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

Cannon Balls & Brass Monkeys

When you are out running trails with some one new, who you wish to impress with the depth of your knowlwdge of some very deep subjects, please feel free to use this.

It was necessary to keep a good supply of cannon balls near the cannon on old war ships. But how to prevent them from rolling about the deck was the problem. The best storage method devised was to stack them as a square based pyramid, with one ball on top, resting on four, resting on nine, which rested on sixteen.Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem -- how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding/rolling from under the others.The solution was a metal plate with 16 round indentations, called, for reasons unknown, a Monkey. But if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting problem was to make them of brass - hence, Brass Monkeys.Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannon balls would come right off the monkey.Thus,it was quite literally, cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. And all this time, you thought that was just a vulgar expression, didn't you?