Aphrodite (recharging)Time for the Main Event on this cool, clear Saturday morning.
Obligatory shot from my bedroom window, since despite the rent being a crime and my room being minuscule, the view is astonishing from inside Sim City.
The weigh in for the challengers.
The champion is coming in at a massive 43,000 meters, 26 18/25 miles in American.
The challenger is still working in heavyweight but today should shift things a little in their favour. Also, a little extra water loading last night is adjusting the numbers upwards.
It’s #Caturday so time for the obligatory /r/PetTheDamnCat challenge.
Dressing for battle.
I’m an onion on the this 7° morning. Lots of layers and spare one going in the bag.
Bought light snacks. Bananas, pears, light energy bars, extra electrolytes.
Cost: CAD 12
No pan survives contact with the enemy, at least that’s the military doctrine.
Didn’t realize there was a year round farmer’s market there. Oops.
Found a parking spot on street half a click away, but still need to fill my water bottles.
This, by the way, is Nat Bailey Stadium where I recorded episode 1 of #AlmostLive.
For something this extensive, today’s soundtrack needs to be similarly expansive.
Sets from Tomorrowland 2022 will do nicely. (I’ve also used them on shorter hikes as a focus. Seemed to work well.)
km 0.
Water bottles full.
Used the restroom.
Starting off.
Really anxious.
The last bit, legitimately so. EDS means my ligaments are atrocious. My right knee is still feeling it from partying with the #DistributedDanceParty on Halloween. theddp.com
km 2
Welcome to the Pacific Craneforest. (41st/ Cambie, Oakridge/41 stop on Canada Line)
Love the music atm.
Typing is hard when in motion, so apologies that I’m not tagging in real time
km 4
At 3.25, took the photo of a resinous pine.
At 3.40, I thought I was in NYC with the curbside trash bag.
Still hanging around 133 bpm and 5km/h pace.
km 5
Obviously #Canada is an icehole, so here’s a verdant hedge with pine trees at 4.75.
Kerrisdale is small commercial centre.
..ok the math at 5.08 on the Arbutus G reenway is almost right 😜
km 6
Poppy season in the Commonwealth. I have one on my hat and my bag (5.3)
I’ll need to take a minute to get power at the park since I’m at 37% - boo
Still feeling pretty good. I have discomfort in my knee but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
km 8
Needed to refill my water. Total consumption 3L.
.. and needed to go to the bathroom and take off a layer.
.. and charge the phone
.. and eat a banana.
Still shocking how many streets in Vancouver lack sidewalks. (7.67)
Caught the edge of a rugby game. (7.78)
Saw the outdoor track. Doesn’t really work for me, since I like to find my own path. (7.78)
I can feel the chill in the air right now.
I’ll walk to 16th before turning. Plans, enemy, water..
km 9
School is interesting (8.75). Kinda like how it’s added on to not razed and rebuilt.
No music. Trying to save power.
km 10
I turned down King Edward. Like the scenic boulevard.
Is that a strawberry? (didn’t note)
Is that a pomegranate‽ (9.50)
At 9.7, I get to see Pacific Spirit Park. First time going in.
Wow. WOW.
#BadIdeaSaturday #43yr43km
km 11
No signal in there.
At 10.35, you can see houses that look almost like they’re in the wilder parts of Point Roberts WA.
Knee is starting to get very uncomfortable.
Forest is fantastic, though. Even with the reminders of the city, the air still feels fresh and clean.
km 12
I’m feeling pain at this point.
The forest is calming, though. So many moss covered trees and logs.
I can handle the increasing pain… um….
I’m starting to see light through the trees.
km 13
The pain is slowing me down, and I can feel my legs not properly flexing at the knee.
Getting out of the forest was refreshing. 3ish km is the longest I’ve hiked in a forest.
…but it’s very clear that I will need to abort.
I made it to UBC, though, and they have an urgent care centre, thank you Canadian healthcare.
No TRIUMF today. Ah well.
I stop the attempt at 13.54 when I’m at a bus stop that’ll get me to urgent care.
This was an audacious challenge I set for myself.
I’m very overweight. I’ve become highly deconditioned and have not engaged in much physical activity. Pulling this off would’ve been highly unlikely, and while the highly unlikely happens every day, it’s still rare.
Still, this was a lot of achievement. Three hours of near continuous physical activity starting from zero.
Still have some healthy snacks while I’m in the urgent care waiting room.
I’m fully hydrated.
And I believe I can hit that 43km goal this year.
That’s a huge shift for me.
In the past, I would have been horrified to even try this. When, I never thought if, I would not succeed I would be crushed.
Now it’s just a lesson and a guide for the next attempt, which I’m going to do in December depending on what the docs say.
I want to pull this off. 😊
Lessons:
-Download the music first to save power!
-Audaciousness isn’t enough but it helps.
-Pull the plug if continuing is not practicable.