Wow, what a rush…it is 6pm and I am still bouncing off the walls. My husband has never seen my endorphin high last so long! Today, I participated in my first x-country run event with the Calgary Roadrunners, my first event in Calgary, in fact, and it was unbelievably fun! I must admit, I was a bit weary about the weather, snow and ice and almost bailed out a couple times before the start of the run (just call me a wimpy Vancouverite), but thanks to my husband for pushing me out of the toasty-warm car and all the friendly club members there, before I knew it I was off gasping for air on the first climb and ended up having the time of my life.

The run was not as slippy as I had imagined, and with a bit of caution, I made it around the 8km course in one piece. My face was a bit frozen and numb in the beginning but after a few climbs (and sucking a lot of wind), I was warmed up and enjoying the spectacular views from atop Nose Hill…I could see for miles…what a great park you have here! It was a new challenge for me having to dodge what I’ve been told are rabbit/gopher(?) holes, but it was a pleasant change from dodging west coast puddles!

I found the down hills the hardest, as I have a long way to go in running them with confidence and speed, but I seemed to have built up a bit more confidence by the end of the run and tried to really relax and roll strongly down the last hill to the finish.

As I jogged back to the Community Centre I thought to myself, wow, what an incredible way to spend a very cold, fresh snowy afternoon!

To top it all off we were welcomed back to the Community Centre after the run with warm homemade soups, rolls and baked goodies prepared by the participants and other volunteers, what a great way to do it!

It felt so great to have completed the run and to be surrounded by such enthusiastic, talented and positive athletes. I look forward to participating in more of these intimate and friendly events in the future…all I need now are some spikes!

Thanks for a great run.