Notes from Bastion Ross

Dear Bastion

Anyone who showed up last week for the Cowichan Challenge Tri seemed to win something. Too many to mention but it must have been a glorious day for all. This week the main event is just that little bit closer to home as we gear up for the Nanaimo Gutbuster Half Marathon & 8 k. Dan Brady might need a few last minute volunteers so if you think you would be able to spare a Sunday morning herding mountain goats contact Dan at danbrady@shaw.ca and see if there is any role you can play. This is going to be a good one but there are just a few things to remember. Number one is that the race is this Sunday at 9 for the half and 9:30 for the 8 k, not Saturday. Look in the Events page for more details. Second, don’t be a hero about how little water or gels you can carry if you’re doing the half. Don’t bonk on us. Last but not least, stay alert looking for the flagging and don’t follow the pack blindly. They could be following an old logging flag to anywhere. Norm and Dan have been working hard on the course but there are always variables as to how clear the trail is marked. It might depend on how many drinks the ladies have had before they start flagging or whether a bunch of mountain bikers have moved through an area. The main thing is to avoid singing Lost Together out there. Save it for the concert Sunday night. There might be a few people headed to the Tri of Compassion in Victoria. Good Luck to all.
There is a Short and Fun Adventure Race in Ladysmith next week. It has a 3 k kayak, 8 k mountain bike, and 5 k trail run. It’s a good way to get started in Adventure Racing if you have been thinking about it. You can form a team of two if you are weak in one area like kayaking. But registration closes Thursday so decide fast.

Have a great week,
Ross