The Browny Gold trails of Mt.Doug.

On a Sunday morning when thousands of runners were taking part in the Royal Victoria Marathon, I headed off alone to explore Mount Doug’s Powerlines, Whittaker, Mercer and Todd trails. Having abandoned Samantha and her precise telemetry, I’m happily running for the long run rather than worrying about speed, distance or questionable calorie counts. The trail was carpeted in fallen maple leaves, a beautiful brownie gold that inspired today’s episode title as I navigated roots, rocks and a few changes to my familiar routes. An improvised triangular loop, a little trail-side advice for a fellow hiker, and my own walk-and-talk breaks provided the day’s entertainment. So come along for the ride, join me on the trails, and tell me: have you reached the point where you care less about the numbers and more about simply getting out there?

The Low Tide.

Hibiscus:Running 'The Extra Mile...'

I set out on my Sunday run with a five-mile target, deliberately leaving GPS, Samantha, and most of the usual data collection behind as I concentrated instead on storytelling and simply enjoying the run. My plan was to cross the Blenkinsop Trestle, say hello to my old friend Farmer Roy, and use the back gate of GardenWorks as a handy shortcut—but the gate was firmly secured with a chain and padlock, so the Jackal had to take the long way around via Lohbrunner and Blenkinsop. I eventually reached GardenWorks and asked about hibiscus plants, only to discover that neither indoor nor outdoor varieties were currently in stock, although they offered to contact me when they arrived. I left my name and number and specified that I was looking for a small six- or eight-inch plant, preferably with red flowers, which would make a nice addition to my wife's hibiscus-tea connection. So the mission was only semi-successful—the shortcut failed and the hibiscus remained elusive—but I came home with useful information, another Sunday run in the bag, and one more little Jackal adventure for the podcast.

R & R Remix

Rake & Radish Run

After a month away in France, the Running Jackal returns to the trails of P’KOLS (Mount Douglas) for his first trail run back home. With no phone, no GPS and no fancy technology, he heads out with an old semi-smartwatch, a 15-year-old digital camera and his own judgement about when to run and when to hike. On a beautiful, crisp morning after days of rain, the familiar trails feel surprisingly fresh as he reconnects with the mountain, old friends, local runners and the Rake and Radish farm stand. It becomes an experiment in old-school, self-directed running — listening to the body, taking breaks when needed and resisting the temptation to let technology decide what counts as a workout. A month away has changed the Jackal's perspective, and this is his first glorious, slightly rusty return to his own backyard.

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/rake-raddish-run--75464816

Au Revoir Cordes

This was probably my last long run in France, taking me mostly off-road through the trails around Cordes-sur-Ciel, past the ponies and along the donkey routes, with the early-morning sun warming my skinny little body. Along the way I talked about everything from our porridge-and-glue breakfasts and Norma’s steadying influence on my adventures to the surprisingly disappointing guinea fowl and cornmeal mash we had in a restaurant. The trail became a mixture of running and hiking, with maps, hydration reminders and a few opportunities to get gloriously turned around, although my fitness seems to have improved considerably during this month of vigorous hiking and running in France. Now the adventure is winding down, with our cottage inspection, bus to Albi, train to Toulouse, and eventually the long journey home via Paris and Calgary, while I continue to chatter away in my peculiar Vox Pop style.

Terra Incognita

Bucollic Five mile hike.

Albi Cathedral

Early Morning O&B