Training - Six Favorite Squamish Trail Runs

Here I have listed six of my favorite trail runs in Squamish. All offer variations that can easily be explored. I have included explanations and Google Earth photos for each run but not the GPS files. I suggest picking up a copy of the Squmish Trail Map. It is worth every penny for the paper copy and the iPhone App. Some of these trails are used by mountain bikes as well and I always try to give them the right of way - keep a head up.

Smoke Bluffs Loop:
Distance: 14.54 km
Elevation Gain: 270 m

Race - Whistler 5 Peaks Trail Race

Sarah and I both attended the 2012 5 Peaks race in Whistler this weekend (actually on Blackcomb Mtn. due to snow conditions across the valley). The enduro category is the longer and more competitive distance at 10 km with 750 meters of elevation gain. Even after missing our alarm, we made it up to Whistler Village on time and caught the gondola up.

 

Training - Nepal Trail Run

During one of the very few slow days in Dhunche, Nepal, Martin and I snuck away from the research to go for a run. We did an easy 45 minutes on the flat-ish beginning of the Gosainkunda Trail. It was a good way to stretch out the legs and test out my Inov-8 X-Talon shoes and new Patagonia Strider running shorts on some steep and muddy trails. Unfortunately, much of the rest of the trip was a write-off for training due to illness.

Comfortably Numb

Sarah at the start for Comfortably Numb.

Last year Martin, Alexis, and I ran in the Comfortably Numb Trail Race and loved it. The course follows a 22-km mountain bike trail from the Wedgemount Trailhead right into Whistler Village. Unfortunately, Sarah and I will be away for this years edition, so instead we decided to run it for fun on our own.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Sarah picking up speed on the single track. Me cruising along a wood bridge.

We parked the car in the Village and hitchiked our way north to the trailhead. The overcast skies and cool temps were perfect for running and we started off on the big initial climbs. The trail is generally well groomed single track with log bridges, rails, rock gardens, and some drops to keep things interesting. With all the rain, things are moderately muddy and we even hit some snow patches at the high point. My spikey X-Talon shoes were perfect for the trail - I am looking forward to racing on them!

See the full gallery on Posterous

Cool rock slabs at the highpoint of the day made for some cool pictures with nice views despite the clouds. Sarah tackling a steep bridge.

After navigating the confusing trails surrounding Lost Lake, we made our way back to the car and changed into fresh clothes. After I bee-lined to the ice cream shop for a hot fudge sundae, we wandered around the village on wobbly legs hoping that we could prevent the worst of the soreness.

Finished! 

Stats:

22.43 km Distance

3:36.48 Time

846 m Vertical elevation gain

9.40 min/km Average speed

1473 calories burned

Google Earth map and elevation profile.