Notes from Bastion Ross

Bastion

Its time to dust off that suit or dress in the back of your closet, put a shine on your shoes and snag those all important tickets to the Bastion/ROC Winter Dance on Saturday November 18. Now, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, Ross, sure the food is so good and there's so much that I'll gain five pounds if I don't dance, okay the drinks are so cheap that I can get more than just politely blitzed all night long, its all well and agreed the DJ hits a mean groove as the night wears on, and there's no doubt at all that the greatest folks in Nanaimo will be there. But will there be... clogging? Well you're in luck. The DJ Ron is an avid aficionado of clogging and has agreed to have a set ready. All you have to do is get those tickets. A steal at $25. And this would be a great chance to put yourself in good with your wife/husband/partner for the next year. Lets face it, you probably haven't been too attentive to them this past year and you owe them. It's all right. You're a runner. We expect it out of you. So, if you want to do the right thing, you can pick tickets up at Frontrunners, off myself or Dave DePasquale if you see us Saturdays, or you can just email me and reserve them. I'm fairly easy and I'll hold them for you at the door. Might I suggest this would be a good time to pay your dues. It is one of the few times in the year that I'm within easy reaching distance of your wallet or purse.
This past Sunday saw the Oceanside Cross Country Race at Qualicum and even though Steve Gagliano successfully did a convincing rain dance there were enough who showed up. Numbers are date of birth of runners. Jacob Basset won the Male 98 division, Laurie's son Matt Ritchie was third in the Male 92, her other son Aaron was second in the Male 89/90, and Dave Matte, Dan Frey, Mike Jorgenson, Nick Bassett and Bill Hollingshead all placed first or second in various adult divisions. Results in the Results Page, sensibly enough. Picture attached.
Tonight saw a terrible tragedy unfold as many innocent participants of Sean's ab class snuffed it while doing one too many crunches. Fortunately, this means a few spaces are opened up for next weeks new block of five sessions, Thursdays at 6:30 pm at Frontrunners. Cost $20. There is also a 6:00 am session, starting the following Tuesday. Sean also has a Friday morning wind trainer spinning class at 9:00 am at Oak Bay Bikes starting November 3. Would help if you have your own wind trainer but he has a limited amount in the store. To register for any of the above, email seanlunney@shaw.ca
The next Cross Country meet is the Bill English at Colliery Dam on November 5. I think we can try and put out a good showing. Details are in the Events page. Then we have the Thetis Lake Relay, Gunner Shaw and Stewart Mountain races for some serious mud, blood and guts to look forward to later in November and December. You can snag a technical shirt for being one of the first 50 to enter all three. You can enter all three online through the Events page.
If you don't want to do a lot of travelling November 11 but would like to help out at a great local event then you can contact Norm at nanaimo@frontrunners.ca and offer to volunteer at the Cyclocross coming up then. I think he would appreciate the help.
If you happen to have a couple of hours of free time on Thursday October 26 there is some students at Wellington and Woodlands school who could use some marshals or finish line crew for their Halloween Hustle at Westwood Lake. Contact Bobbie Taylor at btaylor@sd68.bc.ca or Leah Johnson at leahjohnson01@yahoo.ca to volunteer.

Dusting off my top hat,
Ross