August 19, 2004

Track North Web Site

Steve Tremblay's "FIRST 1/2 IRONMAN TIME TRIAL"

THIS SATURDAY!

from Steve Tremblay:

We will be hosting a half ironman time trial at my house on Aug. 21. The swim will be 2km in the Bay of Islands, the bike will be 90km from Whitefish Falls to Little Current with a 15km out and back from Birch Island to Little Current. The run will be two 10.5 km loops totaling 21km.

This is just a time trial, there is no race fee, race insurance, water station, ....just a whole lot of pain. Also its a B.Y.O.B for the post race refreshments.

For anyone interested call 285-0779. The time trial is set to start in Whitefish Falls.

Thank you

Steven Tremblay

A SUCCESS!

Kirsty Duncan writes:

Dear friends,

Well, we're done!

And we want to thank all of you profoundly!

Where to begin?

Well, let's start in Sudbury--since that's where we started 416 km ago!

Vince, you have done so much for us; and we are grateful to Donna, Lise, and Lise as well. Not only did you serve as our Race Director Extraordinaire, and put on a beautiful event in Sudbury--but then the Rocks came out and ran day one and day two with us. We couldn't believe your support! And as I told you before, it was very hard to say good-bye to our Sudbury friends--you remained with us right 'til we crossed that finish line. As we have said over and over, Sudbury Rocks ROCKS!!!! Dear Sir, could you please let me have an e-mail address for your beautiful wife? You know we will be cheering you all on in Italy!!!

Colleen and Mary, thank you so much for the day you spent with us--it was a real pleasure to spend time with you both.You were our youngest runners at 18 and 20, and a tremendous JOY and source of INSPIRATION! Mary, I learned so much about snakes from you--we hope that you heard your radio interview, and we especially hope that your local paper did a story on you, as you are most deserving!

Les, thank you so much to you and Susan--we are so sorry to have been late for you. Your compassion and kindness is overwhelming--and you will forever be known as 'The Machine'. We hope there is an article in your local paper--it is so good to hear stories of good people doing good work--and Les, you are such a HERO with your many years of service for TPS.

Teresa, thank you for your bounce, enthusiasm, and PASSION!!!! You really came through for us--running the extra day! And dear friend, thank you, thank you for the SONGS!!!...There was a bear...

And Jim, it was so GOOD to have you with us--as you were my first running friend--we met at the Toronto Marathon. Thank you so so much!!!

And now--Bob, Trish, and Suuzi! First of all, CONGRATULATIONS, CONGRATULATIONS, to Trish who ran her first 22 miles ever--WAY TO GO!!! AWESOME JOB! Bob, it was so lovely to meet you--we know that you will love Vancouver Island in a few years. Oh, and Trish, thank you for the beautiful bath products--I ENJOYED last night! And Suuzi, we hope that yesterday was a special day for you, and that healing is beginning.

Each of you has made such a FANTASTIC CONTRIBUTION--you will forever be in our thoughts and hearts!

Dear friends, and I mean that sincerely, we cannot tell you how exciting the journey has been--from meeting you all , to see the races happen, and then the trip from Sudbury to T.O.. We met beautiful, inspiring people--in fact, we ran with two ironmen, and three ironwomen--and the police and citizen runners--wow, there was clapping, singing, and cheering! We have come away with many new friends.

Yesterday was very special--we were surprised at the start of our run in Bradford--by York Regional Police, Simcoe Police, the OPP, and the Canadian Mounted Police. They produced a beautiful escourt--and then they provided four runners--including a member of the Police Board. It was so inspiring---I ended up running close to 6 h yesterday. We dedicated yesterday's run to Suuzi Christie, Toronto Police Service, who wanted to run (yet was very sad, as she lost her husband and soulmate three months ago). We all wore blue and red ribbons in remembrance of Jim. In Toronto, we had a First Nations Group play victory songs, as the runners crossed the finish line--and after the awards, we had Highland dancers.

But I have an apology to make--for those who ran the last 6 km into Toronto--I am embarrassed that we did not cross the line as a group (as we were a team, and it was a TEAM EFFORT)--I heard someone say sprint, and I went. Please forgive me. Second, each of you was to have your name read as you crossed the finish line by the announcer--I am also sorry that that did not happen.

We hope you had fun, and we especially hope that we will all stay in touch!

We are FOREVER GRATEFUL!
A HEARTFELT THANKS,
Kirsty

Cheques are starting to come in--we're close to $7,000--from the two races alone!

Click here for Run Photos

New hazard identified for athletes in the North

by Tim Uuksulainen

Just when I thought that my list of personal excuses for poor performances had been exhausted, I read an article that provided a new revelation. It would appear that as I was gloating about not having to train and race in the polluted air of southern Ontario, a new hazard has been identified for athletes in the North. The unassuming cow! It would seem that these poker faced, cud chewing creatures from the bovine group have been the focus of a large government study to determine if indeed, humankind is in peril from the large quantities of methane gas produced from the belching and flatulent behaviour of these gentle creatures. Why, this may even become the platform for some astute political party. I had reasoned that training in the great air quality of the north, could only enhance my fitness. However, this may not be the case. During those relaxed rural runs outside the city, I have been under siege from the ultimate free radicals. So there, that’s my new excuse for sub par performances. Come to think of it, I have some running partners who may be prone to releasing a few free radicals themselves but that’s an udder story. The moral of the story is that there are many things out there beyond our control that can act as speed bumps on our road to fitness, which we must face and overcome. No doubt as we watch the Olympics over the new two weeks, each athlete has overcome adversity to be in Athens.

FIRST ANNUAL YMCA OF NORTH BAY 15KM RUN
Sunday, August 15, 2004

Sudbury Rock!! member Dale Comeau ran in this event and reported the course was good for her as she excelled in some of the smaller hills but did suffer a bit on a longish hill on Algonquin Dr. close to the finish line. She also noted that she has definitely learned not to kick for the finish line when there is still over 2k to go.

Congratulations Dale!

Annual Lake Nepahwin Crossing Planned

By Bob Jeffery

A few of the regular swimmer were chatting tonight and we are planning to do the annual Lake Nepahwin Crossing on Monday Sept 6th at 10:00am. We are going to meet at the Nepahwin Beach off Paris St. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and give us a good day for the swim. Though parts of this summer have been a bit cool people have been regularly making the swim around the Island and are looking forward to finishing the season off with a good swim across.

Wet suits welcome but not necessary as the water is still a comfortable temperature.

Looking forward to seeing a good showing to end the summer season and pass this along to anyone who may be interested.

Bob Jeffery