Not Juan'ce but Twice!

So we are back from Vancouver Island and Juan is in the books. We had gorgeous weather the first two days, which was good as that second day is a killer. It rained through the second night and was still raining that third morning. We had thrown around pushing past Sombrio (our third day end point) and stopping 4 km later at Little Kuitsie. This would allow us to finish in 4 rather then the planned 5 days. We were still up in the air until we had arrived at Sombrio, hiking 8 km in the rain all day and miserable conditions at the beach. Little shelter, lots of rain and wind, plus alot of weekend partiers. So without much discussion, just a couple looks from one to the other, on went the bags and on we went. I guess we figured we misadwell be walking in the rain rather then sitting in it!
Little Kuitsie is a depressing dark in the middle of the scary woods campground, but we made the best of it! I mean when you get excited about the roominess of an outhouse, you're pulling at straws!
I was still able to check the weather on my blackberry (amazing) and saw that weather was turning around. Woke to beautiful sky's and a wonderful 14 km out to the end. We even took our packs off for over an hour and searched around the tide pools on a reef shelf for our lunch.
Then off to the parking lot to unload our gear. I also had a wonderful geo-cache hidden there by a friend of mine, so we all searched and found it! A wonderful note, card and a loonie.
We were then followed out on the trail by Murphy. A young guy who looked exhausted. He had just completed Juan in 2 DAYS SOLO! Wowsa.
Then off to Port Renfrew, for F-O-O-D. Something not from a foil pack, not dehydrated or a meal resembling a bar!
We ate like kings. Fresh Halibut and shrimp!
Loved every minute of it. Now it's onto the Death Race but I am already throwing ideas around for the next hike...hmmmm. Any suggestions?

Countdown...

Well the countdown has begun. 5 days till I am off to Vancouver Island. Going to enjoy my last prep hike today with the girls and will be my official FIRST hike with my new pack. A DEUTER by the way. Just let the German accent roll off your tongue. I laugh everytime!

Just waiting for my rain cover to come in. Went back to Ernies and she is going to confirm it's been shipped. I guess I will have to pack a garbage bag if it doesn't come in....oh please Canada Post....work for me!

I have to say that having been on the hike last year, I am being quite ruthless with my packing. Even though I will be carrying more clothes than I needed to in June, my pack will be sooo much lighter. I think it will be under 30 lbs! That would be very nice.

My food situation is much more streamlined and some of the members have contributed some very nice purchases. And although the old tent in the garage would work....no one wants to carry 12 lbs of tent when you could carry one for 5! Again, it doesn't sound like much till you've been there, done that.

Weather was looking pretty cold and wet but the forecast has taken a turn for the better. Seasonal temps. One day with scattered showers, which of course means it might never hit your actual area. Slightly concerned about the Gail force winds and their warnings that keep happening for the Juan De Fuca Straight. We have spoken to locals and they say that it's the Eastern winds that are the worst and cause the most damage to the Island. These happen to be South- Western winds. I don't mind too much having to crawl over a fallen tree, I would just prefer to not have one fall on my head in my sleep!

Still have a busy week ahead and 3 more runs before I go, plus my hike today. I will let you know how it goes!

Backtrack to Crystal Creek - by the dance floor

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Backtrack to Crystal Creek - by the dance floor

Beautiful day on the trails. Again my foot felt great, so thinking that whatever happened to it actually in the end....helped?

If so, I'll take it!

3 week countdown to Juan. We all are getting excited.

2nd set of Homework - 1 and 2's 10 rep

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Homework - 1 and 2's 10 rep

Felt really good. Looking forward to 1 and 1's on Sunday.
Ignore the craziness on my watch info at the end. I had stopped my waych and pushed the button later while driving and so it screwed up all my data!

Week One Homework

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Week One - 1 and 2's 10 reps

I had emails all day from the running group about meeting and still running with the massive amounts of snow we have received in the last couple days....and them they cancelled. At supper it was so nice out and so I convinced myself I should run here anyway. Trevor gave me the sneaky eye...and begged me not to hurt myself.

So I took it pretty easy, some people had cleared there sidewalk others didn't but the snow was grippy. Although there was too much snow on the trail to the lake for my runners. A few icy spots but not to bad. And just like Sunday, I wanted to go further. But I keep telling myself there is not need to rush, I can't get injured (too much fun stuff on the books) and think I will have a better outcome if I just follow the training laid out.

So hopefully the snow will melt a bit and I can do my last 1 and 2 on Thursday. Sunday we move to 1 and 1.

Update

Well I have been still hiking away with the girls but have been having watch difficulties. I am getting data but its always incomplete so I haven't been posting it. One I lost satellites midway through, the next time I forgot to shut it off and most of the data is of me driving around in my Jeep and the last week I forgot to turn it on until we were half way done! Sheesh.
I also should update everyone on my Summer. I agreed to hike Juan again this June and then the group decided that the dates weren't working so I now will be hiking Juan in April! I fly out April 14th, hike the 15ht til 19th and fly home the 20th. We fly into Nanaimo which will be nice as I have never been there, then we are renting a car to drive to Sooke and meet up with Donald C. Mills www.donaldcmills.com the writer of Giant Cedars, White Sands: Juan de Fuca Marine Trail Guidebook. This is a book my mom bought last year before our hike and Nancy contacted him with a few questions. Now he is going to help us park our car @ Botanical Beach and give us a ride back to the China Beach Trailhead so we can hike to our car!
I also have a wonderful surprise at the end of my hike! (other then the satisfaction of completing it!) My friend Suzanne who was @ Botanical Beach a couple weeks ago has left me a geo cache hidden at the finish line! What a wonderful treat to a wonderful trip!
Most of the planning is complete, so now its about praying to Zeus to dry up some of the crazy amount of mud I am sure is on the trail!
I am also starting to gear up my training for the Death Race. Lucky for me the Press Run is in 10 weeks and the GP Run/Walk Club www.gprunwalk.com is doing free training sessions to all members. So I am starting with the 10 k running group and once that is done I am going to use the 21 k training pattern to continue through the summer.
So I will keep you posted on that!

Amanda Squared Suicide hill - Reservoir Loop

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Suicide hill - Reservoir Loop

Well after realizing I had posted all my info in my family blog, then re typing it in my family blog AGAIN. I am going to try this ONE MORE TIME!

It was just the two Amanda's today. About minus 11 degrees. Pretty nice out, a little windy at the far West loop of the reservoir but sheltered most of the way.
We were lucky enough to run across some wildlife on our run today.
The first being a trio of deer. Two bucks and a doe. Beautiful. I wish I had my camera.
The second being a trio of vagabond natives. Two bucks and a doe. We were all smiling and saying Hi's until the third guy stopped and yelled at us "I am going to beat you up!"
We turned around and kept a quick pace in the opposite direction! Yikes!
We kept a leisurely pace over 6km/hr and were happy about that for January. It was great to be outside, getting exercise and with great company.
Have a great weekend