Race Day Recap: Cinnamon Bun Fun Run 2012

December 2nd marked the eighth annual Cinnamon Bun Fun Run in Ladysmith and my first time tasting the Old Town Bakery cinnamon buns that the race is famous for. The race isn't only famous for the delicious cinnamon buns, hot chocolate, and coffee provided at the finish, of course! The Ladysmith Striders Running Group created the Cinnamon Bun Fun Run and it has since become one of the largest fundraisers for the Ladysmith Food Bank, really highlighting the generosity of the community every year.

Frontrunners was very proud to sponsor the event this year and many familiar Nanaimo faces showed up to support the Ladysmith community. In fact, this year was the most successful ever, boasting 492 walkers and runners from as far away as Victoria, Port Alberni, and Campbell River. These generous participants donated over 4,000 pounds of food and raised over $1,300 in cash for the Ladysmith Food Bank!

The run is also unique because in addition to a 10K or 5K route to choose from, the race is a predicted time event. This means it is not necessarily the individual with the fastest time who wins the race, but the one who comes closest to their predicted finishing time who wins (and there are no watches or heart rate monitors allowed!).

Nancy ran the course this year while I had a great time chatting to everyone at the water table and watching people come through the finish line. I know many of you actually beat your predicted time and exceeded your own expectations, which was really great to see. I also handed out the Frontrunners sponsored prizes at the awards ceremony after the race. These prizes included 10 water bottles filled with $20.00 gift certificates, two brand new pairs of shoes, and a $250.00 gift card! I have already seen several of the winners in the store, spending their prizes! Congratulations to all the participants this year and a big thank you to all the volunteers and organizers, and the town of Ladysmith. Without you this event wouldn't have been such a huge success.

Next year's Cinnamon Bun fun Run is already on my calendar!

This was also shared with Frontrunners Nanaimo.

Race Day Recap: Gunner Shaw 2012

SB: "Great job today! Can't believe we've done it for 3 years now!"

Three years at the Gunner Shaw. It seems like a tradition now and it is one of my favorite events for precisely that reason....and maybe a few others.

The popular autumn race winds it's way through approximately 10 kilometers of beautiful trail, including much of the Thetis Lake loop. Boasting a trail full of roots, rocks, shoe sucking mud, and two infamous puddles (puddle #2 was measured at 1 meter before the race!!), this course showcases some pretty awesome single track. The views are also worth looking up for, as you pass by Thetis Lake and run through some of the spectacular coastal rain-forest that the southern island is known for. If you are not a local, this race is a great one to give you a taste of wet, autumn running on the island, and if you are a local, you should definitely come out and play in your own backyard! 

The atmosphere is also worth showing up for as participants are excited to start their winter running season by getting muddy! The start line always vibrates with energy. The course is perfectly marked (I don't even think I could get lost....which is really saying something) and marshaled by volunteers (who cheer you on, by the way!! This is really appreciated!). For the grand finale the course forces you off the beach and into the lake for the final few seconds, making for a ridiculously wet finish (and allowing you to rinse off some of the mud). Your name is announced as you cross the line and hot soup and hot chocolate are usually provided.

In addition, all race proceeds go to the Harriers Foundation projects (over $250,000 has been raised towards foundation projects in Victoria, including 5 major scholarships and bursaries at UVic and Camosun College). It's nice to know your registration fee went to a worthy cause. This year, a moment of silence was observed for Ken Smythe, a lifetime member of the Prairie Inn Harriers who passed away last December. His dedication to the community was commemorated with a $10,000.00 cheque to the University of Victoria to establish a new cross country bursary in his name. 

There were all types of runners on the course, from past Ironman champions to those new to racing. A huge congratulations is in order for all participants, especially the top male and female finishers, Jasper Blake, in 35:35, and Claire Morgan, in 41:57. Of special note is Frontrunners very own Byron Trajan, finishing in an impressive time of 37:13. What I found to be especially inspiring were those people who were attempting the Gunner Shaw for their very first time. There were definitely some personal records set on the course that day!

So, did I meet my sub 60 goal? ....No, I did not. I finished in 01:07:45 (results were provided by Race Day Timing) and if I can be perfectly honest, I am disappointed in my time. In reality though, all that means is that I need to take a hard look at my training (or lack of) and revise a new plan for next year. I'm pretty sure some of my co-workers can help me with that! I know that sub 60 is in there somewhere...

More race details can be found on the Prairie Inn Harriers website.

This post was also shared on the Log, Frontrunners Nanaimo's new blog!

Wiping the Floor Clean

At CrossFit Nanaimo, as customary in most if not all CrossFit boxes worldwide, black rubber is laid on the floor and sidewalk chalk is provided should we want to write down the WOD or our reps and sets. I always write this information down as I have found when I am facing the intensity of a WOD, there is no way I can also keep track of my reps (or any other information in that case). I have also taken to photographing the chalk on the floor to remind me what work I have done that day, and posting the pictures to show others my MOVEment.

After the class I take the spray and a mop and wipe the floor clean. At first this seemed a shame to wipe away the record of all the work I had just completed....as if it didn't mean anything at all. But now I realize there is a therapeutic analogy to be taken from this. No matter how hard the workout, no matter what effort I put in that day, it needs to be the best I can offer in that moment. Because I won't have another chance at that moment. Because it all gets wiped clean afterwards.

This is akin to living in the moment. We must give our best in that moment, give whatever we are capable and comfortable giving, because we don't know what opportunities or hardship may lay in front of us.

And tomorrow is another day. This is reassuring because if I don't reach my goal, there is no failure. I just need to try again tomorrow. All that work and all that effort will need to happen the next day. and the one after that. We can always have chances to improve, if we take them.

The two ideas seem contradictory: live in the moment because that's all we have and you will always have another chance to improve.

But that is the reality of life, is it not?

That Uncomfortable Feeling

sprinting. hanging onto a bar. completing one last burpee.

You know that feeling? The one where you are physically exhausted and you really want to stop? The one that's kind of uncomfortable?

I use to shy away from that feeling a lot. It is probably the main reason I've always gravitated towards endurance sports instead of power or explosive sports. I don't like that feeling. When my body gets tired, I want to stop. I've talked about this before in relation to the effort I put into a really hard workout. I put in a solid 95%. Yup. 95. Never 100. I would like to be stronger and I would like to be faster, but I've realized the only way I am going to make those gains is to get used to that uncomfortable feeling.

And that kind of scares me, but lately, I am finding that I want to push through it. Until Crossfit I had no idea how to push through that feeling or that I should even bother trying to. But the daily WOD is changing my perspective. I am now choosing heavier weights and completing the movements faster, making my workouts even harder than they used to be. Today was a perfect example.

This WOD was tough. I have never cleaned more than 55lbs before, so the idea of cleaning and pressing that amount of weight 40 times seemed impossible to me. But I wanted to try it. There...right there! That is a change in my mindset. I wanted to try it?! That was definitely Chris talking, haha (see 'Who is Chris anyways')! I was willing to push myself closer and closer to that uncomfortable feeling, knowing I would have to work with it for a while. Like a wave, I find the feeling builds and builds in an intense workout and I either have to stand up and ride it out or it will overtake me, as I submit to the punishment underwater. But the feeling when I ride it out is extremely powerful.

Today I cleaned and pressed 55lbs 40 times by choice, as part of my WOD. And I tried my best to maintain a fast pace through the sprinting. I was gasping for air by the end and for the first time ever I even understood why some people have wanted to puke during a workout. I wasn't going to....but I understood the desire. I was the last to finish and as a result I had the whole crowd cheering for me. My coach and another member even ran the last 200 meters with me and completed my squats alongside. I was touched.

But to convince myself to give this kind of effort is not an easy task. I struggle with this...struggle with accepting and even working with that uncomfortable feeling. How do you make yourself do it? How do you go into something with your full, 100% effort, knowing it is going to be awful and it may just break you? Amazingly, there are countless examples of people doing this everyday as they struggle to fight for their health, or compete against a personal record, or face a fear. I believe my training is slowly but surely preparing me for those moments, not just in the WOD, but in life.

But for now, I must just learn to ride that uncomfortable feeling for as long as I can.

How do you do it?

Who is 'Chris' anyways?

I'm not even sure if I should let you in on this strange and silly little secret.... it's like my crutch, my security blanket...but I feel as though it has helped me a lot and maybe it could do the same for you?

So, who is Chris anyways?

When I was in PSYC 100, my first year at university, my professor told the class an interesting story about a colleuge of his. This fellow professor hated to speak in public, but unfortunately, being a professor and having to give lectures as well as speak at conferences about her research, she had to speak in public frequently. To combat the quezy feelings and anxiety that would evidently come before a public speaking event, she decided to invent an alternate persona. Let's call his persona Angie. Now Angie loved speaking in public and she did so with a self assured, unwavering voice. Whenever the professor had to speak in public, she would take a few minutes, pretend she was Angie and perform her speech with confidence. Our psychology professor assured the class that he was not advocating for us to cultivate some sort of personality disorder here, just simply consider the possibility of uncovering some aspects of ourselves that could in help us in times of uncertainty.

I took this story right to heart.

Within my first month at university, I started a new job as a strength trainer and assistant weight room manager for the university fitness centre...and I was terrified! Me. In first year. With all the jocks in the weight room. I was a certified personal trainer at that point and had long been comfortable in a weight room, but the thought of managing one, being the sole person in the room if any emergencies happened, or having to ask patrons to clean up after them selves or respect each other's space, really made me nervous. We always wrote our names up on a white board for the patrons to see and that first day, thinking back to my professor's story, I wrote in proud, bold letters: Chris.

Now who is Chris? She is tough. She is always confident. She seeks out adventure and thrives on competition. She loves to push her limits and believes that crazy dreams and ambitions are all possible. Essentially, she negates my every worry, insecurity and fear.

So when I feel exceptionally nervous about trying something new like training at a different CrossFit box or coaching a run clinic, I introduce myself as Chris and it gives me that extra boost of confidence. And every time someone calls me Chris it reminds me of those qualities that I want to have. My CrossFit coach doesn't even know this story (she will now!) but every time she uses that name and tells me "keep going, Chris! One more rep!" she is motivating me and giving me the confidence to push myself.

So I have been using this aid for a few years now and the amazing thing I've noticed is that Chris isn't so different from me anymore. I still enjoy using that name to bring up my confidence, but the qualities that I have attributed to Chris have become more and more integrated into my personality. I am more willing to push my limits and challenge my own insecurities and fears instead of backing down. I have found that acting the part of a confident women who challenges herself has in fact turned me into that person.

And whether I am Christine or Chris, I can be proud of who I am.

Nanaimo Adventures

Second cup of coffee...
There are so many things to write about...as always. What to start with? What to say? How much of myself should I put into this blog, put out into the world? Let's start with this:

how did we ever make it without being pulled over by the police?

A big change in my personal life, which also effects MOVEment, has been my move from Victoria to Nanaimo. As many of you could probably tell from my Facebook posts, I moved to Nanaimo the beginning of August and changing cities always comes with new challenges and adventures: new jobs, meeting people, discovering new running routes, new favorite coffee shops, getting lost, and putting new routines into practice. Even though MOVEment is online, and therefore accessible from anywhere in the world, the community announcements often focus on the community I live in....so essentially, as I've moved to Nanaimo, so has the MOVEment headquarters. This means I will be sharing a lot of new information about recreation, health, and fitness networks in Nanaimo and I may be relying on some of the Victoria based members to help keep everyone up to date on what is happening around Victoria. I really appreciate any information that our members share, as connecting people with quality services and opportunities in their community is part of the core mission of MOVEment. It can be a challenge to stay on top of the 'happenings' in one community, never mind trying to share what is going on in two communities!

a view of downtown Nanaimo from Newcastle Is.

Speaking of challenges...
The MOVEment X 100 Days Challenge started again on September 1st. This round may have the greatest number of participants yet, thanks to the work of some very enthusiastic MOVEment members! As always, the challenge is off to a great start with members sharing their experiences and accomplishments such as beach volleyball tournaments, CrossFit, hiking, rediscovering golf, and training for a triathlon! The goals in this group vary as much as the activities do: competition, losing weight, fighting depression, learning to build a routine, and challenging disability stereotypes! I really want to congratulate everyone on nearing the end of the first week, but remind you that we have a long way to go yet. I encourage everyone to share photos and messages on the Facebook page as part of this challenge is supporting others and realizing that we have a whole community of people going through similar experiences will really help us complete the 100 days.

I have a lot more to say about my own adventures over the past month...CrossFit challenges, a new job, developing new ways to push myself, and what I am learning about creating an identity in a new community...but that will be for another post...

Recovery

...and my recovery.

After running the Juan de Fuca Trail my muscles never really became sore (although I'm sure they were still beat up quite a bit), but my joints had plenty of complaining to do! My knees, ankles, and feet all swelled up for three full days. I took anti-inflammatories the first day, slept with my feet up on a box all three nights, and generally took it really easy. I still walked places, but slowly. On the fourth day I felt a lot better and I had the opportunity to go to Panorama Recreation Centre to swim in their pool. This actually did wonders for my recovery. Walking against the river current, kicking, and general swimming all moved my sore joints without the added weight of my body and when I left the pool I felt rejuvenated. I would definitely recommend trying some sort of water therapy to ease sore muscles or achy joints. 

Exactly two weeks since my 47km run was the first morning I laced up my trail runners and headed out for a 30 min easy jog to explore the trails in a local park. I felt a little tighter than usual in my legs, but I felt pretty much back to my 'normal' state. Now it has been over three weeks and I am back at CrossFit to build my strength again. I would like to focus on building strength and learning some new skills (such as the olympic lifting and gymnastics movements of CrossFit) for the next few months. I am trying to cycle a little bit and run some smaller distances to keep my cardio at a satisfactory level, but I currently have no plans to run such an epic trail (or distance) for the rest of the year.

...But I am contemplating some sort of endurance adventure for next summer, if not sooner. Needless to say, running the Juan de Fuca has left me hungry for more...more adventures and more ways to push my training and discover new limits. I hope my journey has inspired you in any way, big or small.

Run the Juan: 16 hours

Wow. It's been two weeks since my run. I meant to write this entry much sooner but there was so much so much to process. I want to record it all so the beauty stays in my memeory as long as possible.

some moments to note:

Mark, Jude, and Caitlin all arrived late Saturday night and we quickly absorbed ourselves in packing, food preparations, sorting gear, and sharing tips and stories. It was around midnight by the time we got to bed which made for a very rude 3 am wake up alarm. Star (Alistair) arrived around 3:15 and we were all on the road by 3:45. The first obstical to overcome was a tree in the middle of the road at Otter Point, just out of Sooke (I wish I had photos or video to back this up but you'll just have to imagine it). The tree took out some power lines and blocked the road. I had a moment of panic as I thought, "I planned for nearly everything, but I didn't plan for this!!" The problem was quickly solved however by one person standing at the edge of the grass along the road to point out the ditch while both Mark and Caitlin were able to drive over the tree and get us on our way again (thanks to a little 4 wheel drive and nerves of steel). We made it to the China Beach trail head without further incident.

China Beach to Sombrio Beach(29 km):
After a few photos and last minute preparations, Jude, Star and I headed out of China Beach about 5:45am with Mark and Caitlin wishing us well and planning to meet us at the first aid station anywhere from 6-8 hours later. The sky was already getting light at this point so we didn't need the headlamps I had packed. This leg definitly left me feeling a little isolated out on the trail as we seemed to be the only ones awake and moving about this early, but I didn't feel as much fear as I had expected. Jude kept me distracted enough from any negative worry and for the most part the three of us laughed, talked, sang, and made jokes for hours. I did not feel too many 'lows'.

Near the end of this section I began to suffer quite a bit of knee pain. This was not totally unexpected, as I had been seeing a physiotherapist for swelling in my knees (after long training runs) and I knew my knees were likley the weakest physical link in my body. I also knew this trail could be knee destroying even for someone without knee problems. The pain did start to damage my spirits and energy however, and I started to feel pretty broken and frustrated with myself.

A couple kilometers before Sombrio Beach I heard a loon call. This was a funny moment because it made me realize how drained I actually was. This was my Father's special call he would make if my brother and I ever got separated form him in the forest for some reason. Jude and Star looked around and asked "what was that" but I nearly jumped up and down. "That's my dad!" I streaked as if I was 5 years old. "That's my DAD!". It was such a funny over reaction for the moment but that's how I felt: so much excitement and relief to see him.

Heading into Sombrio was emotional too and I'm not sure why. we came around the corner and saw Mark's aid station camp complete with a tarp and stove (nearly 8 hours after we'd started that morning). The rest of my friends and support crew were standing on the beach and they began cheering for me. I burst into tears and panicked. I think I didn't want them to see me struggle and hurt and I felt that I didn't deserve the applause for my performance. "Jude, I can't go there!" I cried. "Yes, you can", she assured me. "They are all here because they love you. That is a safe place". And of course she was right.

The first aid station was wonderful! Food...Caitlin tapped my painful knees...made soup...talked to everyone....shared stories and gained their energy. We took a longer break than anticipated (about an hour) but it was well needed. I left the aid station feeling much more confident and energized than when I had come in.

Sombrio Beach to Parkinson Creek (8km)
Star, Jude and I continued along the trail with our new runner, Saskia. We seemed to split into two groups for most of this section: Saskia and Star, and Jude and I. We never got too far apart though. While Saskia and Star seemed to have endless energy, I was still struggling. My body felt like it was breaking down at times and Jude was dealing with a previous hip injury....but we struggled together, talking non stop. We had a really interesting conversation about ego as we ran. I have always wanted to prove to people that I am an athlete but I was feeling so much knee pain and disappointment in my performance that I was really doubting myself. But who was I really trying to prove this to? These questions and feelings sent me on a bit of an emotional roller coaster.

The second aid station provided the same relief as the first. joy. warm food. comfort. the potatoes we had boiled the night before were perfect fuel, once I covered them with salt! I also ate pringle chips and candy. lots of calories. It doesn't have to be healthy at this point, just fuel. burn it off. I relied on my Jude a lot for my fuel and hydration timing. I used what I knew worked for my body (that's what training runs are for!) but I ate when she told me to and drank when she said it was time. I saw my brother at the aid station too which gave me more strength. We had a 15-20 minute break....long enough for Caitlin to re-tape my knees...off again.

Parkinson Creek to Botanical Beach (10km)
....last leg.

The Rabbitt joined us for this section and no one opted out which made us a team of five runners. Rabbitt stayed close to Jude and I while Saskia and Star ran ahead a little bit. Rabbitt was so strong and fresh and Jude and I had begun to fade. It was a tough section. Slow going. So much mud. Much of the trail is not really 'runable': huge mud pits, logs, roots, more knee pain. I looked at my arms a lot where I had written 'Dianne' at my mother's request (to carry my aunt with me) and 'Worth It' to remind me that no matter how much I went through completing this goal was going to be just that: worth it. At the last aid station Caitlin also wrote 'MOVE' on my other arm. There is so much meaning in that word for me now and I knew all the MOVEment members were also supporting this challenge regardless of where they were.

During the last couple of kilometers we all gained energy. Mostly power hiking but at a good speed for being so tired. After Botanical beach we started running up the road to the finish. We were all singing crazy songs and laughing. Colin joined us then and we all ran to the finish together. When I saw Mark, Caitlin, and Dan I ran hard. I ran straight into Dan, grabbed onto him and started sobbing. There were so many emotions. joy and major relief.


At last I calmed down. Sat in a chair. We all ate more food. Caitlin iced us and massaged us. Dan took off my shoes for me. We had completed the challenge in just under 16 hours. I was thrilled! Without sounding too corny, there seemed to be so much love between everyone...we had all gained something from this experience. I choose my team very well. Each one was specifically chosen for a skill I knew they could offer me: medical attention, navigation, emergency rescue, emotional support....
and it is a HUGE credit to them that this event went so smoothly.


Lessons Learned:
hard to say....I am actually still discovering them...
1. The ability to set and achieve a goal.
2. My own strength.
3. To believe in myself more. Everyone else believes in me (Jude said she believed in me 300%, which made me laugh) but I needed to believe in myself.
4. The power of community. This was huge. I am still blown away that everyone made sacrifices to help me achieve a goal. I learned how to ask for help and I am learning that is a different kind of leadership. It's not the 'I can do everything' kind....it's the 'let's see what we can accomplish together' kind. And I am learning this is much more powerful.




What is next?
Will this be a yearly trip? I could certainly see that happening. More people will want to try this now that they have seen me do it, I think. And I still want to complete the run with my brother, of course. There is an album of photos on the MOVEmentX100 facebook page and we hope to have a video made for you soon.

I am so glad I took the chance on myself....to see if I was strong enough! This is just sinking in now, as I write this. How disappointing if I never tried, if I was too scared to attempt it. How amazing that I had the courage to try.

More amazing that success or failure is that I had the courage to try...to start running in the first place with no idea what would come next.

and it was WORTH IT.

pre 'race' jitters

 the night before Run the Juan.
half of my team is on the way over to my place as i write this and i will meet the other half between 11am - 1pm on Sombrio Beach after i have already run 29 km. i have spent my day alternating between getting ready and relaxing.





 i was reading blogs on the internet this afternoon and i stumbled across an entry on a Merrell site that really spoke to me.  Robyn Benincasa represents Merrel in their new 'Pack' in addition to being a full-time fire fighter, adventure racer, motivational speaker and author. In her first blog she writes about taking risks.



Taking Risks

How many times in our lives have we put something off because we're not ready, we need more time, we don't feel comfortable, etc etc.  I've completed 10 Ironman Triathlons and over 40 10 day non-stop Eco-Challenge Adventure Races through the most remote places on earth, and here's a secret:  I didn't feel 'ready' for any of them.  There was always more I could have done to train, something I needed more time to prepare, or I wished I could delay the start until a day when I felt stronger.  Truth be told, I would most likely never have approached a start line or undertaken those "risks" to journey into the unknown physically, emotionally, interpersonally if there wasn't a specific date on the calendar and someone with a megaphone saying "go!".  But I am ever so glad I did.  I wouldn't give back those moments, memories, and lessons for anything on earth.  Because it is in those moments of risk, where we are forced to rise to a challenge, that we add another brick to the foundation of our character, confidence and strength. So how do we stop "wishing" we had more guts and inspire ourselves to ditch the vanilla life for a big, satisfying scoop of Rocky Road less Traveled?

• Step Into Character--Nobody knows what's going on inside your head but you.  Remember that to the outside world you appear 100% to be the businessperson,  triathlete, writer, (enter your dream here).  Try to see yourself the way your colleagues and friends see you--confident, smart, talented--and BE that person.  For example, I'm the biggest introvert on earth, and I'm a speaker for a living. How? Right before I go on stage, I think about the person that everyone in the audience is expecting to meet (vs. little scared me!), and the moment they invite me onto the stage, I become her.

• Do It Anyway-- How you feel is far less important than what you DO.  Feeling scared, nervous and uncomfortable when you're rappelling off that symbolic cliff is just a GIVEN.  It's the price of admission for an exceptional life!  The only difference between you and the person who is living their dream is that he/she felt the fear and 'did it anyway'.  Whenever I told my judo coach I was scared before a big tournament, his response was always the same "yeah... aaaand...so what?”  Fear will always be there when we face risks.  In fact, I've come to embrace fear as the vigilant guardian and trusted friend that gives me a "heads up" to be at my best.  But we just can't let our emotions affect our locomotion. 

• Focus on How It Will Feel to Succeed (instead of obsessing about failure)--When you're driving your car or riding your bike, where is your focus? On where you WANT to go, right? Where we get into the most trouble is when we start focusing on where we DON'T want to go (the ditch, the puddle, the loose gravel, etc)--because that's inevitably where we will end up! So why, when we're analyzing our risks, do we get so obsessed with what we don't want to have happen instead of envisioning what success will look like? Top athletes are masters of visualization.  They envision themselves performing the perfect routine, victoriously crossing the finish line, etc, and suffuse the feeling of that success into their mind and heart with the hope of achieving peak performance.  We can do that, too! What will it look like, feel like, smell like, and who will be there cheering when you achieve that goal? Use that image to guide you on your mission as well as inspire you through the rough patches along the way.

I see you at that finish line, victorious! Don't you?  The capable, talented, smart, driven person who let fear whisper in their ear but let courage rule their heart?  Yep.  That's you!


Adventure Always (and happy Rocky Road Ice Cream Life!)
~ XO Robyn




this  was exactly what i needed to read today.

tomorrow starts at 3:30 am and i am ready.

meet the team

finally....after organizing and re-organizing....it is with great excitement that i introduce to you....

The Run the Juan Team!!

Support Crew



Mark

what is your greatest accomplishment:

Having Christine and Dan as my daughter and son. The greatest athletic goal I have achieved is traveling around Vancouver Island and to Alaska by canoe/kayak, a trip each year for 20 years.


what is one of your favorite physical activities:

Paddling, running, cycling, hiking, volleyball, soccer...


on a day off work you could most likely be found...

Running myself completely out of energy, and knowing that next time I will be able to go even further.


a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:

A sub 40 Grouse Grind, (this will be the year!).


why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':

Because I support everything Christine does.

what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:


The ability to fight off a grizzly bear with my spork. And a little bit of outdoor experience.


what are you most looking forward to about the event:


I am looking forward to sharing the pain, the triumph, and being with a bunch of very cool people!


what are you least looking forward to:


There is no least, it's all good.


what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:


I will have no regrets when I leave this world. None.

Caitlin



what is your greatest accomplishment:


I can't say that I have a greatest accomplishment...yet...I feel every challenge that I try and every experience I have is an accomplishment, so I guess I could say when I die I will look back and say life was my greatest accomplishment



what is one of your favorite physical activities:

My favorite activities include kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, climbing, skiing, dog sledding, red wagoning (a sport I made up as a kid) and igloo making... and many more.



on a day off work you could most likely be found...

Frolicking outdoors or recovering by rolling out and drinking tea.



a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:
Competing in the Crossfit Regionals!



why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':

Other then wanting to make sure that Teen makes it out alive, I am excited to be putting my training to use.



what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:

Hopefully my first aid kit will be my asset as well as my athletic training experience.



what are you most looking forward to about the event:


I would say I am most looking forward to seeing Mark fight off a bear with a spork!



what are you least looking forward to:

I might be least looking forward to having to actually use my first aid kit! Lets avoid any injury.



what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:


I am always inspired by those that are passionate and driven to be active outdoors, and I hope to one day be able to help those people keep playing outdoors.







Dan


what is your greatest accomplishment:


my greatest accomplishment actually hasn't happened yet but I will keep you posted.


what is one of your favorite physical activities:

competitive eating.


on a day off work you could most likely be found...

sitting on my couch elevating my leg.

(ust to give this some context, my brother recently broke his ankle...which is also why he is a support crew member and no longer a runner).

a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:

to accomplish a goal that I set for myself.


why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':

the thought of being an administrator of a facebook group really appeals to me.


what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:

I would say my greatest asset might be that I am really good at hopping on one foot.


what are you most looking forward to about the event:

I am looking forward to secretly doubling the amount of m&ms in the trail mix when teen's not looking.


what are you least looking forward to:

Least looking forward to teen finding out that I secretly doubled the amount of m&ms in the trail mix when she wasn't looking.


what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:


I would like the world to know that I have the coolest, most fun, determined, awesome, inspiring, strong, sweet sister in the whole world and I love her very much and that I will re-write this bio if it is not serious enough.





Colin


what is your greatest accomplishment:

Loving.


what is one of your favorite physical activities:

hockey, working out, surfing.


on a day off work you could most likely be found...

relaxing in the sun with Christine and coffee.


a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:

to travel more of the world, and to push my fitness to new levels.



why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':

to support Christine during an amazing physical challenge of course, but also simply for my own enjoyment, and to spend time on a beautiful trail.


what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:

support, encouragement, and the ability to fight off angry bears.




what are you most looking forward to about the event:

the look on Christine’s face when she crosses the “finish line”.



what are you least looking forward to:

nothing.



what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:
I’m Batman !!

Runners

Christine



what is your greatest accomplishment:

Graduating university with my BA in Recreation and Health Education, over coming depression, or creating MOVEment. I'm proud of all these things!


what is one of your favorite physical activities:

I have a few on my list: running, CrossFit, kayaking, surfing, hiking...


on a day off work you could most likely be found...

Walking along the waterfront with a coffee in hand, running the back trails of Thetis Lake, or journaling/daydreaming at Willows Beach.


a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:

Continue to build a rewarding career in the recreation, fitness, and health industry.


why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':

Personal reasons: it has been a goal of mine for a long time, believe it or not! i really want to see if my body can handle something this challenging and if my mind could commit to not only the event, but all the training and preparation during the months prior as well.
Other reasons: to try and show people that you can pick a goal (even if it seems out of your reach), work towards it, and with the support of others, achieve it! if i can inspire one person to tackle one of their life goals, then all this work has been worth it. i truly believe that.


what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:

The ability to organize and motivate and inspire people. perhaps my training knowledge as well.


what are you most looking forward to about the event:

The moments of pure bliss running along the trail. i'm not sure how to describe it other than bliss. it's those moments when you are completing a meaningful task that is so engaging, time seems to not exist, worries and stress disappear, and you become completely absorbed in the beauty around you. Those moments become memories that last a lifetime. i am also looking forward to the last stretch of the run when some of my crew and supporters will start running from the finish to meet me along the trail. we will all run the last couple kilometers together. i can't wait to see their faces and realize i have accomplished my goal.


what are you least looking forward to:

The fear of the unknown. how will my body react? physical pain. emotional anguish....i know i will be over emotional through out the run and i am fearing the low moments. what will keep me going? what if i can't complete this challenge? will people be disappointed? how will i deal with my own disappointment?


what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:
I am trying to live true to myself and with passion in everything I do.






AllStar

what is your greatest accomplishment:


I’m not too sure yet. I have a tendency to alter my goals as soon as I accomplish them so I’m never really satisfied, haha.


what is one of your favorite physical activities:

Running, riding my bike, ultimate frisbee.


on a day off work you could most likely be found...

On my bike somewhere.


a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:

I want to run a Boston qualifying time, and complete the Leadville 100, or Sinister 7 race. I would love to one day become a sponsored athlete.


why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':

For fun!!


what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:

Experience with the trail, and motivation. I’m stubborn enough to never give up and I’ll make sure you don’t either!


what are you most looking forward to about the event:

I love the Juan de Fuca trail! It’s so beautiful.



what are you least looking forward to:

Walking around the next day.



what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:

I am mysterious




Jude Ultra

what is your greatest accomplishment:


running- finishing Sinister7 (148km race in 2010 and wining 1st female) only one year after running my first marathon. personal- carrying and naturally birthing (68hrs of labour) a strong and healthy 8lb boy.



what is one of your favorite physical activities:

running.


on a day off work you could most likely be found...

running and drinking coffee.



a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:

I will run for the Salomon International running team.



why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':

In response and support of a passionate heart. To help demonstrate that all things are possible and that the human spirit is much stronger then we ever give it opportunity to be.



what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:

experience in running long distance; fueling/hydration needs monitoring, pack horse & friendly pacing.


what are you most looking forward to about the event:

eating thousands of calories.


what are you least looking forward to:

the possibility that i may not be fully recovered (even worst, injured) from the 100miler i run 2 weeks prior.


what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:

i make mistakes. however, i try to always learn from them.


(you can learn more about Jude's ultra running adventures through her blog.)






Saskia




what is your greatest accomplishment:

Setting a goal for myself and achieving it... whether its moving across the country or competing in my first triathlon.


what is one of your favorite physical activities:


Volleyball, hiking,triathlons, playing outside.


on a day off work you could most likely be found...


with family/friends doing some sort of exercise.


a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:


Competing in more triathlons and training for an Ironman


why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':


Always up for a challenge and to support Christine in her goals.


what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:


Appreciation.


what are you most looking forward to about the event:


Being in such a beautiful environment with wonderful people.


what are you least looking forward to:


Potential IT band problems...


what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:

I have 2 middle names





The Rabbitt



what is your greatest accomplishment:


good friendships? love of life? tough to say...


what is one of your favorite physical activities:


long distance running.


on a day off work you could most likely be found...


reading, watching movies, relaxing, running/cycling, hanging with friends.


a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:


live without fear.



why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':


because I LOVE running with christine, and the JDF trail is absolutely stunning. Also, I like that Christine has picked a big goal...i want to help her achieve it, enjoy it as much as possible, and I love how she tries to use her experiences to inspire others.


what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:


a little experience and a positive attitude focused on enjoying the experience as much as possible.


what are you most looking forward to about the event:


just being a part of it and supporting my friend. It's an act of friendship.


what are you least looking forward to:


running a tough trail (even just a section) only 5 days after running the West Coast Trail...easily my longest run to date.


what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:

I think we're all in this life thing together, so let's work together to enjoy it and have fun!



So there you have it: the team!
there could still be changes....some of the support may become runners or runners may become support as many of us deal with injuries and test out the limitations of our bodies at this period of time.


each one of these people has made sacrifices to help me accomplish my goal of running the juan de fuca trail and i am amazed at the support i have received from everyone.


there are still many details to work out, but currently the plan is for AllStar, Jude and I to begin our run from the China Beach trail head at 05:00am. Mark and Caitlin, as our first responder support crew, will be there to send us off.



AllStar, Jude and I will run straight to Sombrio, a 29 km run that I am anticipating taking about 6 or 7 hours. There we will meet our support crew again for water, food, and a medical check over. AllStar, Jude and I will continue the next 8 km with Saskia until the next check point at Parkinson Creek Trailhead. We will meet our support crew again for a check over and re-fuel and pick up our final runner, The Rabbitt. Our runners will then complete the final 10km and end at Botanical Beach.

I am anticiapting the run to take at least 12 hours in total, putting us at Botanical Beach around 05:00pm,

but it could easily be anywhere from 05:00 - 08:00pm. My plan is to run slow, likely walking up most of the hills. I want to try my best to just keep moving. Sips of water (with electrolite tablets) every 10-15 minutes and fuel (i have been experimenting with different fuel sources) every 30 min will hopefully keep me from crashing.

I know I will need to motivation from my team and from the rest of the MOVEment members where ever you are. It will seriously make the difference for me. I have never completed anything like this before, so there are so many worries and uncertainties...but also no real expectations. I don't have a time limit I must finish in and I am not qualifying for any other race by doing this. This is for me...to know what I am capable of and to inspire other people to tackle their own goals. We are also hoping to make a short video to commemorate the experience which I will share here and on the MOVEment facebook page as soon as it's ready.

now all I can do is wait. jog, stretch, massage, recover, drink water, and wait.

...the challenge approaches.

Starbucks and Tan Lines

...and the rest of my jog back...

is coffee a good post run recovery drink? i'm kidding....kind of. my runs often seem to end at a Starbucks (pure coincidence, i'm sure!!). anyways....i sit here drinking my coffee after a short 20min jog along the Victoria waterfront in the evening sunshine. spectacular! i should run more often to keep loose, i'm told. to make sure my body remembers how to turn my legs quickly and keep nimble feet. yesterday i walked/ran 02:30:00 (20km) along the road and felt pretty good. my hips and knees were tight today but no real muscle pain. my body is learning to recover well. this is good! so tonight's jog was just for fun, to keep my muscles soft....and to sweat in the sunshine and work on my tan lines. i have a multitude of tan lines, mostly across my back where various sports bras and tanks have left their mark, branding my skin as i run in the sunshine. i am ok with this. it makes me feel like an authentic runner, as if this is proof that i do get out there.