CBC Radio One London Morning Show

CBC Radio 1 London Morning Show had a a portion of there show to talk about Komoka Trails and how attendance is way off since they introduced the money grab of 'pay to park'.
Read all about it by clicking on this link.
Please leave a comment at the end of the story.
CBC RADIO ONE LINK 

Screw Shoes for Winter Trail Running

This is how Nancy R. does it

This is how I do it

Thinking of hibernating because you don’t like the idea of running on ice and snow?

Have you purchased Yak Tracks and seem to lose one every year on the trail?

Let me introduce you to Screw Shoes.
For under $10 bucks you will have enough screws to do yours, and numerous friends after you tell them how great it works.

To make a pair of screw shoes, you need to get a package of 3/8” or 1/2″ x # 8 hex head self taping screws.  These will be available at a Home Hardware, Home Depot, Lowes or your local hardware store.

Next get a socket to fit the end of the hex head screw, a cordless drill, and of course a pair of trail running shoes.

Decide where you want the screws. Don’t place them too close to the edges or in the grooves of the shoe. For best traction the lugs on the heel and the ball of the foot areas of the tread should be your prime target area. There is no set number of screws that should be used, so you can do some test runs to see what works best for you.

If you have a reasonable amount of tread left on your shoes, you shouldn’t have to worry about screw penetration, but make sure to check before you go running in them.

Place the screws in sufficient numbers to cover the ball of the foot area and heel, and anywhere else you like.  Note the random pattern in the photo.

The great thing about the screw shoe is if you lose a few screws , you just screw some more back in,  In the spring you simply unscrew them and you are back on the roads and trails again, no worse for wear.

WARNING!!!

Do not wear them in doors, as they will ruin the finish on hard wood floors or other surfaces, and you will think you are wearing ice skates if you wear them on ceramic tile.

You do not  want to wear them while driving, as you may find that the screw heads do not slide off the gas pedal when going for the break, and that tiny bit of delay could be a cause of an accident.
Just saying!!

How to tie the Swiss Knot a trail runners 'go to' shoe knot

With winter coming on and shoe laces will get frozen and will not come undone, or they just will not stayed tied.
This is the only knot you will use after you try it out on your trail shoes.

Please!!! Some one tell me to just shut up and run!

The only time I ever get injured (other than the time Doris tripped me and I broke my ribs) is when I talk to other runners on the trail while running.
So this past Saturday we had the pleasure of 6 new runners who came out to be a soiled sport, for the first time.
With just over a kilometer in on the run, I was chatting to one of the newbies and on what was a not very technical or rough part of the trail, I managed to roll my ankle.
I walked it off a bit then commenced to finish the run.
(besides one of our group is a Doctor at the Fowler Kennedy Sports Injury Clinic, granted he would have finished the run and been half way home by the time I finish.)
So, everything was not so bad, till I took the shoe off.
It just started to swell and then started to get colourful.
A did as our trail group swears by for all injuries, put a cold beer against it and when it is empty, just repeat till the swelling goes down or the six pack is gone.
So, when I get back to running, and you see my lips moving, tell me to shut up and just run.
***Update since I posted this earlier in the week, after my toes started to go black and blue as well, I decided to seek medical help. And after X-rays have found I actually broken a tip off a bone in my ankle area. So there goes my hopes of a medal in the winter Olympics.

Remembrance Day Trail Run

In Flanders Fields

John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders Fields.

We have the privilege of running on trails in a country that we rally do take for granted. 

On one day of the year, November 11th, we are reminded to give tribute to those who put there lives in harms way to keep our country and way of life safe.

One of our regular trail runners, Barb N., a few years ago recited 'In Flanders Fields' after a run on a November 11th morning. 

A small thing that made me, and I am sure the others present, a reminder to be proud of what we have everyday in Canada, freedom of choice, expression and a constitution that is for the "we" not the "me".

The poem is so simple, but has the beauty and rage that must have been inside field surgeon, Major John McCrae, that day on the battle field in Belgium in 1915.

Please take time to read it a couple times and give thanks to those who served our country.

See you on the trails.

Champagne and Mars Bar Run 2017

Thanks to all of the trail runners who ventured out on a cold wet morning to run the Komoka Trail.
I also want to thank everyone for NOT parking in the pay for use parking area.
We protest with our feet, park free and run in!
A very big thank you to Al and his wife Sally who invited the entire crew back to their beautiful home that borders on to the park.
(I am sure after we all left they said they would never - ever do that again)

Just when you thought it was safe!!

Deer Tick from Kains Woods Rune Wednesday Evening October 25

Yes, it may be October but ticks don't read calendars.

This was found after our run on Wednesday evening and was taken to our vet to see if it was a harmless brown tick or the lyme carrying deer tick.

Well, it is a deer tick.

So, please keep watch when you finish running to see if you have picked up any passengers.

I must go now, as I think this would be best set free on my wifes pillow.

Champagne and Mars Bar Run

This Saturday, October 28th at Komoka Trail, is the annual season ender: The Champagne and Mars Bar Run.
Please park on Oxford Street just east of Woodhull Road. This is a wide shoulder and there is parking allowed. We will run into the trail from here, about 200 meters or so.
Feel free to bring along other munchies to add to the mix.
Start time 8:01 am

Vulture Bait 2017 Results

Thank you to all of you who ran the race and volunteered to make this a very successful event....again.
Pictures will be posted soon.
For now here are the finish results.

DOWNLOAD LINK FOR 25K

DOWNLOAD LINK FOR 50K

Pictured here with some old grey haired stalker is Erika B. who finished her first ultra, completing the 50k in 5:39.14 and is one of our Soiled Sport regulars.

Vulture Bait 2017 - Sold Out

St.Thomas 2 Port Stanley via Elgin Trail

It's hard to believe that it has been three...YES...three months since we did the Elgin Trail Run from St.Thomas to Port Stanley.
Just scroll back to the June posting to see the pictures taken along the rail, no wonder we return.
Again we will meet at 184 Sunset Drive in St. Thomas, as the trail head we will go in on is just behind these buildings.
GOOGLE MAP LINK
There is a gas station and a restaurant in this plaza and we park just on the south side.
It is about 20 km from White Oaks to give you an estimated drive time required.
As before we will figure out the logistics when we find out how man are running the St.Thomas to Port and those (like myself) who will drive to the arena in Port Stanley and hike in for an out and back trail hike.
REMEMBER...this is a self supported run, so please carry water and anything else you need to do a very hilly 16+ km trail run.
And if you run behind Terry you will do more hills than the rest. Just sayin!

Please have a change of shoes and clothes that you want at the end of the run or hike so the person(s) doing the shuttling back will not end up with a car that smells like a trail runners gym bag.
Also, a number of people have stayed in Port to have brunch, so that may be an option to consider.

For those who wish to stay close to home, Kains Woods is the option. (Medway is closed to us this weekend due to a big Pow Wow)

What is this number? 63,900

This is the number of site visits to our blog since we started this up.
Our trail mailing list is also now over 100.
If I take out the ones who don't show up, moved away or have restraining orders against me, I am sure the number would be greatly reduced.
Thanks to all of you for making this not only a top 50 blog, but the best group to run with...period.

Top 50 Trail Running Blog

Selected by Feed Spot as one of the top 50 Trail Running Blogs.

I am sure it was the high quality writing that did it!
That and the incredible photography of course.
Maybe .....that it is due to the high caliber and elite trail runners who visit the blog on a regular basis to get peak performance tips on trail running and nutrition.
So, I guess we now have to strive to be in the top 10 next.
I will check the mailbox regularly now to see if the medal has arrived and I am sure a hefty cheque as well.

Canada Day Trail Run

In total 30 runners finally showed to do the Canada Day Trail Run

Komoka Trail - Ours to Recover

Wheelers hopes to do 150 'Rookie Hill' repeats may have fallen a bit short of the goal, but some of these crazy bastards gave it their best shot.

Bill was one of the recipients for the best Canada Day running out fit. 

He only won because everyone was a little nervous having children or pets around someone dressed like this.

What a beautiful day to be on the trails

Elgin Trail - Port Stanley out and back option

Sara, Cathy and myself 

(we are hiding, bet you can't see us)

Elgin Trail - St. Thomas to Port Stanley

Runners: Robert, Lyle, Terry, Bonnie and Blair

June 24th Elgin Trail St.Thomas to Port Stanley

We will meet at 184 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas.

Here is a Google Map link to where we will meet up, at the trail entrance.

Google Map Link

There is a gas station and restaurant (both I believe are still closed)  but there is parking here as the trail entrance is just behind these buildings.

It is about 20km from White Oaks Mall to give you an estimated drive time.

We will figure out the logistics when we find out how many are running from St. Thomas to Port Stanley and those of us who are going to Port Stanley to do a hike/run an out and back as we did last year.

Please have a change of clothes as we have also done a brunch afterward, plus the erso who is schutteling you back to your car would really appreciate a clean dry body on their genuine Corinthian leather.

Westminster Ponds Mud Run

Soiled Sport trail runners 

Taking Back Komoka

And we didn't spend a dime!

Thanks everybody for enjoying what we do best, play dirty - run trails

Komoka Defiance Trail Run

Taking Back Komoka Trail

I have been asked, ever so politely by some guy with a clip board, to add the Komoka Trail  back to our schedule, as it is the trail that we started this crazy addiction called trail running.

BUT.... I do not want to give in to the money grab of parking to access the trail.

After reviewing the options, I am suggesting we park on the south side of Oxford Street just east of Woodhull Road. (please note map above)

There is a wide shoulder and this is were the 'No Parking' signs end.

It will add 200 meters of road till we access the  trail  at our old starting point of the parking lot that is now closed off to make way for the pay to park lot on Gideon Drive.

Also you will note that the Elgin Trail from St.Thomas to Port Stanley has been added. 

This run was a great success last year but did require some logistics and coordination. 

If the response to this is not good, it may be changed to a local trail instead. So, your feed back is required.

The Soiled Sport 2017 Season is Up and Running

Week #1 Season Opener @ Meadowlilly Trail

Week #2 @ Fanshawe Lake Trail

Even after days of rain, Fanshawe Trail was pretty good....

till you got to the creek

Most of the group did the entire 20km loop of the lake

TAKE ACTION!!

This video will tell you that we are not taking Lyme Disease serious enough.

Fellow trail runner, Eric M. sent this video along with the e-mail below.

Larry,

Outdoor enthusiasts need to be educated. Mary's sister in New York has had Lyme Disease twice, and a friend of ours in London is starting to recover after battling with Lyme Disease for 4 years. She was close to death at one point and has spent a lot of time in a wheelchair.

Most of the problem, an I've heard a number of times, is that testing in Canada is inadequate and Lyme Disease is often not diagnosed early enough.

Thanks. See you out there soon.

Eric

Take action and click the link listed below to sign the on-line petition to take action NOW rather than the wait and see attitude now in place by pour health care professionals and government agencies. NOW 

Petition SIGN UP Link

Trail Run + Guided Tour of Museum of Ontario Archaeology.

Because I know trail  runners love culture, this just in from Kevin G.

Saturday, March 18, 2017: Trail Run + Guided Tour of Museum of Ontario Archaeology.

Join us at the Soiled Sports group run through the Medway Valley Heritage Forest, followed by a coffee and downtime at Farm Boy. We will be heading over to the museum for 10 a.m., where we will enjoy a guided 1.5-hour tour of the building and grounds, at an affordable cost.  If you are not able to make the run, join us for coffee and the tour or just the tour itself – R.S.V.P. required since space is limited.

Time: Run at 8 a.m. sharp (Medway Valley Heritage Forest), Breakfast and coffee at Farm Boy at about 9:15 a.m., Museum Tour at 10 a.m.

Trail Head and Museum Location: 1600 Attawandaron Rd, London Ontario.  N6G 3M6

Farm Boy Location: 1415 Beaverbook Ave.

Museum Tour Cost: $5.00 per person

R.S.V.P.:  Since tour space is limited, please e-mail londonpacers@yahoo.com to reserve your spot.

Look Hot, Feel Cool

NEW - Titan Lite Trail Running Jacket  

With only days left in February, we are being spoiled with very spring like temperatures.

This of course gets us all itching for the Soiled Sport Trail Running Season to start so we can rotate to all the great trails around the city as a group.
For all the newbies to the trail  running list, from late March to the end of October we rotate our Saturday runs to various trails around London and the occasional road trip to trails in the St.Thomas area. And from November to March we stick to the Medway Trail as our winter hiatus. (as the parking lot is plowed of snow and we don't spend time pushing stuck cars after our runs)

It is well known that trail runners are very conscious of how good they look while running trails and purchase their running attire accordingly.
(OK, I am just joking, we dress to stay dry & warm and to hell what we look  like)
But I thought I would share some new products coming available in the all new 'Columbia-Montrail' brand of clothing  and footwear lines.
As you may know Montrail has been a sponsor of the Vulture Bait Trail Races for the last 14 years and when Columbia Sportswear purchased this trail running shoe company, they too came on board to be part of the best trail race.
I have been wearing Montrail shoes for close to 20 years and now they have added trail running clothing to the line up, so I offer you a look some of the just released items.
This endorsement is not only because they are a great sponsor of the Vulture Bait Trail Races, but because I do like the quality of the product and the trail running focus of the brand.

Looking for a new running jacket?
The recently introduced Titan Lite trail running jacket is fantastic.
First off it is so freaking light in weight. And it is so soft and pliable as well, so you don't feel like you are wearing a jacket at all.
But best yet is that it has "Omni-Shield" that makes it resist rain and stains, plus the all new "Omni-Freeze" technology that is sweat activated to create a cooling effect to the body. The way I sweat, I am all in on this one.
It also folds up into its own pocket so it packs extremely small.
This new jacket has a retail price of $149.00 but using your London Pacer invitation to the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store, you steal it for $75.00 .....Start the Car.....Start the Car!!
Also released is trail running shirts in long and short sleeves that also offer up the new Omni-Freeze technology.
Updates to the Montrail trail  running shoes, is the re-branding to 'Montrail by Columbia'. The same great aggressive tread in a grippy rubber compound that makes it a true trail running shoe. Some added features of the water proofing and of course new colours this season as well.
Again, with your London Pacer invitation to the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store you save big time.
For those who are not London Pacers, I have a limited amount of Guest Passes that I will make available to Soiled Sport trail runners who wish to add to their trail running attire.
These will be on a first come basis and you have to show up at a Saturday morning or Wednesday evening trail run.

Trail Running Shirt featuring the new Omni-Freeze technology

 

Montrail Trail Shoe

We want to make trail running great again!!

It's hard to believe that the Vulture Bait Trail Races will be turning 15 this October.
And since we love to accept your cash real early (plus we like you) we offer a fifteen (15) day early entry discount.
From the first day of February to the end of the business day of the 15th, we offer you a $15.00 discount off our already ridiculously low price when entering on-line.
On-line entry only.
(But if you want to give me cash after a trail run, there will be handling charge of one chocolate cheese cake per entry.)
Don't forget we have a cap of 300 entries and we sell out early.
Here is the link to our on-line entry that will  go live on February 1st.

ON LINE ENTRY