners which is never a good thing to experience. It obviously is a trail race and the objective is to provide the broader experience of trail running, but when runners fall and injure shoulders or ankles, this is never a great thing to be a part of !

Bruce Peninsula National Park

Another first - a visit to the Bruce Peninsula National Park and the small town of Tobermory. Surprisingly we were turned away from the main National Park entrance due to it being full. I don't think that has ever happened to me before at a National Park. We headed for another part of the park, and completed a short energetic walk along part of the Bruce Trail in the area of Halfway Log Dump. Spectacular shoreline, but the inviting water was extremely cold !

Canadian Death Race 2010 - 30 Days to go !

Just a brief update on my preparation for the race – 30 days to go ! Preparations have gone okay - could have been better, could have been worse. I suffered a quadricep injury about two months ago, which hindered my running training. I backed off the high mileage schedule, and currently am replacing that with alternatives - gym, cycling, hiking, indoor climbing, etc. Not ideal, but the best possible in the circumstances. My goal is to finish, and I am staying away from trying to set any pace goals other than finishing within the cut-off time.

In terms of sponsorship support, all going to The Rotary Foundation, I am currently at $ 1, 160.00. Thank you to everyone for your great support.

Apart from the race, Heather and I will be hiring an RV, and exploring some of the National Parks of Alberta for 10 days prior to the race - Waterton Lakes, Banff and Jasper. We are definitely looking forward to that part of the trip, our first to that part of Canada. Up to now, I have only seen photographs and documentaries of some of the stunning scenery in that part of the world.

Surprisingly I am really looking forward to the race, and not nervous at all. No doubt, my first sight of the Canadian Rockies will send "shivers down my spine". That is not a bad thing, and will force a careful approach to the race as a whole. My lack of nervousness probably has something to do with having completed the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon previously. As they say, these races are partially physical fitness, and mostly mental stamina. Having got through one extreme race feels like a major breakthrough in my mind. Time will tell if I have underestimated this race.

Thanks to all of you for your interest and support. It is motivational to know that others will be following my participation in the race. When I "hit the wall", no doubt a few times, I certainly plan to remind myself of all the support I have received, and the money we have raised for The Rotary Foundation, which should get me walking again, if not jogging!

5 Peaks Durham Regional Forest

Another successful 5 Peaks trail race completed as Course Manager (I will remember to take my camera next time). From my perspective, that means no one got lost, positive comments on the course, and as a team I think we left the forest trails cleaner than when we arrived on the Friday. Over the Friday and Saturday of race weekend, I get to spend approximately 15 hours out on the courses - Sport and Enduro. Marking the course, delivering aid station gear and volunteers, out on the course during the race, and then clearing up the course markers afterwards. Hard work ! but a really great couple of days of exercise, and being out on the trails. Had some great volunteers this race helping to lay the course and clear up. Heather helps a great deal, and between the two of us, we cover almost every km before and after the race. Next event: Rattlesnake Point 10 July.

Canoeing on the Grand River

For the second time, we spent part of the weekend canoeing on the Grand River. An overcast day, but warm and without rain ! Not quite the remote experience of areas further north of Toronto, but within an hour's drive of where we live, and mainly tranquil and scenic.

World's Largest Conservation Agreement ...

http://blog.wwf.ca/blog/2010/05/18/peace-in-the-woods/

WWF-Canada CN Tower Climb

Another successful CN Tower Climb, the third one for me. An unusual event, but in my mind, a good test of my current fitness against previous years times. Not only did I climb this year, but also helped out as a volunteer on both the team and public climb days. To be honest, there is nothing great about the climb itself - there are no views (except at the finish !), just 144 flights of monotonous stairs, and when I did get to the top, I spent the next 24 hrs coughing from the bad air I had inhaled on the way up. This year I also climbed as part of a WWF volunteer team, which added a great deal to the enjoyment. The event though is a major fund raiser for WWF-Canada, and this year 6, 420 climbers raised over $ 1.2 million for the organisation.

Dr. Jane Goodall - 50 years of Chimps and Change

On Friday, what a privelege for Heather and I to listen to a lecture by Dr. Jane Goodall at the University of Toronto. Inspirational, and even emotional, to hear of the challenges and successes of the chimpanzee studies in Gombe National Park, Tanzania, and beyond. I guess what was most striking to us, is that with all her awards and worldwide recognition, the message was straight forward and direct, and given with such humility.

Pack of Wild Eastern Wolves in Algonquin Provincial Park - February 18, 2010

Being a member of the The Friends of Algonquin Park, and visiting regularly, the following video was of great interest. Hear and read so much about the wolves, but they are so rarely seen !

http://www.youtube.com/user/FOAPAlgonquinPark#p/a/u/0/8g-mJHcH0_U