New magazine

We now have our very own running magazine here in Canada in case you have not seen it.
The first issue is on the news stands.
The cover story is a Q&A with middle distance runner Hilary Stellingweff and her bid to get to Beijing.
The magazine website is here.

Put the screws to ice

We get a lot of questions about our footing while running on the trail in icy conditions.

The secret is the simple stainless steel metal screws we use on the bottom of our shoes. We use half-inch hex head screws in either size #8 or #10, the later being the larger sized head.
One package of the screws will give you more then enough screws for a single pair of shoes.
The hex shape of the head give more edges to grip the ice.
You will probably still slip just not as often that's for sure.


When driving the screws into the bottom of your shoes, be sure to keep the screws to the outter edge where you will not go through the sole and find yourself running on the sharp point where it has come through.

The outter edge of the sole should keep you outside the area where your foot comes to rest.
I find the best way to drive the screws is using a hex-nut driver for a cordless drill. It drives the screws much faster. I DO NOT RECOMMEND USING A SLOTTED SCREW DRIVER DESPITE THE SLOT IN THE SCREWS.










Another alternative would be a nut driver similar to a screw driver but having a socket head. It is harder to use but will work. Screws will come out from time to time but are much cheaper then Yak Trax which I have had come off. I have run on pavement with them without much trouble. Yak Trax can be damaged doing so.
Matt Carpenter offers some similar information on his page here.

Fun Run Photos

Some photos from a recent Fun Run although I have to admit there does not seem to be many people RUNNING!
Thanks to Phil McColl for the photos and of course Dieter Scholz for the excellent aid station.



















Common Jim catch up!

They're done

Sharon Zelinski finished second overall and first woman in the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail 118 Mile Run in Florida in a time of 27 hours or so.
John Turner got to 55 miles before the heat and humidity got to him.
Fifteen runners started the race with only about five finishing.
The heat and humidity took their toll on the even Florida runners who were acclimatized.

Friends in Florida

While most of us continue to fight with the snow this weekend, John Turner (seen here on his last 100-km training run) and Sharon Zeliniski (who unfortunately I did not have a photo for) are running the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail 118 Mile Run in Florida.
Turner holds the race record after winning the inaugural race last year. This year the race is being run in the opposite direction around the outside of the lake and without some of the construction that caused minor detours.
Unfortunately the race is a low-key affair and results are not posted on line. There's not even a race website.
Results will be posted when John calls after finishing.

View Larger Map

Trail conditions

The trail was nice today, especially since the sun was out.
The footing was a little dangerous with crisp loose snow on top over uneven ice beneath.
The hidden roughness could lead to some ankle turning.
There were several deer out and I saw at least one Cardinal.
There is one small sapling leaning leaning way down over the trail on the way up Headwaters to the farmer's field and there is still a large tree across the trail on the way down. All other obstacle have been removed now.

OUS Coat's Price Announced

The OUS coats I mentioned in an earlier blog entry will be $65 plus tax and shipping (about $8). The ordering process is still being finalized.
There may be some accommodation for orders that will be picked up rather then shipped. More on that as it becomes available.
The plan is to have examples of the coats at the Around the Bay Road Race to be tried on. They will come in women and men's sizings.

Speaking of Around the Bay Road Race, the 30-km distance is now totally full. There are still some openings apparently in the 5-km distance.

Good footing today until....

The trail had some good footing, especially on the main, portions this morning early.
But then the rain came.
We were off the trail before the rain and warming temperatures had any real chance to become a factor. While the temperatures were supposed to rise above freezing today they are supposed to drop again for tomorrow. Things could turn to a skating rink with the melting and freezing.
I was not up the Headwater Trail section today and am waiting to hear from someone who did go up how it is.

Another training video

OUS jackets

The Ontario Ultra Series organizers are looking at the purchase of running jackets featuring the OUS logo on the front of the jacket.
The jackets would come in male and female sizing with the longer tail in the back with a draw string hem. There is also a pocket located on the back but it does not come with the web belt for folding the coat into the pocket and wearing around your waist.
The jackets are produced by Niko Apparel Systems in Hamilton and be similar to other running jackets offered on the market.
The costs of the jacket will depend on the number ordered (those details are yet to be worked out) but should be $70-75.
The jackets will be available to try on at the OUS booth at the Around The Bay Road Race trade expo. I will post more details here as they become available.

New BIG Obstacles

The trail started off looking beautiful this morning. The valley was coated in a coat of beautiful white snow.
Unfortunately there are several new obstacles on the Headwater Trail portion.
There is a small evergreen tree bent over across the trail heading up to the farmer's field. On the way down from the field on the western edge of the loop, a huge tree now blocks the trail.
There is also a second tree across the trail leading from Martin's Road to the gultch or cut.
As the day went on, the falling snow turned a heavy, wet near rain. The rising temperatures made the footing tough going. It would have been a great day to be off the trails by 11:30 or so instead of the 2:30 p.m. we death marched on until!!!
The weather forecast has changed from brutally cold for Sunday or only bitingly so. It may end up setting the snow making the footing less slippery but could also make for some hardened snow ankle turners.....

The valley is beautiful!

The heavy snow fall Friday as turned the valley into a winter wonderland.
It also has turned the trails into tough slogging in some spots during the early going today.
The thick blanket of snow is covering ice in some areas.
If it stays warm and the traffic stays high the way it was today, the snow should be packed down nicely. The forecast is calling for some cooler temperatures however.
The parking lot at the pool house on Jerseyville Road was not plowed this morning and people were parking on the road which was dangerous. They were also blocking the entrance to the parking lot if a plow showed up to clear it.....

Trail Runningt: Getting started video

Snow might be a blessing....

While I am sitting at home cursing shoveling the snow in front of my house, it actually may be a blessing in disguise.
It has been said what sets us apart from the animals is our ability to learn from our mistakes. Apparently I do not catch on as quickly.
Last year during a run, I shortened the laces in my shoes by not running them through the bottom eyes on the shoes. It allowed my toes to spread out in the shoes a little. The problem was it left me with huge loops in the laces.
While running that day, John said one minute I was there. The next I was gone.
I had managed to hook one foot through the loop of the lace on the other shoe.
Down I went, hard!
Fast forward to Thursday when I went out to try out a new pair of shoes.
They are probably a little big on me. I have a small volume foot.
The laces pulled tight for fit, left huge loops.
Guess what?
Yes, down I went again. This time the ground was frozen solid and was quite rough where I went down (right by the camp site on the Red Loop). Think sidewalk with small peddles on top!
I ruined a great pair of tights and brand new pair of gloves in the crash.
I'm hoping the snow will offer some cushioning on Saturday when I head back.
The temperature has been rising all day so it should be good and tacky (the snow).
The first section of trail from the pool house was still ice covered Thursday before the snow and it was very difficult footing. The snow should help.

Looking for someone to run with?

Alf Khoen is the coordinator for a group who call themselves the "Ancaster Acorns".
We are a loose group of runners, mostly from the Ancaster area, who loves trail running," says Alf.
"We are mid-pack runner with a primary interest in social running rather then racing. Depending on time restraints and ability, we start as a group and run from 10 km to a couple of hours. Anyone willing to join us on the trails is very welcome to run with us."
You can reach Alf for more information at akoehn@cogeco.ca