2009 January - Foolish Gerbil Twenty-Four Hour Trail Run - Results
The biggest difference between gerbils and fools is that gerbils have enough sense to get off the wheel when it gets tedious.
Thirteen would-be gerbils toed the line at Pacific Spirit Park on Saturday morning. Four more started at various other times. All had their goals; some ambitious, others more sensible. Most reached their goals; a few came away somewhat humbled.
The course presented something of a challenge. The open areas, especially the Imperial and Heron trails, were covered in snow that was always difficult and sometimes impossible to run on. It was soft and slippery in the relative warmth of the day. During the night the footprints created earlier froze and became holes that made extremely uneven footing. Day-time temperatures were relatively mild and comfortable for running. However, during the night it was quite variable: cold when the sky was clear and bone chilling when the fog rolled in. At 6 AM it was –1C.
Shawn and Tony came from south of Seattle to join us, leaving there at 4 AM. Both are training for the McNaughton 150 Mile Race in April. They kept up a strong, steady pace and lapped the two Fools in the middle of the night. Eventually the cold took its toll, however, and they retreated to their car to warm up. But hey, this is Canada -- it gets cold eh! Tony recovered and did a lap by himself. Shawn joined him for the next lap, but even two caffeine pills couldn’t keep her awake so she went back to the car to sleep. Gentleman Tony couldn’t let a young lady sleep alone in the wilds of Vancouver and joined her.
Lorie and Barry took a 2 PM start because Lorie had to teach a morning Pilates class in Kelowna. They ran very strong, but also succumbed to the cold. They did get out again, but the last time the Fools saw them they were fast asleep in their car.
Kirsten, Wendy joined the Fools and others for the early loops, but had to leave for other, more interesting, commitments. Kirsten came back in the afternoon for another couple of loops. Wendy returned in the late evening with donuts and ran another loop. Kirsten returned again at around 6 AM bringing more donuts. We love you ladies!
During the cold, dark hours the Fools’ pace was pretty much reduced to a death march, but with Kirsten’s arrival and her gentle but insistent “encouragement” the pace quickened. Lap 15 ended at about 23 ½ hours. That was good enough for the Fools, but Kirsten would have none of that so they grudgingly followed her out for an out-and-back to get them to the 24-hour mark. They returned a bit early, but no amount of “encouragement” on Kirsten’s part could get them to go out again.
Thanks to all who came out. We wish we could have spent some time with each of you, but some were too fast. Others, perhaps, just avoided the Fools.
|
Name |
Distance |
| Gilles Barbeau |
144 K |
| Karl Jensen |
144 K |
| Tony Covarrubius |
140 K |
| Shawn McTaggart |
130 K |
| Lorie Alexander |
80+K |
| Barry Hopkins |
80+K |
| Kirsten Ramage |
64 K |
| Tim Wiens |
63 K |
| Arthur Gee |
50 K |
| Carrie Walsh |
30+K |
| Marla Weinheimer |
30+K |
| Neil Ambrose |
30+K |
| Wendy Montgomery | 30K |
| Claudia Bullington |
30 K |
| Ran Katzman |
30 K |
| Steven Lee |
20 K |
| Carolyn King |
10+K |
Flash - Foolish Gerbil Twenty-Four Hour Trail Run
Why: Because Chad will running the HURT 100 Mile Race in Hawaii at about the same time and the Fools stuck at home don't want him to get too far ahead in the training.
Who: The Fools and anyone who wants to join in the fun.
Where: Gilles and Karl will be starting at 09:00 at the big information board at the corner of Camosun, 41st Ave and S.W. Marine Dr. because we don't want to leave a car in the Park Centre parking lot overnight. Those planning to do a custom run may want to start at the Park Centre on Sixteenth Avenue. Note that the park and washrooms are open from 09:00 to 17:00.
When: Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 09:00
Click on the map for a PDF map with Trail names
Click here for a PDF close-up
Route: The course will consist of a 10 kilometer loop plus a short 1.5 K loop which will be done near the end of the twenty-four hours when there is not enough time left to do the 10 K loop again. The 10 K loop is on the south side of Sixteenth Avenue and requires crossing the road. Don't forget to look both ways, just like your mommy taught you.
Course Description:
The # refers to the trail numbers as shown on the official park map available at the Park Centre.
DIRECTIONS FOR THE 10K LOOP: Start and Finish is at the parking lot entrance.
- Go north through the back of the parking lot onto #2, Cleveland to #10, Heron.
- Left onto Heron to #21, Salish.
- Left again onto Salish and across 16th to the continuation of Salish. Stay on Salish until you reach #12, Imperial trail.
- Left on Imperial to #22, Sasamat.
- Right on Sasamat to junction of #19, St. Georges.
- Right on St. Georges to Camosun Street.
- Right on Camosun Street, just after the school on your right you will see a trail entrance, take that trail to the big information board at the corner of Camosun, 41st Ave and S.W. Marine Dr.
- Take the SW Marine trail that parallels the highway. After about .75 K you will come to a split in the trail.
- Go right on #3 Clinton for a very short distance and take the first left onto the trail that goes into the forest.
- This is trail #21, Salish.
- Follow Salish, Heron and Cleveland all the way back to the Park Center.
- Do it again and again and.... Reverse directions if you want a change of scenery.
DIRECTIONS FOR THE 1.5K LOOP: Start and Finish is the gate at the parking lot entrance.
- Go north again on #2, Cleveland trail. Continue past #10 and then left on #13, Lily of the Valley. This is about halfway between 16th and 10th.
- This will quickly take you back to #21, Salish. Go left. Shortly after you will encounter #10, Heron.
- Left onto Heron. This will take you back to #2, Cleveland.
- Right on Cleveland to the Park Center. Once again make sure to circle to the entrance of the parking lot for a full 1.5k.
Lap Counting: You are responsible for counting your own loops. If you can't count then this run is probably not for you.
Results: If you want to be included in the results please email your name, distance or loops and time to Karl's contact address below. Or you can fill in the sheet which will be under the windshield wiper of Karl's light green Dodge Caravan licence ANF 954 which will be parked at the corner of Camosun, 41st Ave and S.W. Marine Dr.
Aid: Be prepared to be self-sufficient. There will be water at the Park Centre washrooms. Of course we will also have access to our vehicles at the end of each loop.
Motto: Nothing is foolproof to a talented fool.
Entry: There is no fee and you don't need to be a member of Club Fat Ass to participate in a Flash event, however whining is not allowed. No registration is required but please indicate your participation via the comment form below. You are responsible for your own well-being and safety and should be self sufficient. Please read the Release of All Claims. By participating in this event you agree to the terms of the Release of All Claims.
Contacts: Gilles Barbeau and Karl Jensen