Notes from Dan the Trail Guy #33

Trail Bits

Well, the trail pursuits were a big hit on Saturday morning. Running a set of Fartleks on a twisting turning trail is something that really makes you keep your eyes on the trail ahead of you and really works the legs muscles. The Sunday long run was great. We reduced it to 2 hours and cruised along the single track trails in and around the Westwood and Morell Nature Sanctuary area. Followed up with a swim…..water was cold though!


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!

Draw Prizes – we are starting to gather draw prizes for The Nanaimo Daily News Harbour City Half Marathon and 10K Road Race if you have anything you would like to donate. We are also looking for items to put in the runners bags. Let me know if you have something and I will have the appropriate Committee Chair contact you…Thank you.

This Weeks run is a run of Humility Abyss - one hour and change – meet at 7:00 am under the Hydro lines on Harewood Mines Road. Drop me a note if you need driving directions. BRING WATER! We will try and continue the trail pursuits, but they will be limited to those people who are comfortable with doing them. DO NOT FEEL THAT YOU HAVE TO DO THEM. We will continue to loop back with the main group after doing each set. We do not want to scare people away.

Long Train – if you are thinking of coming and doing either the half or the full let me know and we can arrange car pooling. There are 6 or 7 of us going so far.

Hikes of Mt. Benson Summit and Westwood Ridges – starting in the next couple of weeks, the Coalition to Save Mt. Benson is going to be offering awareness hikes of these areas. The intent is to have both mid week and a weekend hikes available. These will be hikes not runs. I will send you more details when we have developed them.

ROC Social Committee - is working on finalizing a date for the ROC Golf Tournament. Kathleen and her gang of merry socializers will forward details once they are complete.

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