Thank you to the volunteers and runners for participating in another awesome Chickadee trail run. I had seen and heard lots of Chickadees the day before, so I know they were out there cheering you on. It was inspirational to see a lot of great efforts, and some milestones achieved by you. Good running!
10 kilometre participants
Matthias Mueller 47:25 Returning and repeat Champion
Colin Busby 48:05 Said something about running sixty kilometres the day previous..
Ryan Goodale 59:04
Kevin MacDonald 59:54
Mark Campbell 59:54 s.t. Drafted off Kevin.
David Steeves 1:01:58 Brings a giant delicious carrot cake!
Celene Hecimovich 1:02:01 Second Trail run ever.
Greg Skelhorn 1:06:25
Pat Mullins 1:06:27
Greg Cunningham 1:15:32
Dave Evans 1:17:25
Susan Cook 1:22:38
Lena Thompson 1:22:38 s.t.
25 kilometre participants
Philip Block 2:00:49 and Petra the wonder dog.
Darryl Ward 2:14:05
Rob Teale 2:19:44
George Creaser 2:18:20
Navid Rahemtulla:) 2:26:40 Had a slice of cucumber for breakfast.
Kris Sylliboy 2:42:45 Longest run of his life.
Amy Lachance 3:27:32
Glen Coolidge 3:27:32 s.t.
25/11/2013
03/09/2013
Right Some Good
If you are a runner, you will hurt yourself. For your consideration, my own personalised program for disaster:
-- cardio base fitness from three months of nordic skiing, plugged into legs that have not lost ground contact during those months;
- Build and taper in six weeks for a five hour trail run;
-- Last two weeks taper with lots of rest and mental "running" while hallucinating with feverish flu;
-- Work late and avoid sleeping too much the night before;
-- Grab the bag of decaf beans because eyes are still blurry with sleep.
-- Grab the bag of decaf beans because eyes are still blurry with sleep.
-- Go out hard, pacing with the fast guys;
-- Is this sweating from fever or am I going out a wee bit fast?
-- I don't understand why is my body doing this to me!
-- I don't understand why I am doing this to my body!
-- Is this what it feels like just before we die?
-- Okay, I might make it back alive if I walk out this excruciating iliotibial band pain;
-- Hey I can run uphill pain free!
-- Why so many downhills?
-- That was the hardest 11.? km of my life. Interesting.
-- That was the hardest 11.? km of my life. Interesting.
That was how spring began. Not totally a negative experience: I got to stand on the sidelines and cheer on my buddies and some of the earlier finishers. I got to feel the excitement of, and partipate in, our modest but vital trail running community. Really that is what it is about.
And then I started over. Five k'ers, six, eight, eventually up to my fourteen km loop, and beyond. Glorious distance at long last! Hallajulah! Twenty somethings, thirty somethings, beautiful, splendid and dazzling distances in the woods, on the hills, and even through some streams.
Now it continues. Be consistent like coach says. Remember to take days off. Ride the bike. Paddle. Strength train a little. Good stuff.
07/07/2013
Chezzetcook Chickadee Trail Run, November 24.
The 2013 Chezzetcook Chickadee Trail Run takes place at 10 a.m. Sunday, November 24th. Meet up at the Chezzetcook Firehall in Head of Chezzetcook.
Same course as the 2012 run, with new and improved marking. The 10 km option is a simpler out and back on the first part of the 25 km course. There will be even more trail marking and flags this year, and runners are responsible for paying attention to the trail markings. If you have gone a minute and not seem a marker, then you have gone the wrong way; turn back and find the last intersection/flag/ribbon and follow them accordingly.
The event is UNSUPPORTED without feed or water stations. You will have to provide for your own food and hydration requirements. As usual, muffins, coffee, apples and bananas are available afterwards. You will get your feet wet and dirty, so bring dry socks and shoes and clothes for after the run. Also dress appropriately for the weather; run goes rain shine or snow. Check the weather forecast:
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/canada/nova-scotia/dartmouth/
Cost to register is $25, which can be done with me or on Atlantic Chip.
Also the same as last year, most of the proceeds (after insurance, rental and snacks are accounted for) from race go to Parker Street Food Bank.
The ten kilometre out-and-back profile is here:
And here is the 25km
Same course as the 2012 run, with new and improved marking. The 10 km option is a simpler out and back on the first part of the 25 km course. There will be even more trail marking and flags this year, and runners are responsible for paying attention to the trail markings. If you have gone a minute and not seem a marker, then you have gone the wrong way; turn back and find the last intersection/flag/ribbon and follow them accordingly.
The event is UNSUPPORTED without feed or water stations. You will have to provide for your own food and hydration requirements. As usual, muffins, coffee, apples and bananas are available afterwards. You will get your feet wet and dirty, so bring dry socks and shoes and clothes for after the run. Also dress appropriately for the weather; run goes rain shine or snow. Check the weather forecast:
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/canada/nova-scotia/dartmouth/
Cost to register is $25, which can be done with me or on Atlantic Chip.
Also the same as last year, most of the proceeds (after insurance, rental and snacks are accounted for) from race go to Parker Street Food Bank.
The ten kilometre out-and-back profile is here:
09/06/2013
Musq' Muff' Run new trail.
Last week my brain said "well since no one is coming I shall runneth the course myselfth". Apparently I was not quite acclimated to the 27 C. and ended up walking the climbs on the return, and along the way stopped to soak in the couple lil' cool, cool streams! Time 2:20.
Hop skip and jump forward to this Sunday and with a healthier 15 C, and a blood-caffeine level exceeding legal limits --1:52 or so. If anyone is out to run the new course drop me a line and I can add your time (or times of multiple attempts) to the list. Just like Strava eh?
Course Description: Start is at the normal intersection of the end of Bayer's Mill Road with the rail trail. Follow the double track (the old road, not the rail trail) to the river where the rusted car is. Turn right on the trail and head up to Skull Rock, but don't go to Skull Rock, keep right instead on the main trail. Follow the Admiral Lake Trail to the Cave, continuing to the Admiral Lake Lookoff. Keep left,going all the way to Turtle Brook, avoiding along the way the right turn short cut (marked Wilderness Trail) . Turn right at Turtle Brook (rather than turning left to exit the rail trail). Continuing along(avoid turning right for the shortcut back) until you come to the rather steep climb (most people will walk at least some of this hill). The hill continues to the sign "Lookoff". Keep right onwards more uphill to the actual lookoff, which is an exposed granite rock. That's the turn around point, so turn around and come back on the same way. Have fun. Be careful.
Last week my brain said "well since no one is coming I shall runneth the course myselfth". Apparently I was not quite acclimated to the 27 C. and ended up walking the climbs on the return, and along the way stopped to soak in the couple lil' cool, cool streams! Time 2:20.
Hop skip and jump forward to this Sunday and with a healthier 15 C, and a blood-caffeine level exceeding legal limits --1:52 or so. If anyone is out to run the new course drop me a line and I can add your time (or times of multiple attempts) to the list. Just like Strava eh?
Course Description: Start is at the normal intersection of the end of Bayer's Mill Road with the rail trail. Follow the double track (the old road, not the rail trail) to the river where the rusted car is. Turn right on the trail and head up to Skull Rock, but don't go to Skull Rock, keep right instead on the main trail. Follow the Admiral Lake Trail to the Cave, continuing to the Admiral Lake Lookoff. Keep left,going all the way to Turtle Brook, avoiding along the way the right turn short cut (marked Wilderness Trail) . Turn right at Turtle Brook (rather than turning left to exit the rail trail). Continuing along(avoid turning right for the shortcut back) until you come to the rather steep climb (most people will walk at least some of this hill). The hill continues to the sign "Lookoff". Keep right onwards more uphill to the actual lookoff, which is an exposed granite rock. That's the turn around point, so turn around and come back on the same way. Have fun. Be careful.
19/03/2013
2013 Musquodoboit Muffin Run
Cancelled due to very very low numbers of humans.
Sorry everyone if you were planning on this one, but I had so few pre registrants I canned this year's run. I couldn't afford the insurance and treats on the promise of just 3 people showing. Anyhow I will be there nine a.m. Saturday morning if anyone wants to join me for a friendly jog in the woods. Bring your own coffee and muffins though.
The Muffin Run takes place on Saturday, June 1st for 2013. Start time is the usual early'ish 9.a.m. Cost is $20, and you can register on the internet at Atlantic Chip, or $30 on the morning of at the start line.
Meet up is at the end of Bayer's Mill Road in Musquodoboit Harbour. This year's course is an out and back, and will not involve any of the railbed, as in the previous two years. It is very technically challenging, as most of you know from first hand experience. Lots of rocks, roots, hills, and as an added bonus this year... more hills and an additional spectacular view at the 15km runner's turnaround. 7.5 km runner's also have a spectacular view at their turnaround.
This year's theme is all about the Runner; that's you. As a Runner, you are asked to follow three golden rules of the trail.
1. Allow faster runners to pass.
2. If you want to pass someone, request to pass.
3. Write your own time down at the end.
Don't worry if you let someone pass, you can pass them back later in the run, once they've exhausted themselves. If someone is coming towards you, and you have not made it to your halfway mark, you must yield to them, because they are "faster".
In the name of safety, you must announce your request to pass, you can use such phrases as "passing on your left", or "passing on your right". Remember to save that extra bit of lung power to announce your intentions.
Speaking of saving energy, save just enough to walk up to the timing chip, and write down your name on the board in the sequence that you have finished. A timing device will be adjacent to the board, so please include your finishing time. See, it's all about You.
Muffins, coffee, and a selection of fruit to eat out of hand will be available at the finish.
Racing Strategies you may consider.
If you are a road specialist. You used to be able to hammer the hell out of the first 2km, and the last 2km and take advantage of your amazing turnover and blinding speed. And do it twice for each lap. Well you can still do it at the very start, and the very end, but not in the middle. My advice would be to give 'er in the first 30 to 40 minutes, which will put you at the top of Bayer's Lake Look off. There are lots of places to rev your motor up to here, but still, it's got those places will you will not really be running that fast. So relatively speaking the first quarter and the last quarter can be your friend.
If you are a downhill specialist. Your game starts at about 10 minutes in, after you pass "Rolling Stone". Here it just starts to get rolly, until just before the Cave, there's a little incline. Over the top of Bayer's Lake Look off is one sweet spot, as well as the insane aerial inducing run down to Turtle Brook. If you have nerves of steel and quads to match, you can make up gains on those road specialists above, who burnt their matches in the first couple km. Hint: Save some for the descent after the 15km turnaround point.
If you are an uphill specialist. There are at least 3 prime locations to let out your inner goat. The most significant is the hill section from Turtle Brook intersection up to the 15km turnaround. It goes on, and on, and on, until you hit the turnaround (don't forget to take a mental snapshot of the amazing view). If you can keep it together on the winding return descent, you turn immediately back on the climb up to Jessie's Diner. If you can take a couple positions here, you should be able to hold it, at least until you hit the Bayer's Lake Look off, a good place to gather your thoughts.
If you are a single track crack monkey. The trail abounds with very difficult "technical" features, such as gnarly exposed tree roots, oddly placed sharp abrasive stones, and a potpourri of rock-hoppable-gardens. After the first 2 km, the trail goes all technical immediately. I would go for the hole shot here, and get ahead of those you know may be more tentative running on tops of boulders. The twisty roller coaster trail that runs along Turtle Brook should cause you significant drooling and smiling.
Turtle Brook section (very shakey)
Sorry everyone if you were planning on this one, but I had so few pre registrants I canned this year's run. I couldn't afford the insurance and treats on the promise of just 3 people showing. Anyhow I will be there nine a.m. Saturday morning if anyone wants to join me for a friendly jog in the woods. Bring your own coffee and muffins though.
The Muffin Run takes place on Saturday, June 1st for 2013. Start time is the usual early'ish 9.a.m. Cost is $20, and you can register on the internet at Atlantic Chip, or $30 on the morning of at the start line.
Meet up is at the end of Bayer's Mill Road in Musquodoboit Harbour. This year's course is an out and back, and will not involve any of the railbed, as in the previous two years. It is very technically challenging, as most of you know from first hand experience. Lots of rocks, roots, hills, and as an added bonus this year... more hills and an additional spectacular view at the 15km runner's turnaround. 7.5 km runner's also have a spectacular view at their turnaround.
This year's theme is all about the Runner; that's you. As a Runner, you are asked to follow three golden rules of the trail.
1. Allow faster runners to pass.
2. If you want to pass someone, request to pass.
3. Write your own time down at the end.
Don't worry if you let someone pass, you can pass them back later in the run, once they've exhausted themselves. If someone is coming towards you, and you have not made it to your halfway mark, you must yield to them, because they are "faster".
In the name of safety, you must announce your request to pass, you can use such phrases as "passing on your left", or "passing on your right". Remember to save that extra bit of lung power to announce your intentions.
Speaking of saving energy, save just enough to walk up to the timing chip, and write down your name on the board in the sequence that you have finished. A timing device will be adjacent to the board, so please include your finishing time. See, it's all about You.
Muffins, coffee, and a selection of fruit to eat out of hand will be available at the finish.
Racing Strategies you may consider.
If you are a road specialist. You used to be able to hammer the hell out of the first 2km, and the last 2km and take advantage of your amazing turnover and blinding speed. And do it twice for each lap. Well you can still do it at the very start, and the very end, but not in the middle. My advice would be to give 'er in the first 30 to 40 minutes, which will put you at the top of Bayer's Lake Look off. There are lots of places to rev your motor up to here, but still, it's got those places will you will not really be running that fast. So relatively speaking the first quarter and the last quarter can be your friend.
If you are a downhill specialist. Your game starts at about 10 minutes in, after you pass "Rolling Stone". Here it just starts to get rolly, until just before the Cave, there's a little incline. Over the top of Bayer's Lake Look off is one sweet spot, as well as the insane aerial inducing run down to Turtle Brook. If you have nerves of steel and quads to match, you can make up gains on those road specialists above, who burnt their matches in the first couple km. Hint: Save some for the descent after the 15km turnaround point.
If you are an uphill specialist. There are at least 3 prime locations to let out your inner goat. The most significant is the hill section from Turtle Brook intersection up to the 15km turnaround. It goes on, and on, and on, until you hit the turnaround (don't forget to take a mental snapshot of the amazing view). If you can keep it together on the winding return descent, you turn immediately back on the climb up to Jessie's Diner. If you can take a couple positions here, you should be able to hold it, at least until you hit the Bayer's Lake Look off, a good place to gather your thoughts.
If you are a single track crack monkey. The trail abounds with very difficult "technical" features, such as gnarly exposed tree roots, oddly placed sharp abrasive stones, and a potpourri of rock-hoppable-gardens. After the first 2 km, the trail goes all technical immediately. I would go for the hole shot here, and get ahead of those you know may be more tentative running on tops of boulders. The twisty roller coaster trail that runs along Turtle Brook should cause you significant drooling and smiling.
Turtle Brook section (very shakey)
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