O&B to the Cave

On a quiet Sunday morning I set out from El Nido Crescent into the Forest of Fun, climbing Harrop Trail to the cave before returning via Glendenning and Whittaker. The steep ascent kept me working hard, but the cooler forest, friendly hikers and curious dogs made the climb enjoyable. I paused along the way to capture a handful of photos, including a different perspective of the cave that better showed its size. During the run I reflected on podcasting, blogging, and how AI has become a useful partner in turning my trail adventures into readable stories while still sounding like me. I finished the 4.6 km outing feeling satisfied, even if I fell a little short of my calorie target, and headed home looking forward to my next midweek adventure.

Glacier Place and the Blue House Run

I headed to Cedar Hill Golf Course for my midweek chip trail run, recording the trailer video at the start before settling into another episode of guerrilla podcasting. Although I felt a little low on energy and had a looming dental appointment to have a tooth pulled, the peaceful morning, well-kept golf course, and familiar figure-eight route with its convenient water stops kept me moving. Along the way I reflected on my refurbished little bike, balancing cycling with walking in my ten-hour weekly fitness plan, and listened to news about the future of Jeff Galloway's running community. I also paused to photograph golfers, the Saanich Volunteers building, and other scenes that have become part of my long-running Cedar Hill adventures. I finished with the final climb past the Blue House before coasting home on my little bike, grateful for another steady midweek outing despite the uncertainty of the day ahead.

The Arugula Run, Workout to burn 700 calories

On my Sunday solo trail run, I enjoyed a brisk outing through my favourite Forest of Fun, recording both a trailer video and podcast while keeping a steady pace and staying well hydrated with my homemade mint-electrolyte sports drink. I reflected on my recent strength training, the changing scenery, and the simple pleasure of running beneath the forest canopy where the shade made the summer heat much more comfortable. My main mission was to visit the Rake and Radish farm stand in search of fresh arugula, but despite my optimism, I found only garlic scapes and basil, so I continued on empty-handed. Along the way I encountered friendly dogs, winding rocky trails, and the familiar sounds of nature and nearby homes, all of which became part of the adventure. Although Plan A didn't work out, I reached the halfway point of my calorie goal, appreciated the beauty of the light filtering through the trees, and finished another satisfying five-mile trail run with plenty of material for my podcast, video, and blog.

All New Low Tide Loop

On Canada Day, I headed out solo for a road and beach run around the Low Tide Loop, enjoying a steady and relaxed pace from start to finish. I covered 8.2 km, making it my longest run of the week while focusing on easy endurance rather than speed. The route included 126 metres of climbing, my biggest elevation gain of the week, and I finished stronger than I started. Even though my pace was slightly slower than usual, the effort was meaningful and helped build strength and long-term endurance. It was a satisfying run that combined time on my feet, coastal scenery, and consistent pacing into a rewarding Canada Day adventure.

Clockwise at the Bog