A Hilly Lake Run 😊

[SaskAlliecat]

After a busy long weekend filled with yard work, wind, launching and cleaning the houseboat, I set off for an 8k run at the lake today. I’ve spent many hours training here a few years ago for a walking marathon I did but had just started C25k last summer so most runs were short and sweet. I haven’t run 8k in a while due to work and a cold knocking me on my backside so decided today was the day. I got out a little later than expected due to a long night listening to the wind howl, rocking the boat and some new ropes squeaking all night long as the boat put strain on them. I awoke as the fisherman showed up, put the coffee on, enjoyed a cup and a half sitting in the front deck, ate some berries and yogurt, took some antihistamines, and some steroid nose spray trying to clear my airways. Finally, I’m off. It is warmer than anticipated, but this Canuck is not complaining. We’ve moved from a long, cold, dry winter into a hot, dry, windy summer. As I got used to the cold, I will also acclimate to the heat. I don’t usually take water in a run under an hour but given it is already above 20C, I decided it was probably a good idea so brought along a water bottle with Tailwind in my running belt. Despite living where people think is bald @$$ flat prairie, we’re adjacent to a flooded river bed so have many hills on this run which will be great training for my trail race this fall. I had initially planned to get off road and hit one of the shorter hikes but chose instead to stick to the roads and campground. I’ll save that for another day when I’m feeling a little better and have bug spray on to try and avoid the ticks. I walked a few times to drink some tailwind and to soak down my buff but all-in-all, another great run. I’m looking forward to many more undulating hilly runs out here, soon heading off road battling cacti, ticks, snakes and more hills. In my run today, I saw many butterflies, some red-winged blackbirds, goldfinches, Canada geese, and many, many mosquitos. Ended my run coming across my son heading on an adventure so walked with him for about 5k to the park and store before heading back to the boat for lunch and a much needed shower.

[Hidden]

Well done...sounds like a great run 😊

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Claire! It was great to get out again and get some distance on my legs.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

Well done SaskAlliecat ...sounds like you had a perfect run & 8k is fantastic!!! Be careful with f the snakes when you go off road!!! Yikes...the worst animal encounters in Yorkshire are pesky green fly at the moment, we have swarms of them...awful when you breath in and they disappear up your nose or down your throat!!! Don’t need to say this but ‘happy running’ Sask xx

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

The race directors for my race posted a video of a huge bull snake last week on their site. Caused a bit of a tizzy 😂. I hate ticks and they’re out full force so my off roading will be a little limited; I’ll stick to the groomed hikes for now. Still may encounter a snake so will be keeping my eyes peeled. They’re harmless bull snakes but they can get pretty huge. Those pesky little green bugs are also very annoying, but I guess you can see them as a fuel source 😂 🤢

[Decker]

Sounds like a very nice run and a nice day Sask!🙂 Great that you’ve got the weather back on side again.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Decker]

Weather is definitely back on our side. Highs in the high 20’s all week with a few thunderstorms in the forecast during the week. Can’t wait to get out here again next weekend!

[MikeJones68 Graduate10]

Nice post, great run and a lovely place to do it!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to MikeJones68]

Thanks Mike. It’s definitely a favourite of mine. Lots of variety too, depending on what I’m willing to tackle.

[Fishypieface Graduate10]

Oh wow, what a lovely place! Looks peaceful and calm. Not so keen on the bugs and snakes but I guess you have to take the rough with the smooth! Houseboat sounds like great fun. Glad you had a more than decent run and hope you feel better soon

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Fishypieface]

It’s our little gem on the prairies. The campground has lots of nice trees, the hills are a lot more exposed but for now I’ll be looping around the campground. House boating is great - lots of extremes depending on weather. We’ve been hit with some crazy storms while tied to shore in what we thought were protected coulees so it’s not for the feint of heart 😆. This year my hubby has taken on a second job through the summer so we’ll likely not venture far with it but will spend more time living in the marina enjoying the soap opera that it can sometimes be. Always lots to watch 😁

[Fishypieface Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Sounds like fun

[Anthie Graduate10]

The great wilderness! Beautiful run!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Anthie]

It's great to finally be running somewhere other than pavement and asphalt.

[Hidden]

Wow, that's a great post and a fascinating insight into different terrain and way of life. Thank you!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

When my husband was first offered his job here, he took a drive to the lake to see if it was someplace we wanted to spend our time. We're huge lake people and that was going to factor into him taking the job or not. He couldn't describe what he saw, it was so different, likening it to what we picture as the Serengeti with the weird trees. Needless to say, it made the cut and we've lived here for 11 years with no plans on leaving any time soon.

[Hidden in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thats wonderful. And how refreshing to see someone gretting their priorities right when deciding on a job.