Unpacking

I went into my suitcase of hurt today and obviously packed for the wrong trip, since it didn't have what I wanted in there. I wanted ice cold blood and spiky veins, instead I got a sombrero and party hat.


The obscure analogy above is because I raced the Grouse Grind Mountain race today and was lacking the necessary skills to be competitive, but still had a blast while suffering.

It is a nasty little race. Only 2.9km, but 853 m elevation gain, for an average grade of 30%, in other words-steep and relentless.Don McPherson and Phil Severy built the Grind in the early 1980s, uninvited by the regional district or the owners of Grouse Mountain (thanks Wikipedia).
It is referred to as "Nature's Stair Climb", a very apt description, as it is almost entirely steps. You don't really run, so much as power hike and bound up it.It is a strange sort of fitness and is guaranteed to make you suffer.

I finished 8th in 30:37, and the winner went an insane 25:24, which crushed the course record. It has a sweet prize purse of $1500, so is well worth the hurt.

I had it reinforced that I am a bit more of an aerobic animal, a bit of a sad realization, because speed is sexy and it is over faster, but thems the breaks! Although I want to try my hand at the longer races, I'll always do these sort of short bursts of hurt, they are just fun and great fitness builders.








Sad attempt at a sprint finish (I lost)





(me with Team Groves)