Trail Run Motivation - DJI Phantom 2

2016 is winding down, and 2017 almost here, I wish to thank all of the trail runners who have come out and made this such an incredible group to be part of.
What started out as just a small splinter group looking to train during the summer heat for the fall marathon season on cooler wooded trails, has transformed into a very diverse group of incredible people. Even those who have moved away, make a point of dropping in on a trail run when they come back to visit family and friends.
And it is always a pleasure to hear a new trail runner to our Soiled Sport group comment that they never knew that these trails were even here in London.
With so many of you sharing your trail race experiences through out the year, is very motivating to me and I am sure to others.
Our motto: "No Cost, No Support and No Sympathy" is far from being true. It is proven over and over again.
The cost is how the trail runners make sure every one is accounted for at the end of a run,
The support is shown by the regulars making sure the newbies are welcomed and offered tips and encouragement
The sympathy is shown when on the rare occasion a runner is injured, there is a concerted effort to help them and offer aid and comfort.
Have a safe and happy holiday.... and hope to see you on the trails.


Don't Quit!
Suffer now, and live the rest of your life as a champion.
Mohamma Ali

Champagne and Mars Bar 2016

As usual the turn out for anything that includes liquor and chocolate, they come out of the wood work.

Thanks to all of the Soiled Sport Trail Running group for making our Saturday mornings an event  to get our asses out of bed.

As of now, we will run Medway Trail for the winter months, and kick off the 2017 trail running season in March.

The Biggest Small Race

The Turkey Trot 

A London Pacer tradition that keeps on growing that has a 2K Cross Country that attracts hundreds of young runners as well as their parents.

Followed by a very competitive 6K All Age Cross Country Race.

Monday October 10th - Thanksgiving Morning

Registration starts at 8:30 am 

The 2K race is only $5.00 per person

The 6K race is only $6.00 per person

Arrive early to register as the turnout last year had over 500 runners

Race Start Times:

2K: 10:00 am

6K: 10:30 am

For more details go to London Pacers Web Site

Getting out of running the Vulture Bait the hard way

Another one bites the dust at Meadowlilly!

It seems that Meadowlilly Trail is not only beautiful and challenging but it is a bone crusher too.

As you can see, Terry is being nursed by Barb after a miss step on the trail and broke a bone in his foot.

He was accompanied by a couple of fellow trail runners to St. Joe's emergency department and I am sure they were greeted warmly with their muddy shoes and rain soaked running attire.

We seemed to stray away from a couple key points in our motto:

• No Charge
• No Support
• No Sympathy

We here at Soiled Sport head office will let it pass this time but from here on in you better shape up!

PS:

Terry, there is no refund on your Vulture Bait entry, so you better learn to run in a cast.

More reasons we need to have Komoka Trails

Lani Running the Marathon in Rio

Thanks to all of you who have taken a couple minutes out of your day to write to Parks Ontario (aka Parking Lot Ontario)

This is a letter to Ms.Card from Lani's mom and fellow Soiled Sport trail  runner, Mary Lou.

Dear Rhonda,

I have lived in London, Ontario since 1989, having moved here from Windsor, On.

As you know, or if you are not aware... Windsor is flat.

One of the most beautiful things about London, are the trails and forests.

I have run in Komoka trails since I moved here, as well as my children, and other family and friends.

My daughter Lanni Marchant would use Komoka to train for cross country and track and field.

She just raced the 10k and 46 hours later, the Marathon at the Rio Olympics , representing Canada and London, Ontario proudly. 🇨🇦

Now you have basically closed the park. Parking fees? Really?
Not sure who this helps, certainly not the public .

I raised 7 children on my own, in London, without child support. They have all become incredible athletes , my oldest was on the National Team with Skate Canada in singles and pairs. My second youngest graduated last year In a Masters Program at University of Detroit Mercy, on a full scholarship in track and field.

And then now Lanni, an Olympian.

They all ran in the Komoka trails.

I'm glad to have enjoyed the trail before you did this. I can't afford to run there now. Now I have 5 grandchildren who will not be able to enjoy the park and trails.

What will other families do?

This is sad beyond words.

You should reconsider this decision .


Sincerely,

Mary Lou M.

When will they ever learn? Don't invite us over!!

Eric's home after having the Soiled Sport Trail Runners over after a run on Saturday

The wrecking crew.

Eric after kicking out the last of the trail  runners.

Bound for Rio

GO Lani GO

Marylou and daughter are Rio bound to cheer on her daughter Lani who is running the 10,000  and the marathon for Team Canada.

As you can see Play Dirty...Run Trails is on all the best runners vehicles.

Wednesday Evening Trail Location Change

New Trail Location as of August 1, 2016

Due to the recent closure of the free use of Komoka Trails, we here at Soiled Sport have decided to move the Wednesday evening trail run to a new location, Kains 'West' Trail.

Please note that on Wednesday evenings we will start at the trail  entrance off of Westdell Bourne Road. This location has ample road side parking and easy access to the west end of the Kains Wood trails. Please note the map above to orientate yourself if you are directionaly challenged.

With its location only a km from the Komoka trail, it will still allow you the same travel time to navigate the road construction you have already been accustomed to.

Please note the start/finish is NOT at Warbler Woods as we do on Saturday morning runs.

If you have not called or e-mailed Ms.Card at Parks Ontario about the recent pay to park when using the Komoka trails, I hope you will take the few minutes to do so. Her contact info is in the last weeks blog post listed below. 

Let's at least go down swinging.

Ontario.....Yours to RECOVER

As of August 1,2016 the park will now be charging for parking at the two new parking lots equipped with the latest in money gobbling technology. Yes a mere $5.75 for up to two (2) hours of parking.

You are paying for parking, not for use of the park. 

You may be wondering why.

Easy.

By paying for parking at the meter and displaying your ticket in your window, they only have to have the enforcement officer lurk around the parking lot waiting for you to enjoy the park a little longer than you paid for. Then will write you a ticket.

But if they were to have you pay for use of the park, the park enforcement would have to get out of their vehicle and be on the trails to insure you have paid for your use. 

I have contacted the Ontario Parks people to express my concern and did get a reply. 

Please read the following and if you are as peeved off at one more nickle and dime of taxation of something our taxes pay for in the first place, please respond to the contact person listed.

Hi Larry,

Thank you for your email regarding Komoka Provincial Park, we appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns.

Komoka Provincial Park now receives an estimated annual visitation of over 90,000. Due to this high volume of visitors Ontario Parks made the decision to install a pay and display machine to recover the cost of maintaining the parking lots, privies, and ongoing maintenance. The fee for the Pay and Display machine is $5.75 per vehicle for two hours.

It may interest you to know that the Ontario Parks system is largely funded through user fees. The money that visitors pay for services in Ontario Parks stays in Ontario Parks. All park revenues are deposited into a Special Purpose Account (SPA) and are used to offset the cost of operating the provincial parks system. In 2015, Ontario Parks operated at over 85 per cent self-sufficiency.

Ontario Parks is committed to providing world-class recreational opportunities for our visitors at reasonable and competitive prices. Park fees are reviewed annually; we also compare our fees with other park organizations, including other provinces and private operators that offer similar services and find that our fees do compare favourably. Fees are approved through Treasury Board and the legislative authority for Ontario Parks is the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act and the Financial Administration Act.

This decision to initiate self-serve collection of fees within Komoka Provincial Park is consistent with the park management plan.  The park management plan was developed between 2001 and 2010 and included several opportunities for public and Indigenous consultation.  All comments and input received during consultation were taken into consideration in the development of the final plan which was released in May 2010.  The Komoka park management plan can be found on Ontario Parks website.

If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding Komoka Provincial Park please contact Rhonda Card, Park Superintendent at (519) 874-4691 or rhonda.card@ontario.ca.

Again, thank you for writing and I hope you continue to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and the outdoor health benefits that our provincial parks have to offer.

Regards,

Ontario Parks

Go Full Screen, Crank UP The Volume and HOLD ON!!!

Let the Games Begin!

JUL 11, 2016 — Lanni Marchant has been named to the Olympic team in both the 10,000 metres and the marathon in the announcement made today. Thank you for supporting this cause.

Let Lanni Run the Marathon!!

I just signed the petition "Athletics Canada Board of Directors: Let Lanni Run the Marathon!" and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name.

Our goal is to reach 500 signatures and we need more support. You can read more and sign the petition here:

https://www.change.org/p/athletics-canada-board-of-directors-let-lanni-run-the-marathon?recruiter=20546422&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive

We do hang out with some pretty amazing people.

Sue decided she wanted to do something really different for her 50th birthday.

So, she decided to hike the trail system from Gibbons Park to her home in St. Mary's a total of 50km.

But this is the part that makes her an even more amazing person. She wanted the expierince for herself but wanted it to benefit someone else.

She used this as a fund raiser for the YWCA who was there for her when she was a single mother that wanted to have her son take part in organized sport.

Here she is at kilometer zero with her Dad who came out to hike the first section with her. Other friends and family met her at various check points to keep her company and motivated.

The weather was not on her side as storm front after storm from rolled in all afternoon with heavy showers, lightning and thunder.

Off they go

Here she is with her son, who joined her for the last section, at kilometer 50.

Amazing woman indeed.

Elgin Trail was a BLAST!!!

There was a 13 Trail Kickers who showed up to try out the Elgin Trail

Cathy, Nancy, Sara and Sue (and myself of course) hiked in from Port Stanley as far as the Union Station on the old railway system tracks that cut across the trail.

The trail was marked well in most sections but I was informed that there was one area the running group came upon that was somewhat confusing, but they did manage to figure it out. 

There was many steep ups and downs through the valleys along Kettle Creek that the trail follows

The runners coming from St.Thomas reach the Union Station.

Paul, Chris, Barb, Blair, Robert, Kevin, Jen, (Eric taking picture)

Everyone stuck around to have lunch in Port Stanley. 

(Good food and Great service)

Some ate healthy.....











Some, not so much...

Road Trip!!!

Keeping on the same theme....

Yes, today is Friday the 13th

Taking the fast track to looking good naked.

It also makes you sing better, smarter and irresistible to the opposite sex.

We have had just about every kind of weather in the previous six Saturday runs. 

This Saturday, April 30th is at Medaway trails and it should be in full bloom since our last run there when it was freezing cold and covered in snow.

Don't forget the first Saturday in June we will be doing the Elgin Trail from St. Thomas to Port Stanley. This will require some logistical planning so I will send out an e-mail soon asking who is planning to partake.

Soiled Sport Trail  Running 2016

You will be a Champion, because you will suffer.

Our motto:

• No Charge
• No Support
• No Sympathy

Ok, so I try to make it sound so 'mocho' but in fact it is all about the experience of running with some pretty amazing individuals of all caliber who help keep this a fun and motivated group.

I say this because at coffee after last Saturdays trail run at Medway, Barb, Kevin and myself were talking about some of the great things we have had to pry out of some of our runners. From personal best times and distances and especially what they have done outside of the sport of trail running. 

So, I encourage you to come out and run some beautiful trails we have in and around London, with a group of runners who will keep you challenged and inspired.

Also, we will be adding some road trip worthy trails as well, like St.Thomas to Port Stanley and possibly Wildwood in St. Marys.

Remember always carry water, bring dry clothes and a change of shoes so you can join the post run coffee group, to talk dirt on whoever does not show up... or Eric Magni at any time.

See you at run #1 at Meadowlilly Trail