Trail Bits 2006 #43

Trail Bits # 43
Lots to read this week….sorry

Advance Notice - weather permitting, October 28th will be the Strathcona Park Run…..be ready for a 7:00 am departure from Chapters. Details next week.

Most of you are probably aware that one of the areas in which we, ROC have been very active the past few years is in helping to encourage youth in our community to be active. We have done this in a couple of ways; Runners for Kids Program – this program provides funding to enable needy children to participate in a variety of school and community-based activities. Inner city school running and athletic programs and activities, leadership programs or other academic and community-based programs have received funding from this program. The program has paid for registration fees and equipment so that individual children can participate in activities such as running, soccer, baseball, and wrestling. This program has also provided funding for a summer “Rec N’ Reading” program promoting literacy in an inner city neighbourhood. In addition, we have partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Central Vancouver Island to send a number of children to summer camp. Runners for Youth Footwear Program – RoCNC has teamed with a local sporting goods retailer (Frontrunners Footwear Limited) to provide footwear to children in need.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of ROC I am happy to inform all of you that with part of the proceeds from the 2006 Nanaimo Daily News Harbour City Half Marathon and 10km Road Race we are once again providing funding for both of the above mentioned programs. Last night at our October Board meeting we approved a funding application from Wellington High School requesting funds so that running shoes could be purchased for a couple of students needing shoes. We also provided some funding to Woodlands High School for their Learn to Run Program, which is now under way. In addition to this we approved two separate applications for funding that came forward under the Runners for Youth Program and we will be providing runners to eight children. I will continue to update all of you on the funding initiatives that we under take as we approve them. Funding Applications are available through the ROC Website at www.runnersofcompassionnanaimo.com . As we get closer to the holiday season I will also start bringing to your attention information on Hamperville and the Nanaimo Give & Go!, two Christmas season initiatives that ROC supports with volunteers.


Ø Halloween Hustle – October 26th is the date of the Halloween Hustle at Westwood Lake. This is the final run of the Learn to Run programs offered for the students at Wellington & Woodlands. If you are able to volunteer a couple of hours of your time on October 26th, the Woodlands and Wellington High School students would love to have your assistance with marshalling and or helping out with the finish line. Contact Bobbie btaylor@sd68.bc.ca or Leah leahjohnson01@yahoo.ca

Ø Trail Leaders – for those of you that are experienced and knowledgeable of the trails in Strathcona that can help with leading a group please let me know. I need leaders for Group 1 Run Group - (parking lot to Helen Mackenzie, (right turn) to Kwai Lake, Battleship Lake, Paradise Meadows, back to the parking lot) Group 2 Run Group – (parking lot to Helen Mackenzie, Battleship Lake, Paradise Meadows, back to parking lot) Group 3 Hiking Group – (parking lot to Battle Ship Lake, Paradise Meadows, back to parking lot) http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/strathcn/strath_forbidden_fee_area.pdf

Ø 3rd Annual Winter (Christmas) Dance November 18th, $25.00 per person- TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE – Tickets are going fast so don’t delay. Get your tickets after the run from Kathleen or Darla during coffee at Chapters Starbucks. Tickets are also available at Frontrunners now. This year let’s keep it simple. Bring cash or cheque and pick up your tickets

Ø Cyclo Cross Nationals – November 11th is the date of Cyclo Cross Nationals which are being held in Nanaimo. Norm Thibault will be looking for volunteers to help with course preparation and marshalling if you are interested in helping out contact Norm directly. normont@islandnet.com

Ø Women’ Pace Annual Run Wild – is November 26th, 9:00am . Proceeds go to The Haven Society. Sorry guys, but this is a “Just for Women” event. Check out www.womens-pace.ca for details. Registration forms available at Frontrunners. Limit is 400 people, so don’t delay.

Ø Adventure Racing Clinic - there is definitely enough interest, so we will start to get things organizes. Start date is probably in April.

Ø Spinning Class – Due to the fact that the first spin class is full and wait listed Sean and Corey are going to be adding a second spin class this fall. This one will take place at their store however, so you will need your own bike and wind-trainer. The class is starting Friday November 3rd, 9AM at Oak Bay Bikes Nanaimo. The clinic will run for 8 weeks and cost $40. Classes will be much like a Frontrunners Tuesday night clinic in that you will have a structured workout to do each week. They will have a very limited supply of trainers for people to be able to borrow if you do not own one. If you are planning on really going for it next year, or you’re just curious, Sean is doing blood lactate testing now. This test will allow you to learn your lactate balance point, and really allow you to fine tune your training so that you aren't wasting time! For more information, or to register please contact Sean or Corey at 760-0211 or at oakbaybikesnanaimo@shaw.ca.

Ø Thetis Lake Relays – November 11th - Go to http://pih.bc.ca/Calendar.php for more details. A great warm up for the Gunner Shaw. We will arrange car pooling for this. Start thinking about getting a team together. Only $ 20.00 per team of you register early….$60.00 on day of….do it now and use the extra money for lunch afterwards.

Ø Gunner Shaw –November 25th – Details also available at http://pih.bc.ca/Calendar.php Car pooling will also be arranged for this event. $ 10.00 if you register early, $30.00 on day of.


This week the trail run is a classic……the original 11.5km GutBuster route. Start time 7:30 at Westwood – please bring water with you.
For those of you that are new; This route follows the main lake trail to just before the 2km mark where it sharply turns to the right and heads off on to the single track. The route will cross over the both the outflow and inflow streams of the lake (hopefully the water isn’t more than an inch or two deep, ya right!!!) before heading up the Binx Connector, past the old cabin and then up to the top of the ridges where an amzing view may await you. From here the route takes you down the most amazing down hill section of single track in all of Nanaimo; yes this piece is rooty, yes it may be wet and yes it may even be a bit muddy. It is a trail run after all. Once you get back out on to the power lines, the undulating trails of Morell will await you. A great pre-run to Strathcona Park the following weekend