by Louise Schutte

Created on: August 10, 2009

I Survived the Grouse Grind...

Looking for something to do during your visit to Vancouver, British Columbia? Do you consider yourself physically fit? Put yourself to the fitness test and do the Grouse Grind. I did, and have earned a great deal of respect for myself for doing so.

Located 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver at the upper terminus parking lot at the end of Capilano Road, Grouse Mountain is a favorite site among hikers - locals and tourists alike. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 people do the trail per year. The Grind is a 1.8 mi (2.9-km) hike, a 2800-foot (843 m) incline, 1.5 times the height of Toronto's CN Tower. With grades as steep as 45 degrees, this trek is often referred to as "Mother Nature's Stairmaster."

After working out three days per week for a mere five weeks, I decided to "climb to the top of a mountain." As I was already physically healthy prior to joining the gym, my personal goal was to make it to the top in the average length of time - 1.5 hours. After four minutes of climbing, I realized that this was going to be a long haul. My heart had reached target heart rate already. Though there are no actual flat stretches, my cousin Kym and I took a lot of short breaks either to take a sip of water or catch our breath. We stretched our calf muscles just before the half way marker. At about the marker, the hike was somewhat more treacherous. The ground was a little wet, which explains the closure of the trail in winter months, since too much moisture would make the trail unsafe. Our upper leg muscles had become somewhat exhausted, but we kept on going. We were already passed the point of no return and at no time did I consider turning back.

We noticed that people of all ages were climbing this trail. An elderly man hiked past us in a sure-and-steady-wins-the-race manner. We even came across an obviously pregnant woman and her friend. The two women had stopped on the side of the trail to take a break. It was apparent that the non-expectant of the two women could not keep up with her friend. This is not to say that anyone can do the trial, as these particular people were obviously in peak physical condition already which is needed to meet the cardio-vascular requirements that the trail demands.

Once at the top, I looked at my watch for only the second time since we'd started. I had surprised myself, and beat my goal by five whole minutes! Kym and I rejoiced in our triumph and

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