Thousands of people...

...joined us yesterday as we skated along the Rideau Canal.   For the past forty years, Ottawa has celebrated winter with an outdoor winter festival called Winterlude.

It kicked off last weekend but since I was already busy with volunteering at the Pretzel cross country ski rally it was decided a group of us would get together yesterday.  Who knew there would be sooooo many people!!!!

And what amazed me more was that the four of us, coming in different cars from different directions were able to find one another at our exact meeting spot and on time!  Traffic was backed up for miles and there were road closures to maneuver around...but we did it and without incident.   Way to go Girls!!!

We walked over to Dows Lake where there is a pavilion which houses two or three restaurants (Malones and Lago) and most importantly, wash-rooms.  After volunteering at the Hypothermic Half Marathon, I've paid my dues using a port-a-pottie in winter.  So we sneaked into one of the restaurants restrooms, got ourselves bundled up and headed out to the ice.

I haven't skated in years so needless to say I was nervous to get onto the ice and go.  My greatest fear was falling on my knee, so I took it very slowly at first.
Leaving the pavilion area on Dows Lake we skated up towards the canal skating past the outdoor rinks that were hosting The Beaver Cup Pond Hockey tournament.  They were is full flight as we skated past, local radio stations were broadcasting as well as participating.  It looked like an absolute riot, 4 on 4 hockey, the way it was meant to be played ~ outdoors and on a pond.

As we made our way towards downtown Ottawa, we had to dodge kids, the occasional dog on a leash and sleighs on ice blades.  It's a happening spot, there are outdoor café's on the ice, huts set up for putting your skates on or just for resting and of course the world famous huts selling Beavertails and hot chocolate!

It was a great skate until we turned around to head back.  The wind had picked up and it was snowing.  Anyone who knows me, whether it is running, cycling and now skating into a head on cold wind, I just hate it.   Needless to say the workout skating back was hard!!  There were times it felt as if we weren't moving forward at all, but we made it!

Thanks girlfriends!

I'm finding winter more tolerable this year, just being able to do other activities other than running and not being committed to a particular race early in the season has been the cure for me.  Between cross country skiing, snow-shoeing and now skating, winter is my friend.  (did I just say that?)


Getting out and cross-training is keeping me fit, full of energy, healthy of mind and body and most importantly young at heart!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily