I should be so lucky to dream this big.

So there we were, running with Iris Cooper and I asked what she had planned for her next big ultra event.

Well she said this year she was putting the Badwater 135 off till next year, so she can visit her parents in Switzerland. But she noticed a new ultra event just listed in Switzerland and she will probably do this while making the visit with her family.

The Swiss Iron Trail is a 201 Km trail race, is a new event that takes you over numerous mountains and each aid station has a cut off time you must meet to proceed. With a maximum time allowed of 56 hours.

(pictured above L-R: Monica, Iris and Veronique)

So after finishing Monica's February 20 / 40 Km Fun Run, we headed back to Casa Del Scholz for veggie chili , cold beverages and tall tails.

It was here that Monica, ever to casually said, "you know I think I may just do that Swiss Iron Trail Race".

Now how does a person take in information like: 201km and 56 hour maximum time, let alone the numerous big piles of rock called the Swiss Alps and think this is something to sign up for over a bowl of chili???

I have to do a weeks planning just to get my ass in gear to show up at her 20k fun run for wimps!

But as Bill Wheeler, Danny Murphy and I were driving home, we thought ' hey wouldn't it be neat if we went to crew for them'.

That may be all well and fine for those two, as they are speed demons and would have no problem doing any pacing requirements with either Monica or Iris, but I would be afraid they would kick the sh%t out of me if I tried to pace them as I would be holding them back.

But maybe they need someone to look after a beer cooler or something, then I am all in.

Monica's January Fun Run

If this is going to be what to expect for weather the rest of January, you better pass the sun block.

My running idol Monica Scholz has a monthly '20 & 4o km Fun Run' on the Sulphur Springs trail near Ancaster, during the winter months to get rid of the winter blues.

Well as you can see by the above photo of January 7th the only thing blue is the sky. With temperatures around +7 at the finish it was damn near spring like.

In the picture there are some of Ontario's elite trail runners:

• Canadian female 100 mile record holder Iris Cooper (fourth from the left)
• Record holder for running end to end of the 894 km Bruce Trail, Charlotte Vasarhelyi (fourth from right)
• Trail Runner Magazine Series 2nd place female in ultra's is Kinga Miklos (third from left)
• Trail Runner Magazine Series 1st place male 50+, Bill Wheeler

Also, both Kinga and her husband Stephan (2nd from right) were using this as a 40km taper run for the H.U.R.T. 100 Mile race in Hawaii the next weekend. Now tell me that this does not make you feel like a slug.

In the back ground is our newest addition to the Soiled Sport Trail Running Group, Danny Murphy. He is the one in the background with arms up and screaming "Wooooo!!"

Other than the three of us from London, I think everyone else did the 40Km yet look just as relaxed as Bill and Danny after our 20Km's.

Afterwards we were invited to Monica and Phil's home for veggie chili, cold drinks and 'Super Store' bread. (inside joke pointed at Bill Wheeler)

We sat around and basked in stories of running adventures from this group, that again makes one feel like we better kick it up a notch or three.

You all know I have nothing but praise for Monica as I love her to death, but the truth is I want to be adopted by her mom and dad.

Her father Dieter, does the aid stations for the fun run and weather is never a barrier and is like a mother hen when you are at the aid station making sure you get something or topping up water bottles. If you cant find something at his aid station from food to drink to sports gue, it must not exist.

Toni, her mom is just a saint, who just happens to make butter tarts to die for.

Play Dirty...Run Trails

Larry

Winter Fun on the Trails

Picture #1:

Even on Christmas Eve we have what we refer to as "runners with no lives" showing up for a morning trail run at Medway.

Picture #2:
As you can see, Sue may be a great runner but she sucks on the balance beam.

Picture #3:

Wednesday night trail runs at Komoka Trail is year round, and here we have Richard Bird wimping out on a balmy -7 evening wearing winter tights. What are you going to wear when the cold weather come??

What was Santa thinking?

I hope you were not expecting anything from Santa this year, as he got held up at US customs.
Have a safe and happy holiday.
Saturday Trail runs will be at Medway Trails till March, and the Komoka Trail night runs continue year round every Wednesday at 6:00 PM.

Night Running

You don't have to be to bright to run trails at night, but your headlamp should be.
This was a November 9th evening run starting at 6:00 pm at Komoka, and I am sure the singlets and short sleeves will be put away for warmer garments soon.
If you have not tried night running with a headlamp, you should try it, as I am sure you will be hooked.
I have a couple extra headlamps in my trunk, should you wish to come out and give it a try.
Komoka Trails, every Wednesday evening starting at 6:00 pm.

Champagne and Mars Bars

Yes, everyone is getting excited about our season ender 'Champagne & Mars Bar' run on October 29th.

Always the best attended run of the year, since everyone knows we only run for chocolate or booze.

The picture here has two of our trail kickers, Nancy and Angie, volunteering at the Vulture Bait Trail Races on the 15th sporting the swag from our sponsor Mountain Hardwear for the volunteers, a warm micro fleece toque.

Wet, cold and windy did not deter the sold out field to set new course best times.

Thanks to the volunteers who kept everything running smooth all day to the delight of the runners.

I Command a Lot of Respect!

You have to admit that it is flattering when a co-worker asks for your suggestions on how to improve their running.

Well a couple months ago, Tanya, (who is our laser department lead) asked such a question.

Turns out she had taken up running to improve her cardio fitness and felt this running thing was just not coming to her as easy as she thought.

Well first off she was running roads, and we know how freaking boring that can be.

So we started off with the basics, setting up a small 5km running program that had some achievable milestones along the way that would all come together with us doing a 5km run together on October 2nd.

Well, I must say she was impressive. Her finishing time was better than the goal set out in the program and has now a bench mark to further improve her time and distance.

She plans to join us on the trails soon as she does find the road work boring and repetitive.

She was kind enough to send me this photo showing how I am #1 in her books.

It's great having friends.