Summer Vacation: Family edition - camping!! (1 of 4)

From Vancouver, I flew to Calgary where I took a taxi to Cross Iron Mills and met Cal and the kids!  It was so good to see them and very exciting, being that we were beginning our 2 week AB tour a.k.a camping vacay ;)

Our first stop was the Crows Nest Pass for the Sinister 7 Ultra Race.  Cal was on a team of 7 and ran the 2nd leg.  It was an awesome experience for Cal and his teammates and myself as well!  Considering how many races the kids and I have cheered for Cal in, this was one of my favorites.  The vibe and the sheer number of people involved, was nothing short of amazing.  The volunteers were fabulous and everything was so well ran.  Friday evening began with registration, a catered dinner (delicious!!) and a pre-race meeting for all runners.  We also visited the vendors and Cal picked out a commemorative t-shirt.  Saturday morning, Cal was up early to see the first runner off and to catch a bus to leg 1/2 transition point.  Once the kids and I woke up, we headed to the transition point to see Cal come in and the 3rd runner in the team head out.  Each leg had a transition point and at each transition point there was 100's of people cheering on the teams and the soloists and individuals and teams supporting the soloist's in their needs - food, water, change of clothes, medical aid, etc.  Each transition point had snacks and drinks for the runners - everything from soup, chili, muffins, and sandwiches to fruit and protein bars!!

Here is a description of the course (from the website):

All distances and elevations have been verified by GPS, foot, mountain bike and quad. Difficulty is based on how hard the leg is in comparison to the other legs of the race (ie: Leg 6 is 7/7 meaning it is the hardest) in our opinions. Every leg of the race is hard.

Distance: 161km - 100mi
Stages: 7 stages ranging from 10.7km to 36.2km (6.65 to 22.49mi)
Elevation: Gain: 5,687m (18,658') / Loss: 5,676m (18,622')
Duration: 30 hours to complete the course 

Cal ran the 2nd leg.  Here are the details (again, from the website):

Leg 2 - Hastings Ridge

Distance: 16km (9.94mi)

Gain: 937m (3,074')

Loss: 1,110m (3,642')

CPs*: CP2 – 10km

Difficulty: 4/7

Trail Type: Single track, double track, dirt road

Est. Time: 1.5 to 3 hours

Must start: 10:00 hrs (Saturday)

Cutoff: 13:00 hrs (Saturday)


Beginning at the base of Hastings Ridge, runners begin a grueling climb to a rewarding view. Once atop the ridge, you get a view of the entire valley, including Crowsnest Mountain and the Seven Sisters; certainly worth the punishing climb to the top! There is no time for rest as runners drop down the other side and head towards Blairmore to the finish of leg two.

Although Cal has ran numerous 1/2 marathon's and a full marathon, he says nothing compares to the challenge of trail running in the mountains!  The track and the elevation gains and losses can make a 'short' run feel like a marathon!!  He rocked his leg and we were so excited to see him come down the hill at the end of leg 2 and pass the timing anklet and bear kit onto the next man on the team!  Cal and his teammates were at each and every transition point, sleeping a few hours here and there throughout the night and early morning.  I stayed in the trailer with the kids, as I didn't think they'd do so well being woke up and then told to go back to sleep and then woken up again ;)  As we were packing up on Sunday afternoon (after the brunch), the last of the runner's were coming through (the field that we were camped in was very close to the finish line).  We all stood on the side of the road, cheering the last 2 runner's on.  I had tears in my eyes, I can not even imagine the emotions of these runners - they were soloist's and had just ran 100 miles in just under 30 hours (if a team or a soloist does not make it in, in 30 hrs or under they are officially disqualified and do not receive a time).  Unbelievable.  This race was like none I had ever attended and it really made me wish I was a trail runner ... maybe one day?!

Once we were packed up, we headed off to Frank Slide for some sightseeing!  The kids were really interested in the history of the Frank Slide.  

Stay tuned for part 2 of 4 in our summer vacation :)
~Tracy

There's Cal, so close to the finish line of leg 2!!

Super, super proud wife and kids :)

Frank Slide

Mr. & Mrs. Cameron

So what have Cal and I been up to?!  We're important too, right ;)

Cal's been busy with work, coaching and a bit of NP!  And dad-duties, of course ;)  Work-wise I can't provide the most accurate updates as I myself don't completely understand the technicalities of his position but I do know a lot of his time is taken up by fibre optics!  And meetings ... tons of meetings!!  And I also know that for many of these meetings he provides lunch which usually involves leftovers for the family, lol.  Hey, it's the small things ;)  Coaching takes up a large majority of his time.  From practice planning to game strategizing to dealing with the shit that goes with the job (yeah, I said it!), it is a very time consuming volunteer role!  But very rewarding at times!!  Such as yesterday when the Saints beat the top team in our tier!  A team that was moved down to tier 2 from tier 1, in round 3 of the regular season.  The team played so well and Coach Cal was very proud (as were all the fans and parents!)!!  We won't talk about the shitty side of coaching, lol ;)  Cal makes it to NP almost every Wednesday and every Friday.  He misses a lot of Monday's because his dad duties are a little extra on Monday's, as he drives the kids to school in the morning.  He has been dealing with an injury these past few weeks.  We hoped that new runners would help cure the problem but they haven't so he will need to see a Dr. or a P.T. possibly.  His Achilles has been bothering him after a few km's of running or walking :(  Hopefully he can deal with it asap, as he should be training for his 1/2 marathon in April, followed by Sinister 7 in July, followed by his full marathon in August.  Cal's getting ready for spring hockey as he joins his co-worker for Friday night hockey with a group made up of mostly EPSB teachers.  He had a great time last year on the team and is looking forward to playing with the same group again.

I am doing well, keeping busy with the usual!!  I feel like I'm a full-time (plus OT) Mom, part-time O.T.A. and part-time wife (sorry Cal, lol!)!  I LOVE my job and am happy to report I was the successful candidate for the permanent, full-time posting!  The lady who I was covering for decided not to come back after her sick leave.  I'm so excited to be permanent and know that I will be returning to this position in September!  I love my job.  I'm actually happy to go to work.  It's kind of bizarre to me and I hope this feeling lasts ;)  So far so good!!  I remember starting a new job when I returned to work after Blake was born and loving that job, too!  Unfortunately my role changed a few months into that new position and I didn't love it quite as much as when I started.  Hopefully there won't be any major changes to this new role!  I'm happy driving to work and happy driving home, it's a wonderful feeling. Other than work and mom duties, I don't have much to report - other than I can not keep up with housework and laundry and 75% of the time I am able to pull together a good meal at supper time ;)  Since having Reese, I don't think I've kept out with housework and laundry, so nothing new there.  For the most part I don't let it bother me, water off a duck's back and all that good stuff, but there are times when I feel like I'm being choked by laundry and housework!!  Then I take a deep breathe and relax and let it go!!  I've helped our hockey teams manger a lot this year.  I'm the treasurer but we've pretty much just shared manager and treasurer duties.  It's fun and I enjoy being involved!  I usually manage to have coffee once a week with my good friend Jodi, which is always so nice!  I'm still on the school council at the kids school and really enjoy that.  We're currently organizing our 2nd annual pasta dinner and silent auction.  I've said for years now (probably 5) that I need to start getting to bed early and waking up early to work out before the kids are up ... but yeah, that has not happened!  I am a night owl.  I love the quiet evenings!  Even if I am folding laundry, tidying up, making lunches, etc, I really enjoy the peace and quiet :) So although I know I should change my ways, I haven't gotten there yet ...

Cal and I have been getting out for at least one date night every month, for the most part.  We're so glad that our neighbour Stephanie is finally old enough to babysit and even more happy that the kids like her and she is a great babysitter!!  I know she doesn't get them to bed on time most nights but that's alright.  They're usually busy playing games and making crafts (that she plans and brings all the supplies for!)!

So there's a quick update on the Mr. and Mrs. of the house ;)

Talk to you soon!

~Tracy