Frontrunners Nanaimo: January 2007

Friday, January 19, 2007

Run Wild Repeat: January 20th

Frontrunners in Nanaimo is hosting the Run Wild-Repeat this Saturday the 20th at 8:00am.

One of the main sponsors of Women's Pace and Run Wild is Brooks. So this Saturday all Brooks women's clothing will be 40% off. Brooks Bras will be 50% off. Brooks Adrenaline are on sale as well for $99 (regular $150). As well as these specials on Brooks product we also have over 100 models of shoes currently on sale and a tonne of clothing from 30-50% off. IN ADDITION any regular priced items will be 15% off....just in case it is not already on sale!

See you here on Saturday.

Frontrunners Staff

Notes from Bastion Ross: Women Running Wild, Yetis, Clippers and Pioneers

Dear Bastion

A lot of brave runners out last Saturday, defying the snow and having fun out on the trails. Frontrunners was packed with Bastion and ROC people taking advantage of the free food and big sales. Either the Australians are very sadistic coffee makers or very masochistic coffee drinkers but it was entertaining watching Norm keeping the coffee machine going all morning. Shoes and wired running jackets were flying out the door non stop and I managed to snag a new pair of track pants that I tried out on the track Wednesday. Well, I would have tried them out on the track if Valerie had done a half decent job of shovelling the snow off it. Instead I was forced to run repeats of the stairs at Malaspina from the very bottom to the very top. Just brutal. I just pray that Audrey found a new singlet for Dominique because its time to give an old dear friend a rest. The last image of the day is Hugh Proctor not being able to decide which pair of trail shoes to get so he buys one of each. Now if Frontrunners can find someone who wants a mismatched right and left foot they will have carved out a whole new niche for themselves.

Its a jam packed weekend with the rain bearing down on us. Saturday morning brings the Womens Pace Run Wild 5 K Walk/8-10 K Run rescheduled from November. It starts at 8:00 am at Frontrunners with the doors open at 7:00 am. All those who entered for the first try at it are eligible for draw prizes. All proceeds go to the Haven Society. If you would like to participate and did not enter the November run, then a donation of $25 to the Haven Society gets you in. It will be a purely fun run with no clocks which makes me more than a little envious.

Saturday is also the first race of the Yeti snow shoe race series at Mount Washington. A number of people seem to have backed out which doesn't seem to be in the proper spirit of adventure racing. One aspiring abominable snowman is looking to hook up with any others who are going up for the race. He would like some company and may need a ride back to Nanaimo if his friend goes skiing after. Please contact Michael Folkes at mfolkes@shaw.ca and keep the Nanaimo contingent together.

For those of us who are stuck in town, Saturday gives us the opportunity to get our cars washed and help out a good cause. If your car is like mine its pretty filthy by now with the slush and the mud of the past week. The Nanaimo Clippers are having a car wash at the Chevron Station on Bowen and East Wellington from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm to raise money to purchase a special wheelchair for Nanaimo Park and Rec's Jim Plasteras. He has two 18 year old daughters with Cerebral Palsy and he would like them to experience the rush of doing a marathon by pushing one in the Vancouver Marathon and one in the Victoria Marathon. It would also be an opportunity to accomplish something together with his daughters. Needless to say these wheelchairs are not cheap. One thing I have to say is that Jim is the nice man who informed me we could have the Parks and Recs tents for free next year so I think keeping him happy is in our best interest. After your runs or whatever on Saturday, try and stop by and get your car washed and get all that salt cleaned off.

After a cruel false start the Pioneer 8 K goes ahead in Saanich on Sunday at 11:00 am. In a perfect world the rain will wash away all the snow and stop by Saturday night but who knows what will happen. One thing I forgot to mention is that instead of a Travel Fund that doesn't seem to get spent what we are doing is supplying a race subsidy for the Island Series. What will happen is that I will put all the names of the runners marked down as Bastion, put them into a hat, and to ensure absolute fairness, have someone from Wednesday night track draw a name from the hat. The lucky runner will receive $20 to go towards paying for the cost of the race. I will hunt that person down and give then the money as soon as I can. Good luck to all heading down.

Just one week now to the Mill Bay 10 K. It has a 9:00 am start so set your alarm clocks early for this one. Three weeks to the Cedar 12 K. This is one race you would want to do if only for the food. Porridge, waffles, tarts and more. The weather has been great the last couple of years and the country atmosphere makes it a day well spent. Entry forms for the Island Series are available at Frontrunners and online at the VIRA site at http://vira.bc.ca/default.aspx?PageID=1002 . You can also check out the info and get to online registration from the Bastion website on the Events page.

Volunteers have been coming forward steadily for the Cedar 12 K but we could still use some more. If you can spare some time on February 11 contact me or Bob Cross at robertcross@telus.net .

I have taken all the music files off the 800 x 600 site and given it its own Photo Gallery so if you have an older computer or just hate music then use that site. I will put a mute button on all the two other sites pages when I get the time but have redone the Photo Gallery for both of them.

Thanks,

Ross

ROC Trail Bits #3-2007

Trail Bits 2007 # 3

Please take a moment to read this ….This Saturday the Nanaimo Clippers will be hosting a car wash at the Chevron station at the corner of East Wellington & Bowen Road from 10:00 – 2:00pm. The proceeds from this car wash are going towards helping Jim Plasteras raise enough funds to buy a wheelchair that Jim will be using to run in the Vancouver International Marathon & Royal Victoria Marathon with his daughters. …….Jim and his wife have 18 yr. old twin daughters Carly and Angela who both have Cerebral Palsy and use power wheel chairs. Jin intends to push Carly in the Vancouver full marathon this May and Angela in Royal Victoria Marathon in October. Coach Bestwick is spearheading this fund raiser and would appreciate any help that may be available. Jim is working with an Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist from the Child Development Centre on ensuring Carly is positioned and secured properly in the chair and that he is "ergonomically" positioned behind the chair. Motion Specialties will be involved in any adaptations to the vehicle……………….The goal is simple: Jim wants Carly and Angela to experience the excitement and effort that goes into an event like this and for him and his daughters to achieve something together. ……….…So, if your car needs a wash this weekend drop by the Chevron.

A funding application to have Runners of Compassion provide partial funding for this wheelchair is being forwarded to the Board of Runners of Compassion this week

Bits

o Message from Norm and Stefan; “Stefan and I would like to thank the members of ROC and Bastion that made it out to the shop on Saturday morning. It was a great opportunity to socialize with everyone and to see people we have not seen for a while. With Frontrunners open on the weekends we never have the opportunity to go for the post run coffee or breakfasts so to bring everyone to us worked out great. A few people asked if we could have a great coffee machine in the shop all the time.....not likely....but we will be sure to host another breakfast in the future. Thanks to everyone from the clubs for their ongoing support. It is great to see how the clubs have grown alongside running in Nanaimo.” ………Norm the "Barista" (I am not even sure how to spell it?

Don’t forget the ROC Annual General Meeting & Election of Directors is on January 27^th –two weeks until the January 31^st membership deadline….thank you

Good luck again to all of you that are racing the Pioneer 8km this Sunday. This Saturday is the long awaited Run Wild – 5k, 8k & 10k, and is also the Yeti Snowshoe race…..busy weekend.

Cedar 12km – The Nanaimo stop on the Island Race Series is the Cedar 12km, which is scheduled for February 11^th, 11:00 – Registration details available https://www.vira.bc.ca/upload/docs/3_Cedar_2007_final.pdf If you can help with volunteer duties on race day please contact Ross Palfrey at rosspalfery@shaw.ca

Adventure Racing Clinic – If you are interested in the clinic or have questions please email either Sean @ seanlunny@shaw.ca or myself @ danbrady@shaw.ca The cost of the clinic will be $100.00

This week the run will be The Saddle – 8:00am – meet in Westwood Lake Parking lot. The run is about 1:20 in length and has the potential to be a wee bit wet??? Coffee to follow at the Coyote Café on the corner of Terminal & St. Georges. They not only have great coffee, they have great breakfast bagels.

Upcoming Races

Pioneer 8km – Jan 21^st

Women’s Pace re-scheduled Run – Jan 20^th – Women Only!

Yeti Snow Shoe Race – Jan 20^th

Mill Bay 10k – Jan 28^th

Cedar 12k – Feb 11^th

Hatley Castle 8k – Feb 25^th

Bazan Bay 5k – March 11^th

Comox – Half Marathon – March 18^th

GutBuster #1 – Royal Roads – March 24^th

Merville 15k – April 1^st

Sooke River 10k – April 15^th

Whidbey Island Marathon & Half Marathon – April 15^th

GutBuster # 2 – Mount Tzouhalem (Duncan) – April 21^st

Vancouver Sun Run – April 22^nd

Vancouver Marathon & Half Marathon – May 6^th

Mind over Mountain Adventure Race – Squamish – May 12th

Oak Bay Half Marathon – May 20^th

GutBuster #3 – Mt Douglas (Victoria) – June 2^nd

Port Angeles Marathon & Half Marathon – June 10^th

New Balance Half Iron – Victoria – June 16th

Scotia Bank Half Marathon & 5K – June 24^th

Mind over Mountain Adventure Race – Shawnigan Lake – July 7th

GutBuster # 4 – Westwood Lake Half – July 15^th

Nanaimo Daily News Harbour City Half & 10K Road Race – September 9^th

Run For the Mountain 6k – Westwood Lake – September 22nd

Mind over Mountain Adventure Race – Cumberland – September 29th

Friday, January 12, 2007

Notes from Bastion Ross: Pioneer Postponed

Dear Bastion

This is starting to get ridiculous now. If its not snow its the wind. I think its just a matter of time, if these storms keep hitting us, that I'm going to lose power and freeze to death. Norm says I missed an epic run on Tuesday night. I'm glad that people are hungry enough after such a long, long break to come out en masse. Curses having to do those girly yoga classes inside. I'd like to welcome new members Charles, Lois, Bill and Ceri to our readers, just in case I snuff it.
Thanks to all who came out for Sunday's AGM. While the existing Directors all came back it looks like we have a new sheriff in town. Janice Ross says a new era in social activity is going to hit us. Bold, out there but clean fun. Knowing Janice, this is not an idle threat. Jane McDonald is our new secretary and John Durkin is the new VIRA rep taking over from Bob Cross so he can devote himself to Race Director. Some of the main points decided on include upping the amount of the Bastion Award to a Graduating Student, getting a long social adventure run organized in the Summer and getting the website to run faster. I should have a stripped down site ready soon. I also read in the paper that they are finally getting around to building the bridge for the Trans Canada Trail so hopefully in 2008 we can do a run of it as far South as we would like. Its a slow, beauracratic process but if I have to carry the materials in by hand I'll do it.
The snow should get crunchy and hard to run in if it stays cold for a few days. This will make a 6 k run as hard as a 10 k run in good conditions and a 12 k run as hard as an 18k run. These are the kind of conditions that make the difference between trail shoes and running shoes out there. So, if you get a run in this Saturday morning you should be ready to hit Frontrunners and check out the hot deals they are offering starting 9:30 am. 20% off regular priced gear and 50% off of clearance items is the ideal time to get shoes, gloves, toques, socks or long pants and shirts. I have included a pdf with the exact info from Norm. I will be there to pick up membership dues and to try the coffee. That's the most important part, I think. Great coffee and food. Try and not miss this.

This just in. The first race of the Island Series, the Central Saanich Pioneer 8 K is postponed until January 21st. I was just writing about how ice could form overnight and I have received notice from our VIRA rep Brian McKinnon that VIRA is aware that the forecast is for cold and icy roads this weekend, so they will try again next week, same time and place. Online registration will remain open for this race until 6:00 pm, January 18th. pdf attached.
I have not heard anything yet about carpooling for this race and other races. It would be a good idea to do, what with the weather and the price of gas. It should be a good idea to match up a 4 x 4 with a few gas sharing partners going down that far South. If anyone would like to carpool, email me and I could put something out there.

This Sunday also has the Malaspina 5 K run scheduled at the Malispina gym at 10:00 am. I will put out an alert if it is cancelled, which it well could be if the cold snap continues. Its free with coffee and draw prizes so you can't complain about the cost. You just have to get out of bed and do it.

If you feel like getting a mountainbike ride in instead on Sunday, AMC is putting on a crit cross country race at Mountainbike Park in Parksville. A crit race is a short course with lots of laps. Starts at 11:00 am with a cost of $10. pdf attached. Contact Arrowsmith Bikes for more info. ride@arrowsmithbikesnan.com .

Next Saturday, the 20th, the Womens Pace Run Wild 5k walk/run rescheduled from November takes place at 8:00 am at Frontrunners. Draw prizes and all will be available for those who missed out. pdf attached. This is for women only but you can cheer them on or volunteer if only for the doughnuts and coffee after. I hope it gets to go ahead for their sake after the last letdown.
The 20th also brings the first Yeti Snowshoe race at Mt. Washington at 10:00 am. Fortunately, this is an event you want snow for. It is not easy, exertion wise, but it is not difficult to learn how to do. They have over 10 feet of snow this season and if you sign up as a group of 5 you get a price break on entry fees. There's even a free Sleeman's and a post race party after. Check out the Events page for more info and online registration.

Volunteers for the February 11th Cedar 12 K have been coming in slowly but steadily. Steve Gagliano probably has got in touch with his marshal crew from last year and I will do the same for the registration crew. If you can help out that morning please email me or Robert Cross at robertcross@telus.net .

Thursday, January 04, 2007

ROC Trail Bits 2007 #1

Trail Bits 2007 # 1

Don’t forget the ROC Annual General Meeting & Election of Directors is January 27^th

It is pretty funny the reaction I am getting from some of you in regards to the waiver form. Apparently some of you didn’t know that Trail Running is a dangerous sport that can cause serious bodily injury????? Some of you have also questioned our need for you to confirm that you are of sound mind and body. I would venture to guess that if the first part was a surprise to some of you, then we are justified in questioning the sound mind part……..On a more serious note, Thank you to all of you that have already handed in your 2007 membership & waiver form. A great response so far. Forms are available via the ROC website and Frontrunners .

There were over 150 people at the Lake for the Run & Dip. A number of swimmers……lots of hot chocolate, coffee, Spiced Rum and Cinnamon Buns (sorry if I told you that the buns would be warm buns, not my fault!) They were still great.

Bits

A thank you to Derek Riley for his great trail leading on Saturday. Some how Derek managed to make it a really fun run as he took us out on new trails for a hilly trail run for over an hour and 40 minutes.

Runners of Compassion – are we a charitable group, a running club or are we a running group that does charity work???? This is a question that gets debated at a lot of the ROC Board meetings. The real simple answer is that Runners of Compassion Nanaimo Chapter is a Registered in BC Not-for Profit Society. We evolved out of a very small group of like minded runners and have now evolved into a very large group that raises funds for charitable purposes. We socially trail run as a group and a number of us race as a group in different trail and road races. Rightly or wrongly, we are now recognized by a number of other running clubs and organizations outside of Nanaimo us as a running club and they have set us up in their data bases as a running club……………….. So, if you are running in any of the Island Race Series or most any other race on the Island or in the Vancouver area you can now list ROC – Nanaimo as the club you are representing. Remember though, our main purpose is still raising funds for charity. All the other great things we do (trail running, hiking, walking, snowshoeing, golfing, biking, Longwooding, etc) are simply by-products of the great group of people that have the common bond of wanting to better our community……..lets never lose sight of who and what we are and why we formed Runners of Compassion – Nanaimo Chapter in the first place.

Snow Shoe Racing – January 20^th, Mount Washington. I have been talked into racing and I am now registered. Who wants to come with me and give it a try?????? Don’t be afraid.

Looking for a biking clinic, running clinic, walking clinic, kayaking clinic, adventure racing clinic, yoga classes, spinning classes, core (abs) clinics, etc, etc to work off some of those extra lbs gained over the holidays? Or are you looking for a clinic to train you for a race/event in 2007?

Here is a list of businesses that support ROC and can help you

Frontrunners nanaimo@frontrunners.ca

Oak Bay Bikes oakbaybikesnanaimo@shaw.ca

Arrowsmith Bikes ride@arrowsmithbikesnan.com

Alberni Outpost info@albernioutpost.com

o Notice of Run – After the January 13^th trail run, Norm & Stefan of Frontrunners has offered to host Runners of Compassion and Bastion Running Club members at the store for coffee, juice and baked goods. The store will also have all of their Trail Running products on sale that morning as well as the January sales items. I will also have membership forms available at this time as will Bastion.

o This week the run will be a run in the Linley Valley (upper Beaver Ponds) – 8:00am at the end of Burma Road.

Driving Directions

Take Rutherford Rd to Vanderneuk; (the top of the hill).

Right or left on to Vanderneuk; this turns into Lost Lake Road.

Follow Lost Lake for a fair while;

Turn right on Burma Rd. We will be at the end of this road.

If you start to drive down the really steep hill you have missed the turn on to Burma.