Notes from Dan the Trail Guy #32

Trail Bits

Couple of runs to report on. The night run was fun. We left Westwood Lake parking lot at 9:30 pm and headed up to the view point up on the Westwood Ridges. Beautiful night skies and some amazing views of Nanaimo’s night lights were taken in. One of the gang realized why it is recommended that you change your batteries in your headlamp before you start out on a night run. Running down off the ridges in absolute pitch black darkness with your head lamp giving out less lamp than a burnt out match stick is not fun. Luckily an extra flash light was brought along. Saturday was a group run of the original Linley Valley Trail race route. Lots of twists and turns and lots of fun.

Have a fun and safe BC Day Long Weekend

Harbour City Half Marathon Volunteers – Please remember that James Williams is in need of course marshals for the Big Event which takes place September 11th. James is asking those of you who are able to commit to volunteering as a course marshal of in any other capacity to please e-mail, James Williams, at jfwilly@shaw.ca or telephone him at 250-390-3738. Thank you so much for your consideration of his request!

A race report from Tim Stokes - I thought I would send you a short report on the SAFARI (Short and Fun Adventure Racing) event that I participated in at Ladysmith over the weekend (www.shortandfunadventureracing.com). There were about twenty five teams/plus solos in all, and the race included a 3 km kayak, a 5 km+ trail run and an 8 km mountain bike ride. The highlights of my (and team mate Heather’s) race included: picking the wrong type of kayak (two slow plastic singles and not a speedy fiberglass tandem), the run/dance along the beach among the rocks and oyster shells, traversing the flowing culvert under the highway, the run up the steps of Holland Creek trail, the logic test at the waterfall (failed miserably), the agility test in a play ground, the mountain bike ride down the Holland Creek trail including a water crossing (saved a 2 minute penalty), the eight bee stings (plus the approximate swearing), the final victory run around the Transfer Beach amphitheatre, and the Corona at the beer garden. Overall it was a really great fun event that was well organized. It is will be definitely worth mentioning it to the other ROC members, some of whom I am sure would be up for the challenge next year…..Cheers, Tim

This Weeks run is a return to The Dumont Trails – 7:00 am at the Yellow gate. Drop me a note if you need driving directions. The group decided this past weekend that we should try adding some short speed pursuits to the trail run on the easier terrain sections. What will happen is that who ever is leading (we will take turns) will call pursuit and take off at a faster for a period of 2 minutes. Once the 2 minutes is up the pursuit will end and the runners at the front will turn around and ran a loop back to the rest of the group. Something to try…comments please. The intent is that only those that want to do the pursuit will do so, the rest of the group will continue at the normal pace.

The following was forwarded to me - I am a volunteer of Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre and I am emailing you in regards to the Sound and Silence Run/Walk. I want to let you know that this years' event is taking place on August 21st. I am attaching a link to our registration form to this email; http://www.idhhc.ca/funrunspot.htm forms can also be picked up at Frontrunners or at the Centre (#300 - 1627 Fort St). Also if you collect pledges and raise $65 or more you will receive a long sleeve technical shirt with event logo. Additional info: Event is taking place at Mitchell Bros. Farmers Marker located at Island View Road and Lochside Trail (off Pat Bay Highway)

New Websites – Please have a look at the new ROC website http://www.runnersofcompassionnanaimo.com and the new Frontrunners website http://www.frontrunners.ca/default.asp

Early Warnings:
· Frosty Foot Race - December 4th, 2005, Bowen Park, Nanaimo, 10 am start, registration 9:15, 10km Run, 5km Run or Walk, 1km Tot Trot
· Half Monty (25K) & Full Monty (50k) trail races are August 20th, 10:00 am start, just outside of Victoria. There are a few of us going down if you want to come along. Here is the race website http://www.clubfatass.com/events/FullMonty
· Log Train Trail Half and Full Marathons – Sunday, August 14th, Port Alberni. Mary Bauto one of our ROC members is the Race Director for this very nice trail race. http://www.arrowsmithradicalrunners.com/PDF%20files/LTTentry.pdf