The Running Jackal

This week's adventure took me up the historic Merryman Trail on Mount Douglas, one of the mountain's oldest and steepest routes, where every step was a reminder of the early settlers and the Indigenous people who called this place home long before them. The relentless climb quickly turned into a power hike, with heart rate soaring, fallen trees to navigate, and just enough pauses to appreciate the forest and swap a few words with fellow hikers. I reflected on old races, trail history, and how these days I'm just as happy sharing personal thoughts as I am chasing miles, even if the audience is a little smaller. Reaching the summit was hard-earned, but the reward was fresh views, a few photographs, and the satisfaction of conquering one of Mount Doug's toughest ascents. From there, it was all smiles and an easy downhill cruise on Churchill Drive, another memorable Jackal adventure safely in the books.

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I set out early on a warm morning run along the Feltham Trail with the goal of staying mostly in Zone 3, easing off whenever my effort drifted into Zone 4. My route took me on a tour of Bow Pond, King's Pond, and the surrounding trails, where I found very few ducks but enjoyed the peaceful scenery. The heat made the run more challenging, but my hydration pack kept me comfortable as I climbed the hills and settled into a steady rhythm. Along the way I simplified my watch announcements, listened to a little music, recorded videos at each stop, and focused on enjoying the journey rather than chasing pace. I finished the approximately 12-kilometre run feeling satisfied with a controlled workout and grateful for another morning on the trails.

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Three tough hill repeats made this a real strength-building workout, with 206 metres of climbing packed into just 7.4 km. I kept pushing the climbs, earning three achievements while closing my 700-calorie goal early in the day. My average cadence was 56 as I focused on steady power rather than speed. The effort was intense, with nearly 80% of the workout spent in Heart Rate Zones 4 and 5. Another solid step toward building stronger climbing legs and better endurance for the trails.

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My Wednesday morning trail run began at Cedar Hill Golf Course, where I made my way to the recreation centre for a long, refreshing drink of water before continuing toward Million Dollar Hill in warm, smoky conditions. The heat and lingering smoke made breathing more difficult, so I alternated between running and walking while stopping to photograph the golf course, Bowker Creek, the water gardens, and other familiar landmarks along the route. I realized I had forgotten breakfast apart from half a banana, coffee, and my vitamins, and I also had to turn back earlier to retrieve my Sony recorder before the outing could properly begin. The steep climb felt every bit as challenging as Irvine Trail, and although the smoky haze hid the Olympic Peninsula from the summit, I enjoyed the peaceful circuit and reflected on friends from the running and podcasting community. I finished with just under 3.5 kilometres of running, captured my closing video at King's Pond, and wrapped up another short summer Running Jackal adventure.

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Today's trail run climbed to its highest point on the Blenkinsop Trail before dropping down the steep, technical descent and looping home via the flatter Lochside Trail. The rocky downhill demanded patience rather than speed, but the Garry oak meadows, sweeping views, and dry summer landscape made every careful step worthwhile. A herd of Longhorn cattle waiting by the gate provided the perfect photo opportunity and an unexpected highlight of the morning. As I ran, my thoughts drifted to how these simple trail recordings might one day become a small record of everyday life, proving that ordinary adventures are worth preserving too. Just over nine kilometres later, I finished with another satisfying morning on the trails, reminded once again that the best runs are measured by the journey rather than the pace.























































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Today's adventure felt more like mountaineering than trail running as I tackled the steep Irvine Trail in the summer heat, with plenty of climbing, hydration breaks, and a few scenic pauses along the way. A missing Golden Retriever named Murphy became the unexpected storyline of the morning, as I could hear the owner's increasingly desperate calls echoing through the forest long after we'd parted. The tough terrain pushed me into Zones 5 and 6, but months of cross-training are clearly paying off, leaving me feeling stronger and more capable than I have in a long time. Along the climb I reflected on scaling back my podcasting plans, my annual alcohol-free August, and the importance of looking after both body and mind as the years go by. Reaching the upper slopes near the antenna, I chose the South Ridge descent, finishing another satisfying midweek adventure with the camera full of photos and my calorie goal well within reach.

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I headed to Cedar Hill Golf Course for my midweek chip trail run, recording the trailer video at the start before settling into another episode of guerrilla podcasting. Although I felt a little low on energy and had a looming dental appointment to have a tooth pulled, the peaceful morning, well-kept golf course, and familiar figure-eight route with its convenient water stops kept me moving. Along the way I reflected on my refurbished little bike, balancing cycling with walking in my ten-hour weekly fitness plan, and listened to news about the future of Jeff Galloway's running community. I also paused to photograph golfers, the Saanich Volunteers building, and other scenes that have become part of my long-running Cedar Hill adventures. I finished with the final climb past the Blue House before coasting home on my little bike, grateful for another steady midweek outing despite the uncertainty of the day ahead.

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On my Sunday solo trail run, I enjoyed a brisk outing through my favourite Forest of Fun, recording both a trailer video and podcast while keeping a steady pace and staying well hydrated with my homemade mint-electrolyte sports drink. I reflected on my recent strength training, the changing scenery, and the simple pleasure of running beneath the forest canopy where the shade made the summer heat much more comfortable. My main mission was to visit the Rake and Radish farm stand in search of fresh arugula, but despite my optimism, I found only garlic scapes and basil, so I continued on empty-handed. Along the way I encountered friendly dogs, winding rocky trails, and the familiar sounds of nature and nearby homes, all of which became part of the adventure. Although Plan A didn't work out, I reached the halfway point of my calorie goal, appreciated the beauty of the light filtering through the trees, and finished another satisfying five-mile trail run with plenty of material for my podcast, video, and blog.

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On Canada Day, I headed out solo for a road and beach run around the Low Tide Loop, enjoying a steady and relaxed pace from start to finish. I covered 8.2 km, making it my longest run of the week while focusing on easy endurance rather than speed. The route included 126 metres of climbing, my biggest elevation gain of the week, and I finished stronger than I started. Even though my pace was slightly slower than usual, the effort was meaningful and helped build strength and long-term endurance. It was a satisfying run that combined time on my feet, coastal scenery, and consistent pacing into a rewarding Canada Day adventure.https://jackal100.blogspot.com/2026/07/all-new-low-tide-loop.htmlAll New Low Tide Loop

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