Blue Mountain!

I've just had 4 days at Blue Mountain, a ski resort in Ontario. It was much better than I was expecting with good snow conditions and the hill, while not a mountain, was big enough. It is a couple of hours north of Waterloo by Lake Huron at Georgian Bay, good views from the top.

View Larger Map

I went in a group of 5 lads, we had rented a holiday cottage which was awesome. It had a sauna, huge lounge and dining room, kitchen, cable tv, everything. Skied for 3 of the 4 days, we were too tired on the other day, some good nights out.

View down a slope, and of Georgian Bay

Pretty tired now, and plenty of work to get done before mid-term exams next week.
There are some more photos on my Flickr account (link to the right)

U of T Track - my final race in black and gold

I ran at the University of Toronto today in my last race for Waterloo. I finished the 1500 m in 4:31.3, not quite my target but it is a PB.

Reading week, yay! Skiing on Wednesday.

Thomass Race 5

I ran my second of the Thomass Winter Adventure Running Series (aka Orienteering Series) today. It was tough.

Gators Orienteering Club

The novice planner had set an good quality course, if it was summer. At this time of year it was a bit long (7.4 km) with the winner taking 100 mins compared to the recommended of 60-75 mins.
I ran the first half in a big train (it is a mass start race) and that was hard going but manageable, but I ran a section to number 6 on my own and had to plough my way through thigh deep snow. In the second "box" score section I made a mess of control X, not too sure how I managed to cross a fence and not realise! This meant I ran another section on my own but caught up with the group on the way to 7, helped by a deer which decided to run into a tree after being startled by the pack and they stopped to make sure it was ok, it was. Train to the finish where I'm pretty certain I was top 10.

Results here or here

York Classic Track

On Saturday I raced at York University in the 1000 m and 1500 m (2:53 mins and 4:33 mins). I enjoyed the shorter distances much more than the 15 lap 3000 m.

RESULTS

There are two more weeks before reading week when I am going skiing to Blue Mountain for four days, can't wait.

I'm Famous [sort of]

I have a profile on Sporting Canada...

Today is a Snow Day, which means the Uni is closed. Heavy snow storm over night and it's still falling now.

Snow is back

This past week there has been a lot of snow and there's a foot on the ground again now, and it's seriously cold.

I ran the track meet at Western last Saturday. 10 mins for the 3000 m which is 15 s slower than last time so not great but still ok. Hopefully with another two weeks training before the York meet I can get a bit faster, I am going to run the 1500 m.

I've got a lot of work at the moment, especially for the project module but it is all pretty interesting stuff this term so I'm happy with it.

Photos from www.geoffrobins.com
By Geoff Robins

Back in Canada

I returned to Canada just after New Year and spent a few days with my cousins in Sarnia before heading back to Uni. It had really warmed up and the snow melted last week, temperatures reaching 13°C one day and I was able to run in shorts and t-shirt. More snow settled today and it's cooled back down but not even close to what it was last term.

I've had one week of term now, and my class choices seem ok. The electronics course is a little advanced (4th year final term level) but I think I'll cope. I have a couple of 9pm tutorials though which is insane.

2008 Warrior Track and Field Team - Steve Brooks

On a sport front, I've got on the track team local roster, which means I get to compete at the near-by one-day races, the next is this Saturday in London again. It's been good to get back into training after quite a lazy Christmas, but I think the break did me good. It was a shock to my body after the first interval session though but I feel good now after a week.