Gill from Peru #2

What an amazing trip we are having...Peru is an amazing place with an interesting history and culture. Here are some hightlights:
"our" reakfast spot in Plaza del Mayor...maybe the best americano I've had.
Learning more of the history of Peru with a visit to the archeology museum yesterday and the inquisition museum today. Peru has a very interesting and colorful history. The impact of the Catholic Church on the region is astounding.
Visiting local markets and me making friends with locals....a local police man asked me to marry him this morning while mike was away paying our breakfast bill...ha ha!
visiting an active archeological site in the middle of the city yesterday...it's a buriel site known as the mound. Only the pictures will do it justice.
visiting a local market ...with animal carcasses, fish, produce, wedding dresses, nuts, cheeses, sausages, bread...what didn't they have....
checking out china town in lima....yup...they have a china town. Oddly enough there were NO Chinese PEOPLE in chinatown...not even in the chinese restaurants...yes there were chinese restaurants.
Tony Roma's, Burger King, McDonalds, Hooters, KFC, STARBUCKS!!!!!....yup...those big chains are EVERYWHERE. Mike and I have boycotted them.
Feeling really proud to be canadian...and very lucky to have won the birth lottery to live where we do. I am so very fortunate. Seeing the shantytowns and young children begging tears my heart out....(unless it is clear that they are trying to scam the "gringo's")
We're off to Cuzco tomorrow morning (and I mean morning...our ride is picking us up at 3:45am for the airport). On saturday we start my workout for the trip...the massive stair climb up to Machu Pichu. We're looking forward to being out of the big city (culture and sights aside it's very polluted and in many cases commercialized) and experiencing some more rural and more traditional Peruvian life.
Hope all is well back at the shop!
Gill and Mike
PS...the people here LOVE SHOES...shoe stores EVERYWHERE...Nike, NB, Puma...crazy! They also sell rubber boots in the shoe stores...crazyt...black rubber boots on DISPLAY.

Notes from Bastion Ross

Dear Bastion

How about this weather! It was a real scorcher last week down at the ironman in Coeur d’Alene last week as a few of our competitors found out the hard way. Sheila and Ken had a great day while Carrie had a long one but ultimately triumphed. Congrats to Norm who went down to Duncan and won the MOMAR in a tight race. What I find interesting is that while Stefan and Ceri finished with a respectable time they were two hours behind Norm. Either they were riding the brakes all the way down the mountain or they got lost in the back woods. I had a look in the Frontrunners site today and I can only say to those who are thinking of doing an adventure race, don’t do it. For the love of God, just don’t do it. Meanwhile in Vancouver, Steve Osadiuk finished fifth at the Scotiabank Half Marathon and Brian McDonald finished third in his category. No matter how much people complain about the heat, it still beats running in the cold and rain.

This Saturday is Canada Day and while I hoped to have a run of Mt. Benson, I can’t find anyone who can assure me they can find their way up safely. Maybe when we get some new trails whacked out. So, instead for anybody who is not heading out of the city I will have ice cream after the run on Saturday. The Cambie is closed for repairs at the moment but an advance scout party of Bill Hollingshead and Mike Jorgenson say that they have found a good replacement in a restaurant behind the Husky gas station downtown off Stewart and Terminal. It has good food and coffee and when Bill says it has good coffee, it has good coffee. Also it’s close to the seawall and Sands Funeral Home, which could come in handy if anybody snuffs it while eating. It’s typical. You can’t get anybody to find a way up a mountain right in front of your face but if you want somewhere to get bacon and eggs they can find it in no time flat.

The Nanaimo Gutbuster is a couple of weeks away and I’m sure Dan would appreciate a few more volunteers. You can help the night before the race setting up the course or on the day of, whatever you can do. Contact Dan Brady at danbrady@shaw.ca .

We have received an email from the recreation programmer of Nanaimo Parks and Rec about organizing this years Terry Fox run on September 17th. They are looking for people to serve on the event planning committee or to volunteer on the day of the run. This might appeal to anyone who has had a personal experience with cancer. You can contact Jenn Browett at 756-2517 if you are interested.

Besides the Gutbuster there is a wide variety of Island events this month. Two short tri’s in Chemainus and Victoria plus a mini adventure race geared for fun in Ladysmith. There are also a number of shorter road races. Check the Event page in the website for details. Remember to clear out your internet cache to view new updates.

Have a great weekend,
Ross

From Gillian in Peru #1

we're in lima and enjoying our first day of exploring. visited the st.
francis convent that had these amazing catacombs...a labrynth of tunnels and passageways leading to burial sites...i've never seen so many bones ...the city itself is pretty dirty and we're both feeling a bit of culture shock but just had a great lunch and a cerveza....ahhhh...holidays!
hope you are all well and not working too hard.

G

Mike's X-Terra Mexico Report

Hey all, thought i'd send out a report now that my race season has finally commenced. If you're wondering what happened to the Vineman this year, well a couple crash injuries have been keeping me sidelined...
starting with a bruised kidney and badly cracked ribs( i know this after having them 6 times before ) in late April which confined me to no swimming or running for a full month. This foiled my plans for the 6 race USA series as 3 of the races were in May through mid June.
So onto the inaugural XTerra Mexico this past weekend in Puerto Vallarta. Unfortunately however, I had another odd crash and sliced my knee wide open on the chainring only 5 days before time to leave for Mexico.
( see attached pic )
Fortunately i still made the trip, along with 21 stitches. No way i was missing out on a trip to PV.
With some quality tv time coocooned in the hotel room ( ie not what you want to be doing at a highly rated all-inclusive resort ) the gash healed surprisingly well and i pulled the stitches out 4 days before the race, just in time to allow me to preview the course before raceday.
Heading out to pre-ride it was readily apparent this venue is a perfect prep for Maui World's. The swim is in the warm and wavy Pacific, and the bike and run courses are laced with lava rock, steep popper hills, and copious silty dust and sand. Most importantly the stifling humidity and daily highs of 35 C had even the Hawaiian visitors complaining.
Attending this event were proven XTerra ace Francisco Serrano( 2nd at milwaukee and 5th at USA champs last year), along with 7 time mexican ITU champ Javier Rosas and American Ryan Ignatz.
When the race started I fought through the shorebreak and found myself on the tail of the 6 person lead pack. wonderful! i eventually drifted off - no surprise b/c the swimming mileage has suffered badly of late - but to my delight i came out only 45 seconds off the lead.
Once on the bike i moved up to 2nd quickly and worked on catching Serrano over the abrupt and lava rock-laced poppers. My Rocky Mtn Element dually was perf on this course. At the halfway point on the beach i could see Serrano was near and soon caught him on the following uphill section. we worked together for the last part of the ride to hold off a 3 person chase pack w/ Rosas and ignatz. Highlights included blasting through the cobblestone streets of a fishing village, weaving through a herd of cows, and pacelining off a terrified horse for 1 km at 35-40 kph on the wide open dirt roads. By T2 it was down to me and Serrano w/ the rest well back. My lack of recent run mileage forced me to stop for socks and Serrano gapped me. The first part of the run is technical w/ a beach section followed by rugged jungle trails w/ numerous logs and steep hills. It was here while chasing hard my shin and knee raked over a barb wire fence and sliced open(same knee, different spot
though) whoops. turns out i was the only one who managed to do that. but this time no stitches needed... yeehaw! The gap stretched to ~45 sec by 1 mile to go until i lost another minute going off course approaching the resort...Doh! heat stroke must have been setting in. no problem though, b/c 3rd place Rosas was well back. The final approach to the line routed us along the water's edge which was bordered by bluffs. with high tide setting in this course was a challenge to the end, navigating over the rocks with thigh deep waves surging in. crossing the line in 2nd position i was thinking what a great event this was...
what xterra is all about. The trip to Vallarta was a highlight travelling experience w/ a fine race course and venue at the Palladium Resort with friendly people. Carlos, Enrique, and the crew pulled it out for a first time venue here.
Now I'm back in Victoria and with summer arrived and cuts healing fast I'm rejuvenated and ready to train... finally!!
Thanks to my sponsors Rocky Mountain bikes, FSA, FOX shox, Mizuno Footwear, crankbros, Vega Nutritional Supplements, Kenda tires, Frontrunners... the best in the business!
VineROC

Notes from Bastion Ross

Dear Bastion

It was an eventful week last week and things don’t seem to be slowing down for a while. A lot of people were down in Victoria for the Half Iron and they came up with some excellent results including some by half iron newbies. The best overall result was by Team SKS of Sheila, Kim, and Sharon who won the female team title. Bill and Julie Benson placed sixth and second in their division and Team Frontrunners finished fourth in their division, 27th overall. But there were over 15 in total who gave their all with a number of top ten finishes. Three or four used it as a warm up for this weekend’s ironman at Couer d’Alene. Pray for them. There is also the popular short tri at Qualicum Beach this weekend. Look in the results page on the website Sunday night to see how everything went down. There was also the awe inspiring Kusam Klimb last week and an incredible showing by Gary Croome who finished 8th overall and Mike Mullaley who finished first in his division.
The July Nanaimo Gutbuster is a definite go, so you can train for that and not have to worry. They are always looking for volunteers, so if you can spare some time and like to spend it outdoors making others work, contact Dan Brady at danbrady@shaw.ca. There is going to be a concert afterwards featuring Blue Rodeo, Powder Blues Band, David Gogo, Rubber Soul featuring Billy Hicks and a number of local bands so it is shaping up to be a primo weekend. I am looking in to getting a run of Mt. Benson organized, if it is feasible to safely get up it, for Canada Day which is on a Saturday this year. I’ll get back with the results.

Thanks,
Ross

ROC Trail Bits 2006 #27

Trail Bits # 26

I'm not sure if you heard, but the Dragon Runners (mainly ROC gals and Dale) walked away with 2nd place overall (lost by 3 tenths of a second) in the final heat against the 3 strongest MIXED teams at the Nanaimo Paddlefest last Saturday. The girls and Dale will be racing again at the Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival on July 8, 9 and will be one of the strongest teams at the event…..congratulations ladies (and Dale) on your fantastic results. I was sure I could hear all of you screaming as I drove by the inner harbour….such a quiet, reserved bunch of paddlers.

Ø VOLUNTEERS – I am in dire need of volunteers for the GUTBUSTER on July 16th. – This is our second largest fund raising event of the year and so far only 6 people out of our membership of 230 people have volunteered to help out. I am really hoping that everyone is simply procrastinating and that I will still get the usual 30-40 volunteers signed up. If you can help me with the race please let me know sooner than later. If you can volunteer on the day of the event (Sunday, July 16th 8:00 -11:00) or if you can help on either the Saturday or Friday before with trail clearing and trail marking please let me know. I need a dozen or so people on the Saturday evening and another 30 -40 people the day of the race. Please email me back at danbrady@shaw.ca . DO THE DOUBLE - Volunteer at the race and then treat yourself to the Blue Rodeo concert in the late afternoon.

Ø BLUE RODEO – is coming to Nanaimo on July 16th. Don’t delay on your ticket purchase; they are now starting to sell quickly.

Ø The Triathlon of Compassion is happening on July 16, 2006. Online registration is up and running - http://www.vira.bc.ca/compassionregister.php
Race details and info is at http://victoria.frontrunners.ca/events/toc/index.php This is an ROC Victoria event.

Because of the long weekend and the fact that most people I have spoken with will be away this weekend, the run location will be Westwood Lake at 7:00 AM for an easy run of the Lake and Morell.
· GutBuster # 4 – Westwood Lake Half Marathon & 8km – July 16th
· Full (50Km) & Half (25km) Monty Trail Races, Victoria – August 19th
· Log Train Trail Half & Full Marathons, Port Alberni – August 20th
· Lake Cowichan 56K, 16 September


Upcoming Clinics:
Here is the schedule for clinics and classes for July at OBB.
I will pass along more clinic information as I get it forwarded to me.
- Learn to Mtn Bike, July 11th, 6:30PM - learn to safely ride up and down hills and get over small obstacles. (cost is $10)
- Learn to Road Ride, July 25th, 6:30PM - learn the basics of operating your road bike and how to ride with other people. (cost is $10).
- Maintenance Classes, July 10th OR 24th, 6:30PM - learn how to repair a flat, clean and lube a bike, and general maintenance, this clinic is FREE!
For more information and to register, stop by Oak Bay Bikes

ROC Trail Bits 2006 #25

Trail Bits # 25

Sorry but this has to be really short – no time!

Full race reports next week.

Please be advised that the ROC Golf Tournament that was scheduled for July 7^th has had to be cancelled due to a low number of entries. On behalf of the Board of Directors for Runners of Compassion and the members of the Social Committee we would like to apologize for any inconvenience that cancelling the tournament might cause you.

Ø BLUE RODEO – is coming to Nanaimo on July 16^th and will be the headliner of the 1^st annual “Music for the Mountain” Festival. Other bands that are attending are Powder Blues Band, Juneau Award Winner David Gogo, Rubber Soul featuring Billy Hicks along with a number of local Nanaimo musicians.

Ø GUTBUSTER is a go – This is one of our annual fund raising events so we would love to see a lot of our members either racing over volunteering at this event. If you can help me with the race it would be great. If you can volunteer on the day of the event (Sunday, July 16^th 8:00 -11:00) or if you can help on either the Saturday or Friday before with trail clearing and trail marking please let me know. I need a dozen or so people on the Saturday evening and another 30 -40 people the day of the race. Please email me back at danbrady@shaw.ca . DO THE DOUBLE - Volunteer at the race and then treat yourself to the Blue Rodeo concert…its going to be fun.

Ø The Triathlon of Compassion is happening on July 16, 2006. Online registration is up and running - http://www.vira.bc.ca/compassionregister.php

Race details and info is at http://victoria.frontrunners.ca/events/toc/index.php This is an ROC Victoria event.

Ø 24 Carrot on the Run ROC Energy Bars – don’t forget to stock up for summer with the great energy bars that Alex and her staff make. They are available at Frontrunners or at Carrot on the Run Deli, which is located next to Romeos for only $ 2.00. ROC receives .50 cents from each bar that is sold. Last year Alex and her partner presented ROC with a cheque for $1300.00 from this initiative…..thanks again Alex. Run lots and eats lots (of her bars)

Ø Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run (“Knee Knacker”) is July 8^th not last week as I mistakenly told you. If you are looking for a really great, epic trail run, then this is the baby for you. It is 30 miles and is on July 8^th this year. The contact information is Kelsy Trigg - Knee Knacker 2006 Race Director - www.kneeknacker.com 604-787-8097. Check out the website!

This week the run location is Humility/Abyss at 7:00 AM

BRING SOME PRUNERS/snippers IF YOU WANT (in a carrying case) SO WE CAN CLEAR THIS PIECE OF TRAIL OF ALL THE NEW GROWTH FOR THE GUTBUSTER.

I will again be biking and pruning if any one wants to join me. The run and the bike will be about 1:20 in length.

Upcoming Stuff

* indicates trail race

· Scotia Bank Half Marathon, Vancouver – June 25^th

· Comfortably Numb 25km Trail Race – June 25^th

· GutBuster # 4 – Westwood Lake Half Marathon & 8km – July 16^th

· Full (50Km) & Half (25km) Monty Trail Races, Victoria – August 19^th

· Log Train Trail Half & Full Marathons, Port Alberni – August 20^th

· Lake Cowichan 56K, 16 September

Four Days Until a Race 4Smarty

As most of you know, there are only four days left until the Half Iron triathlon goes off at Elk Lake Sunday, June 18th. When the gun goes off at 6:45 (ouch!), it will mark the 10th time Frontrunners Nanaimo co-owner Normon Thibault has presided over what has come to be the Northwest's premier destination triathlon. It will also be second year the race is dedicated to our late friend Dave Smart and the Smart Foundation for Melanoma Research set up in his name. You can find more information about the Foundation at the Half Iron's Charities Page.

The race has additional personal significance this year as it will be my first triathlon since having minor heart surgery in January this year. I have been reporting on my (intermittent) progress along the road to returned fitness in a column on Triathlete Magazine Online. Realizing weeks ago that race day would find me still months away from competitive fitness, I tried to come up with a way to add meaning to my Half Iron experience.

Dave in Kona

What came naturally was to look to Dave. Dave was one of four friends who catalyzed my desire to take a somewhat serious shot at racing triathlon in 1999. The other three were Stefan Jakobsen, Graeme Martindale and Normon Thibault - you know at least two of those infamous names. I've remained inspired by the talent and drive of all four athletes, but with the latter three that inspiration always had to be from a distance - I was always minutes behind on the race course. But at the Half Iron in 2000 I was able to catch and pass one of my heros; it was there that I first crossed a finish line ahead of Smarty. It was a pretty cool moment to say the least, being in the finish area just in front of one of the guys who made me want to toe a start line in the first place. (There's a funny footnote to that story: Though I crossed the finish line just ahead of Smarty that day, he was actually faster in every discipline - swim, bike and run. The difference? Dave insisted on pulling on his trademark socks in transition.)

Last year, the first that Dave wasn't with us, I was unable to attend the race, so Sunday will be my first opportunity to race for Dave. In the interest of adding a little meaning to the experience - as well as giving me a HUGE incentive to keep pushing when the inevitable negative self-talk starts bubbling up - I've set up 4Smarty, a personal fundraising page on GiveMeaning, an online charitable foundation.

Here's the hook: for a minimum $10 donation, you get (a) the satisfaction of supporting a great cause and (b) a chance to win about $300 worth of prizes, including a pair of New Balance shoes, Sugoi technical products, KINeSYS sunscreen and - of course - a pair of Dave Smart Stinky Socks. What could me easier or more rewarding, I ask you?!? If you have an opportunity, please do check out the 4Smarty page; better still, make a small donation and give yourself a shot at the swag. Regardless, definitely take the time to read the melanoma information on the Smart Foundation site. All of us spend huges chunks of time in the sun and need to ensure we're doing so safely and intelligently. Finally, and speaking of e x t e n d e d stetches of time in the sun, if you're at the race Sunday, give a cheer - I promise I'll need it!

Rumon

ROC Trail Bits 2006 #24

Trail Bits # 24I

I think I need to clarify to all of you what is and isn’t taking place in regards to the Westwood Lake GutBuster and access to the Westwood Ridges in general. The newspaper and television reports are not correct.

1. First of all the Westwood Lake Half Marathon is still ago as far as Bryan Tasaka, Norm, Stefan and I are concerned. We have submitted an “access use application” to CFB Esquimalt and are still of the opinion that we will have a positive response from DND and that we will still be able to stage the GutBuster on the original race route.

2. In the event that we are not granted legal access to the Ridges we still plan on having both the short course (8km) and long course (21.1K) races starting at Westwood Lake. We will simply use a couple of new trails that will avoid the DND properties. The good news for all of you that are planning on racing in either of these events is that you will get to miss the nasty climbs up to the 1st and 2nd ridges. Don’t worry though, there are still lots of surprises we can throw at you and the race will still live up to the GutBuster standards.

3. Yes, it is true that the rifle range is going to be extremely busy this summer and yes it is true that public access is going to be somewhat restricted from the areas deemed to be dangerous. It is also true that area surrounding the lookout above Westwood Lake is considered by DND to be dangerous when the range is in use.



BITS

Ø BLUE RODEO – is coming to Nanaimo on July 16th and will be the headliner of the 1st annual “Music for the Mountain” Festival. The festival is being staged in order to help pay down the $ 500,000 debt that the Coalition to Save Mount Benson is responsible for. I will pass along more details to you after the Thursday Press conference at which time we will announce the full line up, tickets prices, etc. The festival is being held on the nice grass fields of the Beban Soccer Fields.



Ø Twilight Shuffle – WEDNESDAY JUNE 14Th - This race is a 4 Mile race on the streets of Chemainus – 7:00pm Get there really, really early if you hope to have any chance of getting parking close by.



Ø Runners of Compassion Bursaries- In early 2005, you the membership endorsed the Board of Directors setting up two $1,000 Bursaries that would be awarded through the Nanaimo School District. I am happy to report to you on behalf of the Board of Directors that the first two Runners of Compassion bursaries were presented by Lisa Crucil to the deserving recipients this week. The main difference between a bursary and a scholarship is that a bursary is based more on financial need, whereas a scholarship is generally awarded based on scholastic achievements.

Ø Frontrunners Tuesday Night Clinics are on summer break until September 12th.



Ø One of our female members that lives in the Rutherford Road area is looking for a during the week running partner. Any time after 7 00 in the morning or again in the evenings after 6 30. Any length of time from 30 min to 60 min she currently runs mostly group 2B on Saturdays or group 4 at Frontrunners. Email me if you are interested and I will send you the email address for her.



Ø The Triathlon of Compassion is happening on July 16, 2006. Online registration is up and running - http://www.vira.bc.ca/compassionregister.php

Race details and info is at http://victoria.frontrunners.ca/events/toc/index.php This is an ROC Victoria event.



Ø 24 Carrot on the Run ROC Energy Bars – don’t forget to stock up for summer with the great energy bars that Alex and her staff make. They are available at Frontrunners or at Carrot on the Run Deli, which is located next to Romeos for only $ 2.00. ROC receives .50 cents from each bar that is sold. Last year Alex and her partner presented ROC with a cheque for $1300.00 from this initiative…..thanks again Alex. Run lots and eats lots (of her bars)



Ø Still stinky on the Duomont Trails – Things are still a little ripe up in parts of this area and this is the Canadian Motto Cross Championships at the Wastelands. This area will be really busy.



Ø New trails up Mt. Benson – Norm Thibault and I are members of a committee that is helping the RDN plan and eventually build new trails up to and in the new Mt. Benson Regional Park. The first trail that the committee is working on is a proper trail that will lead up from Westwood Lake to the summit of Mt. Benson. As most of you know the trail has been covered over once it crosses the creek up in the saddle. The idea is to cut in a new trail that will avoid the logging companies land. We also hope to have some signage in place in time for this summers hiking season. Until the new trail is put in place and signed I would recommend that you hike up to the summit from Witchcraft Lake.



Ø Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run (“Knee Knacker”) is July 8th not last week as I mistakenly told you. If you are looking for a really great, epic trail run, then this is the baby for you. It is 30 miles and is on July 8th this year. The contact information is Kelsy Trigg - Knee Knacker 2006 Race Director - www.kneeknacker.com 604-787-8097. Check out the website!



Good luck to all of you taking part in either the Half Iron Man in Victoria this weekend or the Kusim Klimb in Sayward. Both are great events-Have fun And good luck to Norm and his crew of volunteers. I hope everything goes according to plan. I hope to make it down to watch on Sunday.



This week the run location is again Westwood Lake for a run of the Saddle 7:00 AM

We will try and run in this area until things get busy at the range in a couple of weeks. This trail is definitely one of the trails that we will not be able to access when the range is in use. I will again be biking (power-lines, Morrell, Colliery Dam) if any one wants to join me. The run and the bike will be about 1:20 in length.

Upcoming Stuff

* indicates trail race

· New Balance Half Iron, Victoria – June 18th

· Kusim Klimb, Sayward – June 17th

· Scotia Bank Half Marathon, Vancouver – June 25th

· Comfortably Numb 25km Trail Race – June 25th

· GutBuster # 4 – Westwood Lake Half Marathon & 8km – July 16th

· Full (50Km) & Half (25km) Monty Trail Races, Victoria – August 19th

· Log Train Trail Half & Full Marathons, Port Alberni – August 20th

· Lake Cowichan 56K, 16 September

Tony at Trials

Hi guys... Just got home after a long weekend of wind, rowing, more wind and a few delayes... (Congrats to Nana Kathie! woo hoo) I also hope the weekend of shoe madness was wicked, productive and fun!


Well I am glad my trials are over.. had a awesome time the last few days just hanging out with many of the athletes. The Trials where hard. Mainly due to the winds and the fact that there was not much time to crew with the people you would have to do a race piece with. But we all did our best. My first two rows didn't go all that well as the winds and water made it hard to get a good rate and feel to it. But after that it was rock solid and every row seemed to improve for both the boat and me. However when it came down to results, I guess my first day did not show well for a few of us who had rows on the day. It was close but not close enough... I am the Alternate and I'm ok with that... I know I need way more sweeping time and that was identified at the last camp. But sport is sport and thats what happens some times.....


But overall it was a great weekend, and again I learned heaps of stuff....
so thanks to eveyone who helped me out with shifts and stuff...


But I'm off tomorrow and can I hope get on the water and row row row... and work on some of the new stuff I picked up!


See you all over the next few days!


Was there CAKE??


cheers T

Rumon's Edge2Edge Half Marathon Report

[Originally posted at http://rumoncarter.blogspot.com. For more photos from the Edge2Edge Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay, see Tony Austin Photography at http://www.pbase.com/autie.]

The results of my completely unscientific research are in:
there is an inverse relationship between a racecourse’s difficulty and the
kindness and conviviality of its participants and volunteers. Granted, my sample size is small (i.e. 1); but if a case can be made for my hypothesis, the Edge2Edge Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay is the race to do it.

Consider the evidence gathered at the 2006 edition of the E2E, organized for the first time by Bryan Tasaka and the rest of his MOMEC crew:

• It was hard. Really hard. More than once I was cornered after the race to answer for my preview that described the course as “undulating”. I promise to dust off my thesaurus for next year’s preview. And no, the alternative you suggested won’t make it to press, Donna – this site is rated General.


• Of the hundreds of participants in the half marathon, fully 99% offered a cheer in my direction as we crossed paths. To my dismay, many later clarified they were simply voicing their appreciation for my bright orange adidas Adistar Comps, but what the heck, a cheer’s a cheer!


• Though some of the volunteers needed a primer on the difference between Hydro Boom (the on-course sports drink) and Gatorade/Powerade/Rumonade…

Me (breathlessly): Hyrdo Boom, please.

Volunteer: [Blank look]

Me: Gatorade?

Volunteer: Oh, Powerade! [Dixie cup enthusiastically

hefted in my direction]

…to a man/woman/kid they were smiling, encouraging and enthusiastic. (And they always got me my needed coloured liquid.)

• My mother, who started running only 18 months ago but who has now run more half marathons than have I (Edge2Edge was her third in six weeks, crazy woman) and can consequently be considered an expert on such matters, enthused first about the Wild Pacific Trail and second about the “niceness” of the entire race, from registration to awards ceremony. She wasn’t alone, many of her accolades being echoed in Keven Drew’s Westcoaster article on the race.


• Did I mention the hills? My quads are still talking about them, mostly in Donna’s terms.


• After finishing, eating a well-earned cookie and going for a short cool-down, I was back at the finish line watching competitors finish their races and catching up with Jim Finlayson, last year’s Canadian Marathon Champion, Edge2Edge Relay participant and Coach of three Apex Runners relay teams. Just then, a recently finished runner tapped on my shoulder and asked whether she could have a few words. Those words – my overall highlight from the race – were the runner’s thanks for my “sincere encouragement” along the racecourse. She left one of us in tears and the other close enough to it. I’m not saying which was which.


• And then there were the hills…

I’ll keep you posted on my research into this hardness:niceness relationship as my data develops. For now, a little more on the half marathon as seen through my eyes and as carried along by my fancy orange shoes.

The day couldn’t have been a better one for running: west coast overcast, low double digits temperatures and not a puff of wind. After a pre-race morning that included watching a World Cup match in its entirety (oh, if only every race morning could offer the same!), Mum and I walked from our suite at the Tauca Lea Resortto the start in “downtown” Ucluelet. At that point I ditched poor Ma and began my pre-race ritual in earnest. Though I’m still a long way from peak fitness and was using the half marathon as a final hard training day before next weekend’s Half Iron triathlon, I nonetheless ascribe to athletes (a) developing a ritual that begets preparedness and comfort at the start line and (b) adhering to the ritual as religiously as possible. For me, this means a quiet solo run, heading away from the start line to a solitary area where I can work through my warm-up drills and strides. This morning was no different, so as I distanced myself from the bustle of race central, I took comfort from the familiar sound of the announcer warming up his microphone, welcoming racers and getting the crowd warmed up. (Only on my way back from my warm up, having noticed that the announcer was still warming up and in oddly consistent, oddly-accented drone, did I realize what I had earlier found familiar was completely novel to my racing experience. My “race announcer” was in fact a group of sea lions having a morning “conversation” on a nearby dock. I did my leg swings listening to their discourse with appreciation, if only for the massive bulk of the bodies barking out the “words”.)

Shifting gears through warm up paces, I fought with a nagging voice in my head. Having looked through the start list and not recognized any names of runners typically ahead of me (a long list, by the way), I had begun entertaining thoughts of taking a rare running W (= win). This little dream balloon popped when I spotted a young speedster who had put five minutes into me at the previous weekend’s Mt. Doug Gutbuster. From the remnants of this ruptured reverie spilled an internal dialogue that spun in tight circles around themes of anxiety, self-flagellation and defeatism. All this before I was a kilometer into my warm-up. So I stopped, a lycra-clad fruitcake in the middle of a secondary road in weather-hardened Ucluelet, and told my head to shut the f%&k up. It took a few attempts, but eventually the noise dulled and I was able to get back to my ritual, once again focusing on running honestly and well. For me. Only me.

At that moment of smartening up during warm up, I wouldn’t have guessed that “only me” would be the theme of my race, but that’s how it turned out. The gun went off precisely at 9 a.m. and I went out at a characteristically sharp pace in the interest of avoiding a stampede. Four hundred meters of this was followed by a look over my shoulder to check the state of the herd at which point I saw…nothing. I had a gap, my first outright lead in a running race since I was 8-years-old. And, as any man will tell you if truthful, life peaks for us at eight: So I ran hard to open the interval and hang onto this brief return to youth in some small aspect, cultivating a two minute lead by the turn-around at 8 km.

The next 4 km is a blur of the cheering and encouragement coming across the road that I mentioned above. It was glorious and truly appreciated. I nearly didn’t notice the lactic acid rapidly accumulating in my legs. Sadly, the end of the stream of distracting runners flowing in the opposite direction came just at the beginning of the Wild Pacific Trail. I was once again alone but for my lead bicycle escort, Team Velo-Bella cyclist and two-time Canadian National
Cyclocross Champion Wendy Simms.

Ah, Wendy. It's no secret I’m a big fan of the speedy Ms. Simms and her globetrotting drive to secure a spot on Canada’s National Mountain Bike Team. Following Sunday’s run, I find I must temporize: I am now a fan of Wendy-on-a-bike when it’s not Wendy-on-a-bike-in-front-of-Rumon. My god! Running through the Wild Pacific Trail was like a training session from a bad dream. Where I might otherwise have been enjoying the spectacular scenery, all I could see was Wendy, tantalizingly disappearing around each subsequent corner, over every next rise. It felt like a sick game of keep-away. That said it kept me honest, which was a good thing as a funny thing was happening to my legs right around the 1:07:00 mark.

After a little reflection, I’ve come up with an explanation for why my legs came off shortly after the hour mark. The Flying Finn, Jim Finlayson, and I are both sponsored by adidas. We have the same flashy orange racing flats. Our feet are nearly the same size. This is where the similarities end. Though I would ideally self-identify as a cross-country skier (albeit one tragically displaced from snow) I have more recently dabbled in triathlon and adventure racing. Jim is a runner through and through. My half marathon PR is 1:16:06; you need to wind the clock backwards more than 10 minutes to reach Jim’s. So, it stands to reason that Jim and I mistakenly swapped shoes before the start of the race and that consequently when Jim’s shoes – now on my feet – reached a running time that in their experience meant the race was done, they simply shut down – and took my weary legs with them. Too bad about the twenty minutes I still had left to run.

Thankfully, much of those last twenty minutes were spent on the Wild Pacific and, though the running was challenging (oops, heard the Undulating Police gathering arms there) hard as hell, the glances shot out to sea made it all worthwhile. I cruised the last 2 miles along the road in that euphoric/nearly catatonic state that only we long distance runners know and appreciate. With 200m to go, Wendy’s escort gave way to that of two bald eagles circling an aerial choreography above the finish line. It was pretty magical.

Edge2Edge Half Marathon Podium (Tony Austin Photography)

Thanks to my primary sponsors for this race, adidas and Frontrunners Footwear; thanks to Tony Austin for being untiring in his (and as yet fruitless) attempts to find my good side in his great photographs; thanks to the Edge2Edge race committee and the MOMEC team; thanks to the numerous local sponsors lending support to the race; and, most important, thanks to all the volunteers along the course and to all those runners with whom I shared the racecourse and who were as generous with their encouragement as the Ucluth Peninsula is generous with hills. Undulating hills, of course…

Notes from Bastion Ross

Dear Bastion



Just got back from the NDSS Awards Ceremony and giving the Bastion Award to Brittany Harris, a NDSS phenom runner who is going on to study Nursing and play basketball at Malaspina. Great to see all the future achievers get something as they are going to have to go on and clean up our mess. Speaking of phenoms, Stefen did well enough for his first marathon. I’m not sure what his secret is but I’ve ruled out hard work and dedication to training as being implausible. That leaves shoes. If I can just find out what kind of shoes he’s wearing, I’ll be running faster too. I think Ken has the same shoes. Three ladies went to the Oliver Half Iron and did well. Kim, Sheila and Rose placed 2nd, 4th, and 8th in their age group.

I apologize that the new website is meant for a higher graphic resolution than some of you have. So, I have made a lower resolution site and you can choose which one is right for you when you enter the site. It should be ready some time tomorrow.

This Sunday is the Edge to Edge marathon at Uclelet, so good luck to those headed out there for the marathon, half or relay. Tuesday night at 6:30 is the last Frontrunners clinic until September, so I’m sure they have something good planned. The day will be long and hot, I’m hoping. If you really like running in the summer evenings like I do then you’ll love the Twilight Shuffle on Wednesday at 7:00. Because of the large number of runners, it would be wise to get there an hour and a half before to get parking and a shirt in a size you want. There will be some of the best runners around showing up, so remember, until that gun goes off you are going stride for stride, toe to toe with the best.

Next Saturday, the 17th is the first Breakfast at the Lake for the summer. After our run there is coffee and good food at around 10:15 am. If you’re a Dad this is a good way to unwind for the Father’s Day weekend. It’s our gift to you. The lake will be plenty warm enough for swimming.

Speaking of swimming, Margie is holding a clinic Monday night’s at 6:00 pm, rain or shine, starting June 12th at Westwood Lake. We’ll be starting at the boat ramp and down to the far dock and back. You can bring your fins if you want.

There are a lot of bike clinics going on this month. Check the clinic page and event page on the website for clinics and events going on.



Thanks,

Ross

ROC Trail Bits 2006 #23

Trail Bits # 23



25 soles ventured North to Parksville for the run in what turned out to be beautiful weather. We had a bit of everything; an oceanside run, river estuary run, board walk run, trail run, road run, uphill single track, river run. The run was just over 1:35 in length. All was followed up by coffee. Next road trip is a run of the trails in Strathcona Park. This trail run is an annual event and shouldn’t be missed. Keep your mileage up as we will be out for close to two hours. Not much longer than we usually do, but it is at elevation. This run won’t happen until the snow is all gone and the wild flowers are in bloom.



Ø Newport Marathon – The group went down to Newport for the weekend and came back with great results. Completing their first marathons were De Orell and Dana Brown. Strong performances were also turned in by Lou Barnum, Ken Jones and “the other guy” from Nanaimo who placed second overall, Stefan. It was also Stefan’s first marathon. In some warped sort of way, it was nice to actually hear Stefan complain of having sore legs the day after an event. Now he knows how most of us feel after every long race. Congrats to all of you.



Ø Golf Tournament – please, please, please do not procrastinate in emailing Kathleen if you are going to attend. The golf is a blast and the after BBQ is a howl, that I know from attending. If you are coming simply click on this link right now kathleenrichardson@telus.net , NO don’t keep reading, click and reply. Let Kathleen know. It makes it so much easier to coordinate these membership events if we get people replying sooner rather than later.



Ø Avoid Duomont Trails – Things are pretty crappy smelling up on trails in the Duomont area right now. Fresh Bio-Solids were applied last Thursday. Sadly we were not forewarned and a bunch of us had the displeasure of having to ride through this area. Pretty bad smells. We will be avoiding this area for a while.



Ø Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run (“Knee Knacker”) is July 8th not last week as I mistakenly told you. If you are looking for a really great, epic trail run, then this is the baby for you. It is 30 miles and is on July 8th this year. The contact information is Kelsy Trigg - Knee Knacker 2006 Race Director - www.kneeknacker.com 604-787-8097. Check out the website!



Ø Speaking of GutBusters, our Westwood Lake Half Marathon & 8KM Trail Races take place on JULY 16th. There will be ample opportunities for you to help out with the race. We do a couple mid week group runs of different sections of the routes that need to have windfall removed or branches pruned back. We again go out a day before the race and we flag and sign the race route and then again we go out on race day to help with marshalling and a number of other chores. I usually need close to 40 people on race day. I will be sending out a separate email closer to the race date asking for your help. There may be something very cool happening outdoors in Nanaimo on this very same night. I wouldn’t plan on being out of town this weekend. Once details are confirmed I will pass them along to you.



Ø ***** Twilight Shuffle ****** – WEDNESDAY JUNE 14Th - This race is a 4 Mile race on the streets of Chemainus – 7:00pm If you haven’t run in this race before you should give it a go. You will be amazed at the extremely large number of people that enter this race. Over 700 people registered for last year’s race. Make sure you get there really early on race night as parking can be tight and registration does get swamped. The beauty of running in this race is that you will be able to line up alongside some of Canada’s top runners and run the same course as them.



Ø Fathers Day Hike up Mt. Benson – On June 18th, Father Days, the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust (NALT) will be having what they refer to as an Old Fashion Fathers Day Picnic. One of the activities they have planned is guided hikes up to the summit of Mt. Benson. There will be a number of hikes throughout the day apparently. If you are interested in coming along or want details on the Picnic call the NALT office at 714-1990



Biking Bits # 1

There are still a few spots available in the clinics if they interest you.



Ø Ladies Only Learn to Mountain Bike Clinic - On June 11th at 9:00am ride@arrowsmithbikesnan.com 758-6675



Ø Monday Night Rides – at 6:15 pm on Mondays ride@arrowsmithbikesnan.com



Ø Learn to Mountain Bike Clinic - June 10th from 8-10am seanlunny@shaw.ca for details or 760-0211



Ø Bicycle Maintenance Series. seanlunny@shaw.ca for details or call 760-0211



Ø Learn to Road Bike Clinic - Oak Bay Bikes for details at 760-0211



This week the run location is Westwood Lake for a run of the Saddle. 7:00 AM

There is a very good chance that this trail will be closed to the general public in the very near future. Come out and run this area while we still can. I will be biking if any one wants to join me. A tour of the lake trails, power lines, Morell, Colliery dam and other areas. The run and the bike will be about 1:20 in length.

Upcoming Stuff

* indicates trail race

· Edge to Edge Half & Full Marathon, Tofino – June 11th

· New Balance Half Iron, Victoria – June 18th

· Kusim Klimb, Sayward – June 17th

· Scotia Bank Half Marathon, Vancouver – June 25th

· Comfortably Numb 25km Trail Race – June 25th

· GutBuster # 4 – Westwood Lake Half Marathon & 8km – July 16th

· Full (50Km) & Half (25km) Monty Trail Races, Victoria – August 19th

· Log Train Trail Half & Full Marathons, Port Alberni – August 20th

Notes from Bastion Ross

Dear Bastion


It was a long, long exciting day last Saturday. There were four Bastion teams and eleven Nanaimo teams lined up and heading down the highway from Courteney to Lantzville and it was an extremely competitive group. Of the four teams that started at 8:00 am there was only 15 minutes difference from the first to last. Between my team, Eight Bucks An Ear with Mike Mullaley, Pat Good, Joanne Hogan, Codie Ward, Dominique Roelants, Mike Jorgensen and Zlatko Zlavich, and the team in our Male Open division who beat us out there was only 19 seconds difference. I have to take the blame for that. I started out too fast, blew up and took Anne Middleton with me. But to put things in perspective, Dave D’s team, Jake and the Stray Dogs, would have crushed all by 45 minutes if their times would have counted, but they had entered too late and were disqualified from actual competition. The incredible Enduring Endorphins, with Anne, Bill and Julie Benson, Denise and James Tierney, Terry Nimmon, Laurie Ritchie and Janice Ross won the Mixed Masters again and were so dominant it seemed at times they had ten runners on the road to every one else’s eight. Janet Oxler’s, the Nanaimo Bars, placed third in a very competitive mixed open division. Kim Gagliano and Inge Hornby’s Shoe Shoppers Express won the Women’s Open division. The Wheaton Crewz Control team with Troy and Michelle Rudderham, Darren Katila, Billy Hicks, Norm Hayward and Darren Frey won the Corporate Division mainly on the strength of some pretty snazzy team vests. But it was the Firkin Longwood Brew Pub gang with Julie Greenhill, Ken and Jodie, that won the whole day and took the Mixed Open Division, which only goes to prove what I’ve always said. That if you give people enough beer, there’s nothing in this world they can’t accomplish. The one thing that sticks out from the day was standing at the top of the hill that leads from the Petro-Can to Lantzville Rd. and watching the runners making their way up. It is what people refer to as a character builder. Long and steep with lots of wind and traffic beside you. There were a few who looked very good but you could see the strain in most faces. Still there was no quit as they chugged around the corner, especially from the lone female Ultra who was pretty done by that point and was walking as much as she was running with her support crew running behind her all the time. It was all just one step at a time for most. Best team was the Yoggers from Chilliwack, a family of mother, father and kids who best represented the spirit of the Relay. Some pictures in the Photo Gallery.

Saturday and Sunday there was a track meet at the Rotary Bowl. Codie, after running with us on Saturday, ran Sunday in the 3000 m with Bill and Carla Dunn (they just lumped everyone in) and won her division. Valerie Capewell placed second in the 200 m and I don’t know how Mike Gill did. Sunday also saw the Kool Half Marathon and the COPS Crunch trail race. A couple of Bastion runners did the half, with Steve Osadiuk winning again. The trail race was definitely not as easy as most thought it would be.

This brings us to the Gutbuster at Mt. Douglas, Victoria on Saturday. They have allowed enough time to lapse so that you will forget all the horrible awful things that have happened in the past races and only the positive memories remain. I say go with it and imagine yourself cruising to the top and back.



Thanks,

Ross

ROC Trail Bits 2006 #22

Trail Bits # 22
A little bit more news to pass along to you this week.



Ø Kim Saywell was the winner of the women’s division of the C.O.P.S Crunch Adventure Run in Ladysmith this past weekend. Way to go Kim. Our newest ROC member.



Ø Newport Marathon – the last group of winter marathon trainees are heading down to Newport, Oregon for the marathon this weekend. Good luck to all of you.



Ø The Vancouver Island Relay went off without a hitch on Saturday thanks to the hard work of all the organizing committee members and all of the volunteers. Even the weather gods pitched in and helped out. A special thanks to all of you that answered the last minute call for help on Friday. There were 25 teams in this year’s race as well as 5 Ultra runners.



Ø Sunday was the Oak Bay Half Marathon which was won by Nanaimo’s own Steve Osaduik with a new course record time of 1:06:57. Other ROC members running in Oak Bay were Mike Thibodeau (a top 50 finisher), John Durkin, Dale Luxford and Susanne Voetmann.



Ø How great is it that we can now run, walk and or bike around Westwood Lake and not have to eave our way through those crazy gates. In case you didn’t know it, the Parks & Recreation Department of Nanaimo have agreed to leave the gates open on a trail basis. If you want to send along your thanks to them, send a short thank you email to Tom Hickey the Directors of Parks & Recreation. Tom.Hickey@nanaimo.ca



Ø This Saturday is the third race in the GutBuster Race Series. The race on Saturday takes place on the slopes of Mt. Doug in Victoria. This weekends run will feature three very scenic views. This obviously means that there are three major hill climbs involved which are followed by three really great downhill descents.



Ø Speaking of GutBusters, our Westwood Lake Half Marathon & 8KM Trail Races take place on JULY 16th. There will be ample opportunities for you to help out with the race. We do a couple mid week group runs of different sections of the routes that need to have windfall removed or branches pruned back. We again go out a day before the race and we flag and sign the race route and then again we go out on race day to help with marshalling and a number of other chores. I usually need close to 40 people on race day. I will be sending out a separate email closer to the race date asking for your help. There may be something very cool happening outdoors in Nanaimo on this very same night. I wouldn’t plan on being out of town this weekend. Once details are confirmed I will pass them along to you.



Ø Twilight Shuffle – WEDNESDAY JUNE 14Th - This race is a 4 Mile race on the streets of Chemainus – 7:00pm If you haven’t run in this race before you should give it a go. You will be amazed at the extremely large number of people that enter this race. Over 700 people registered for last year’s race. Make sure you get there really early on race night as parking can be tight and registration does get swamped. The beauty of running in this race is that you will be able to line up alongside some of Canada’s top runners and run the same course as them.



Ø Fathers Day Hike up Mt. Benson – On June 18th, Father Days, the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust (NALT) will be having what they refer to as an Old Fashion Fathers Day Picnic. One of the activities they have planned is guided hikes up to the summit of Mt. Benson. There will be a number of hikes throughout the day apparently. If you are interested in coming along or want details on the Picnic call the NALT office at 714-1990



Ø Nanaimo Daily News Harbour City Half Marathon & 10km Road Race Clinics- Clinics for both the Half Marathon & the 10km are now starting to fill up. If you want to take one of the different clinics that are being offered, now is the time to get into either Frontrunners or Running Room and sign up. Details are available in either store.



Ø ROC Golf Tournament – Kathleen will have details for this years ROC Golf Tournament confirmed for next weeks Trail Bits. Book quickly as it will sell out again this year I am sure.



Biking Bits # 1

Something new - let me know if this is of interest or not?



Ø Ladies Only Learn to Mountain Bike Clinic - On June 11th at 9:00am in the morning come and learn how to handle your mountain bike with skill and confidence in a non intimidating environment. This clinic will give attendants the opportunity to learn how to ride trails, as well as climb and descend hills. This lesson, at a cost of $20 hours, will take approximately 2hours and a person can register at Arrowsmith Bikes (behind Earl’s) or by e-mailing ride@arrowsmithbikesnan.com 758-6675



Ø Monday Night Rides – at 6:15 pm on Mondays there will be a group of cyclists leaving Arrowsmith Bikes for a cross country style group mountain bike ride. No cost, just cool single track and 2+ hours of fun. For more info contact Arrowsmith Bikes at 758-6675 or e-mail at ride@arrowsmithbikesnan.com You can also meet this group at the trailhead if you want to avoid the road portion of the ride. Call the store each Monday for the ride location.



Ø Learn to Mountain Bike Clinic - June 10th from 8-10am you will cover how to go up and down hills, and how to get over obstacles. The cost is just $10, and you can register at Oak Bay Bikes. The course takes place up in the Dumont area. Email Sean at seanlunny@shaw.ca for details or 760-0211



Ø Bicycle Maintenance Series. “The Zen of Bike Maintenance” These will be spread over two nights, June 14th and June 21st. They will cover basic bicycle maintenance and best of all they are free! They start at 6:30pm, meeting at Oak Bay Bikes in Longwood Station. Email Sean at seanlunny@shaw.ca for details or call 760-0211



Ø Learn to Road Bike Clinic - to start in late June. Check out Oak Bay Bikes for details at 760-0211



This week is the PARKSVILLE RIVER SOCIAL RUN – 7:30 am start time.

BRING WATER as it is now starting to get warm out.

We will meet and park on Tuan Road. From here we will work our way over to Rathtrevor Park and run the trail along the oceans edge until we come to the river estuary, we will then run the board walks in the estuary, cut back on to the road that follows the river for a km or two. We will then head under the orange highway bridge and start on the trail that takes us along the river up to the area known as Top Bridge. Once at Top Bridge we will hang out for a few minutes before staring back to the vehicles. I think we are out for about 1:20 – 1:30.

All fairly flat with a little bit of road, very scenic.

I will be biking as I am not up to this mileage yet if any one cares to join me.



Driving Directions: Take Highway 19 towards Parksville, stay in right lane and take the 19A off ramp; Turn Left on Tuan Road, Turn Left on Industrial Way, quickly Turn Right on Tuan Road. VERY SIMPLE. Remember we are starting at 7:30 so allow enough travel time.

Upcoming Stuff

* indicates trail race

· GutBuster # 3 Mt. Douglas, Victoria – June 3rd

· Panoramic Classic Triathlon, Saanich – June 4th

· Edge to Edge Half & Full Marathon, Tofino – June 11th

· New Balance Half Iron, Victoria – June 18th

· Kusim Klimb, Sayward – June 17th

· Scotia Bank Half Marathon, Vancouver – June 25th

· Comfortably Numb 25km Trail Race – June 25th

· GutBuster # 4 – Westwood Lake Half Marathon & 8km – July 16th

· Full (50Km) & Half (25km) Monty Trail Races, Victoria – August 19th

· Log Train Trail Half & Full Marathons, Port Alberni – August 20th