Cloudy snow

The local peaks have been engulfed with clouds the past few months, with only a rare spotting of sun poking through. The alpine is also still largely blanketed with snow and although fun, it makes for dodgy running at times. Despite the recent lack of sunshine and warm days, and limited access to the higher regions, I have really been enjoying my running lately. It's been quite different from my traditional approach, with few specific workouts and a much greater emphasis on getting onto technical trails and logging vertical. The runs can take a while to cover relatively few miles, but the sense of adventure as I explore new tracks is invigorating.
This style of running is something that I never had access to in Victoria and adds greatly to my attraction to Vancouver. While I'm not sure the change of pace will necessarily make me a better runner, I don't doubt that once I adapt, that it will make me a better "mountain runner" and, most importantly, it is the style of running that gets me the most excited to run at the moment.
I'm sure that eventually I'll start back with at least one structured workout a week, because I do enjoy the feeling of running hard and fast, especially with a group, but, for now, I'm running largely by feel and ending almost every run feeling better than when I start, which is how it should be.



With all the snow in the hills, the bears are out to feed and play on the lower slopes and I've had a few, innocuous, run-ins with them. After the Western States 100 on the weekend, I consider bear management a critical skill in my ultra running arsenal, so I'm fine with the encounters. Congrats to fellow Brit/Canuck Ellie Greenwood on winning the race, finishing her first 100 miler and treeing a bear along the way. Congrats also to Salomon runner, Kilian Jornet on living up to the hype, running a stout race and becoming the first non-North American to win.




The Chilcotins video has been uploaded to the Arc'teryx Vimeo page. There are some great videos in their collection, so it's worh checking out. We live in a fascinating time, when videos and other creative media has never been easier to make and share. I will admit to using online sources for inspiration and have gone out the door for many a run after watching a clip, or listening to podcast, with a lighter step and a new perspective. I really appreciate everyone that takes the time to share their work, so I hope this video does the same for a few of you:

Adam Campbell Chilcotins run from ARC'TERYX on Vimeo.