76,702 that's how many

Just think, this bog has had over 76 thousand views over the years.
Just goes to show you, trail runners get lost on the internet too!

Many thanks to those who made it out to Meadowlilly to kick off our 2019 Trail Running Series.

No lucky charms at the end but the Irish whisky, Harp Lager and carrot cake were a big hit to pre-celebrate St. Patricks Day.

This Saturday's Trail Run will be Komoka Trails.
Please keep in mind:
WE DO NOT USE THE PAY FOR PARKING LOT!
Protest with your feet. By parking on the road we are letting the Ontario Parks people know we don't like to get screwed on over priced and forced parking.
Please park just east of the trail entrance on the south side of Oxford Street, as noted in the map below. It is only a couple hundred meters on the road to the trail entrance, so consider it part of the run.

This is, if not the best trail in the London area, it would for sure be in the top 3.
Distance is about 9km for the entire loop and has a bit of everything, hills, flat stretches, stairs and bridge crossings. It is very scenic and has lot of trail running history with our group.
As it is very early in the season there could be some flood areas and you may get your feet wet in the low areas near the river.
Please keep in mind Bill W. may entice you to run the 'Rookie Hill' near the end of the run. DO NOT get sucked in as it is not uncommon for runners to puke on their attempt.

Meadowlilly Trails March 16th for our start of the 2019 Season

This Saturday, March 16th, will be an earlier start of our trail running season, as the nice folk at the London Archaeological Museum have a spring function this weekend and asked that we not use the parking lot. So it just seemed like the nudge to start the season two weeks early.
And being the day before St. Patrick's Day it seemed only fitting we have a theme for the run.
So on Saturdays run wear something green and be awarded something befitting an Irish tradition upon finish.
Saturdays weather looks to be around 0 C cloudy and 100% chance of a great run.
Recent warmer temperature and rain should take care of the ice on the trails, but screw shoes may still be a wise choice....just in case.
For those who have not done this trail, it s off of Commissioners Road, just east of Highbury Ave.
The road to  the trail is opposite the now vacant RONA lumber store. It is a dead end street and parking is at the very end at the trail head.
Google map directions are on the left side of this blog post.

Changing more than the clocks

Don't forget, if you join us for coffee at Farm Bot following our Saturday trail run, please have a change of shoes and clothes.

Tired of winter yet?

A crazy winter this year!
We coast along snow free and temperatures above zero, then Mother Nature throws a hissy fit and we get bone chilling temperatures and snow, followed by one day of spring temperatures then back to freezing.
But as trail runners we know it is getting out the door is the hard part, after that its all OK.

Terry got it all wrong!!!

Terry was very enthusiastic about adding screws to his shoes, but unfortunately he did not follow the instructions

All Grip..No Slip

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, they MUST be inserted to the lugs.
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, the only knot a trail runner should use

With winter weather, you may find that as your shoe laces freeze up they may not stay tied up, or afterwards your frozen fingers cant pry open the frozen laces.
This very simple shoe knot will stay tied up and just slips open with a gentle tug even when frozen.
You will find yourself only using this knot for all your shoes, after trying it out on your next trail run.