Was wide awake from 2am and forced myself to get up at 6.30. Ventured out to a temperature -27degrees! It was still dark so I decided to start my run indoors (the recreation centre here opens at 6am!). Managed to complete a hard 5km on the treadmill- the room was very warm and it made me feel quite dizzy. I followed this with a quick run outdoors to get a feeling of what it would be like to run in the cold. I had wrapped up well but the most difficulty I had was in breathing. The air is very tight here because of the altitude and cold. It will take some getting used to. I was also wearing a wrap over my face, which kept me warm on the one hand but didn’t allow me to breathe very well on the other.
The rest of the day was spent on introductions to the other artists on the programme, to the programme facilitators and to the technicians who will be helping us realise our projects. We also had introductions to library and community services staff, followed by a tour of the campus. This really is a beautiful setting, almost unreal. We really are surrounded by mountains (see picture).
Managed a quick venture down into the town to get some maps to enable me to plan my running routes. Quite daunted by what I’m letting myself in for, but excited by the challenge.
Went back up to campus for a ‘meet and greet’ followed by a pv of artists’ work from one of the self-directed programmes. By 8pm I’d had it and was literally falling asleep (hence no entry last night).
Slept very badly again with additional complication of a pinched nerve on my right shoulder. Was wide awake again by 5.30 and went for a swim to ease the tension.
Today we had our individual entrance and technical interviews. These were to talk about our project goals and to get some feedback from the peer advisors and programme directors and for the technical staff to get a handle on technical needs and issues. The first interview felt very formal and I felt too jet lagged to talk very cohesively; the second (technical) interview was more practical but the difficulties of realising the live aspect of my project were made very apparent. It will certainly pose a challenge and the outcome is not clear. It will involve a lot of experimentation with things that may or may not work. I may also have to limit my route if I can only use local networks.
The good news is that I managed an almost 10km run following the bow river and fenland trails and then back uphill to the campus with spectacular views on the way. The day ended with the first round of artist presentations (mine is tomorrow). After tonight I feel quite intimidated by the prospect. We start tomorrow with a trip to Johnston Canyon.
