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?