Grouse Grind

Life, , 23 Comments

Hey all,

This weekend, I went on a hike on the Grouse Mountain with my co workers. The hike was really tedious yet so much fun and the view was rewarding. I learnt so much on this hike that I would like to share on the blog.Grouse Grind is a 2.9km trail with about 3000 steps with an elevation gain of 2800 feet. Read here for more information.

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So I had been feeling a little low the whole week and was looking forward to the loooooong weekend. My initial plan was to just go to bed and not get up till Tuesday morning, don’t judge me! I went for lunch on Friday and I felt a lot better and so I decided to go tag along with my co-workers who were going on a hike. Lesson 1- No man is an island, we need each other! (I really like spontaneous decisions so the idea was not so bad after all.)

Prior to this hike, I probably only went on a hike about once or twice and had only gone to the gym once that week. Long and short, I didn’t think I was prepared for the hike. On the way to the mountains, I read this on the website “Am I fit enough?
The Grouse Grind is a serious workout and you require a base level of fitness. Ideally, your typical workout includes cardio training as well as squats and lunges. You’ll be climbing 2,830 steps up a mountain so you will require strong hips and legs. If you are unsure if you are ready to do the Grouse Grind, we strongly recommend that you try some easier Vancouver trails and see how you do.”   Needless to say, I did not feel prepared for this hike and just wanted to go back to bed.  Lesson 2- The fact that something seems hard or difficult does not mean it is impossible. You can do it once you put your mind to it! 

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The start of the trail

I had started the hike and was already tired in like 10 minutes. The steps seemed so steep and I was told the easiest quarters were the first and last quarter (Ha, so how was the second and third quarter to be?) At that point, I had already made up my mind to quit whenever I was tired even though my hiking buddies had offered we could take stop breaks whenever we wanted- I just didn’t think I could do it. (Did I forget to mention the mountain is really steep so you have to take a surf down, told you it was hard!!!)Lesson 3- Try to stay away from negative thoughts; they only hinder you from achieving your goals. “You are your worst enemy. It is negative thoughts that hold you back, nothing else. -Leon Brown”

I do not know if I would have been able to complete that hike without my group mates and that leads me to Lesson 4- Surround yourself with positive people. I was really impressed when someone said she didn’t care how long it was going to take, she was going to complete the trail! You need that type of energy around you.Some of the people we started the hike with didn’t finish at the same time as us. Some earlier, some later! Lesson 5- Don’t compare yourself to others. Like my friends always say- all fingers are not equal! “Comparison is the thief of joy- Franklin Roosevelt”. It was interesting seeing all the people who were ahead of us and those who were behind us on the trail. It reminded me a lot of life.img_9748



I really like the fact that the trail was divided into four quarters. Mandatory rest breaks- Lol. That just reminded me a lot of goal making. Lesson 6- Be specific in setting your goals, break them down if need be! Lets say you want to run 3 miles today and you haven’t worked out in a while. Break is down 1 mile in 12 minutes (take a break if need be) another mile in the next 12 minutes and the last mile. Lesson 7- Take life one step at a time!

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Was so happy at the half mark point!

I hope you found my insights on the trail interesting and helpful!

Talk some other time,

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23 thoughts on “Grouse Grind”

  5. Well done Shasha, good one there…I’m about setting out again…your mum knows what I’m talking about ha!
    “Bigger than you task” you know?
    I’m gonna take one step at a time, set my specific goals, see the possibilities, believe and watch ME SUCCEED.
    Thanks girl.

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  8. You are a lady after my heart. Thumbs up
    I work with your dad and please ask him for a little handbook on goals setting which I’ll send to you through him! Good job.

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  10. Hi Shasha, I am an IFC colleague of your dad. I have heard about how challenging the Grouse Grind trail is so I sincerely salute you for doing it…Very well done and I hope to meet you some day. We need more brave young ladies like you. Best, Marcelle

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  12. I encourage you to read the ‘Blink’ by Malcolm Galdwell. You made the right decision by jumping for the hike – that day could have passed without you having this wonderful experiece and the great lessons you learned. That is what life is about – taking advantage of opportunities. Sure you are a better person. Ride on young woman!!!

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