You’d be forgiven, on occasion, for thinking I live in Disney’s version of a Canadian ski resort. On days like today, I think that, too. So clean, so picture-book perfect. So many millions of dollars to live in those houses — or to leave them standing empty while you live somewhere else — like George Lucas, who has recently bought a property in town, adding his name to a growing list of international celebs. At least my abode looks a little ragged around the edges, a lot more lived in

And on a writing note — I was THRILLED to find this awesome review from Enduring Romance blog spot for THE HEART OF A RENEGADE. Thank you so much Robyn and Kimber An. Enduring Romance will also be hosting a cyber book launch party for the talented Linnea Sinclair tomorrow, August 7th, all day … please pop on by!

Week 1:

• Sunday, April 27: 10K.

• Monday, April 28: 45 – 60 minutes Nordic Walk.

• Tuesday, April 29: 30 minutes Run/Walk

• Wednesday, April 30: 30 – 40 minutes Run/Walk

• Thursday, May 1: 45 – 60 minutes Nordic Walk or other aerobic exercise.

• Friday, May 2: 30 minutes Run/Walk.

• Saturday, May 3: Rest.

The goal — stay on track through the summer for a Marathon in the Fall.

Skunk cabbage — the first food of bears out of hibernation. It now blooms in the swamps, sticking fingers to the winter, evocative of procreation and growth. Brilliant candles of color in the season’s detritus. The bears will soon follow. And then you’ll have to bear with me as I tell tales, once again, of ursine encounters along my woodland trails. So far it feels good to have naked ground underfoot, and a taste of warmth in the wind …

But while my running shoes are planted firmly in Whistler, my mind, my imagination, is in Las Vegas as I work on the outline of my new SRS continuity. Anyone been to Vegas recently?

I was delighted to see that THE HEART OF A RENEGADE comes out in Australia in May ’08, paired with Catherine Mann’s OUT OF UNIFORM

I’m sure my Aussie bodyguard hero Luke Stone will be pleased — he hails from Perth

My Path: 1 hour run/walk, on softening ski trails — slip sliding away, as much backwards as forwards, I think. Sorta like running in sand dunes. But worse. Because I have holes in my runners that shoveled in the snow — my feet turned into numb stumps, and then about 20 mins into the run my toes started to thaw … and hurt like hell. But it was worth it once that old Zen-with-the-world feeling kicked in.

My Beat Never Surrender …

RENEGADE photo-tour:

‘Twas a hazy/blurry day last summer, but I wanted to make sure the CIA chopper would have a good place to land in Pemberton, and that the Lillooet River (below) was easily accessible via snowmobile from the airstrip. Of course the river was frozen when Luke and Jessica barreled over it in their sled. But the setting works . (Guess I shouldn’t try and shoot while driving though, eh? (the camera, that is)

My Path: 40 mins run/walk.
My Beat: Just Can’t Get Enough — Depeche Mode. That one was a recommendation from a friend, and is a new and welcome addition to my playlist. I’m always looking for new tunes with a nice joggy beat … any ideas, please fire them my way!! Doesn’t matter the period, or the style, it just needs an energetic number of beats per minute (imagine running to it), and it needs to fire the soul

RENEGADE photo-tour:  A bird’s-eye view of Squamish in summer. This is the town where Luke and Jessica stop for a welcome bite of breakfast after surviving the police roadblock. They, however, are here in winter, when the mountains lie under thick snow and it all looks vastly different. To the left of the image, snaking through the greenery along the water into the distance, you can see the Sea to Sky highway on which they fled from Vancouver. The city of Vancouver itself lies hidden from view just beyond that horizon, further down the Howe Sound.

My Path today: A sunny 45 min aerobic walk. Breathless Those are the Blackcomb ski runs you can see above, viewed over the River of Golden dreams which is now hosting majestic trumpeter swans.

My Music: Just the song of spring. And yes, it is spring. In spite of the snow. Along with the swans and returning honk of Canada geese, small bright yellow candles of Skunk Cabbage are piercing through the melting detritus in the swampland. It’s a first food for bears emerging from hibernation. Any day now.

RENEGADE photo-tour: Another shot of my home town, Whistler — the place Jessica and Luke take a short and risky detour while on the run from the Triad. Above is the path I ran myself today. And below is the Upper Village shot earlier in the season. There really was a photo shop in the same spot the book describes (in the Upper Village), but it has since moved. It was to the right of those orange pylons in the photo. And behind the white cloud in the backdrop hides the Whistler Mountain ski hills.

My Path today: The Rainbow trail above, until it got too smooshy and my toes too wet and frostbitten. 40 mins run/walk.

My Music: You Can Get If You Really Want It – Desmond Dekker.

RENEGADE photo-tour: This is Whistler Village, where Luke and Jessica go to develop the film the Triad is prepared to kill for. It’s a side trip Luke never intended taking, and it marks a key turning point in the HEART OF A RENEGADE.

It’s also my home

***

As an aside, I’ve been inspired by  Cole to lace up the old running shoes again, and aim for another marathon in the Fall. And I couldn’t feel happier for the decision. I met Cole through my books, my blog, her blog, and the blogs of others, and have come to consider her my friend (Hope you don’t object, Nicole!). And recently I have been infected by the energy and way she has tackled some things in life, and once again am reminded how setting — and achieving – physical goals can help everything else — including writing — fit into place.

It gives you control, it gives you power, it makes you feel strong, and everything else seems to hum back into harmony. I know, it sounds sappy. But believe me, it works. And I sure missed not having the bookend of a Fall marathon last year.
I felt lost.

I meandered into winter, not as sharply focused. I worked hard. I got my books done. But something was missing. Some verve. Some spring in my step.

But I’m back! I didn’t train last year because of a problem knee — but if it plays up again, I will walk that marathon. With poles  if I can. And as fast as I can . Already my days have fresh focus. And there’s that feeling of laughter in my step. Thanks, Cole. And happy running ……

My Path: 40 minutes run/walk. Round Whistler Golf Course. Cold with flecks of snow. Air heavy and beautiful.

But the alpine has tons. And the Mountains did officially open for the season today. May it be a good one!

Almost to this day last year  I ran a marathon – in Victoria, BC (as I have done the last two years). But last year, I also ran another one, in Honolulu, in December.

I loved the way those marathon goals structured my life last year. They kept the writer balanced with the wannabe athlete in me.  In fact, they kept a lot of things focused in me.  

But his year, because my knees were shot – I did not have those same  physical goals. And I did not have my October marathon bookend.  I felt the loss come Thanksgiving weekend. I felt something was missing.  

I have, however,  written three books  since this same day last October – but somehow I do not feel that same sense of total accomplishment.  Something is lacking.  I have gone soft, and I don’t like it.

It reminds me of the need for us to balance our lives as writers. It reminds me of the importance of having  goals outside of the books. And with that in mind … I am setting some new ones …

 Stay tuned …  Because they should be fun