2007 - Finally Over!!

It's been a while since I wrote anything. The end of a year and the beginning of another. We went over to the Island to spend the last of what could be considered one disasteous year - financially and emotionally. Saturday, December 29th was spent cycling on the country roads around Duncan. Lots of hills but little traffic. Sunday we spent running of the trails near the Cowichan River - they are part of the Trans Canada Trail system. For those of you who love to run for miles and miles these trails go on forever. Single track with lots of up and down but very accessible and fun to run on. You can do loops of 5 to 10K or you could run for 20K and more. Just be careful to carry bear spray and bells. You never know when you may come across a bear or even a cougar. Better to be safe than sorry. I know some people carry whistles. Not a good idea. To a bear or cougar the sound of a whistle is similar to the sound of a wounded animal which would be perfect prey. I know from personal experience to never run alone especially without any bear spray or bells. I was running up the BCMC which runs parallel to the Grouse Grind (for those who don't have any idea what the "Grind" is, it is a hiking trail up the side of Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver. It is known as "Nature's Stair Climber" - and not for the faint of heart. It takes the average person 1 1/2 hours to complete the 2.8K climb. So if you are ever in Vancouver take the challenge and do the Grind.) But back to my bear story. I was climbing this other trail by myself because the Grind was very busy and I wanted to set a personal best time. I was about 300 meters from the top when I saw a bear about 10 meters in front of me. The bear also saw me and stopped, got up on its haunches to get a better look. I started backing up very slowly. The bear then charged me - what do I do!! I remembered that if a bear charges to find a large stick and raise it above your head. I found one and raised it. The bear stopped running and then just started walking towards me. I had always thought that a black bear would just turn a walk away if you posed no threat. Not this guy!! I was alone with a very large black bear and knew that it was going to attack me. I started to scream and the bear stopped. I was still backing up and the bear was still approaching - I would change the pitch of my scream and that would stop him for a few seconds. This went on for five minutes until finally three people from above heard me and came back to see what was going on. They distracted the bear and I was able to run up to them. The bear then proceeded down the mountain. After this ordeal, I spoke via email to the head ranger in British Columbia. He said that what I did was right (the big stick over the head - he didn't mention whether the screaming helped - I think it did) and that every black bear encounter is unique. I positively know that if those three angels hadn't shown up, the bear would have attacked me. Also, if a black bear attacks you must fight back. Grissly bear encounters are different. It is recommended that if you can't get away, play dead. The ranger recommended never hiking alone in the woods, but if you do, carry bear spray and wear bells.

On Monday, New Years Eve we went for a swim at the local pool and then Gerry and I were off to Victoria to visit my mom - Gerry hadn't seen her for about 10 months and she has become very frail in this short period of time. He was shocked with what he saw and it took him a while to recover. We had a quiet New Year's Eve and then up the next morning to do the Polar Bear Swim. Two of us ran down to Maple Bay and then jumped in. It was cold!! We then got together with our old running club and off for a two hour bike ride. Again, lots of hills but fun.

Headed back over to Vancouver late New Years day and back to work!!!

It was one of my best New Years ever, spending with Gerry and our very best friends. I am so thankful that the ending of 2007 was filled with lots of good memories.

Well that took care of the last days of December - time for bed - we have to be up a 4:15 a.m. to go swimming!!! Fun and games of training for an Ironman!!

Barbara<><