I’m currently on vacation in Europe and this month also marks my seventh year in Vancouver. To celebrate, I’m highlighting a few things I’d miss about Vancouver if I moved away:

I’ll miss Stanley Park the most of I ever moved away!

I think every city should have a ‘Stanley Park’, not necessarily a park/forest in the middle of the city, but a welcoming sanctuary away from a bustling metropolis.

Vancouver would not be the same without Stanley Park, it’s part of the city’s charm.

The first time I explored Stanley Park and walked the Seawall, I knew I’d found something special. I moved closer to the park and have never looked back.

I’ve probably spent more time in Stanley Park than any other place in the city; I’ve probably walked/ran the Seawall a million times. Stanley Park is huge, and seven years later I’m still discovering it.

My favourite activity is to run the Seawall, which has literally saved my life. It has helped me think, de-stress and keep healthy; I’ve also met some wonderful people on the way.

Walking up to Prospect Point is another favourite of mine; I meander through the cool Avison Trail and come out by the bridge.

I spend a lot of time exploring Lost Lagoon in the summer and taking in views of the city.

I’ve spent countless hours at the beach.

Wildlife at the Park

The sea that straddles the park.

And the people!

Stanley Park is basically my gym, my therapy and my getaway. I doubt that I’ll find that anywhere else.

Stanley Park

I’m an impulsive person.

Sunday, I decided to go for run alone at night in the woods. Sometimes, I wish I’d take time to rethink my decisions.

It started with the New York City Marathon. I watched it on tv and managed to get myself all riled up. I’m very much in awe of Paula Radcliffe, by the way.

I decided I too would run a marathon – this isn’t a new desire by any stretch; but I wanted to run badly.

I have a long way to go (I wanted to make a marathon pun here but none comes to mind) in terms of training. I feel like a blob and my new scale confirms this, so and this isn’t me being self deprecating.

I did a little research online and decided to order the Garmin Forerunner 305 to help me train.

I tried to relax comforted by things to come, yet I felt restless – like I needed to start right away.

I decided to go for a long run just before sunset. I should have thought a little, we just switched back to Standard Time hence it gets dark sooner. Running inside Stanley Park at night is never a good idea.

By the time I got into the thick wooded area it was pitch dark. I had no phone or whistle or anything for that matter to ward off attackers, just headphones blaring on. I envisioned all sorts of horrible things happening to me; right there in the thick dense forest with no where to run. I couldn’t turn back… I’d come too far.

Once in a while a car would pass by and those were the most frightening moments, clearly anyone in a car could see a defenseless woman running in the woods – who knows what kinds of people are out there.

There was this particular car the slowed to a halt behind me, I run so fast my feet hurt. Another car came up behind and it started moving, only to go a little further and park in some secluded parking area ahead. I prayed fervently and as if someone was actually listening a succession of cars came to pass. The lone car started up again and drove off.

They probably were lost and looking for directions but at the moment all I could think of was how I was going to be killed, raped, beaten, maimed or something as gory.

It’ll so break my mother’s heart, I thought as I ran through the harrowing night.

Technorati Tags: Exercise, running at night, Stanley Park

I think my age is catching up with me – I can’t seem to function on just four hours of sleep anymore.

I couldn’t bring myself to go running on Saturday morning (again!); I was tired and disoriented from lack of sleep.

After a good sleep, I woke up Sunday morning feeling much better.

It was an energizing, fresh bright sunny day, befitting a New Year.

And here we go…