While speaking with longtime Abbotsford Counc. Simon Gibson – who is an avid runner and ran the Seattle Marathon six times – he recommended trying out some local trails to improve fitness and stamina.

The Grouse Grind is a great way to train – which I have shared with you many times. The rigorous 2.9 km hike takes you straight up the face of Grouse Mountain overlooking Vancouver. However, I believe trails in Abbotsford and Mission are a great way to train for the grind and can provide positive training results.

I liked Gibson’s idea of trying something local and promoting our beauty and fitness in the valley. I also remembered a few words from local Abbotsford medical specialist Dr. Shavinder Gill who specializes in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases.

Gill said, “the physical activity depends on the person and their physical status and underlining diseases, if any. If an individual who has done little exercises throughout their life – and is male over 40 or female over 50 – they should consult a physician before starting a regular exercise program.”

The trail that Gibson recommended is Clayburn Creek Trail located before Heritage Valley on Clayburn Road. This trail is a beautiful, hour-long hike or walk that leads you to Auguston Estates. The trail is wide and well maintained with many beautiful scenic points.

Mother Nature gives you some of its finest challenges and this has it all. A sharp incline in the beginning that gets your heart rate pumping and a level ride the rest of the way.

Doing this a couple of times a week will definitely prepare you for any climb like the grind. This trail along with many others in the valley are excellent ways for cross training, preparing you for your fitness goals.

Tennis colleague and Abbotsford resident Alex Kotai, a BCRPA registered personal trainer, said, “cross training has numerous benefits for the everyday person as well as for the athlete looking to improve his performance.”

“The expansion of our trail system is one of the more visionary initiatives approved by Council,” says Gibson.

“The network of trails which will eventually connect in a paved loop around the community and will provide an ideal running, walking, cycling and rollerblading network for many people,” he added.

Across the river, in Mission, there are other excellent spots for outdoor trail training.

Mission Coun. Paul Horn said, “Mission’s trails take advantage

of our great lakes and forests and we have a wide range, from easy to athletic.

“If you want to jog on a relatively flat trail, try the dike, Fraser River Heritage Park, or, my favorite, the railway trail along the west side of Hayward Lake. If you want a more strenuous workout, on foot or bicycle, try Red or Bear Mountains, or complete the Hayward Lake circuit on the east side. Trails are a big part of life and tourism in Mission, so we recently commissioned the creation of a parks and trails master plan,” said Horn.

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