Salt Spring Island
This past weekend was American Thanksgiving. Naturally, I fled the country. I went to Salt Spring Island with my parents, Allison and Matt. Salt Spring is part of the chain containing the American San Juan Islands and Canadian Gulf Islands that runs between Vancouver Island and the mainland. The above photo should give you an idea of the geography of the region. For the record, my Mom took the picture from the top of Mount Maxwell looking out over Fulford Harbour.
We stayed in cabin with no phone, no TV and no internet. Our main source of evening entertainment was watching the fire burn in the fireplace. We also spent time pottering around town, doing homework, going to see the Harry Potter movie, walking around Ruckle Provincial Park and eating super fresh goat cheese. My Mom organized the menu for the trip and all our dinners were delicious – especially the fresh Sockeye salmon. There was also much consumption of Nanaimo bars and Date Squares – this brought me Canadian joy.
It was a great weekend but since I’ve returned to Seattle I’ve noticed it’s almost December and we’re getting into the end of quarter crunch time. Of course since I’m not taking the heaving second year courseload this December’s crunch time should be much better than last year’s. Still I have a project on Malaria to finish for my Epidemiology class, a consulting report to write and lots of readings and RA work to do. It’s all under control I just have to buckle down and get it all done.
Dawg Dash 2005
Sunday was the Dawg Dash and for my first ever 5km race I’d say it was a huge success. My chip time (the time between when I actually crossed the start and finish lines) was 29:24 which was below my 30:00 goal so I’m happy. I’m sure if I actually trained (I hear that helps) and pushed myself a bit more I could get that time down. There was no way I was going to run beyond my ability my first time though.
The running itself was fun but no one told me about all the free stuff you get after a race! We got flavoured water, energy drinks, fruit, energy bars, running gloves and water bottles. They also had body fat % testing but I steered way clear of that (there is such a thing as too much data). We also got coupons for a free Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. Is there anything more Seattle-yuppie than running a 5km and then going to Starbucks for a Latte? I don’t think so.