Category Archives: winter

Take a Walk with Me

April 17, 2012 By in beauty, Jasper National Park, Maligne Canyon, nature, Spring, The Change of Season, The Ice Walk, The White Witch, winter Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , 56 Comments

Every year a change occurs as the White Witch casts a spell with her glassy fingers.The snow begins to fall and transforms the land into a winter wonderland. It is in this  place that the White Witch reminds us of the beauty of her powers.

Just before the spring thaw we took a walk into Maligne Canyon. It is here the motion of  glacier water has stopped frozen in  time. It is held in the present waiting to burst forth in the spring!

The further you walk into the canyon the  ice does a delicate dance across the light. It leaves you awestruck with the sheer power of the White Witch’s ability to stop a moment in time.

As you peek behind the ice wall, a  light shines through ,and a quiet Hallelujah echoes from the cave!

As we step back out and peer up  we realize that there is so much more that  it is  greater than you or me! It is each winter the White Witch gives us this beauty and reminds us to find bliss in the present  moment!

As we walk away from the suspended beauty  the biggest reward is the welcoming of the warm spring sun.  The mountains look over us wise in the knowledge that they were here before us and will be here after us.  It is days like this that I am thankful for all of  grandeur and chaos of  life realizing every moment counts!

Thank you for joining me on this scenic journey! It is always a pleasure to spend time with you!

Do you have one place where  you love to walk? Does it leave you feeling refreshed and inspired?

One Last Hurrah!

April 4, 2011 By in Downhill Skiing, environment, exercise, family ski trips, family vacations, fitness, fun, funny, Humor, inspiration, Jasper National Park, Life, Marmot Basin, Mother Nature, motivation, musings, my life, national parks, outdoors, parenting, raising children, random thoughts, Relationship's, sports, spring skiing, thoughts, travel, vacation, Weather, winter Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 16 Comments

It was a weekend of tumbles and fun! We hit Marmot Basin for one last hurrah of winter! And called to mother nature for the warm vibes of spring. We tackled the fresh powder, enjoyed the views of Jasper and loved every minute of  our weekend.

The conditions were perfect  a morning full of flurries but it was with ease we skied the wide open spaces. Enjoying the freedom and happy that there  no large crowds of spring skiers  overtaking the mountain. It was the perfect Saturday.   The children would ski, tumble, brush themselves off, get back up and ski on their merry way!

The resilience kids have is unbelievable and it is amazing to watch their independence shine. They are confident to take the lead and I no longer feel the need to have them covered in bubble wrap. Perhaps, I’m learning to let go a little?

My family and I love to ski. It’s those moment together that we spend laughing, challenging each other, and talking on the chair on the way up the mountain. That makes it such a great family sport!

Skiing is a valuable life lesson for children. It’s not only fun but it teaches our children as they ski in a powder bowl of heaven that the great outdoors has so much to offer to us. It is a world full of endless adventure, possibilities and freedom from the constraints of everyday life.

What is your favorite family sport?

Snow Drifts and Squeaky Joints

March 24, 2011 By in 5 km run, exercise, fitness, free the dream, friendship, fun, funny, health, Humor, Life, motivation, musings, my life, random thoughts, running, thoughts, Weather, winter, winter obstacle course Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 6 Comments

I looked outside the window it was grey, bleak, and lightly snowing. It wasn’t the dream elements I had in mind for Free the Dream Fun Run. I thought it might be more freeing to run in the warm sun on a paved sidewalk. It was at that moment the phone rang and at first instinct I knew who was calling me.

I picked up the phone, “Hey Grace!”

“Hey! Did you still want to do the 5km run tonight?”

“Of Course!”

“Damn it! I knew you would say that!”

“Well! We did pay to run in it! And just think of the reward knowing you ran two races this week.”

“Ugh! I knew you would say that! Fine. I’ll run!”

And with that we made our way to the Free the Dream Fun Run which was a great fundraiser to support youth from low-income families to be able to play sports without the added worry of cost and equipment.

As we walked over to the start line we felt a brief chill in the wind. It was one of those moments I felt like turning back and saying - maybe we should go for hot chocolate instead…

Grace gave me the look “I can’t believe you are making me do this!”

“I didn’t make you do anything! I’m just happy you are here to run with me.”

It was with that we made our merry way down the road and onto the city trail system. We were prepared for slow moments on the ice but not ready to run through snow drifts. It became an obstacle course of not tripping on top of the people in front of you, attempting not to sink up to your knees, and the odd bunny hop over a drift of snow.

But, once we made it to the clear part of the trail it was easy-going with a couple small hills.  Unfortunately we had to loop our way back through the winter wonderland obstacle course. It was within minutes of running through the snow. I felt a small jolt in my knee. I let out muffled swear word and kept running. It was at that moment I knew my squeaky knees were never destined to sludge through deep snow.

All in all it was still a fun run full of unsuspecting obstacles! However my knee still begs to disagree! They have  been squeaking and creaking since the chance wrestling match with the snow.

Do you have any issues with joints or back pain? How do you nurture your sore spots after a good workout?

Running Solo

November 27, 2010 By in cold weather, fitness, friendship, fun, funny, Humor, Life, Marriage, musings, my life, random thoughts, resolution run, running, thoughts, Weather, winter Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , 14 Comments

It was just last week  temperatures plummeted to below-20 with a wind chill factor of -36. It was on those cold days I would bundle up and run. On most of the runs, I was fairly warm, with the right gear.  I enjoyed the brisk air, the snow-covered trees, and quiet trails.

I loved that there was not a soul in sight. I would just run with my thoughts and focus on my breathing. The problem maybe I enjoyed running solo a little too much.

Grace and I signed on to do the Resolution Run together. She doesn’t love running,  isn’t enjoying the cold weather, and since our last run she has become a bit of a thorn in my side.

We went out for a group run, the temperature plummeted, and it was obvious from her body language that she didn’t want to be there…The moment we embarked on our run, she started to complain, couldn’t breathe,too cold, her glasses were fogging up. I kept trying to be the cheerleader. But it wasn’t working. I could feel her negative energy seeping through her pores, festering all towards me.

I was beginning to get cranky, tired of cheering, being positive, and just wanted to get work out everything in my own head. It was hill training, it was hard, and I needed to focus on myself. The more she complained, the more tired I would become, within in minutes it all went downhill and became a very bad run. She just wasn’t in the right frame of mind and I didn’t have anymore energy to help her change her mind.  I would run ahead and then run back to check on her every few minutes. I was frustrated with her, and frustrated with myself for not being as patient or understanding as I should have been that night.

Needless, to say after we finished that run. She wasn’t happy, started to complain, I turned my ear, and went in a separate direction. The day had already been stressful with compromising with Mr. MBA, negotiating with the kids, and dealing other family issues. I just didn’t need anymore, all I wanted to do by this point was stretch, soak in a hot tub, and go to bed.

It was the  next morning she sent me a very nice email thanking me for cheering her on, checking on her, and she realized  that maybe she shouldn’t have run that night. She also recognized it wasn’t my fault that she was cold,  and her glasses kept fogging up. She also pointed out that all of her anger was festering from past  childhood experiences in phys ed.class, and I had become the target of it. I think this reflection was good. But for me it also made me realize maybe I’m better running on my own. It’s my time and I don’t have to deal with emotions, or other people’s baggage. Is it wrong to think this way?

The weather, has finally warmed, once again, but we decided to take a break from each other for the rest of the week. And maybe next week will be our week? It was our last run together which taught me  that sometimes running with a partner is like a marriage, it takes compromise, patience, and communication. But sometimes I just don’t want to compromise, communicate, or be patient. Sometimes,  I just want to run.

What do you prefer running solo? Or with a partner?

Running in the Winter

November 20, 2010 By in cold weather, fitness, fun, funny, Humor, Life, motivation, musings, my life, outdoors, random thoughts, resolution run, running, running room, thoughts, Weather, winter Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 12 Comments

It was just this past summer I developed a new-found love for running. It has slowly become a healthy habit that I enjoy which does not involve a glass of red wine. However, as late fall arrived, so did the cold weather. I made a pact with myself that I would not let the cold weather defeat me. I would embrace the onslaught of this cold winter and run my little heart out.

 I decided the best way to stay motivated was to sign-up for a Running Room Clinic.  Once a week, a group of us meet up for a discussion on running, and then go for a group run. It is this group run which has kept me motivated to maintain my daily runs and to meet my goal to participate in the  New Years Day Resolution Run.

Nop! It's not a Ninja! Just me...

Unfortunately,this last week, the cold weather has hit with a vengeance. But lucky for me - I have been drinking the Running Room kool-aid! I was unsure if I could run in -20 degree weather but our instructor ensured us with the right gear – you can do it!

So, one balaclava, one pair of technical wool socks, one pair of thermal lined mittens, and two base layers of thermal clothing  later. I was ready to hit the snowy trails!

At first, I  was skeptical that I wouldn’t be warm enough, fearful of frost bite, and admit defeat to mother nature.  But after the first ten minutes into my run…I was sweating! I wondered to myself,  how could I have possibly over dressed in -24 degree weather? But I did! I was pleased that I could run 5km in comfort.

I loved every minute of it! It was just me and the open trail. I thought I would be shivering, cranky,  but the peace of this cold morning’s run brought me inner contentment.  I was able to enjoy the snow-covered trees, frosty blue sky,and clear my head from the stress of the week.  It’s the quiet moments, when there is not a soul around, you begin to appreciate the silence, and  rejuvenate your spirit.

I know, to the passers-by in their vehicles,  I may look like a  slow-moving ninja. But too me every penny spent on cold weather gear was worth it! Lookout resolution run! Here I come!

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