So, on Sunday last I took M, C and his girlfriend H up to Grouse and we did the Grind, first time this year.
It was H’s first time and that gave us all the excuse to go a bit slower than what we otherwise might have
But, an hour and thirty minutes wasn’t bad in a group including a 9 year old and two 16 year olds (and an old fat man).
The heat was high, and the 800m climb over 2.9km was tough through the first 3/4. The last 1/4 though just went by like it didn’t exist, truly a blast.
It was so fun that I picked M and I up family passes for the year since we’ll be doing it together at least once a week when she is over here, and I’ll be doing it once or twice a week when she isn’t.
Two days later M and I were going to go up again and she wanted to invite a friend. Her friend M is also in great shape for a 9 year old and I figured ’sure’! Then her friend C wanted to come and since I didn’t want to be an asshole I said ok.
1:15 to and from the first 1/4 mark. I had to pull the plug at that point and bring us down. C wasn’t going to be able to go much farther.
Still, we covered 3km overall in travel distance so it could have been worse.
Two days later again, and M and I are going up once more. This time the other C (14 year old, not the 16 year old) son is going to come with us. Younger C is in fantastic shape. Soccer superstar, baseball player, runner. He did his first half marathon last year at 13 in the 1:50 range.
Anyway, this is his first time doing the Grind and his soccer coach is getting the boys out so that they can build up their running strength.
So, M and I are off at a mellow pace and C goes blowing by with his friends. We wind up kicking in a respectable 1:14 time to get to the top and find that the boy has done a 51 time for his first!
Only 3 minutes slower than my best time of 48, ug.
Anyway, I’m proud as punch of C, C, M and even H, M and the other C for their efforts on the Grind this past week. It’s going to be a year of a lot of trips up that mountain, developing strength and power. And bonding with my kiddos. That’s even better.
