TWC members celebrating birthdays this week:

[ Glen Bedard

[ Pieter Bol

[ Gavin Eaton

Bazan Bay Part III

\Well folks, we are one week away from the Bazan Bay 5km road race. I would like to thank everyone that has stepped up and volunteered. Of course there are a few folks still out there that have not been in touch with me. I KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!!!

Remember that as a TWC member we ask that you help the club for half a day twice a year; the Bazan Bay race in March and the Victoria Youth Triathlon in June. Some folks are members of more than one club/organization. TWC appreciates your community involvement, but we still need your help.

If I do not hear from you before March 8^th please expect a knock on the door from my 10 year old. You will be expected to board him for no less than 30 days at which time I may come back for him, and remember he is just like his Dad, he never knows when to stop talking.

Michael Roth

Volunteer Coordinator

Bazanbay@yahoo.ca

VALENTINE BAZAN BAY WINNER!

The Valentine draw prize winner is Alice Court. Alice helps every year in the kitchen, arriving at 6:30 am and staying until after clean up, about 12:00 pm. Many thanks!

Wayne

BAZAN BAY REMINDERS

A few Bazan Bay Reminders for TWC members:

• We still need more volunteers. Please email Mike Roth.
• Race Day is March 8thwhichis DAYLIGHT SAVINGS!!
• We still have Volunteer Draw PRIZES.
• FOOD and drink will be available in the kitchen when you arrive early. Bring your own mug.
• Please CARPOOL.
• Park away from Winspear Hall. Sidney School parking lot is only a few blocks away.
• If you ride your BIKE, bring it around to the kitchen door, NOT the front door.

Island Race Series Carpooling

Anyone wishing to carpool to out of town races can meet at the Helmcken Road park-and-ride lot. All out of town races start at 11:00, so departure times are suggested so that arrival at the race is approximately 10:00 to allow time for a coffee along the way and a warm-up jog before the race. If you are planning to carpool to the race, and plan to leave at a different time, let wabbit know how many seats are available and I can post in the Digest if you are looking to fill a vehicle. Also, don’t forget www.pickuppal.com as another option.

[ March 22, Comox Valley Half Marathon - 07:30 departure

[ April 5, Merville 15k - 07:00 departure

[ April 19, Sooke River 10k & Series Awards - 09:15 departure

Race Report: Hatley Castle 2009

The start is a blast! Granted it’s tight, but it’s fast and exhilarating, like being swept down rapids. How beautiful it is along the water! Passing the first km marker I am jazzed to see 4:29. I know I won’t be able to hold this pace the whole race, but seeing those numbers definitely gives me a boost of confidence as I am feeling comfortable. But then the hills start, and comfort flies out the window. Luckily I don’t find the hills too horrid. I know Taliah’s hill training on Thursdays has helped immensely, but no amount of training will make a hill a pleasant joy to summit, not if one is pushing

I love the out and backs on this course. The sight of FRBs speeding towards and past me gives me a burst of energy. The sight of all the runners behind me gives me reassurance and competitive joy. I feel atavistic, electric, Cro-Magnon woman running down a woolly mammoth. If someone cuts me off I will probably claw or bite them. I guess I am really racing. Hill number two is a smack in the face. It’s shocking to watch runners putter out and actually walk a ways, moaning to themselves.

Upon regaining my composure, I am surprised to spot Robin (a runner from CVRR) in front of me. I can recognize her ponytail anywhere. At Cobble Hill I had desperately tried to reel the blond swish of it in but had failed. I’m behind Robin! I’m actually not that far behind Robin, I think. But suddenly I become suspicious. Why am I so close behind Robin? Am I running too fast? Am I going to explode in the next km? Should I slow down and pace myself?

As for pace bunnies, I think the greatest thing about having one is that it gives you an object upon which to focus. All thoughts of splits and nearly all thoughts of discomfort fade as I focused all my energy on sticking close to Robin. I pictured an invisible lasso, unfurling out of my hand, catching Robin about the middle, cinching tight, and dragging me forward. Wonder Woman and her golden lasso. It is a strange way to use someone, and I often wonder at the etiquette of it. I pull up beside Robin and contemplate saying hello. Should I?

The hill up to the second turn around starts to twist my guts. Robin opens up a gap, the Amazon looking strong. Maybe it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I lost her. But then Paul’s voice materializes inside my head, you’re not running hard enough! Pack your mind off somewhere else. Run until you explode. Well, exploding might be a bit messy, but you’re right Paul. So I pick it up and close the gap between Robin and myself.

I should mention that even through the discomfort I am loving every aspect of the course. The variety keeps it interesting and fast. Now we are in the woods, running over roots and rocks and ducking around corners. Dashing up a gnarly little hill I feel the sides of my skull start to press in a bit. My body is revolting against me. There can’t be much more of this. Don’t let Robin go. Here is the six km marker and now (joy of joys) a very steep, very long downhill stretch. Picture yourself in a roller coaster cart.

The course flattens out again and I experience a disconcerting loss of momentum. Damn! I imagine Robin, enraged at my audacity, attacking me from behind, knocking me to the ground and leaving me writhing in the dirt. In fear I look over my shoulder to see if she is coming. She is not in sight. I know the end is near soI reach deep and try to muster my belly fire to pull me through. Here is little bugger, the ultimate hill of this undulating course. I try to muster a kick but am overwhelmed by the crude reality of exhaustion. I am made of lead. There will be no kick today.

Bridget MacGowan

Sala Hantle 5k Walk & 10k Fun Run - March 15^th

Fundraiser for HIV/AIDS care projects in Africa.Starts at Beaver Lake Shelter. Register at 8 am, Begin at 9 am.

Eau de Hell Week - Starts April 11th

Bike ride one or more of the 200, 300, 400, or 600K brevets in one week.

http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/eau-de-hell-week.html

TRI-BC membership and insurance

If you are training for the upcoming duathlon/triathlon season, now is the time to think about renewing your 2009 TRI-BC membership. TRI-BC membership includes insurance when you are training with TWC. Our coaches include Audrey Stibbe, Wayne Coulson, Phil McOrmond, Mike Walsh, Sean Cunningham, and Hillerie Denning. Membership also includes insurance when you are racing. You can renew online; the TWC password is 3852. Remember TWC members get a reduced membership fee.

TRI-BC MEMBERSHIPS

I have TRI-BC membership cards for:

[ Jim Brackenbury

[ Keith Evans

[ Michael Ellis

[ Evan Fagan

[ Heather Hollman

[ Jeanette Klein

[ Maurice Robinson

[ Kevin Taylor

These cards will be available at BAZAN BAY.

Wayne

MIKE ELLIS RECOGNIZED!

Congratulations to Mike Ellis. Mike has been recognized for his work in establishing the Royal Victoria Marathon. Aspecial plaquehas been placedoutside Frontrunners Footwear.

Short message from Tom Weightman

Hi Everyone: I would just like to say that I have decided to take part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the BC Cancer Foundation. This will be a two-day cycling journey, from Vancouver to Seattle. I thought it would be a new challenge for me to embark on this year not only for myself but also to help in the fight against cancer which has impacted all of us in some way through family, friends and co-workers.

If you would like to help me raise funds,through the Ride to Conquer Cancer and contribute to the BC Cancer Foundation visit my website below.All the funds raised will support breakthrough research, exemplary teaching, and compassionate care made possible through BC Cancer Foundation, a leader in cancer research and care. Thank you in advance for your help. Visit my webpage at: http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Vancouver2009?px=1819285&pg=personal&fr_id=1281&fl=en_US&et=3-mBowcua7QBc_eKYEv_TA..&s_tafId=128758

TWC Cycling News

Last Saturday the weather seemed to be perfect to do the waterfront route, and Francelli's parking lot appeared to be full of yellow jackets eager for a ride. Amazing what a bit of sun will do for the psyche. In total we had 15 riders although Steve Baker took his group north, leaving the rest to head south, more or less.

Early on things went well but quickly deteriorated when two riders collided and one went down hard. Leading from behind, because I was dragging my backside, I missed the action. However, it appears that one rider tried to turn onto The Goose, where we usually turn, and the other appeared to carry on and touched his wheel. A couple of years ago I took a bike course given by Peg and Dennis (who we haven't seen for a while!). It was a great course. However, when I was trying to learn how to handle wheel on wheel contact between two riders I ended up on the deck with a cracked rib. Frankly I'm rather nervous about trying to practice this again yet it can't help but occur occasionally when riders are in close formation.

Although there appeared to be no permanent damage and both riders continued for a while, one had to retire due to a bent derailleur and is no doubt is nursing some rather large bruises at present.

This raises the question of responsible and considerate riding in a group to which we should all be attentive.

Far be it for me to preach on this issue as I am very much a novice group rider. However, it is clear that we must pay attention 100% of the time when we are in a group as accidents can happen in a split second and the consequences of a careless mistake can be serious. Riders in front should signal their intentions clearly before deviating from a straight line, either turning or simply pulling out and riders behind should really pay attention to what is going on in front. Overtaking on the inside is, of course, not a good idea unless there has been some verbal communication. Another observation is that some riders tend to stay out when "Car Back" has been called. We all drive cars and it should be clear that we present a bad impression ofTWC when we block traffic.

Having got all that off my chest, together with a huge amount of phlegm on Saturday, from a lingering cold (sorry Bob I did try to spit very low) the rest of the ride was great. Riding along the waterfront is such a visual treat and we are so lucky to live and ride here.

Saturday rides will continue, meeting at Francelli's Coffee Shop in the Royal Oak Shopping Centre at 9:00 am.

Maurice Robinson

TWC Cycling Coordinator

Mauricegavin@shaw.ca

TWC Classifieds

As a service to TWC members, products or services that may be of benefit to the general membership may be advertised here. Items not sold must be renewed each week.

For Sale:

2007 Felt S22 Built from the frame up using top of the line components

[ Dura-Ace Rear cogset (10 sp)

[ Dura-Ace chain

[ Dura-Ace rear derailleur

[ SRAM Force Front derailleur

[ Bontrager triathlon bars

[ Dura-Ace (bar-end) shifters and brand new cables

[ Shimano 105 crank set

[ Ritchey Wheels

[ Continental tires

The Ritchey wheels are $500 alone, very nice wheel set. I paid $120 for the tires and they are like new (couple rides). Entire bike is like brand new – I built the bike with the intent of getting into triathlon, but life got in the way. The only used part that I put on this bike was the crank and BB and this is the only thing I would change about the bike – if you put an Ultegra or Dura-Ace crank set on and the bike would have nothing left to change out. I spent close to $1900 building this bike, the bike originally retailed for $2899 U.S. You’d be getting an awesome Tri Bike for less 1/3 of what it’s worth. The First $1000 takes it home. The frame is 54cm. I’ll also throw in a set of Shimano SPD clip-on pedals and Nike Carbon fibre shoes (size 9.5). This is an awesome deal for someone wanting to enter the sport of upgrade their bike.

Rick Macleod 250-220-5952

TWC Running Vests

All pre-orders for TWC vests have been filled and vests are now available for all. Great for cool morning/evening running.Bright colours. All sizes available. $70. Contact Waynewaynecoulson@shaw.ca

Lost and Found

Lost or found something that may belong to another TWC member? - advertise it here.

Something for Digest?

Have some news for TWC members? Send it to wabbit@shaw.ca by Wednesday at 6 p.m. for the next Digest. Items received late cannot be guaranteed to make it into that week’s edition.