Just finished the Grouse Grind for the second time. UPDATE [4th time]

[Locut0s]

Vancouver.blog.anandtech.

Yes that's right I've only done it twice in my life. 😳

Just doing it for fun, not trying to challenge myself time wise or anything. Last time we did it was years ago and I was really out of shape then. Took me 90mins back then and we stupidly didn't bring any watter, I was wasted and dehydrated when I got to the top. This time we brought some water and while I am by no means in really good shape I'm in much better shape than before. Took me 71mins on the way up (1hr 11mins) not exactly a good time but better than the average it seems (not the average person who does it regularly of course). Despite it being nothing special I'm actually kinda proud of it considering I would NEVER have been able to do this about 6 months back before I lost the weight. I'll have to do this again and see if I can improve my time.

We went against the rules and climbed back down the trail. I actually just about ran back down and my down time was 40mins. Kind of stupid considering I could have EASILY fallen and really hurt myself, I can see why they say you are prohibited from going back down. I think I pulled some muscles and feel rather weak and wobbly now. 😛

 

[KeithTalent]

Ahh, happy to hear it's open again. You know I keep meaning to do it this year, but I never get around to it. Definitely a good workout; congrats!

You should do the trail that is parallel, it's much less crowded (I forget what it's called, but there is an offshoot of the Grind a short way up, then it follows a similar route to the top) and way more enjoyable because of it.

KT

 

[silverpig]

Good job man. Hey, Buddha and I should arrange to do it with you one day. I've got a run I want to go on that I invented called the silverpig-a-thon. It's a 22 km run from my place to the base of the grind, and then up the mountain. I'm sure I could get him to join me on the entire run, and we could meet you at the base and go up the mountain together.

KT you in?

edit: for those who don't know, this is the grind:

 

[KeithTalent]

For which part? I think you guys run way faster than I do, so I could do the second part. I could do the first part, it would just take me a while to catch up once you got to the mountain.

KT

 

[silverpig]

For which part? I think you guys run way faster than I do, so I could do the second part. I could do the first part, it would just take me a while to catch up once you got to the mountain.

KT

Oh I'm definitely not that fast, and 22 km would be a stretch for me. 1h45m would be a good time, although considering the hill in North Van, it'd probably push 2h to the base. Buddha would be taking it easy for sure.

 

[Locut0s]

Good job man. Hey, Buddha and I should arrange to do it with you one day. I've got a run I want to go on that I invented called the silverpig-a-thon. It's a 22 km run from my place to the base of the grind, and then up the mountain. I'm sure I could get him to join me on the entire run, and we could meet you at the base and go up the mountain together.

KT you in?

edit: for those who don't know, this is the grind:

PIC SNIPPED

Hmm... well I'd be game but at 71 mins being a good time for me I'm sure I'd be only dead weight holding you guys back.

 

[Capt Caveman]

No pics from the top?

I remember flying in for work and after dropping my stuff off at the hotel, doing the Grouse Grind. It was sunset when I got to the top and really enjoyed the view on the tram ride down

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Oh I'm definitely not that fast, and 22 km would be a stretch for me. 1h45m would be a good time, although considering the hill in North Van, it'd probably push 2h to the base. Buddha would be taking it easy for sure.

😀 What are you signing me up for man? I should be back to steady running within a month but even then my leg is only good for 30 min. May have to do this silverpigathon next summer, though it sounds awesome.

Considering the hill, in shape I'd be good for 1h40 for the 22km.

My best Grind time is 35 min although I'd probably have to back off to 40 after the preceding run 😛.

Congrats Locut0s, good performance! (And next time don't be a dumbass and run down. Even the hardcore mountain runners take the tram down.)

 

[Locut0s]

No pics from the top?

I remember flying in for work and after dropping my stuff off at the hotel, doing the Grouse Grind. It was sunset when I got to the top and really enjoyed the view on the tram ride down

Didn't want to risk bringing my camera. It's also bulky and would have been cumbersome to bring. Don't have a cell phone yet so couldn't snap those pics either. At any rate the view from the top would be hard to capture properly without a telephoto lens which I don't have.

 

[Locut0s]

😀 What are you signing me up for man? I should be back to steady running within a month but even then my leg is only good for 30 min. May have to do this silverpigathon next summer, though it sounds awesome.

Considering the hill, in shape I'd be good for 1h40 for the 22km.

My best Grind time is 35 min although I'd probably have to back off to 40 after the preceding run 😛.

Congrats Locut0s, good performance! (And next time don't be a dumbass and run down. Even the hardcore mountain runners take the tram down.)

But it's expensive 🙁 😛. Next time I'll just walk slowly down. 🙂

35min! Jesus Christ!

 

[InflatableBuddha]

But it's expensive 🙁 😛. Next time I'll just walk slowly down. 🙂

35min! Jesus Christ!

5 bucks ya cheapskate 😛. Can't even buy a beer in this city for that.

LOL thanks. That time was 2 years ago, before I started marathon training. What's really impressive is a guy I know who I used to race against, who has been on the national mountain running team.

He does it in 28 minutes 😱. Mind you, he grew up in Whistler; might have something to do with it :hmm:.

 

[Locut0s]

5 bucks ya cheapskate 😛. Can't even buy a beer in this city for that.

LOL thanks. That time was 2 years ago, before I started marathon training. What's really impressive is a guy I know who I used to race against, who has been on the national mountain running team.

He does it in 28 minutes 😱. Mind you, he grew up in Whistler; might have something to do with it :hmm:.

Huh I thought it was 10 bucks, still so long as I don't run I'd still rather walk back 😛. 28 mins! That's 2 mins off the record!

I'd actually be game to do the grind with either you and or silverpig but like I said I'd still be doing it in and around the 71min mark so it would be a slow walk in the park for you guys if we actually stuck together. lol

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Unless they've changed it in the last few months, it's still $5 as I recall.

Yeah, my buddy is insanely quick.

Well, I did it with my ex-g/f in around 90 min, which was a bit slow, but 70 wouldn't be too bad.

I'll check my schedule; I think I may have some days off in August that might be workable.

 

[Riceninja]

i do the grouse once a year. we always go down the hill too; my crew is too cheap for the lift

if you guys have any more summer meetups make sure to pm me, i dont check this forum enough to keep up with the threads

 

[Eli]

Huh.. How come I've never heard of this?

<-- Portland native

Edit: Er, duh. Vancouver, BC. Got it. lol

 

[Locut0s]

Huh.. How come I've never heard of this?

<-- Portland native

Maybe because you are a PORTLAND NATIVE and we are in VANCOUVER CANADA? 😉 Damn you caught it before I posted.

Grouse mountain overlooks Vancouver and besides being a popular ski destination for locals for the last 20 years or so it's also been a very popular 2.9km hike. There is a trail starting from the gondola parking lot to the top. It's a very steep climb that's mostely just thousands of wooden and rocky steps. It climbs about 853m (2,800 feet) in 2.9km.

 

[silverpig]

😀 What are you signing me up for man? I should be back to steady running within a month but even then my leg is only good for 30 min. May have to do this silverpigathon next summer, though it sounds awesome.

Considering the hill, in shape I'd be good for 1h40 for the 22km.

My best Grind time is 35 min although I'd probably have to back off to 40 after the preceding run 😛.

Congrats Locut0s, good performance! (And next time don't be a dumbass and run down. Even the hardcore mountain runners take the tram down.)

Haha, well I'll do it myself then and meet you all at the grind. And after a 22km run, I'm sure 71 minutes would be fast for me.

 

[Locut0s]

Third time. Today. Finished in 60 min 52 seconds. 10 min improvement! :awe:

However I can tell that this is the max that I can do at my current level of fitness. I'll need to loose some more weight and improve my overall health to get better. I was huffing and puffing all the way up and during the last 1/4 trying to keep my calves from cramping up. One thing that I noticed both times is that breathing hurt after a while. I don't believe this is heart related chest pain as it only occurs only when I took a breath and it felt like bronchial pain (like the type you get when you have a really bad chest cold).

Would this result from not having any experience exercising for long periods where I need lots of heavy breathing? Hopefully that's all it is. If so I need to improve that too.

 

[Bignate603]

I thought the grouse grind was a euphemism (wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more!) and to tell you that 3 times was probably 3 times more than your average ATOTer. 😉

That sounds like a brutal run, maybe back when I was in my best shape I could have tried that but it still would have completely wiped me out.

 

[Locut0s]

I thought the grouse grind was a euphemism (wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more!) and to tell you that 3 times was probably 3 times more than your average ATOTer. 😉

That sounds like a brutal run, maybe back when I was in my best shape I could have tried that but it still would have completely wiped me out.

lol

It's not so much a run as a climb. Yes it is somewhat brutal but it's also short. It's only 2.9km (1.8 miles) as the crow flies but it's very steep climbing 2800 feet in that distance. So it's basically all steep steps the whole way. The average time seems to be about 90mins but that's only because it's an EXTREMELY popular trail and includes a lot of tourists and people not in shape doing it. My 60min time is anything but special. there are lots and lots of people who do it in 40mins and less all the time. The record is just over 25mins!!! That's actually running up the mountain at a good clip!

The only reason I post this and am happy about these times is because not long ago (6-8 months) I was 260lbs and in very bad shape. I've since lost over 60lbs and am getting into better shape.

 

[Aquaman]

Anyone watch "Last 10 Pounds" with Tommy Europe.......... do you know what trail he takes on the last challenge is? It's on the North Shore but I've been trying to figure out what it is.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Locut0s]

Anyone watch "Last 10 Pounds" with Tommy Europe.......... do you know what trail he takes on the last challenge is? It's on the North Shore but I've been trying to figure out what it is.

Cheers,
Aquaman

Never seen it. Wouldn't be the Baden Powell would it?

 

[Aquaman]

Never seen it. Wouldn't be the Baden Powell would it?

Don't know........ all I know is he takes them on a 5K hike and either they end up on top of a rock overlooking the water or they end up at a beach (seems like the same area).

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Anyone watch "Last 10 Pounds" with Tommy Europe.......... do you know what trail he takes on the last challenge is? It's on the North Shore but I've been trying to figure out what it is.

Cheers,
Aquaman

Hollyburn Ridge? A friend on Facebook just posted an album and it looks like it might fit the description.

Also, I went to the island last weekend to hike part of the Juan de Fuca Trail with friends - guess who was parked in front of us on the ferry?

Tommy Europe!

 

[Locut0s]

Did another one today. Didn't quite beat my last time. 61min 19sec. So 27 seconds slower. Just about exactly the length of the one break I took, lol. But I couldn't avoid taking that break. This time seemed a fair amount harder for some reason.