Wednesday, November 29, 2006

ROC Trail Bits #49

Runners of Compassion Trail Bits # 48 – lots of new information

What a day Saturday turned out to be. Left Nanaimo at 10:15 am under a grey cloudy sky heading down south for my first race in over eighteen months; The Gunner Shaw Cross Country Race. The conditions for the race were actually not too bad; in fact they were pretty good in comparison to past years. The temperature was balmy enough that a short sleeve shirt and shorts along with a pair of light gloves was the wardrobe choice for the day. The trails were actually fairly dry in some parts, but yes, there was the requisite dosage of mud and calf deep puddles along the way, and yes The Gunner Puddle was really deep (quad high), really cold and REALLY STINKY, it was actually stinker than I remember! Thank god, none of us fell down in the puddle like the one fellow who foolishly decided to pass people in the middle of the puddle. I think I counted close to 25 Nanaimoites that ventured down for the race. It was great to see so many familiar faces at the finish line. The top male performance from Nanaimo was John Lowen while the top female performance from Nanaimo was Tammy Beales. Congratulations to all of you that ventured down for the race, especially those of you that were running the Gunner Shaw for the first time, I hope you enjoyed it; the smell will go away after a while. The snow did start to fall just as the last runner crossed the finish line. As one of the guys at lunch said, my injuries are now Gunner tested and Gunner approved. I look forward to being a regular participant on the Saturday runs with all of you again. A great race report written by Victoria ROC member, Rumon Carter can be found at http://frontrunners.blogspot.com .

The drive home was interesting to say the least. The snow which started to fall heavily as we sat having a late lunch in Duncan continued to become heavier and heavier the closer we got to Nanaimo. By the time we reached the Nanaimo Parkway the road was white and slippery. I do believe everyone made it back home safe and sound just in time to dig out the snow shovels and start their second work out of the day. Sadly, the snow did force the Women Run Wild 5Km & 10Km races to be cancelled on Sunday. No official word yet on whether or not the races will be re-scheduled.

`````````````````````````````````

Bits

Ø We are still in need of a few more people for the Nanaimo Give & Go on Wednesday. If you can make it, please show up at the Nanaimo Daily News parking lot (across from the Nanaimo Golf Course) at 5:00pm. I have to be away on business, but there will be other ROC Directors there to give you instructions.

Ø Don’t forget that this Wednesday you can choose from either the Nanaimo Give & Go or the special viewing of the Peaceful Warrior at Malaspina and then on Thursday night you can pop back up to Malaspina and watch the Gobi Desert presentation. Details are below.

Ø Salvation ArmyI have attached some information concerning the Salvation Army’s Kettle Ringing Program. The Kettle Campaign is one of their major cash fundraisers of the year. Sadly this year they are extremely short on volunteers for this campaign and are very worried about not collecting enough cash prior to Christmas, which in turn will affect their ability to provide a number of programs at Christmas and into the next year.

Ø Santa ShuffleThe 2nd annual Santa Shuffle 5KM Fun Run & 1KM Elf Walk takes place this Saturday, December 2nd at 10:00am. The event helps The Salvation Army to assist families and individuals in need during the Christmas season and throughout the year. You can register online at www.runningroom.com or at the Running Room at Country Club Mall.

Ø Oak Bay Bikes 2007 Spin Program Sean & Corey’s goal for the clinics is to help you develop your leg speed, strength and power. At each class they will work on specific drills to help get you ready for the spring. Here is the class schedule for January 2007…………..They will be offering two classes that will take place at North Ridge Fitness Center. For these classes you can use the spin bikes at the studio or bring your own bike and wind-trainer. Both classes last about one hour. Each clinic will last for 8 weeks and the cost is $50.

1. Wednesdays, 6:30PM starting January 17th

2. Thursdays, 6AM starting January 18th

They will also be offering two other classes that will take place in their bike shop. For these classes you will need your own bike and ideally your own wind- trainer, however they will have some wind trainers for people to borrow. Both of these classes will last for about one hour and will also last for 8 weeks. The cost will be $40. You can also do a "drop in" for these classes for $7.

1. Mondays, 6:30PM starting January 15th (this class is new and will run dependent on registration numbers)

2. Fridays, 9:00AM starting January 19th.

For more information please contact Sean or Corey at 760-0211, or at oakbaybikesnanaimo@shaw.ca

Ø New Balance Half Iron – the date for this year’s New Balance Half Iron Triathlon in Victoria is June 17th. I will pass along registration information to you as it becomes available.

Ø Self-Transcendence Triathlon - Mark you calendars for AUGUST 5, 2007. The organizing committee for this event is busy working on improvements for the 2007 event. They will have some new categories including a Duathalon team category as well as a team category for participating Police, Firemen and Paramedics. Look for their new website and entry forms to be available April 1, 2007.

Ø Shawnigan Lake Momar (Mind over Mountain Adventure Race) - JULY 7, 2007- this is a new location for the race and is the race that Sean is gearing the MOMAR training clinic for. This race will feature the return of the Short Course option for those of you that are not quite up to doing the full MOMAR. The Short Course will have a shorter kayak (6km); beginner to intermediate mountain biking; and easy navigation. Teams of 2 only for the Short course option..

Ø Suzan Briggs, who is one of our ROC members, is training for a triathlon May 2007 in Honolulu. This triathlon is a fundraiser for Blood Cancer Research. One of Suzan’s fundraisers involves hosting a showing of the movie. THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR. This is a special showing and all proceeds will go to Team in Training which the largest endurance training society in the world. This society trains athletes to participate in endurance races and in turn the athletes fundraise for Blood Cancer Research. Please contact Suzan at dogwood1@shaw.ca to reserve your ticket or call 758-9320. Provide your full name, telephone number and number of tickets required. Seating is limited so order early. Tickets can be picked up at the door. When: Wednesday: November 29, 2006 Where: Malaspina College, Building 355, room 203 Time: 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7:00) Price: $12.00

Ø Team Gobi Canada is preparing for the upcoming Gobi March which is a 250km footrace across the Gobi desert in China in an effort to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. This race is a part of the Racing the Planet series that takes place in 4 deserts around the world. At the presentation we will hear about 2 parts of the world as Team Gobi presents slides from North Africa’s Sahara desert where Team Captain Rob MacKay completed a desert race last year, and China’s Gobi Desert where the team will compete in 2007. www.teamgobi.com When: Thursday, November 30th 6:00pm - 7:30pm Location: Malaspina University-College Theatre, 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo B.C. Price: $10.00 Part proceeds to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Tickets call: 250-858-0652

Ø This weeks trail run? - a good question as it depends on the condition of the trails? It won’t be Ammonite Falls as originally planned this week as the trail conditions will still be too dangerous. Right now there is about 18 – 20 inches of snow on those trails. This Saturday let’s meet again at Westwood Lake, 7:30am. The main lake trail will hopefully be okay to run on. I will check out the condition of the trails Friday morning and send out another email confirming that the conditions are okay.

Ø Upcoming runs: Ammonite Falls - as soon as weather permits.

Boxing Day Social Run – 8:00am, Westwood Lake. Good chance to shed the extra poundage gained from eating all that turkey the night before. Feel free to bring some backed goods to share afterwards.

New Year Day Run & Dip - 10:00am – Westwood Lake - come join Bastion Running Cub members in their annual run around the lake followed by a quick swim (optional), hot chocolate, baked goods and draw prizes. No charge.

Monday, November 27, 2006

Gunner Shaw Race Report

(Courtesy of Frontrunners athlete Rumon Carter. Originally posted at http://rumoncarter.blogspot.com)

Do triathletes make tougher trail runners?

Perhaps it's the puddle near halfway, lapping cold water up past your quadriceps. Or the finishing straight that runs right through Thetis Lake. One way or the other, two triathletes put both terrestrial and aquatic skills to use yesterday in winning the men's and women's titles at the 22nd Annual Harriers Gunner Shaw Memorial Cross Country Classic.

First across the finish line was Mike Vine, skating across the slippery course in a time of 32:35. Vine, a North Islander now living and training in Victoria, is a regular podium finisher on the international XTERRA off-road triathlon series, but didn't have the season he would have liked in '06.

"Things started and ended badly for me this year. Early in the season I was wrecking body parts; at Worlds in Maui, it was my bike," says Vine, referring to the four flat tires he suffered at the XTERRA World Championships, forcing him to withdraw. "But that was only four weeks ago and I'm still fit so I thought, 'I'm doing Gunner!'"

And do it he did, though his win was by no means a sure thing.

"At the start, [Aaron Holmgren] went out hard; I was just trying to hang on. I figured if he went like that the whole way, I was cooked." As the race went on, however, Vine started to find his form, settling into a rhythm and making up chunks of time on the uphills. But the Gunner goes down as much as up and downhill running skills are critical for anyone trying to take the title in this event. "Aaron was bombing the downhills!" marvelled Vine, who's no slouch himself on the trails, "he'd gap me on every pitch." In the end, though, Vine's experience and slightly better endurance made the difference, allowing him to open a finish line gap of 13 seconds over the younger Holmgren. Ian Hallam, coming back from injury and running for the host Harriers (as was Holmgren), finished third in the excellent time of 32:59.

The women's race was a much less closely fought contest with Canadian National Elite Team triathlete and Prairie Inn Harrier Carolyn Murray taking the win in 38:48 ahead of Pacific Athletics' Laurel Draper in 40:16 and third-place Emily Solsberg in 40:43. Though Murray had to contend with the mud, rocks and stream crossings like everyone else, perhaps the biggest challenge faced by this professional triathlete were the amateur men jostling for position around her. "At one point, this guy barreled right into me and almost knocked me off the trail! I was trying to be careful out there [Murray is racing in the National Cross-Country Running Championships in Vancouver next weekend], and this guy was running like it was his own World Championships."

Murray reported that she loved this first attempt at the Classic and that it wasn't as hard as she expected. "People build up that puddle and the course so much, but it wasn't actually that bad."

Perhaps a few of the male runners watching from the sidelines yesterday in their street clothes would have done well to hear this report. Asked why they weren't racing, they begged off with claims to be saving themselves for next week's cross-country nationals. Like the pink flagging tape that typically shows the way around Harriers-hosted trail races, were the ladies showing the men how it should be done?

In the race for master's glory, Harrier Paul O'Callaghan took the men's title in 34:30; Shelagh Germyn of the River Runners was top woman in a time of 44:43.

Also on course Saturday were Donald Peterson and Donna Carrigan, two-thirds of Team Gobi Canada set to race across China's Gobi desert in June 2007 to raise funds and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. In anticipation of this self-supported ultramarathon, Peterson ran the Gunner with a backpack full of telephone books. Sounds like the kind of thing that would have made the race's namesake proud.

For now, with another Gunner Shaw in the books and a rare Victoria snowfall covering the Thetis Lake trails, local athletes can turn their attention and training to the 3rd Annual Stewart Mountain 10-mile Cross Country Challenge (SMXC) on December 9th. The SMXC covers some of the same trails as the Gunner Shaw but with the added element of a grueling climb up Stewart Mountain at mid-race. Online registration is open with 70 runners registered as of Sunday evening.

Full Gunner results can be found at Race:Day. Tony Austin, Mark Creery and Devin Card were all out shooting the race. Thanks to Devin for the photos in this report.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

ROC Trail Bits #48

Runners of Compassion Trail Bits # 47

Nothing much to report back from last weekends run, it was your average Saturday morning in November run in the rain. Lots of water mud and leaves to deal with. Having Starbucks closed due to the water issues really confused people and discussion took place trying to figure out where to go for coffee. This would not want be a nice group to be around if there is ever a real water crisis and no coffee was available.

Couple of announcements concerning things to do this week and next week

1. The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is tomorrow night. Wednesday, November 22nd, 2006 at the Port Theatre. Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for students.

2. The date of the Nanaimo Give & Go has been moved up one day. The date is now the 29th, next Wednesday. We need volunteers to help out with this, so please email me. PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME THAT WE WILL KNOW YOU ARE COMING TO HELP. Please send an email letting us know. We need help from 5:00 – 7:00pm and then we head to the Longwood after for a beverage and a bit to eat……THANKS

3. Suzan Briggs, who is one of our ROC members, is training for a triathlon May 2007 in Honolulu. This triathlon is a fundraiser for Blood Cancer Research. One of Suzan’s fundraisers involves hosting a showing of the movie. THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR. This is a special showing and all proceeds will go to Team in Training which the largest endurance training society in the world. This society trains athletes to participate in endurance races and in turn the athletes fundraise for Blood Cancer Research. Please contact Suzan at dogwood1@shaw.ca to reserve your ticket or call 758-9320. Provide your full name, telephone number and number of tickets required. Seating is limited so order early. Tickets can be picked up at the door. When: Wednesday: November 29, 2006 Where: Malaspina College, Building 355, room 203 Time: 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7:00) Price: $12.00

4. Team Gobi Canada is preparing for the upcoming Gobi March which is a 250km footrace across the Gobi desert in China in an effort to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. This race is a part of the Racing the Planet series that takes place in 4 deserts around the world. At the presentation we will hear about 2 parts of the world as Team Gobi presents slides from North Africa’s Sahara desert where Team Captain Rob MacKay completed a desert race last year, and China’s Gobi Desert where the team will compete in 2007. www.teamgobi.com When: Thursday, November 30th 6:00pm - 7:30pm Location: Malaspina University-College Theatre, 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo B.C. Price: $10.00 Part proceeds to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Tickets call: 250-858-0652

Ø Gunner Shaw Trail RaceNovember 25th, car pooling will be leaving from the Southgate Tim Horton’s at 10:15am. Race starts at 1:00pm. Remember to bring along a complete change of clothes for the ride home as you will be wet and muddy and maybe even a little bit smelly!!! Have you registered yet????? http://pih.bc.ca/index.php

Ø Women’ Pace Annual Run Wild – is this coming Sunday November 26th, 9:00am. Entry forms available at Frontrunners

Ø This weeks run- For those of you coming to the Gunner Shaw on Saturday, meet at Southgate Tim Horton’s at 10:15am. For those of you that are not coming, meet at Westwood Lake at 7:30am for a run. I don’t know who will be leading the Westwood group on Saturday as I think a large number of the leaders are coming to the Gunner with us, but I am sure someone will step up and volunteer to lead.

Ø NEXT week will be a run into Ammonite Falls. Details later.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

ROC Trail Bits #47

Trail Bits # 47

*……I have just found out that registration for the Gunner Shaw will be capped at 500 people this year. No exceptions. Registration is at close to 200 right now. So, if you are planning on running in two weeks, I would suggest that you register in advance by going on line. http://pih.bc.ca/gunner-shaw-info.html

It is with great sadness that I have to admit that I may have been some what premature in making the statement that ROC was NOT a fair weather group. Apparently we are.

The report that I received about last weekends run of the Saddle was humorous to hear. Apparently we had people in two of the groups that insisted on being piggy backed across the stream as they were afraid their “new shoes” would get dirty and there were also reports of people trying to tip toe around the puddles…..what’s with that??? It does bring back fond memories of a few years ago when a few of what are now our more experienced trail runners and leaders had to be piggy backed across that same stream. Those same folks are now the ones that boldly splash their way through any water, no matter how deep that gets in their way. I think that a few of you may need to accept that fact that your feet may get wet and your shoes may get dirty. All joking aside, Welcome to West Coast running. Special thanks to Tim, Michael and Erik for looking after one of the runners who had sprained their ankle while running with us this past weekend…..good work guys!!!

This past weekend was the 11th Annual Thetis Lake Relays which were attended by a number of runners from Nanaimo. Results are now posted at http://pih.bc.ca/results/2006/thetisrelay.php . Saturday was also the National Cyclo Cross Championships which were held in Beban Park. Norm Thibault retained his crown as the Canadian Masters Cyclo Cross Champion, while Wendy Simms came in a very close second in the Women’s Elite Division. The event that Norm and all the volunteers put on was first class in every aspect and will hopefully put Nanaimo in line to host the Nationals again in 2007.

Ø Gunner Shaw Trail RaceNovember 25th, car pooling will be leaving from the Southgate Tim Horton’s at 10:15am. Race starts at 1:00pm. Remember to bring along a complete change of clothes for the ride home as you will be wet and muddy and maybe even a little bit smelly!!!

Ø The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour - Wednesday, November 22nd, 2006 at the Port Theatre. Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for students.

Ø In-store Trainer Drop in Sessions -Do you want to become a stronger more powerful cyclist? Do you hate doing trainer sessions alone or riding outside in the poor weather? Join Arrowsmith Bikes Monday nights (6:30) for their in-store trainer sessions. Focuses will be on power, spinning and endurance. Workouts start November 6th, 2006. You will need your own bicycle and trainer. Trainers will be available on a rent to own basis. For more information about the clinics or cycling contact Arrowsmith Bikes 758-6675 ride@arrowsmithbikesnan.com

Ø Women’ Pace Annual Run Wild – is November 26th, 9:00am. Entry forms available at Frontrunners

Ø This week the run will be a run starting from Westwood Lake Parking lot at 7:30 AM. We will run the very early portions of the GutBuster route (stream crossing involved) before connecting on to the single track trail that runs parallel to the power lines. From there we will head over into Morell for a tour of the Alder, Lower Maple, Tranquility, Beaver Ponds, and Morell Lake Trail. A good warm up for the Gunner.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Notes from Bastion Ross: Sad But True

Dear Bastion

By now most of you will have heard the sad news that the annual Bastion/ROC dance has been cancelled. Contrary to rumours it has nothing to do with space aliens, bad feng shui or the new income trust laws. Too many people were playing the popular "how late can I leave buying tickets?" game and the directors of both organizations flinched first as they might get stuck with huge costly bills if they went forward. All those who bought tickets will get a full refund. If you bought tickets at Frontrunners grab me when you see me or email me to arrange repayment. Don't panic if I'm not at the lake Saturday. I haven't moved to St. Kitts yet. I would need at least 2.75-3 million for that. Not that I have the given the matter any thought at all. No, I will be at breakfast I promise you unless I'm eaten by bears. However, we shall move ahead and I'm sure something will come by next year to replace it. There's still the New Years Run and Dip to look forward to, and before you know it the Cedar 12 K and then summers right around the corner.
Speaking of breakfast, we will be moving to Charlies, downtown at 123 Commercial St., for breakfast this Saturday. The Husky is just too popular at the moment, so we will shop around for another venue. Someone phone Bill and Bob. If you know someone who is a good cook tell them there is a shortage of big places in Nanaimo you can get a reasonable breakfast at the moment, so now's the time to open up a restaurant serving that particular need. There is a pdf map attached with directions.
Robin Dutton at Arrowsmith Bikes is starting a Monday evening at 6:30 wind trainer session at the store starting this Monday. Have to have your own bike and wind trainer but he does have rent to own trainers available. Cost is free which is up most people's alley. I think that Robin just doesn't want to train alone. pdf info attached and in Clinics Page. Contact Robin at ride@arrowsmithbikesnan.com or phone 758-6675 for more info.
Last Sunday saw the classic Shawnigan Lake Half Marathon with a lean and smart group taking advantage of the last good weekend of the fall it seems. Leading of was Bernard, who took 7th overall, 5th in his age group. Robin Arbuthnot snagged 18th overall, 3rd in his age group with Kent Williamson taking 5th in his age group. Julie Greenhill and Brian Foley shared the best day results of 1st in their age division. Dennis Frey came in tenth in a tough age group. In fact every Sluggie who showed finished in the top ten. Not bad. Even Jon Bird from Carrot on the Run came in 4th in his division and Donna Spencer and Gwen Frey from Women's Pace finished 6th and 7th in theirs to complete a clean sweep of Nanaimo runners. Attendance seems to have fallen in half since 2001 when they had around 460 runners and now its around 240. I'm not exactly sure why. Probably too many halves this time of year.
This Sunday at 1:00 pm is the Bill English Cross Country at Colliery Dam put on by the Nanaimo Track Club. It will be a 5 K race for us but there is a 3.75, a 2.5 and a 1.25 K course for the kids. Cost is a very reasonable $6 or $3 is you are a elementary or high school student or a BC Athletics member.
Next Sunday is the Thetis Lake Relay down South at Thetis Lake. You can do the whole 20 K yourself or share the joy with a relay team. Details and online registration in the Events Page.
Next Sunday is also the National Cyclo Cross Race at Beban. You can stroll on down and see how the best take on the mud and the obstacles or you can get even closer by volunteering. Just email Norm at normont@island.net and you will get a front row view on the excitement that you probably won't see in Nanaimo for some time.
The Women's Pace Run Wild 5 & 10 K goes on November 26th at North Oyster Elementary School out in Cedar. Donna is back and getting things on track so if you're a women this is a race you would want to consider doing. The race will be in support of the Haven Society. There are details in the Events Page but the online registration doesn't seem to be up yet. There are registration forms at Frontrunners though. If you want to volunteer you can catch Donna at the store or phone her at 856-9453.
Bastion has received an email from an intrepid bunch of ultra runners who are hoping to race the Gobi Desert in June 2007. They are coming to Nanaimo on November 30th at the Malaspina University/College Theatre to give a talk and slide show on the Sahara race that they have done. Ticket sales will help them finance their upcoming quest with some of the proceeds going to the CBCF. You can purchase tickets at Frontrunners. pdf info is attached.

Thanks,
Ross

Dear Bastion

Sorry, the Thetis Lake Relays and the National Cyclo Cross race are on Saturday, November 11th, not Sunday.

Ross