Here there be dragons...

"I'm telling you stories. Trust me." - Winterson

Day 2 - Adventure all in one place

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Today's Stats:

Distance: 25.33 km 
Elevation Gain: 829m 
Weather: 5-18 deg and sunny
Duration: 6h 32 min

Thoughts from after 

Today was 5km shorter than yesterday and took just as long.  If I hadn't fried my knee (still don't know what that was about) it would've been a much easier hike than yesterday or even the one I did with Laura a couple weeks ago.  Only one section with interesting footing, and one huge hill - right at the end.   The rest was lovely, rolling hills, or gorgeous woods.

Right at the start the bus couldn't get going, so when we got there the first busload of hikers was already gone.  This meant it took longer than the day before for people to find a comfortable place to hike that weren't all on top of each other.   That being said, it didn't end up mattering to me since after my knee gave up, pretty much the entire pack passed me at some point or another *sigh*.   

I may take on stupid challenges, but I'm at least smart about how I plan for them lol.  Tomorrow I have a scheduled day off work to recover and an RMT apt booked (although I'd had in mind that I'd work the rest of the day other than the apt, but now thinking not so much).   I will admit I'm more than slightly concerned about the three-day hike at the end of May now though, cause right now, there's no way I could do another day tomorrow.  Yikes.  We'll see ;)


Posts from during the day:


May 11, 15:32

I did a thing. And I wasn’t last ;)


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May 11, 15:08

The church is visible in the distance. Almost back. About .5km left.


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May 11, 14:59

Longest hardest climb of the day in the 2nd last km is evil.


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May 11, 14:35

Only a few km left to go, all of it road but at least pretty road


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May 11, 13:44

About 20km in and found this gorgeous lake; miscellaneous stranger hiking with her teenage son took the pic for me. She very clearly thought I was insane when I explained about the weekend event 😂


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May 11, 12:21

Worth it.


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May 11, 12:14

Road section is pretty but long. However, I have somehow destroyed my knee to the point that I thought I might need the sweepers which is horribly depressing. Except that I figured out if I peg leg it I can still manage. My RMT might fire me tomorrow but atm I have moderate hope I might still complete the last 10k. Uphill I can walk almost normally but down or flat is brutal 🙂
A shame cause otherwise it’s a stunning day and the trail is comparatively easy.

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May 11, 10:44am:

Interesting terrain about 10k in right before first checkpoint. Slow today but otherwise all good. Bus had trouble so started late.


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May 11, 7:55am:

On the bus for day 2. Less crowded today but still a good turnout. Changes made:
- bug spray applied
- hat worn
- fewer snacks in my bag.
Minor fail - forgot to replace my water bottles so I have slightly less than one to last me to the first station, but realistically that’s about all I’d drink anyways.

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May 11, 6:33am:


Day 2 Begins. We leave our cars is the same place and pick up the bus at the church, but this time we’re being bused to the north end of the Dufferin Hills portion of the Bruce Trail and walking back.
Hips are sore but the rest of me is fine. I was quite ill about 2h after the hike yesterday afternoon so the whole food / water / sun intake balance was obv not quite right. Hopefully today is better for that part!


Bruce Trail: Dufferin Hills - Northern Part

Great views while hiking the rolling fields

 Rolling hills, babbling brooks, and gorgeous forests.   A stunning hike, except unfortunately I toasted my knee about 10km in which made the rest extremely challenging.   I did make it though - every step.   First time I've been thankful that the footing was easy.   Still hilly today although not nearly as much so as yesterday.


So pretty :)

Stats:

Distance: 25.33 km 
Elevation Gain: 829m 
Weather: 5-18 deg and sunny
Duration: 6h 32 min

Hurting but still smiling!

Really enjoyed the walk along the river

Day 1 Adventure all in one place

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Today's Stats:

Distance: 31.21 km 
Elevation Gain: 1090m 
Weather: 0-20 deg and sunny
Duration: 6h 34 min


Completely misc thoughts from after Day 1 of the Dufferin Hills End-to-End:

I wasn't sure how so many people hiking all at the same time would work, at at first definitely it was a single-file situation (helped that I got of the bus quickly!), but before too long, we were all spread out.   People in the same basic pace would leap frog throughout, they'd pass me, then I'd pass them, rinse and repeat.  So had lots of time when it was lovely and quiet and I had the world to myself, and just occasionally enough people that I never felt like I was completely alone in the adventure.   It was a lovely balance and I was surprised how well it worked out.


Footing was comparatively easy but the hills.  Omg the hills were deadly.   They just didn't end.  You assume "around that next turn" but no.  Never.


The hike started at 0 deg and ended at 20 deg.  Tomorrow’s forecast is the same.  I don’t have shorts but I do have a tshirt so that’ll prob be the option and I suck up the cold for the first few km.  Or other long sleeve but light for sure.  The jacket can stay in the car!


I was targeting 3:30-4 finish, but had in mind 4:30 as a potential sad reality.  Got back at 3:22 (according to the checkin guy writing it down) so pretty happy about that, esp as my last 3 kms were extremely slow.


I expected to be tired and sore this eve, and I was but maybe not as bad as I expected.  Except I was also violently ill about an hour or two after getting back.  That was not expected and not enjoyable.  No idea what caused it.  Eventually begged a gravol off the hostess (pharmacies were all closed by then according to Google) which I’m not going to take till bedtime cause it’ll have the added advantage of knocking me out ;).   Had half a muffin and some Gatorade for dinner a bit ago.  Still don’t feel well per se, but it’s staying down.  We’ll see what happens tomorrow.


FB Live Feed Posts compiled:

May 10, 15:39:

Made it! Longest hike w the most hills by far.
They ring a bell when you get back to the parking lot - also provide food, water, and t shirt (that last part made me laugh)
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May 10, 15:21:

I have never been so happy to see an almost camouflaged church in the distance as I am rn. Past the 30km point and almost there.

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May 10, 14:49:

Roughly 2k from the church. Just had a lovely chat w another couple who also paused here. Quick refuel and water. Rumour has it in the first 1/3 but we’ll see. Def not a race but still good to know the sweepers aren’t on my heels.

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May 10, 14:00:

So you know the 80s song that was used for the Swiffer commercial, roughly 'one way, then another' is going through my head with "one step, than another"...  Over and over and over again.  Was mildly amusing for a few steps, but kinda needs to stop ;-P (edited after to add: song is Whip It - and is now stuck in my head again)

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May 10, 13:24:

All I can hear is the birds - lots of birds. I know there's nobody else anywhere nearby when...

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May 10, 13:14:

At the last checkpoint - people are much farther apart now - I’m loving it cause I get long periods of solitude with brief company.
Each checkpoint has fruit, water, and homemade goodies. All trails tells me 23.5km in.

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May 10, 12:40:

You know it’s a place where people miss the turn when there’s a hand written sign like this. Bruce Trail app IS good for figuring out where you are and which way to turn, just not for tracking where you've been. Not as necessary today with so many people out, but once in a while.

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May 10, 12:19:

I always love these stiles but somehow slightly less after 20k;). Plus side - 20k and still going!

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May 10, 11:56:


XC anyone? Those who know…

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May 10, 11:48:

2nd checkpoint was just after this point. Struggled on that hill. Wow. But everything else is good. Black flies are motivational enough to keep you moving but not fatal!

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May 10, 10:59:

Back in the trees - my current plan is lunch and break at next checkpoint which I think is 20k

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May 10, 10:45:

On the road again…. I think about 13k. Yet to see a car…

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May 10, 10:13:

This part of the trail reminds me of XC days - except no jumps and only one colour of flag. The farmers who allow access to their fields are awesome!

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May 10, 10:01:

At first checkpoint - cookies, water, oranges and bananas, as well as wellness check. Super organized!

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May 10, 9:58 am:

9ish k in. On a road section but yet to see a single car. This guy is guarding the path.

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May 10, 8:30am:

So Bruce Trail app is not up to the challenge, but AllTrails and my watch are along for the ride.

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May 10, 8:01am:

“Today’s hike is miserable. Beautiful, but miserable. Good luck.” <— hike lead 😂 🤦‍♀️. I feel like hiking humour is similar to xc humour

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May 10, 7:59am:

This church is where it all begins, and hopefully finishes! Buses pick us up here and drive us to the start.

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May 10, 7:56am:

It’s official! For today I’m #145. Age range is significant. Everybody I’ve spoken to is extremely friendly. About 120 people today.

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May 10, 6:42 am:


The adventure begins! 30km today and 25 more tomorrow - that’s the goal anyways - on about 3h of good sleep and 2h of iffy sleep 🤦‍♀️. Wide awake now and would love to leave but bus isn’t for more than an hour. I see mid afternoon potentially being a challenge 😉. Chilly out (“feels like -1”) but forecast for the day is ideal. Do wish I’d brought gloves but at least I have pockets 😉. Charging the gadgets - we’ll see what makes it through the day.

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May 9, 21:59 pm:


Lovely view out my window because I’m in the middle of nowhere so that I can go hiking tomorrow.
This would be awesome except it’s a slightly insane hiking excursion, unfortunately timed right after the last acro class, so most of my body hurts before I’m even starting out. Tomorrow’s hike is scheduled to be about 30k?!?! Which is nothing compared to a marathon - and they run! - but a lot compared to the fact at about 15k my hips usually start screaming at me. Booo. And then followed by another 25k on Sunday. Supposed to be perfect weather though so fingers crossed!

Bruce Trail: Dufferin Hills - Southern Half

 

End point of each day

Longest hike I've ever done today, combined with the most elevation.   This was part one of the Dufferin Hills End-to-End hike.   Trail is much easier footing than the ones I've seen so far, only one rocky section, but the hills.  OMG those hills.   I was not prepared, not even slightly.   And really, I should've been - the hint was in the name ;)

Stats:

Distance: 31.21 km 
Elevation Gain: 1090m 
Weather: 0-20 deg and sunny
Duration: 6h 34 min


Lots of in and out of the pine forest


Pretty view early in


Bruce Trail: Iroquoia: Crawford Lake to Kelso

 

We'd hiked from that point around and I turned to look back...

Loved this section - particularly the moss covered crevices in Crawford Lake and the stunning escarpment view on the top of Glen Eden ski hill.   Crawford Lake had longhouses and other information re the historic culture of people indigenous to this land, as well as a sculpture park of at-risk species, all of which was very cool.  But really, the highlight was the footing on the trail itself.   This route included a stretch along Appleby which was less fun, but the rest of it was good.   Kelso was interesting primarily because I've never been there other than to ski, so both skihills without snow and learning about all the other trails was both disconcerting and interesting.  Also, it's highly plausible the last time I was at Kelso was also with Laura.

First day of the May Hike-A-Thon with a goal of raising $150 and hiking 150km.  The hiking part is definitely the more challenging ;)

Stats:

Distance: 16.77 km 
Elevation Gain: 228m 
Weather: ~10 deg and overcast
Duration: 4h 24 min
Fellow hiker: Laura


This kind of thing is a caffeine boost for my imagination

There was a brief stretch of pine forrest with this super-easy path

One of the statues from Crawford Lake


We made it :)

High on the list of things I wasn't expecting to do tonight: A German Wheel

I see no way in which this could go wrong....

So circus school had a new adventure today.   The German Wheel.   ðŸ˜‚  if you've never heard of this nor seen how it's *supposed* to go, I suggest googling :)

We were told "you need strong core, and the ability to keep your hips over your shoulders" - awesome, I have that and have always wanted to try one of these (I didn't even know they *had* one until last week and I've been coming for a couple months now lol).   

It's a beginner class and I've come to trust the instructor to not let us kill ourselves, so that's also promising. 

Now, there's usually no phones / cameras allowed in the gym.  But A, it's an adult-only class (the rule is really cause mostly their students are kids).  B, the coach had been taking pics - with permission - of the group warmup earlier, and C - this was too good to miss, so instantly everyone had their phones out.  I filmed more than half the class for them and kindly someone did the same for me.

So - let me tell you about this adventure.

- the very first challenge is getting the 2nd foot strap tight.  How do you stop it from rolling while you bend down to fix the strap? ;)   Related - it is extremely easy to make the wheel roll.

- those feet straps aren't super tight.   Related - even loose, they definitely saved me when upside down ;)

- Did I mention it is extremely easy to make the wheel roll.   This is important because it is NOT particularly easy to STOP it rolling.  This has some pretty serious hazards and why every one of us had not one but two spotters.  One to manage the wheel and one to help the human.  The woman you can see in the background is our coach Christine - she is awesome.

So, I'm going to acknowledge right here that I really failed this one.  😂   Most of them I get the general concept of and while there are definitely "complete beginner with neither gymnastic nor dance experience" I can generally make something happen (did I mention last week I did a one-handed cartwheel?!?!  😂   For the first time ever.  Ridiculously excited about that even though in the grand scheme of things that's about as basic as it gets).  

Anyways - back to my failure.    I started to roll it, and then immediately my hips would go the other way to counterbalance it and send it back the other way.   ðŸ˜‚ watching on camera I could see exactly what was wrong, but with just the instructions I couldn't figure out how to get it to change directions with just my feet.  In the not-very-long we had for this though, I definitely didn't get it properly.   However, I was still permitted to try a cartwheel 😂 

Each person got reminded before starting to "push away" -- I guess people try to pull up on the bars and that's very much NOT what you should be doing, esp when upside down.  

So the cartwheel - most people the biggest issue was either their hips moving sideways OR they collapsed through the middle (hence the hands-on spotting because these ones would've been in trouble if not saved by coach spotter).  My issue was more that my response to don't move your hips and "push away" was to lock everything.   Overkill much?  So it meant I needed the support of the person guiding the wheel to actually get me rolling more, but was okay holding my body in place while it rolled.   

However, I didn't push away enough to keep my feet firmly in the feet-squares.  I can understand how it should work (v much the same principle as for handstands) but...  definitely first try, upside down, survival mode, forgot that minor step, so as a result, my feet were a hundred percent reliant on those feet straps to keep them in cause I was NOT pushing into the feet stands at all, so once upside-down, gravity did its thing.  

Lol no harm and very low risk given the double spotters.  The entire class managed this without a single issue.  But definitely not something I feel the need to take up.  Esp as you need to really commit to things, even on the first try when you're just learning.  There is no slow mode beyond the things with the wheel straight up that a spotter can hold it.

It occurred to me afterwards that the first 30+ years of my life I was taught to stabilize myself and stay upright on a horse using core muscles to NOT rotate off the side, so potentially that was part of my challenge right at the start ;).  Not sure this particularly activity has strongly transferrable skills from riding lol.  Strong core, yes, but use it for the extreme opposite purpose - more of a mental game that I was up to after an in-office day ;)

So summary:  Fun, I survived due to qualified spotters/coaches, and I don't really feel the need to do it again.   Although I would love to try rocking it once more to see if I could get my brain around that coordination (properly) not the way I was doing it 😂   but beyond that, I'm happy to leave this apparatus to others.   I am glad I got to try it though!