Thru Run

I had posted on the BTC Facebook page that I was looking for a ride from Grimsby to Balls Falls Conservation Area and I had about 5 offers.  My volunteer driver had just finished the Niagara section and was training for longer trails, I think in Europe? I forget. My run was easy. Damp trails and a bit of precip kept it slippery but surprisingly not much snow. Legs felt really good until about 18-20k when I began to cramp up.  In the final 5 k there were some of the biggest hills so far.

I was really happy to get out today. Started off with a lot of fog but cleared by the time I got into Short Hills Provincial Park. I had never heard of the park prior to planning this run and I'm surprised as I talk with a lot of people about where to go trail running in Southern Ontario. Short Hills is scenic, has some pretty good elevation, a well organized trail network and is easily accessible. I highly recommend it to trail runners looking for something new. I did the White Bruce Trail route from the Decou House to Rockway Road on the way out, then took Pelham Road back to the North entrance of the park where I took a Blue Bruce Trail (I believe it's call ed Terrace Creek Side Trail) back to Decow Road. All together I think anyone looking to do a Niagara region trail/road run that's under 10k (and goes right by Henry of Pelham Winery on the way back) should consider this route. So far this was my favorite in terms of trail scenery. It does lack the technical secti...

This so far was my least favorite section of the trail. Quite a bit of urban streets, wet, slippery and I cramped up on the way back. Numbers from Newburn Rd to Welland Canal Bridge Distance of this length: 11.5K Time: 1:07:56 Pace: 5:54/K Elevation Gain: 126M Distance To Date: 29.5K Elevation Gain To Date: 288M Time To Date: 02:42:45

This leg was nice and easy A few hills but nothing gut wrenching.  Shiloh (dog) kept up the whole time and despite being followed by some farm dogs he was in good spirits.  Trail was kinda tough due to fresh fallen leaves that made loose rocks hard to see but it is the Bruce Trail after all! Numbers of way back from Glendale Ave to Newburn Road Distance of this length: 7.8km Time: 46:24 Pace: 5:54/k Elevation Gain: 116M

My first attempt of this leg was spoiled by me not seeing that the trail had turned, instead I had wandered around a quarry section and eventually found the trail after about 1.5 km. I then stayed on the trail the rest of the way to Newburn Road. The strava record below is my run back to the car on all white Bruce Trail the whole time. For reference sake I've also included my strava record of my way to Newburn. Not too technical Saw a few groups of trail runners Ran w/ dog off leash but carried one in my hand whole time.