It's all in the training

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Swimming now part of our training for Medway

• Minus 5 degrees
• A frozen creek
• A dozen trail runners ready to cross via rocks and tree limbs
• One runner wants to show how to run across the ice
• He now finds out that ice can be slippery
• His feet fly up & lands on his back and breaks the ice
• That sinking feeling
• He is OK but soaked
• PRICELESS
  

This never happens on our trail runs!

Come out and run with us on trails, where it's safe.

Saturdays 8:00 am @ Medway Trails

Wednesday's at 6:00 pm @ Komoka Trails (headlamp required)

Map of trail location map, just click on the title block above this picture.

SHOCKING

The overall winner of the 2009 Soiled Sport Trail Series is Carl Keevil, as announced at the Pacer Awards Brunch on November 15th

First female is Barb Newall.

Go to the Pacer Brunch or the cat get's it!!

You forced me into this.

The cat get's it, if you do not reserve your seat at the Pacer brunch on Sunday.

UWO Invitational X-Country

UWO hosted this annual event at Thames Valley Golf Course, and had a stellar turn out of athletes.

Pictured here is Guelph Gryphons, Lindsay Carson who set a course record in the womans 5K that has stood since 1987, at 17:01.6

This event is free and open to all, and I am amazed at how few show up.

The course switchs back and forth allowing the spectator to see a number of different views along the route.

The mens 10K was won by a Windsor Lancer, Dave Watson, in 32:10.9. (funny I only have a picture of the womans race winner)

The same day had the Fanshawe College Invitational out at Fanshawe, so I unfortunatly was unable to fit both in.

Next year I think our trail run will be at Thames Valey on the x-country course.... or maybe I should not embarass myself this way. Anyhow next year we all should attend to cheer the 'Stangs' on.

You crack me up!

So there I was pondering life's mystery's, when it dawned on me.... you lazy bastards have not signed up for the Vulture Bait yet!!

We are looking for volunteers for the races as well.

So, your uncle may just be getting out of prison for a weekend and you have no room in your double wide at the trailer park.... or maybe you would like to get grandma some fresh air while you do the 50K race, we can use them.

http://www.vulturebaitrace.com/ and you will be whisked away to the fantastic world of Vulture Bait.

Note to American entries: NO PASSPORT REQUIRED to enter Canada.
(but you will need one to get back in to your own country. Hey they are your governments rules not ours)


Each month leading up to the race, one lucky entry will win a Vulture Bait running jacket.
(I don't understand why Jennifer Anne wants to measure the male winners inseam though)

Last but not least, Trail Runner Magazine, August issue, page 12 says it all.

Click here for a map to all trails

July 11th
Gibbons Park Trail

July 18th
Killaly Trail

July 25th
Komoka Trail

August 1st
Fanshawe Trail

August 8th
Kains Woods
or
Dirty Girls 6 & 12 hr Trail Races www.ouser.org/



August 15th
Meadowlilly Trail



August 22nd
Westminster Ponds
or ITT 32k http://www.ouser.org/


August 29th
Gibbons Park



September 5th
Medway Trail



September 12th
Komoka Trail
or
Haliburton Forest 25/50/100/160 km Trail Races
http://www.ouser.org/



September 19th
Kains Woods Trail


September 26th
Meadowlilly Trail



October 3rd
Medway Trail


October 10th
Fanshawe Trail



October 12th
Turkey Trot in Springbank Park (points for running or volunteering)



October 17th
VULTURE BAIT 25 & 50 Km TRAIL RACES
*did you see the write up in the August issue, page 12, of Trail Runner Magazine?
www.vulturebaitrace.com



October 24th
Kains Woods Trail



October 31
Season Ender @ Komoka Trail
Champagne & Mars Bars

Who let me have a Camcorder anyhow?

Betty, win's / loses the Black Ball Challenge.

Of course I had fun...It was a non stop wet T-shirt contest!

Saturday June 20th was the Niagara Series of Races in Niagara on the Lake, and four of our finest went to run and three of us went to swim.
This was the first time in my recollection that the race did not start in temperatures in the high 20's and so humid you would be gasping for air just standing at the start line.
For those who have not done this race in the OUS series, you miss out on a well run and scenic course.
Yes, I know that the race is on pavement, and it eats up those expensive trail runners, but it is worth it in the end.
Distances of 10K, 1/2 Marathon, Marathon and 50K, you should have no problem selecting one that fits your schedule.
Early entries are eligible for either a sweat shirt or hoodie, depending on distance, a finishers memento with your name engraved and beer and pizza.
The turn out this year was huge, so much so the race organizers may put a cap on it next year. (so enter early)
For those who look for a Boston Qualifier, I am told this is a good pick since it is flat and fast.
Congratulations to Betty who took home the hardware in the 10K.
My first wife Karen along with Alita and James did our group proud in the 1/2 Marathon, while Bill, Louise and myself stood in the pouring rain proving that Gortex is not 100% water proof.
Next race in the OUS series is Creemore Vertical Challenge 25 & 50K on July 4th.

Click Here For Shocking Photo's

I am pleased to announce that I suck almost as much at kayaking as I do at trail running.
Our trail kicker friend from Alberta, Willy Bill, came to South-Western Ontario to whip LuLu into shape for our upcoming hike in the wilds of the Yukon.
This included a kayaking trip down the Grand River from Cambridge to Paris.
Normally a slow paddle, the recent deluge of rain caused for a pretty fast current. So much so, that the outfitter we rented some of the kayaks & canoe from, sent along a guide.
( I think he was there to recover the equipment rather than the person.)

All went well until Ken & Jeniffer decided that when coming to a bridge column located in the centre of the river, about at the halfway point, the front paddler wanted to go left of the massive stone structure while the rear paddler wanted the right.
Well the river decided neither and they collided the structure and capsized, causing the guide to earn his keep. He did recover the canoe but Jen & Ken were lost.
Kidding about the last part, they swam ashore and others down river captured their gear as it floated by.

This was a fun way to spend a day since upon 'Two Beer Nancy's' demand, we then proceeded to a licensed establishment to sample some beverages and chicken wings.

The evening concluded with a BBQ back in London to solve the worlds problems.

On a Trail Running note, our motley crew took home the hardware at Sulphur Springs Trail Races.
And I can't wait till Alita comes out to Saturday morning trail runs wearing her Sulphur Springs shirt.
Coming up in the OUS is Niagara Ultra on June 20th.
https://www.onlineregistrations.ca/niagara/
Sorry no trails here, but a fast course for a 10k,25k, marathon and 50K
Great prizes that come from local wineries and early entries get a warm hoodie.
And rumour has it that there may be some beer to be had at the end.
And speaking of beer.. Creemore Vertical Challenge is on July 4th. If you like scenery and hills..never ending freaking hills.. then this is the race to do.
The only thing that compels me to do this race is that the kegs of Creemore are at the finish line.
http://www.onlineregistrations.ca/creemore/

*Click Here* if you think you are an Ultra Runner

The Fun Continues

2009 Soiled Sport Trail Series

Start Times: 8:00 am sharp
(or maybe 8:02 because Cathy Q is late again)

OUS race start times, you need to confirm for each race @ http://www.ouser.org/

May 16th,
Meadowlilly Trails


May 23 rd
Komoka Trails
or
Ontario Ultra Series Race #4
Sulphur Springs 10K, 25K, 50K, 50M, 100M

May 30th
Medway Trails

June 6th
Fanshawe Trails
or
OUS Series Race #5
Kingston 6hour endurance race

June 13th
Westminister Ponds
or
There is a new trail race, http://www.trailsdaywoodstock.ca/
1 Mile, 5K, 1/2 marathon
*Trail points ONLY if you wear Vulture Bait or Soiled Sport running shirts during the event

June 20th
Kains Woods
or
OUS Race #6
Niagara Ultra 1/2 marathon, marathon & 50k

June 27th
Medway Trail

July 4th
Medowlilly Trai
or
OUS Race #7
Creemore Vertical Challenge (please note the word Vertical.. this means hills, long never ending hills)

July 11th
Gibbons Park Trail

July 18th
Killaly Trail

July 25th
Komoka Trail

August 1st
Fanshawe Trail