Festive Running in Vancouver

I did a bit too much running last week and so was very grateful to my physio today for some traction and some IMS. . . . and some encouragement with a decision I’ve been pondering (more on that later; it’s running-related . . . )

On Christmas morning, Pater and I ran the Stanley Park Seawall together from our apartment, which makes for a decent 13.5 kilometres, a good preparation for the brunch we’d have at one daughter’s and for the afternoon of hors d’oeuvres followed by a huge, wonderful turkey dinner at another’s (that daughter and her partner hosted 20 — his family and ours — despite not having done a Christmas or Thanksgiving meal before, a very impressive First, I’d say!)

But on Friday morning, I headed out for a shorter run, thinking I’d do a circuit across the Burrard and Cambie bridges. Instead, once en route I decided I’d prefer running around the inside of False Creek , thus avoiding one bridge. Although that made the run a bit longer than I’d intended (it clocked in at something like 10km), it was a gorgeous run, and I’ll definitely be covering this territory more often.

With the typical Vancouver greys as background, I think the splashes of red are splendidly festive, the little False Creek ferry shuttling toward the Stadium, the coloured bars highlighting the exteriors of high-rises, the  red hulls of rowing vessels echoing the base of Science World’s scintillating geodesic dome, and the rust-red cranes far in the background. . . .

In fact, the architecture and landscaping seem designed to inspire Christmas decorations . . . here, at Olympic Village, the barn-red craft building in the background is perfection to me behind those tall grasses, the bold graphics of the First Nations plaque in the foreground. . . . and the giant sparrow . . . .

turning to look at Giant Sparrow #2, both of them works of art in Graphic Earth Tones, all the Christmas-cheery colours of the architectural fillips behind them, the colourful lamp standards, banners. . . .

This week, my running will be much more prosaic, round and round and round my little island, 4.4 kilometres being about the most I can stretch a loop out. As a big compensation, though, my island runs are on dirt roads, saving my joints from the pounding that city pavement imposes. But what a lovely run that was, pavement-pounding and all. . . .

For now, though, it’s back to my armchair, with a book . . . .It’s all about the balance, right?

10 Comments

  1. ilona
    31 December 2013 / 2:20 am

    The book sounds like a great plan. Thanks for the pictures of your route – I enjoyed your vantage point and all the cheery colors.

    • materfamilias
      2 January 2014 / 4:09 am

      You're very welcome!

  2. Madame LĂ -bas
    31 December 2013 / 3:21 am

    I really like the bits of red in your photos. Perhaps our greys have their own beauty.

    • materfamilias
      2 January 2014 / 4:09 am

      I think our greys help us appreciate the colour when and where we find it.

  3. Susan B
    31 December 2013 / 3:29 pm

    Wonderful scenes! I love those sparrows, and really want to get back up that way again soon. I think the grey sky makes the bright bits all the more festive by contrast.

    • materfamilias
      2 January 2014 / 4:10 am

      That's what I was just saying! 😉

  4. Miss Cavendish
    31 December 2013 / 10:12 pm

    Enjoying your run vicariously, as am grounded due to searing pain in one heel. Sigh. Books, fortunately, are pain free!

    • materfamilias
      2 January 2014 / 4:10 am

      Ouch! Sorry to hear that. . . .a sore heel was how my Achilles tendonitis first manifested quite a few years ago. I hope you find some relief soon.

  5. jeanne
    1 January 2014 / 7:35 pm

    Frances, Tim and I were in your territory for four short days after Christmas. Did lots of exploring, walking, meandering, and the first two days it didn't rain! Maybe we saw you one day as we certainly saw a lot of bikers, walkers and runners. Loved it all and wished we had a reason to move to Vancouver!

    • materfamilias
      2 January 2014 / 4:11 am

      I'm glad we rolled out some good weather for you — it might have been grey but it was quite warm, wasn't it, and dry! Next time you're out, we should try to meet. My daughter-in-law is a sommelier and would probably enjoy talking wines. . . 😉

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