Buckin’ Hell – CMTS – 20km Trail Race – Race Recap

  By Solana Klassen | May 22, 2013 - 10:23 AM | ,
2 Comments

My 9th race of 2013 came fast on the heels of #8 last weekend at 5Peaks Golden Ears, and it was quite a different race.  First off, it’s the first race I’ve ever run that A) Had the name HELL in it B) Started in a CHURCH parking lot and C) Had a break in between sections of running.  Yep, just a bit out of the ordinary…it was Buckin’ Hell!

431819_205187719628946_1218710348_n

 

Spoiler alert :  There are very few words that can adequately describe Saturday’s race, and the word “epic” and “insane” are probably 2 of the closest…it was a crazy morning, but a great morning nonetheless!

Check out my full recap & some fabulous pictures, like the one above, from the very talented Rob Shaer!

Continue reading “Buckin’ Hell – CMTS – 20km Trail Race – Race Recap” »

Grouse Grind is OPEN!

  By Solana Klassen | May 17, 2013 - 3:09 PM |
3 Comments

In case you missed the announcement last week, the Grouse Mountain Grind is now open for the season!!

Mom, Hilary, Cathy, and myself headed up on Monday after work, and we had a great grind.

grindcollage

The 1st grind of the season, is always tough, so we decided to take it a bit easy, and have what we call a “Grind&Chat” meaning that we go at a steady speed, but a speed at which we can talk as we climb.  This is a great way to ease yourself back into the grind, instead of trying to kill yourself first time out.

I also took the time to snap a couple shots along the way.  Since normally I can barely breathe, it was refreshing to take our time, and be able to take some photo’s to document the trail for those of my readers outside of Vancouver.

Click on in to see my photos…

Continue reading “Grouse Grind is OPEN!” »

5Peaks – Golden Ears – 14km Trail Race – Race Recap

  By Solana Klassen | May 17, 2013 - 12:55 PM | ,
2 Comments

My 8th race of 2013, was also the first in the 5 Peaks Trail Running series for this summer.

2013 5 Peaks BC Golden Ears-4

Spoiler alert :  We had a big group, and we had a blast!  The weather was perfect, the course was challenging without being insane, and we all ran to our heart’s desire!  GREAT TIME!

Check out my full recap & some fabulous pictures, like the one above, from the very talented Rob Shaer!

Continue reading “5Peaks – Golden Ears – 14km Trail Race – Race Recap” »

3 Days on the Trails, in a ROW, say it ain’t SO!

  By Solana Klassen | May 13, 2013 - 10:59 PM | ,
3 Comments

I have to say, I’m quickly getting over what happened last weekend, distracted by the fact that I’ve spent the last 3 days on the trails, yep, on the trails, in the woods, where I belong.  Me and my Salomon Speedcross’ have been living it up!

38 kms filled with roots, rocks, streams, mud, dirt, rain, sunshine, bridges, waterfalls, and it was FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC.  I am so in love with the last few days of engrossing myself in the wilderness, pushing my limits, and getting back to nature.  Essentially, getting back to myself.

Continue reading “3 Days on the Trails, in a ROW, say it ain’t SO!” »

Guest Post – Momma’s Race Recap of the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon 2013

  By Solana Klassen | May 12, 2013 - 9:43 PM | , ,
4 Comments

So, apparently it is time for another GUEST BLOG from Momma (that’s me)!  This past Sunday, I ran my first ever BMO Half Marathon in Vancouver! LOVED the course, you can’t beat our beautiful city when the sun shines.

I had registered for BMO quite a while ago while I was enjoying the beaches in Mexico as I felt I needed some motivation to keep me active while on extended vacay plus I thought it would be a good course for my second ever half Marathon.

momreceivingmedal

SPOILER ALERT! I finished in 1:56:23, that is a new PR for me (by 1:39) and I was 1st out of 63 in my AG so I won GOLD in my 1st ever BMO race!!!

Continue reading “Guest Post – Momma’s Race Recap of the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon 2013” »

What’s Beautiful : Under Armour Campaign

  By Solana Klassen | May 10, 2013 - 1:02 PM |
3 Comments

Hey guys!  I’m so excited to have discovered a new movement that Under Armour is behind for encouraging female athletes to push their limits and re-define what’s beautiful.

216217_10152792374840313_1365107504_n

I’m part of a sponsored campaign for the What’s Beautiful program and I’d love for you to join the movement with me here.  It’s all about goal setting, pushing out of our comfort zones, and achieving success together.

I’ve got so many ideas brewing, and I’ve decided to focus my goal on helping women, and women in my community especially, to get outside, discover the amazing place we live, and embrace the outdoors.  I’m still working on the details, but I’m thinking of focusing on 2-3 events that are near and dear to my heart, and on my list of favorite summertime things to do.  I will post more details as soon as I can, but for now, I challenge you to do a few things!

  • head over to the What’s Beautiful Campaign & get yourself signed up – your goal can be ANYTHING.  From running a race, to doing 10 minutes of yoga a day, to doing the Grouse Grind X number of times over the summer, be creative and true to yourself, but try to set yourself a BIG goal, make it achievable, but so you have to work for it!
  • start thinking of ways you’d like to get outside and embrace the outdoors.  I’d love to hear your ideas.
  • if you have June 8 or June 15 free on your calendar, pencil it in to participate in a local race with me!!  I promise, details with regards to pricing and registration soon!

xoxo

-S

Link to this post!

Ahhh! Dietbet V.3.0 is coming to a close…

  By Solana Klassen | May 10, 2013 - 11:51 AM |
4 Comments

I have to interrupt your scheduled post to tell you guys some really exciting news!  This morning, I FINALLY cracked through the 160 barrier, seeing the 150′s for the first time in my adult life!!!

weightMay102013

I’m beyond excited!!  This means I’ve still got 2 lbs to lose in the next 3 days to win my DietBet V.3.0, but, if I’m honest, I really wasn’t sure I’d get anywhere near winning the 3rd installment.  Obviously this Dietbet thing works for me.  And putting myself out there, letting all of you hold me accountable, that sure helps too.  So, I’m back to contemplating a round 4, IF I can squeeze out a couple more lbs and lose this one.  They say it’s all about finding what works for you and sticking with it.  I’m a huge Dietbet fan, even though I hated round 1!

xoxo

-S

 

Link to this post!

BMO Vancouver Marathon – DNF – Partial Race Recap

  By Solana Klassen | May 9, 2013 - 3:35 PM | , ,
7 Comments

Sigh, it would be really easy to ignore my 7th race of the year.  But, that’s not why I started this blog, and I have never ignored the negatives to focus on the positives.  Our running journeys are made up of good times and bad times, and we need to accept and embrace them all.

Besides, running a local marathon means that you’re connected to so many others out there, and that was definitely the case for me.  I can feel sad for myself, but I can’t ignore all of my friends and family that were out in there in the sun, doing what they love (or hate?)  Congrats to everyone who ran on Sunday, and to everyone who finished a tough race!

525419_10151373263862271_2042077079_n

Spoiler alert :  I did not finish.  I mentally pulled out around 15 kms, and actually left the course around 26.5 kms.  Since I didn’t finish, does it still count as a race? 

Continue reading “BMO Vancouver Marathon – DNF – Partial Race Recap” »