Whole New World but it's still raining!

Our first (& last) Double is officially over!

Congrats to all the finishers of all the events !

Congrats to those who braved the rainy rain mcrain rain 

& ran at all!

And huge thanks all around for 2 days o running fun!!

Now to post today's results!  First though let me say it was CRAZY! And if you know this event you know it was coz of those pesky pesky CeeVacs! (Thank goodness for them all!)  We at Westwood Lake Marathon LOVE us some CeeVacs!

So here are the results - I am amazed at my new timing system mostly coz it worked! I added names & numbers to each tag so when a flock (gaggle? murder? is it only birds?) of runners comes in then I could keep track - last year, not so much!  So huzzah!  And since there was an advertised early start, then a medium start which the CeeVacs bullied me into, then a late starting CeeVac,then the advertised regular start, then poor Julien who was late from Gold River, well..but SUCCESS was mine!!

Full - listed by time!

#1 - George Clark!!!  Winner of the marathon at 4:06.  Winner of the Double!!  And just a swell guy with a swell family - thanks so much Clark family!!

#2 - Julien Menard -4:13-  all the way from Gold River - started 30 minutes late, finished 2nd time wise!!  His first marathon!! (Not sure he knows there are easier ones to choose as a first one!)

#3 - Jason Bowman - 4:19 - ok - so Jason & his entire extended family joined us under the tent for chili - another great supportive family - hooray!  But how weird is this - of the 2 days worth of entrants (less than 50 after all) & organizers, 4 people had been in NYC for the non marathon this year - WOW! Right? Jason, George, Sheila & myself.  Oh wait, results, right...

#4 - Mylisa Edison - 5:39 - HUZZAH!  Our girl Mylisa runs the double using rice as fuel ala Scott Jurek!  But the other cool thing is she smiled the whole time (my people tell me she smiled on the other side too, not just when she saw me!)

Now I must mention that I had 2 DNFers, Sheila Dawe & Stacy Wallington.  Running this marathon, around this lake trail, in these conditions isn't really all that easy & these runners had both done that very thing YESTERDAY, only the conditions were way worse.    But today was also a cold wet slog - so I personally think they are amazing & I am proud that they listened to their bodies & did what they needed to do.  So thanks & congrats!

Half - listed by time!

#1 - Damien Allen - 1:36

#2 - Katy Wallington - 2:09

#3 - Sheron Chrysler - 2:10 (she came 5 minutes after all the other CeeVacs & still smoked them.  Uh oh!)

#4 - David Vanderlinde - 2:12

#5 - Lisa de Lusignan - 2:23

#6 -James Griffin- 2:23(the rebel rouser!)(he just ran a quad in November - that's 4 in 4 days!)

#7 - Catherine Macey - 2:26

#8 - Kelly Schellenberg - 2:28

#9 - Glenn Goodwin - 2:32

#10 - Kim Rodger - 2:36

#11 - Andrea Thomson - 2:36

#12 - Danna Hadden - 3:25

And of course, a big gianormous thank you to all the volunteers!

Alan Medcalf - indespensible chef de pancake

Deirde Glaros

Angellos Glaros

Catherine Campbell

Neil Gallagher - chili master

Beatrix Gallagher

Dale Luxford

Dr Jess Reed & her whole cookie baking family

The Running Room

Anne Heyes

The Wee Cupcakery

Crystal Hanson - designer & creator of this year's coveted gear!

As for next year, well I can not tell you all how much I love hosting this event.  My own personal future is a little topsy turvy at the moment but I do hope to be able to continue with our little marathon.  I meet really cool people, get to help people challenge themselves & all the while raising money & food for the food bank - what is not to love.  Thank you all!  

We're still standing!!

CONGRATS TO ALL OF TODAY"S END OF THE WORLD RUNNERS!!!

The world may not have ended and we experienced not asteroid showers nor 999 degree temperatures, but we did have wind, sleet, snow, rain - mud, ice, no tears.  Well done steadfast runners!  You truly ran out the end of the world!

It's rainy & mucky up there at Westwood but I'll be there tomorrow with vegan chili & cocoa & pancakes - so come on up!  Please let me know if you know you aren't coming.  And although I have no right  - if you wanted to pay anyway - you surely can - email for my snail mail

beasknee@gmail.com

So today's times are loosey goosey & as follows!

FULL MARATHON (There's only 5 so you can figure the order out - I listed them by bib number)

3.Quentin Proud - DNF or 2:07 for 22km - went back to help his partner - squee!

4. George Clark - 3:36 - smoking under crappy conditions & recovering from food poisoning! And coming back for more tomorrow!

5. Stacy Wallington - 4:27 - working through some cramps & shining through! Back tomorrow for more!

6. Sheila Dawe - 6:00 - hot off Birch Bay & a maniac for tomorrow too!!

7. Mylilsa Edison - 5:22 - a marathon a month this lady has been running!  And another tomorrow!!

8. Bob Wall - 4:01 - whose finishing words were "That was fun!"  And gracious Bob shared much insight on the trails today - an ultra guy! And promised to send pictures as I took NONE - (fail!)

1/2 MARATHON (listed by time)

2:16 - Susan Miller

2:20 - Scott Speakman (coming back for roound 2, but amping it to a full!)

2:22 - Breanna Curnow

2:30 - Tracy McKeown

2:30 - Jessica Krippendorf Kirby

2:49 - Wendy Williams

2:49 - Colleen van der Heide (19k)
3:07 - Sandra Clark

3:09 - Susan Marshall

3:09 - Wendy Marshall

Thank you to all the great runners who make this worth while!  Thanks to our small but dedicated team of volunteers & donors - 

Alan Medcalf

Neil Gallagher

Beatrix Gallagher

Sheila Dawe

Catherine Campbell

Angellos Glaros

Dale Luxford 

The Running Room

A Wee Cupcakery

And thanks to those who stopped by, did not run, but paid anyway - it all goes to a good cause - even better when I don't have to go out of pocket!

See you all tomorrow!!  Come rain or come meteor!

Here's what I'm gonna do

So - got back into Nanaimo last night - through BC blizzards, the scary Kokahalla,  torrential Vancouver downpour & choppy ferry crossing - to sloppy sloppy Vancouver Island.
I just ran the route - I was gonna post pictures of each kilometre to let you all know the conditions but then I just figured ....
There is no good kilometre. As my friend Richard would say - it's cookie dough out there.  While it did not seem dangerous per se it is sloppy & wet, slippy bits on some down hills, snowy patches. But I also so a few runners & a couple of walkers SO...
The race is a go.
If you want to come, I will be here.  I am an enabler.
FYI -
I did not wear yak trax or spikes or cleats or anything & was fine - but there is patchy, sometimes ankle deep, slushy snow through out the course.  It was not frozen.
km 1 - The hill - If you run from the start line (mucky) through the parking lot (fine) then watching out for Deirdre's pole, you will go on the cookie dough path up the cookie dough hill & you will do this again the next time around.  I walked a lot of it.   It is not frozen but sloppy.  There are roots & rocks & things that you can not see. Use caution on the downhill.
km 2 - Sloppy & ankle deep but trod upon in the open areas - I would think it will be even more worn by tomorrow.
km 3 - The flat back area - patchy snow - some fallen branches
km 4 - the same
km 5 - some muddy bits too
km 6 - in the end I cut across the parking lot once I got to the final clearing approaching the aid table.  Use your best judgement.

Early start is at 7:30 am - I'll be there around 7 to sign you in.  BRING HEADLAMPS - 1st lap will be darker.  Please bring exact change. ($15) Regular start @ 9am - again come early to sign up.  Bathrooms are open - there is water available there as well to fill packs.
Plan accordingly - it is mucky out there - you might want to bring your cleats or cramp ons - - but exercize caution - it was never a super easy course, now it has snow & slush - so.
If you have a cell phone - bring it.  Handy for the back side. I will give you my number if you ask.

SAFETY FIRST!!!  Remember - if the world does end tomorrow, then your time does not matter.  If the world does NOT end, then your time still doesn't matter coz this ain't no Boston Qualifier!
See you tomorrow!!

A plea for....

Please be patient & remember that this is a small time affair and the race director & the race director's daughter have both been fighting a flu, in a northern BC town, in the middle of a snowfall warning & it's snowed in Nanaimo. So when you come on Friday & Saturday (if there is one), come expecting a low key, friendly event without a lot of fan fare or hoopla -  the 1st year the medals were hand sewn quilty things (just saying) Trying to get it all together from a distance is not as easy as all that, then to get hit by a bad ol bug, THEN to be inundated with more snow than I have seen in 13 years - well... patience is all I ask. Thank you & it's coming up sooooooOOOOOOoooooon!

The End!

I have had several requests (3 actually) that came after an event was filled - so I put them on a waiting list & have made my decision.  With the addition of these last 3 runners, all events are officially CLOSED!!  Last 3 runners, I give no guarantee that you will get a medal or secret gear, but I will try. So this is it, this is the end, my friends.

All events are now officially CLOSED!!

Friday, Dec 21- End of the World
1/2 -CLOSED!!
1.Rachel Kimler
2.Darcie Davidson
3.Jessica Krippendorf Kirby
4.Tracy McKeown
5.Susan Miller
6.Breanna Curnow
7.Scott Speakman
8.Sandra Clark
9.Sheron Chrysler
10.Anne Heyes-early start
11.Colleen van der Heide
12.Wendy Williams
13.Gene Wray
14.Susan Marshall
15.Wendy Marshall
16. Charlie Western
17. Jenny Taylor
Full -CLOSED!!
1.Peggy Sherwood
2.James Griffin - early start
3.Quentin Proud
4.George Clark
5. Stacy Wallington
6.Sheila Dawe - early start
7.Mylisa Edison - early start
8.Bob Wall
Saturday, Dec 22-Whole New World
1/2 - ALL CLOSED!
1.Katy Wallington
2.Glenn Goodwin
3.Sheron Chrysler
4.David Vanderlinde
5.Kelly Schellenberg
6.Lisa de Lusignan
7.Catherine Macey
8.Andrea Thomson
9.James Griffin
10.Danna Hadden
11.Susan Marshall
12.John W. Berger
13.Kim Rodger
14.Damian Allen

Full - FULL!
1.Mylisa Edison - early start
2.Peggy Sherwood
3.Rob McWilliam
4. Scott Speakman
5.George Clark
6.Stacy Wallington
7.Sheila Dawe - early start
8.Adam McConnell
9.Julien Menard
10.Janet Green
11.Jason Bowman

Please show up to the 1st parking lot of Westwood Lake early, to sign your registration form, pay (exact change please!! $15), pee & all that stuff.  There are no timing chips, this is NOT a Boston Qualifier, there will be pancakes @ the finish.
If you are planning an early start - please let me know & bring a headlamp for that 1st lap.
Bring your own hydration & nutrition - although we have some, this is a small event - please look after yourself!
email me if you have questions - Angela @ beasknee@gmail.com
bring canned goods! bring warm clothes for after! bring baked goods to share!  Let's end the world in style!

The Registration List thus far

My morning was spent shoveling snow.  I tried to go for a run but realized that even getting up @ 5am, running by 6 am, that it would not leave me enough time to make breakfasts & get ready for school/ work & SHOVEL SNOW.  Then, while I was shoveling snow, I realized it is my week to shovel snow @ work.

So.

After 13 years on the island & maybe 4 times shoveling, I am back @ it.  The novelty is beginning to wear off.  It is only just December.  I have the whole winter here in Prince George with which to contend. I look forward to my 2 weeks of rain in Nanaimo.

But who knows, there may be snow in Nanaimo.  There may be rain. (Probably). There will likely be wind.  Please dress accordingly.  Bring a blankie or warm clothes for after.  Check the weather before you come.  Small event - you are your own responsibility. (I think Ben Franklin said that).

Ok - here's the list of the 2 days of events - correct me if I'm wrong!

Friday, Dec 21- End of the World
1/2 -CLOSED!!
1.Rachel Kimler
2.Darcie Davidson
3.Jessica Krippendorf Kirby
4.Tracy McKeown
5.Susan Miller
6.Breanna Curnow
7.Scott Speakman
8.Sandra Clark
9.Sheron Chrysler
10.Anne Heyes-early start
11.Colleen van der Heide
12.Wendy Williams
13.Gene Wray
14.Susan Marshall
15.Wendy Marshall
Full - ONE SPOT LEFT!
1.Peggy Sherwood
2.James Griffin
3.Quentin Proud
4.George Clark
5. Stacy Wallington
6.Sheila Dawe
7.Mylisa Edison
8.Bob Wall
9.Tami Beales
10.                                                                 
Saturday, Dec 22-Whole New World
1/2 - ALL CLOSED!
1.Katy Wallington
2.Jessica Reed
3.Sheron Chrysler
4.David Vanderlinde
5.Kelly Schellenberg
6.Lisa de Lusignan
7.Catherine Macey
8.Andrea Thomson
9.James Griffin
10.Danna Hadden
11.Susan Marshall
12.John W. Berger
13.Kim Rodger
14.Damian Allen
15.Glenn Goodwin
Full - FULL!
1.Mylisa Edison
2.Peggy Sherwood
3.Rob McWilliam
4. Scott Speakman
5.George Clark
6.Stacy Wallington
7.Sheila Dawe
8.Adam McConnell
9.Julien Menard
10.Janet Green

Early Start! Math talk!

Please notice changes -  -1 Full spot left on 21, 1 Full spot left on 22nd -anyone? anyone? testing testing is this thing on??

We only have 2 spots left - 1 on the 21st, 1 on the 22nd - so hurray up y'all!
 Also - I have had some requests for early start - here's the deal!
  
7:30 am - early start - any event - any day

*come before 7:30 to fill out forms & pay registration fees (PLEASE EXACT CHANGE)(I can do math at that early in the morning but I may not wanna) (of course you can always donate MORE than $15 as a gesture of goodwill....) 
* Bring a headlamp for that 1st lap - it is wooded & may be dark
* So my acme method of accounting for laps was developed by runners who know what it means to do math after a few kms (this is a very math-centric post) SO - when you come to the aid table - make sure you give your patent pending lap tag to myself or one of the volunteers (here's hoping!)- this is particularly important when early start & multi-distance is involved.
* Also please remember this is a low key event so have hydration & nutrition & be prepared.

Warm clothes for after are always a plus!  

If you like to share Xmas baking, then do so!

Bring canned goods - see link to most needed list on last post! 

You know tomorrow is the 1st of December, right??? YOU do the MATH!! (see how I did that??)

ALMOST FULL

It' s true - all events are almost full
My elves are beginning to get busy making the secret things they are making.  I just wanted to take the time to update some stuff
All distances are $15.
If you would like to supplement that $15 with more money or canned goods or baked goods & goodies for the aid station or volunteering at the aid station - please feel free!!
This is a small event which promotes running & community & something to do that is nice other than wear ugly sweaters & suck back rum balls. (although you can run & do that too!)

http://hampervillenanaimo.org/index.php?p=1_10_Items-Most-Needed

So do come on out - bring your friends - have fun!!
If you haven't registered - might wanna do so soon!

The BIG DAY(UPDATED)

Yeah - but not really that big - but the MEDIUM DAY! pulls less weight. So..
Believe me when I say I have thought about this a lot.  Here's what I thunk.
I want to keep this a small, homegrown event - SO
Bring your own hydration - there is still only the 1 aid station with some treats & water & first aid.
There will be some people who have 1st aid out on the course but when you are on the other side of the 6.2 km lake, you may be alone.
So again - SMALL EVENT
I have to put a cap on it this year.  Last year the event grew & became a bit overwhelming for my small troop of minions & myself - SO
CAPS
Each day will have 25 runners total.
10 full marathoners
15 1/2 marathoners
When you are signing up - please specify which distance & which date you will be running.  You can run both dates- but hurry!

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
 This year I have had to raise the cost of the entry fees to cover supplies & insurance etc.
I do not get paid - I made this event up & I volunteer - so don't get all "rage against the man" about this, coz dude, I ain't no man & I will be there all day, both days, stirring your tasty vegan finish line chili & giving you cheers.
And all the money & canned goods we collect goes to the local food bank!
REGISTRATION FEES 
Dec 21 - 
1/2 marathon - $15
full marathon - $15
Dec 22 - 
1/2 marathon - $15
full marathon - $15
ok ok wait now 1/2ers - before you get all uppity again & like - how come I have to pay the same as those fullers?  Here's why & it isn't just so I don't have to put on my cypherin hat - you may run less but you eat a lot & there's more of you - so it all equals out & if that doesn't cut it - then it's because I say so.  It all goes to the food bank - around the holidays - COME ON - quit whining!!
But if really & truly this represents a hardship for you -please contact me & we can arrange something.  
Or if you are feeling generous - you can kick in a bit more coz really it all goes to a good cause & the world may either end the next day or just be starting all over again - SO 

To register
Please email me- Angela @ beasknee@gmail.com 

Include your full name, which distance & date & WESTWOOD LAKE MARATHON in the subject line.
If you think you already registered but don't see your name below or there's a question mark by it, it's because you did not tell me the day you plan to run - or did not give me a full name -  or I made a mistake



Friday, Dec 21- End of the World
1/2 -CLOSED!!
1.Rachel Kimler
2.Darcie Davidson
3.Jessica Krippendorf Kirby
4.Tracy McKeown
5.Susan Miller
6.Breanna Curnow
7.Scott Speakman
8.Sandra Clark
9.Sheron Chrysler
10.Anne Heyes-early start
11.Colleen van der Heide
12.Wendy Williams
13.Gene Wray
14.Susan Marshall
15.Wendy Marshall
Full - ONE SPOT LEFT!
1.Peggy Sherwood
2.James Griffin
3.Quentin Proud
4.George Clark
5. Stacy Wallington
6.Sheila Dawe
7.Mylisa Edison
8.Bob Wall
9.Tami Beales
10.
Saturday, Dec 22-Whole New World
1/2 - ALL CLOSED!
1.Katy Wallington
2.Jessica Reed
3.Sheron Chrysler
4.David Vanderlinde
5.Kelly Schellenberg
6.Lisa de Lusignan
7.Catherine Macey
8.Andrea Thomson
9.James Griffin
10.Danna Hadden
11.Susan Marshall
12.John W. Berger
13.Kim Rodger
14.Damian Allen
15.Glenn Goodwin
Full - FULL!
1.Mylisa Edison
2.Peggy Sherwood
3.Rob McWilliam
4. Scott Speakman
5.George Clark
6.Stacy Wallington
7.Sheila Dawe
8.Adam McConnell
9.Julien Menard
10.Janet Green

You pay when you get to Westwood Lake (exact change please)(cash only) - you will out a form - so come earlier than 9am.  If there is demand, I will probably have an early start again this year - let me know.  And the caps MAY be flexible BUT there is no guarantee you will get swag if you are over the limit.
YES THERE IS SWAG!! 
NO T-SHIRTS (I have too many, so no shirt for you, but I will write on your own t-shirt if you want!)
COOL SECRET OFFICIAL RACE GEAR!
MEDALS!
GOODY BAGS!
PRIZES!
CHILI!
PANCAKES!!
FUN!
Please let me know if you are interested & see you for the end of the world!
***The CEE VACS are coming! The CEE VACS are coming!***
Update!!  I have added all the registrants I have so far to the list - going like hotcakes!  Please contact me if I made an error (highly likely I did)
Also we are always accepting treats for the aid station - things to share, baked goods, chips, grapes, soda, left over Halloween candy - it's all good!  Also looking for volunteers & prize donations!  If you have a small business that would like to donate a prize or service, please contact me
Angela - beasknee@gmail.com
And just to clarify, the full is 2 laps(6.1 km) around Westwood lake, hill 1st, followed by 3 out & backs to a marked 5km tree.  The 1/2 is a 22 km route consisting of the 2 laps around the lake (6.1km, hill 1st) followed by 1 lap to a marked 5km tree & back.  Also it is a public, groomed trail. So dogs & kids & walkers & bikes are all allowed to be there.  There is one pretty decent hill that you will run twice.
 http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-20_metric_e.html

Sorry for the late updates
Busy - as are we all this time of year (ok ok all the times of year)
So NEXT WEEK I will decide how much the reg fees are going up - no worries - not lots,
not like the big ol fancy schmancy marathons but then we don't have the support teams or merch or aid stations or general costs of the big boys.

If you are planning to sign up remember these things -

It is a multi-lap run around a well groomed trail.
It is open to the public so dogs & kids & their bikes & peeps will be there.
It is up to you to bring a hydration pack & fuel as the meagerly stocked aid station is once every 6 or 10 km (depending on which lap you are on).
There is one washroom - next to the aid staion.
There are people with 1st aid who are running as well, but when you are on the back side of the lake, you might be on your own for a km or 2.
It is a 6.1km loop.

We want you to come & have a good ol time & try some tasty vegan chili & regular ol pancakes after.
There will be medals!
New this year - there will be a cap! (Details next week, but I'm keeping it small folks)
There might be 2 marathons - I'm planning the 2nd but if the world ends, I reserve to right to cancel it.
So - mark your calendars
Dec. 21 9am
Dec 22 - 9am
FULL MARATHONORAMA!!
(1/2 available as well)
Interested?
Email me
Angela - beasknee@gmail.com
Make sure you put Westwood Lake Marathon in title so I don't delete your spammy self.

Thanks & until next week - stock up on your end of the world supplies!

It's a whole new world marathon

Announcing the 1st annual (& most likely only one ever) Whole New World Marathon!!  That's right - we're gonna do it!!

SO 9 am start Dec 21 - End of the World Solstice marathon

9am start Dec 22 - Whole New world marathon!!

It's a double!!!
Come on Manaics - spend the end & beginning of the world in beautiful BC, Canada
Yes, there will be a half option too!!

Details to come as the end of the world grows nigh - so mark your calendars, don't run out of room

2012

Way too early to start thinking about it all BUT next year's 4th annual Solstice Marathon will be on Dec 21, 2012!!(the end of the Mayan calendar)  We are thinking of following the good folks in Texas & hosting the day after the end of the world marathon on the 22nd of Dec.  What say ye?  Anyone up for a double?  Hmmm - maniacs?  If the world ends on the 21 - a great way to spend the last day is running a marathon.  If the world still exists on the 22nd - well hell yeah - who wouldn't want to mark that occasion with a marathon??  Is it the end of the world as we know it? Do we feel fine???  Let's find out shall we?? Details to come - but the Dec 21 race will be pretty similar to the other 3 but will most likely cost more (not like lots more but some more) (pancakes are not free people!)  So tell your friends & mark all the calendars -

Dec 21

9am start

8:30 registration

Westwood Lake

Nanaimo BC