Strength in Numbers

I train alone a lot. As a matter of fact, I'd say that at least 90% of my training is done solo.

Which I don't mind, since the forest makes excellent company.

Sometimes, however, I will take the opportunity to jump in on a group run. I was fortunate to have the chance this past Saturday to run with quite a diverse group on the Bruce Trail from Speyside, and it made a huge difference to how my day played out.

We got a shot of January in our November this year - a big dump of snow on the 11th (I was out snowshoe running last Thursday!), and then bitter cold for Saturday the 16th. It was -11c/12f when I rolled out of bed to do a quick trip to the farmers' market, with a nasty wind blowing. Had I been running solo that day, I probably would have done my usual trail down to the market and seen...well, the same thing I see most weeks, only with more snow on it.

Which is admittedly quite nice, but not particularly dramatic.
(Photo from the next day when I went and ran it anyway)

I was, however, lucky enough to have been invited to Gary's annual fun run on the Bruce! A sizeable group had decided to brave the cold and potentially icy conditions from a bit of thaw the day before and the hard overnight freeze, and Gary had changed the route from the originally planned loop to an out-and-back so we could all keep an eye on each other.

Left to right: Wade, Jamie, Howard, Rick, David, Nancy, Bonnie, Gary, Erika, two people whose names I didn't learn, and some dork.
Photo by Tanker

Heading south from the Speyside parking lot north of Milton, the trail was stunning with its blanket of snow.

Crossing a creek that winds its way through the woods

The snow had been churned up just enough that I was ok without spikes

Dancing on rocks

I warmed up much more quickly than I'd have expected - the insulating qualities of the snow and the shelter of the trees cutting the vicious wind taking much of the bite out of the frigid air - but was still happy to have people around me on the technical trail in case I was to fall or turn an ankle. Hypothermia would set in fast if I stopped moving for long, so it was nice to know there were others on the trail who could help if I got my clumsy self in trouble.

I hung out at the back of the pack with Howard, Rick and Gary

We caught up to the fast folks when they were unsure which way to go at a trail junction

Nancy leading the way through a very rooty and wet section

I spent a good deal of the first third of the run hanging with Nancy, and it was lovely to be able to chat with her and get to know this wonderful lady a bit better. We've known each other in passing for some time, but hadn't really had much one-on-one time - no better way to make a friend than by sharing a bit of an adventure in the wintry woods!

Nancy navigating a very technical descent to cross the creek

There was a bit of a moment when Howard slipped a bit coming down to the creek, but he was able to catch his balance with a bit of an interpretive dance move

Apart from the other runners on the trail, we also had a support vehicle acting as a rolling aid station for water fill-ups, snacks, and even thermoses full of hot chocolate and coffee!

And of course who should turn up but Mr. Aid Station himself - you had to know Tanker would lend a hand!

Nancy decided she'd turn back toward the parking lot when we reached 6th Line and I considered doing the same, but Howard, Rick and Gary had caught up before we set off and were going to continue at least as far as the parking lot around the 6km mark. I bade Nancy a good run back and continued on with the gentlemen, having a quick granola bar at the parking lot where the aid station was set up as it had already been an hour since we set off. Howard and Rick decided to head back, but Gary was going to walk until he met the lead runners on their way back, so I pressed on with him.

Gary originally organized this run years ago when these were his home trails.

It was only a few minutes before the fastest pack of runners appeared up the trail on their way back.

Erika and another kickass lady leading the way.

Getting a bit chilled from walking, I was grateful when Gary asked if I'd like to run a bit - we picked up the pace and actually caught up to the lead runners back at the parking lot.

A bit of fuel and a bit of chat

Then it was back up the road and into the wind.

The lead pack pulling away again.
We were happy to draft off them!

The beautiful bridge in the background is actually part of someone's driveway

Back into the woods, the clouds began to break up a bit.

The rocks and snow? Not so much.

..but I wouldn't want the Bruce any other way!

We even got a little splash of sunshine here and there as we hiked and trotted north toward the Speyside lot once more.

Gary leading the way - I was glad I could provide some company on his group run!

We all met up back at our departure point for hugs, high fives and well-wishes before many of us went our separate ways.

The whole groovy group

While a few people had to head out due to other obligations, a number of us headed to a local restaurant for some post-run fuel, fluids and festivities. It was nice to be able to chat with some of the folks whom I'd missed on the run, with them either doing more or less distance, or moving faster or slower than myself.

I only traveled about 13.5km in the whole 2.5hrs I was out on the trail, so I certainly could have spent my morning in a way that would have given me more mileage or "training benefit", but I know I wouldn't have had the beautiful sights and heartwarming camaraderie had I gone for a solo run. I'm grateful to Gary for inviting me and organizing all this!

Some things are worth more than fitness, and one of them is the simple joy of sharing a gorgeous trail with like-minded people, especially when it enables you to be more adventurous than you would have been on your own.

If you ever want to give it a shot, it's as simple as looking for a run club in your area. This site may help if you're in Ontario, but they exist all over the world. The worst that could happen is you won't be a good fit for that group and you'll have one less-than-enjoyable run...so why not give it a try?

Good times.