Sunshine in September 2010 - Run, Ran, RUN!

For those of us NOT from BC or another coastal area, ferry rides are a rarity. I really didn't know what to expect in terms of what this "boat" would look like. It was a pleasant surprise because BC ferries are PLUSH! First of all, the things are HUGE and can hold more than 100 cars - WOW! Plus, they have full service restaurants, multiple levels and even a sun-deck upon which you can sit outside and take in the cool & fresh Howe Sound air on the way between Horeshoe Bay and Langdale.

Craig hadn't had his coffee yet, which explains this glazed over look on his face, but he perked up one he scored some Starbucks from the barista on the ferry.

Generally speaking, it was pretty overcast as we made our way over to the sunshine coast, but sure enough, about the time we were arriving there was a very bright spot of sun right over Langdale - as if to say: "Yep, this is the Sunshine Coast allright!". Once we were all off of the ferry and settled in Langdale it was apparent that the weather would actually continue to improve. Improve it did, and Sunshine In September certainly lived up to it's moniker. A very nice trail run.

The run

Early in the run is a short bit of road, then you hit the trails and continue to climbing up, and up, and up. There are a few rolling hills that give you a brief reprieve from the constant climbing, but it's a bit taxing for the entire 1st half of the 26km option for this run.

Making our way out of Langdale, I settled in with Ran Katzman (YES, that's his real, given name!) - a great runner that most of you know. Can you say 5:47 at the 2010 Kneeknacker?!? Suffice to say, deciding to run with Ran probably wouldn't be the best decision I would make this day - or would it??? The thing about Ran is Ran RUNS. He doesn't walk hills, he doesn't "power hike" hills. He RUNS hills. I'm mean, c'mon, the guys name isn't "Walked", right???

Although Ran pulled me harder than he knows up the 7.5 mile slap in the face that the 1st half of the run climbs, it's the back half that was pretty rewarding. I tried to talk to Ran as much as I could, but I didn't have the oxygen to hold a lot of conversation. Fortunately, Ran was simply cruising around effortlessly and navigating - so he was chatty, which was good. He also had printed directions of the route, so once I committed to running with him I was in whole hog or risk getting lost.

Once we FINALLY made our way to the high point of our run (and the turn around to back from whence we came) we encountered a cool little airplane sculpture that marked the beginning of a very technical and super fast downhill. I knew Ran would be 10x faster than me down this, so I asked him to go ahead - hey, if I get lost, I get lost. No big deal. Instead, Ran insisted that I lead - so I did, for about 200 meters. Then I hear Ran the Freight Train coming down the tracks! I step aside and watch Ran dice this technical downhill up like a pizza. He was kind enough to wait for me at the bottom and we made our way back up the fire access road to get to the single track that would take us home. Thanks for waiting, Ran!

All this time, I'm telling Ran how impressed I am that he can take these hills (both up and down) the way he does. He's a modest guy, and says "spend a year or two on the North Shore and you'll get better at it too". Yeah, right. He also gave me some B.S. about what Ran calls "the leader effect". Now, I don't dismiss this theory, but I can tell you there's not a snowball's chance in hell that I was motivating Ran very much. In fact, I'm pretty sure I was slowing him down and he must have slowed for me to catch him a million times.

The leader effect goes something like this: You get a little extra push of energy because you are leading someone else down the trail (presumably, knowing where you're headed) and the follower is guessing on your next move because they aren't necessarily focused on much besides following. I SUPPOSE, Ran, I suppose.

Anyhow, we enjoyed eachothers company on what resulted in a 3hr 2min dash about near Langdale. We both managed a garbage point, and Ran's hydration strategy was a BIG surprise to me. How he sneaked in a Pabst Blue Ribbon while mowing down all those hills is a mystery to me, and he even crushes the cans on his BARE FOREHEAD! What a BEAST of a lad!

We arrived back and the Langdale ferry terminal to find Des Mott chilling near the car. Des had practically worked himself to death all week and decided a custom distance for SIS 2010 was the better option for him this day. Ran, Des and I wandered over to Wheatberries coffee stand and Ran treated me to a big chocolate milk and a sports drink. Good stuff! Made me feel better almost instantly!

Jackie hosts an awesome run and since she IS the QUEEN of homemade energy bars, you'd be crazy not to take her up on this one next year! This run was a ton of fun because you get to hang out and share war stories on the ferry ride back to Horeshoe Bay. Heather even scored a battle wound! That may actually be my favorite part of the whole deal. Thanks, fellow Fat Asses - it was an awesome day!