Congratulations IronELMers!

WOW.

Over 2600 racers of all ages, sizes, abilities and experiences left everything on the course this past weekend in the 30th and final Subaru Ironman Penticton event.

3.8km open water swim - legs and arms of hundreds of swimmers clawing at them, waves covering them, wet suits restricting them and thick water dragging against them....

180km road bike-sun beating on them, pavement radiating it back up at them, bikes forcing them into contorted aerodynamic postures, long epic climbs searing their quads and stretching their lungs to the very edge...

42.2km marathon run-shredding quads and calves, throwing a wall of inertia at them, beating out every last bit of energy in them.

And that is just what their bodies go through. 

The physical strength is absolutely nothing compared to the mental strength that is required to complete this type of endurance event. 

The human body can do this and much more.  It is the mind that sets the limits and boundaries.

Congratulations to all Ironmen and Ironwomen!  Especially to ELM'ers Audrey E and Paul L of the Comox Valley for finishing this years race.  You are amazing!

http://ironman.com/results/#axzz24leltBIV

Sarah

ELM Members River Run Half Marathon Challenge!



Well that was super duper fun!

BIG Congrats to all of the ELM Half Marathon Clinic participants who put their training to the test this past Sunday at the ELM River Run Half Marathon Challenge!  Woohoooo you rocked it!

21kms of single track, double track and dirt roads following the beautiful Puntledge River on both sides- starting and finishing at the Comox Lake Dam.  This is the perfect 21k trail route to test your stamina!  It was a great day of running, celebrating, eating, drinking and playing with friends and family at the lake.

BIG thank you to the ELM superstar volunteer leaders for making race day happen!  Rae, Kim, Lynn, Maya, Naomi, Deb, Diana - you ROCK! 

BIG Congrats to all the finishers wearing gold chocolate medals at the finish line: Karen T, Karen L, Vicky S, Marieka H, Sarah V, Paula & Murry G... Enjoy your post race bliss!!

What next?  How about a PB at the Victoria Half Marathon in October!  ELM is offering a special 6-week prep clinic for those who want to reach for the stars in run their best half in Victoria!  Check out the details online and be sure to RSVP or register by tomorrow- WEDS- to avoid disappointment!

 Post race celebration!

 Ready...set... GO!!

 Marieka and Vicky at the turn around!

Gold medal winners all round!

Team ELM Takes on the Squamish 50 Mile Relay!

Is it possible to have TOO much fun in a weekend?  Well, if so, we came pretty darn close this past weekend in Squamish!  Team ELM sailed across the sea to the Comox Valley's sister city, Squamish.  With big trails, big wind and a big Chief towering above, the Squamish Valley is my second favourite playground;)

Team ELM entered the 5 person Squamish 50 mile Relay and I got back in my racing sneakers for the 21 (AKA 25) km trail run.  It was my 'celebration' run and first footrace after a year of recovery from my bizarre ankle fracture.  I am happy to say I crossed the line in one piece!  My ankle was making me aware of it's presence during the final kms, but I have not had any symptoms since crossing the finish line so I am one happy girl:)

Team ELM Glowbots rocked the costumes and won without contest the TEAM SPIRIT award!  Props to our 'artistic director', Kyoko, for putting together fab, look-at-me, flourescent costumes:)  And props to the boys and girls for wearing bikini bottoms outside of their shorts during their epic legs- in epic heat!

Good times, good, friends, GREAT race and great memories from an awesome weekend!  If you are considering training for your first ultra next year...this is the one- right in your backyard and along some of the most fun single track you can find anywhere:)  The route was pretty technical in places as it followed the top biking trails, but there were also long sections of gravel road and wide park trails to rest the brain and the legs.  No huge mountains on this course- just constant up and down and up and down and up and down:).

BIG thank you to Gary Robbins and his awesome team of volunteers/organizers for putting on this fantastic event.  We hope to be back next year!

Race results and pics online here...

Here is the weekend in pics!

 Riding with the boys on Friday in the super sweet single track of Squamish!  Never been on Half Nelson before?  Get your arse over there!

 6am and the ELM Glowbot Girls are bright eyed and bushy tailed!  Amazing team spirit!

 Chris survives 2 legs and 20kms wearing womens clothing ... what a trooper!  Passing off to Kiyoko for leg 3 in Alice Lake Park!

 Me crossing the finish line after running 25kms of sweet trail in crazy temps...best moment of the day!

 Taking the long route up the Squamish Chief on Sunday morning after the race!

ELM Sunrise yoga on the Chief!

Thanks for a great weekend Team ELM!!  You ROCK!!!!!

SS

Orienteering in Comox this Weekend!

NORTH ISLAND ORIENTEERING EVENT: AUGUST 11TH!
Cunning running. A school room favourite, touching on math, geography, physical fitness, and consequential decision making. One of the current off-beat adventure sports. An easy way to demystify compass use and map reading. Gain confidence of being alone in the woods. A life-time sport for all ages: 6 to 90. This and more is ORIENTEERING.


Comox valley will have a unique chance to get a taste of orienteering the weekend of 11-12 August. Saturday, in Comox, there will never be a more opportune chance. An orienteering meet will begin and end at the very accessible parking lot near Guthrie and Torrence Roads, east of the Highland School playing fields. A free short (10 - 20 minutes) Model Course will be available for first-time beginners. Instructors will be on hand to help out and explain the simple basics.

After the short course, you may want to register for one of the three regular courses: Novice, Intermediate and Advanced. The courses are designed for an experienced orienteer to complete in about an hour; and for others about two hours time Registration and start times are anytime from 1:00 to 3:00.


On Sunday, the 12th, the action moves on to Top Bridge Park, in Parksville. Once again, a Model course and three longer ones. This terrain has much more variation than the Comox N. E. Woods. The advanced course is full of adventure and has two fords of the Englishman River.(and a cool swim afterwards) Registration at noon.


For further information call Comox 250-890-0983, Victoria 250-592-4944 or visit www.orienteeringbc.ca/vico