Trail Bits 2006 #36

Trail Bits # 36
Now this is going to be a really long Trail Bits….sorry!



First of all I would like to use the Trail Bits for a wee bit of personal business. I want to thank those guys and gals that ran with me last Saturday morning. I know for all of you it was just another Saturday morning trail run, but for me it was the first full long run back with Group 2 since I hurt myself last October. I had a fantastic run….thank you.



Now on to business…..Last week I was very remiss in not acknowledging some pretty amazing feats that were accomplished.



Ø To Dennis Frey and Al Shirley; congratulations on your extremely strong performances at Ironman. You guys amaze me.



Ø To Wendy Simms; a job well done as usual! Wendy just got back from the World Mountain Biking Championships where she finished 32nd in the World in the Cross Country event.



Ø To Tony Theriault – congratulations on your great rowing at the Worlds. Tony whom I mentioned in one of the previous emails has returned from Europe with a Bronze medal in his possession. Way to go Tony



Ø To Michelle Stillwell of Nanoose – congratulations. Michelle who was also mentioned in a previous email raced to a silver medal in the wheelchair 100 meters on Monday in Assen Switzerland. This was accomplished by Michelle with her experiencing mechanical difficulties with the steering just minutes before the start of the race.



Ø Race Update: I think I am safe is saying that everything is set to go for Sunday. The Race Committee members stress levels are actually starting to drop somewhat. The shirts are at the printers, the last minute details are being taken care of and the weather appears that it will be on our side again.



Ø Stefan Jakobsen – One name that will not be listed in this year’s list of finishers for either the 10km or the Half marathon is the name of Stefan Jakobsen. You see, Stefan is on his way to Turkey, not to hang out in some back street café smoking from some big hookah pipe and drinking really strong coffee or buying shiny trinkets in a bazaar; Stefan is heading over to Bursa, Turkey to represent Canada at the World Mountain Running Championships on September 10th. In this race, which is virtually an uphill race, which is Stefan strong point the athletes will race an 8.5km (5.3 mile) uphill course with an 895-meter ascent (nearly 3,000 vertical feet) on varying terrain including dirt roads, trails and ski slopes. That is one steep and nasty hill climb! Good luck to you Stefan in the race.



Ø Update from Yvonne over in Europe - Hello all! Update number 2 has some of the same things as number 1--rain, wind, and cold--I heard you are all basking in the sunshine--so jealous...I have not yet worn shorts--not even to work in...

The athletes are doing well, some ups and some downs, but in general, the weather is taking its toll in the form of wind and a slow track--qualifying times for Beijing are always an issue. We are on the track for 12 hours every day, and then home to a quick meal at 9:30 pm, then a coaches meeting to organize the next day...Michelle Stillwell won a silver medal last night--From NANANOOSE!!!I know that most of you are all getting ready to either help or run the half marathon on the 10th--be smart and have fun!!

thinking of you all!

yvonne


This Saturday is the 4th Annual Volunteers Half Marathon. Pay your $20.00 (that is our cost for the shirt), run the route and the shirt is yours. You still have to volunteer on Sunday and you may have to wait to get your shirt to be delivered if we run short of shirts for the registered racers, but we will get you one.

Meet at 7:00 am in front of the Coast Bastion Hotel. Bring your own water as this run is completely unaided.

For those of you that still want to Trail run this Saturday, how about you meet at Westwood at the same time, 7:00am.