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2012 Ladysmith Striders News Headlines

January 9	Prairie Inn Pioneer 8K - Striders Race Report
January 3	John's Half-Fast Run Report - New Years Day Strider Run
January 1	Frontrunners Island Running Series Announcement

January 8, 2012 - Prairie Inn Harriers Pioneer 8K - Striders Race Report -- Every year in early January the Vancouver Island running community descends on the Central Saanich Fairgrounds to do battle in the Prairie Inn Harriers Pioneer 8K and even though there was an absence of shiny armour and razor sharp swords, a distinct sense of combativeness lingered in the air. The Prairie Inn Harriers Pioneer 8K road race is not only the first event of the Frontrunners Island Race Series, it's the first event in the 2012 Timex BC Road Running Series and the first event of the 2012 BC 8K Road Racing Championships. So with the kingdom's crown up for grabs, Island elite running knights and princesses along with an army of formidable weekend foot soldiers, all able-bodied noblemen and noblewomen pressed forward at the start while waiting for the battle to begin.

Ladysmith Striders attended Prairie Inn Harriers Pioneer 8K with a small legion of runners who fought the eight kilometer course valiantly. Three Ladysmith Striders sheathed their swords triumphantly with top ten positions within their age groups. Denise Aucoin claimed 4th place in her respective age group in 39:12, and new Ladysmith Strider noblemen recruit Jack Porter slashed and battled his way gallantly to a 43:44 fourth place finish in his age group in his very first Frontrunners Island Race Series. Nikki Van Horne sacked much of the competition in her age group with a hard-fought top twenty finish with 43:04. Also in the main field, David Van Horne warded off blows and finished his run untouched at 37:49; as did Mountain Runner who wiped his sword with a 43:44 finish. Mountain Runner boldly cut a swath through the running field to create a no-kill zone in "shield and protect" action for his 11-year-old grandson Jack Porter who finished alongside unscathed. The young Squire's protection detail was also ably assisted by his Uncle Brant Dame who finish the security sortie in a flanking position at 44:35. Guarding against any late race assaults were Shannon Peck and Carol Van Acker who battled to their under-the-hour finishes with respectable times of 53:14 and 59:16.

Ladysmith Striders would like to thank the Prairie Inn Harriers Pioneer 8K  Organizers and Race Volunteers for their commitment to organize this running event and acknowledge with appreciation, the time and effort it takes to organize this popular event.

Ladysmith Striders results are outlined in the table below. Click the participant names to view individual statistics which will open in a separate browser window. 

Next race is a CEEVACS sponsored 10k race on the Bonner School course at Cobble Hill on January 22nd. As a friendly reminder to Ladysmith Striders that some Cedar 12K fun is coming to our area on February 5th and it would real delicious to make that road race our Sunday morning run. Hope to see you all there!

January 3, 2012 - John's Half-Fast Run Report - New Years Day Strider Run -- It was a sound that brought forth memories. But not the ring-jingling of harness bells inviting holiday shoppers to drop coins in Salvation Army red kettles; nor was it the reverberating clang of a New York Stock Exchange opening bell that put runners on notice. It wasn't the country twang-clanging dinner dingle that one hears for a call to cowboy grits and gravy, and it surely wasn't the loud clatter of the Town Crier heralding important news to Saltair's fleet-footed citizens. However, it was a memorable sound that has touched Ladysmith Striders ears on every new year for the past five and a sound they have come to know and somewhat dread; a sound that has the ability to inflict difficult breathing and cause throbbing muscle discomfort. This memorable sound was the jaw-clenching fearful toll of "The B!@@#y Bell" which in the hands of a knowledgeable tormentor can quickly bring terror to unsuspecting lungs and can stamp the hell out any lingering toxins that may be lurking in the bloodstream after the previous night's New Years Eve festivities. And most Ladysmith Striders didn't know if that was good or bad.

Every year Bala and Pauline Naidoo offer their Saltair home to the Ladysmith Striders as a home base for their New Years Day 5 kilometres run. The Ladysmith Striders New Years Day Run is an annual tradition and to make it fun for all, The B!@@#y Bell was introduced as a way to tip the roadway and level it for all runners. The B!@@#y Bell is carried by someone who has decided to cover the five kilometers at a more pedestrian pace and it's used to carefully manage the speed of the more energetic runners. By ringing The B!@@#y Bell loudly, all the New Years Day runners are called back to the pack to regroup before turning around to begin their trek to the finish again. And if deployed with skill, the peal of The B!@@#y Bell can induce a significant sweat for the more energetic runners if allowed to move almost out of sight before invoking the sound of The B!@@#y Bell to call them back. In fact, some may consider the constant repeating of The B!@@#y Bell exercise to be an activity that could fall under the realm of torture. (queue the sinister laugh track here)

Eighteen runners and walkers shouldered the New Years Day trek by heading northeast on Olson Road to Seaview Crescent which gently curves down and around and up again to Sea Vista Road. Carrying The B!@@#y Bell this year were tormentors Maria Valekova and Bala Naidoo and it wasn't long before the evil and malicious twins began to work at putting the group through their paces. Down to South Oyster School Road and then up to Chemainus Rd and south past Byron's Food Market, the Twin Tormentors appeared to -- with obvious glee -- to enjoy casting the Ladysmith Striders out as far as they could before reeling them back to the pack; then casting them out again... and again... and again. And like a couple of cats playing with a bunch of exhausted rats, the Twin Tormentors rang The B!@@#y Bell to herald runners back to deliver the evil message - begin again sucker! ha-ha!

Sweeping left back onto Olsen Road, the group continued past the four-kilometer mark with a loop through the Princess Diana Park back to Olson Road. Princess Diana Park Trails provided the release point in which runners could ignore The B!@@#y Bell and simply enjoy the soft and secluded pathways for the final kilometer. Ladysmith Striders consider themselves "hill tamers" and enjoy a thorough workout, but it's likely that anyone watching this back-and-forth performance would just shake their heads at this type of idiotic chest-burning, leg-throbbing activity. 

With the end of the New Years Day run in sight, the Ladysmith Striders regrouped to forgive the Twin Tormentors for their evil and cruel behaviour; forgiveness for the obvious delight they seem to take in ringing The B!@@#y Bell when so many runners were nearly "in-the-next-province". But in addition, they regrouped to thank the Twin Tormentors for tacking probably an additional three kilometers onto the run which not only provided a healthy distraction to celebrate the first day of a new year, and also to show appreciation for playing a big part in helping to purge the residual effects of any excessive food or drink consumed during the previous evening's New Years Eve festivities.

The New Years Day run is an annual Ladysmith Striders event and is hosted by Pauline and Bala Naidoo. Not only does the run originate from their home, the Naidoos graciously insist that the Striders remain after the run for a light lunch, snacks, coffee, and as always, great conversation. Special thanks to Bala and Pauline for hosting this annual affair, and for their welcoming nature and abundance of goodwill. 
   

January 1, 2012 -- It's fun-time again Ladysmith Striders... time to lace-em on and get ready to scamper through the 2012 Frontrunners Island Race Series. Eight races spaced two weeks apart over four months is a true challenge for some runners; Ladysmith Striders known for their hill running are always willing to take the bit-between-the-teeth and give'er another go!  Ladysmith Striders had a great 9th place finish overall in the club standings and if you are considering the fun again, the Frontrunners Island Race Series begins on January 8th so I think it appropriate here to provide a friendly reminder to take advantage of some cost savings by entering early. And when entering, don't forget to record that you are from the Ladysmith Striders. 

For your further awareness, runners who complete all eight races in the 2012 series will receive a discount certificate from Frontrunners entitling them to 50% off series registration (without shirts) for the 2012 series. Check out the schedule below.

Frontrunners Island Race Series 2012 Schedule