Sorry, we're closed

PHEW!  Well thank you all for your interest but entry to the 3rd annual Westwood Lake Solstice Marathon is closed for this year!  Not sure what happened - should probably have you fill out a survey or something - but interest this year as been really high - AWESOME!!
So for the rest of you - see you Wednesday. If you have requested an early start - PLEASE bring your HEADLAMP  Otherwise -I will let you know the trail conditions before the race - I hope, if I get off my heinie & go run the loop that is!  See you the 21st with your $5 & canned goods, your hydration pack & some snacks if you want to share & some clothes to change into after coz it gets cold at the lake in December.

One day left to register

Feeling a bit overwhelmed but excited about the fact that there are 20 TWENTY people who wanna run the 1/2!  Wowsa Yowsa!  So do me a favor, aright?  Remember
1 -  bring your own hydration coz our aid station is stationary & 10 k from itself.
2 - it is $5 & some canned goods & if you feel like sharing snacks - well do it! All proceeds go to local food bank - I don't take them home & stock my cupboards.
3 - the 1/2 distance is really 22 km.
4 - this is a groomed trail, with some hills (one big ol one) & it is open to the public, so most likely DOGS will be involved.
5 - THIS IS NOT A BOSTON QUALIFIER - bwah ha ah ha ha - ok, no one thought it was but I cracked myself up & it's late & I'm tired so there.
6.1 k - a lap around lake - hill first
10 k - 1 out & back to 5 k tree, hill last way
22.2 k - 2 laps with hill first, 1 out & back to 5k tree
42.2 k - 2 laps with hill first, 3 out & backs to 5k tree.
see you @ 8:30 to register unless you made other arrangements - you know who you are (well, so does anyone else if they look @ the October posting) (oooh big secret)

One Week!!!!

Wowee - so much activity (I know it is all relative, but last year I had 2 1/2ers so..) Ok ok - dear Angellos Glaros @ Glaros Studios can not go on like this. When he volunteered to make medals it was because we thought we would have a few fullers & a few 1/2ers - SO THIS CRAZINESS has got to stop!!!  No wait, don't get me wrong, I am delighted to have so many new entrants come & run around beautiful Westwood Lake & celebrate the winter solstice with us - but I have to have a registration deadline of tomorrow - Friday, Dec. 15 - so Ang can spend the weekend slaving over a hot studio (it's sorta like Bikram medals) & then have done with it - coz if you scroll down to the Holy Facebook entry you will notice that not only is Mr. Glaros a maker of medals, he is also running the 1/2 (he is not the president of hair club for men - FYI) - So send me an email by tomorrow if you want to run this - please & thank you!
So also why I am here I should mention that besides the fabulous Running Room  & Glaros Studios ( the man is a machine), I have gift certificates from Natural Edge Fitness & Nutrition & Old City Organics .  Modest yes but still!  I can now say local businesses are supporting this event & you can win a prize!
Finally - if you have questions about the course or anything please scroll down to past posts but also email me - it's ok - beasknee@gmail.com.  All to say - 1 week to go!!  Come run - come cheer - come with baking to share - come to chat - really, Westwood Lake is a beautiful place

less than 10 days!!!

Volunteers Still Needed!!!
Less than 10 days until the 3rd Annual Westwood Lake Solstice Marathon

In the midst of a registration mob SO PLEASE - if you do plan to run the 1/2 or the full let me know ASAP so we can plan accordingly.  We may be small but we still care & want you to have a pleasant running experience.
Angela: beasknee@gmail.com

Here comes Santa Claus!

Well December is upon us & so that means the Solstice approaches!! December 21 is coming up quick!  Hope your training has been going well & you are ready to rumble on the shortest day of 2011.  I ran the loop around the lake yesterday & am happy to report that the ground is softish from all the rain but not completely wrecked.  I will keep you posted as the date approaches.

 I have had some inquiries about an early start to the full and we are considering it, but I would like your input.  If you would prefer an early start please email me & let me know so I have an idea of the number - Angela - beasknee@gmail.com

I also would just like to take the opportunity to remind you that if you are planning to run this you need to let me know & you need to remember that this is a super low key event.  We have an aid station once every 10km (that's where the loop begins or ends or.. well, it meets up with the picnic table) Anyhoo - you should bring your own hydration pack - it can be filled @ the aid station but if you need more along the way, it is your responsibility.  We will have a few things to munch @ the aid station & there is a washroom too!

Also - this is a public park with an open trail so you will be sharing the trail with walkers & other runners & dogs & maybe even some bikers - just sayin'.  It is a groomed trail - stroller friendly with roots & rocks, but not completely flat & one pretty substantial incline that you do twice.

We will hopefully have a few gifties & there will be some super yummy chili & treats @ the finish & maybe I can scratch together a couple of sponsors - you never know

So there ya go - as the rocks in the lake say - peace, cherish...

looking forward to the 21st - see all you fullers & 1/2ers & anyone else - 

$5 suggested donation plus some canned goods - 9am start - 8:30 registration - oh brother - what AM I forgetting? Medals - oh yeah we got em!

PS  http://www.coasthotels.com/hotels/canada/bc/nanaimo/coast_bastion/overview

This is the Coast Inn info - they are not a sponsor but a nice hotel - some one requested the info - if you need a place to stay.  There are also a lot of motels on the old island highway & a nice guesthouse right downtown -  http://www.paintedturtle.ca/

Ang squared

I had a facebook conversation with Angellos Glaros, owner of Glaros Studios,
www.westcoastarts.com
the other day - here is an after the fact, loosely remembered summary

Ang F(me): Hey Ang, I saw your medals for the beer mile, they looked great. Wanna make some for the Solstice Marathon? We can't pay you.
Ang G: Maybe. I wouldn't want to spend too long on it though.
Ang F: No, you could do something quick, with scraps, whatever, last year we had paper flowers, the year before I sewed little pillows, so it doesn't have to be fancy or anything. I just thought it would be kinda cool.
Ang G: I have an idea, I'll be right back. Ok, they're done, wanna see them...

Ok, time may be compressed a little but not much! Ang got all inspired & BADA BING! We have medals this year made by Angellos Glaros & they are REALLY COOL!! And I will not show them until I want to, which will probably be when you cross the finish line. Then after the finishers get their bling, I will post a pic. I think I will not even show co-director Dawe, who is running this year, so she will have a surprise.
But even more exciting is that we have for the first time - 1/2 finisher medals!! How cool is that!! So come on out - run a full 42.2 km - or our special 1/2 (22km) - enjoy some friendly support & vegan chilli & last year I made vegan power truffles - no, they are really good!
Also - I suppose it is time to start putting the word out there that any
VOLUNTEERS are welcome!!
If you want to -
man the aid station for an hour
bring some baked goods or left over halloween candy
come & cheer
offer another running related service
why we would appreciate it greatly
just contact me!

Angela - beasknee@gmail.com
See you the 21st!

Walk a mile in another man's shoes

My last marathon, in May, ended up with me in hospital, electrolytes all akimbo and then I had 2 back to back contracts which required long hours & time away. So suffice to say I was not as trained as I would have liked to be for today's Moustache Marathon.
I was planning on running the 1/2 so I figured that even though I had not put in as much mileage as I had hoped I was gonna be ok. This, to me, was my triumphant return to running, in preparation for the Vancouver Full & hopefully, NYC in 2012.
Co-director Dawe & I hurried our way to the ferry, were met by the official brother & were welcomed in his home with tea & youtube vids. It was a nice relaxing pre-race evening. Then bed.
Then I went to put my chip on my shoes....my shoes? my shoes & my bag of running gear??? MY RUNNING GEAR!!! NOOOOOOO. Yes. The nightmare came true. I had come across on the last ferry without my running togs. The race started the next morning before any ferries or stores & I knew no one. I had a meltdown, the end to a rushed afternoon came crashing down on me. No shoes. No socks. No pants. No toque. No bra. Nothing.
I got no sleep.
I dreamed of vampires & telling the Dawes of my idiocy.
But then..
when I actually did tell brother Dawe, he & his wife & co-director Dawe rallied & found me an entire outfit & shoes to run in.
So today I did run 13 miles in another (wo)man's shoes. They were a little small & my feet are a bit sore. But I feel only tired (knock wood), not injured, and so very very happy about the day & the race & the kindness of strangers & friends & the fact that running is not about winning or losing or time always, sometimes it is about doing it & remembering how lucky we are to be able to.

Please join our little bit of running goodness on December 21 (see how I did that?)
9am
& call if you forgot anything - I live here & will probably be able to rustle up some gear.