Notes from Dan the trail guy #29

Trail Bits

Well, a bunch of us can now say that we have run the complete GutBuster Half Marathon Course from start to finish; and what a run it was.
As I rolled into the parking lot at Westwood after having just stashed bananas, oranges and water for the group on Nanaimo Lakes Rd I was met by a group of extremely fit runners. Not that the rest of you aren’t really fit, but man oh man this group was really fit. There were Ultra marathoners, full Iron Man Tri-athletes and very, very seasoned marathoners in the group. I knew right away that the 3 or 4 of us regular Saturday morning folks were definitely going to be in for a good run. So off we went 1k, 2k, 3k, 4k, 5k and the next thing you know we are at the view point, all is well and we are still running fairly close together as a pack. After watering and a quick peak at the view we are off again; 6k, down hill to 7k and then onto the hydro lines where we run through waist deep grass for the next 1.5k, followed by a quick crossing of the Chase River and finally we reach the 9k point – Nanaimo Lakes rd – where, with the group still all intact we partake in a leisurely (10 minute) breakfast of fruit, water and Mars Bars. Off we go again, up a new hill that Norm must have specially created just for us. This hill is a beast to say the least. 10k, watching the leaders’ attack this hill ahead of me would be the last time I saw the leaders other than when they stopped at km 13 –the Circle - and waited for us trail sweepers (ass draggers) to catch up. It turned out that they only waited for us, because I knew the route and they didn’t. 14k, 15k…hey there is Norm and Jamie on their bikes, coming by to see what we thought of the hill. I can’t print what I told him. 16k, and we are back on the logging rd near the Big Cedar and again the leaders are waiting for me. 17k – down the Stairs, on to 18k and we are back at Nanaimo Lakes Rd. No stopping for water and snacks this time. The Ultra runners, Tri-athletes and the seasoned marathoners have hit their groove and they are good to go. So, back through the river and up the hydro lines (hot) to km 19 where we turned in to Morrell for the last couple of km back to the lake. The run took just a hair under 3 hours (2:57) and boy did the lake ever look good and feel good after the run. I survived!
The run was fantastic; the route is definitely tough - as it should be - but it changes so often in what it has to offer you to run on or through that you think you have been on 4 or 5 different runs. Will I run it again, of course I will, and hopefully you will think of coming with me.
The top times for the GB Humility Half should come in at around 1:40 – 1:50

I can’t report on the short run other than to tell you that 17 people showed up to run the Short Course and that the route was well liked.


Volunteering for the GutBuster Humility Half Marathon and 8.5k Trail races – July 9th. I will send out an email next week letting everyone know where and when I need you. A staple gun is good to bring if you have one. I also have a need for a sweeper for both the short course and long course. Any thoughts?

GutBuster Registration – Less than two weeks until the GB Road show pulls into Westwood Lake for two big runs. This year there will be a BBQ at the finish line area as well as music. Let’s try and have a good turnout of racers for our own home town event. Registration is available either on line at http://www.gutbustertrailrun.com or via a drop off entry form which is available at Frontrunners and can be dropped at Frontrunners.

Sean Lunny - racing as part of the Supplier Pipeline Team finished in the top 20 of the Bend Oregon - Raid World Cup Adventure Race this past weekend. This is the same group of racers that compete in the Eco Challenge that you see on TV. Good work Sean.
· Speaking of Sean, he has to cancel next MONDAYS AB CLASS.

Steve Osaduik – had a 5th place finish behind 4 Kenyan runners at the Scotiabank Half Marathon in Vancouver this past weekend. Steve’s time was 1:05:49 at a pace of 3:08 per km. To put that into perspective, Steve would run Westwood Lake in 18:48 at that pace. Congratulations to Steve on his great race.

ROC SPONSORED EVENTS;
July 9th is the Westwood Lake Half Marathon GutBuster – ROC provides course marshals and start/finish line volunteers and receives a per racer commission in return.
September 11th is the Nanaimo Daily News Harbour City Half Marathon & 10K Road Race….what more need I say.

6. This weekends run will be led by Brad Richardson and Hazel. Meet at Westwood Lake at 7:00am. After the GutBuster next weekend we will start rotating the run locations…promise!

Early Warning: Strathcona Park Trail Run – July 16th – We drive up to the Nordic Lodge ( most – not all - elevation gain is done by car) where we set out on the trails that lead through Paradise Meadows, up to Helene Mackenzie Lake, Kwai Lake, Battleship Lake and back to the lodge. Further details after The GutBuster is out of the way.