For the last 5 weeks, local athletes have joined forces with P.A.C.E. to prepare for the upcoming Hallow’s Eve event, held on the North Shore in Vancouver on October 25th.  This will be the 3rd annual clinic and road trip to this well put on and high energy, FUN event.  Participants are encouraged to dress up, with prizes awarded for performance and creativity!  Finishers table is equip with chocolate bars and Halloween treats…

The course is on some of the North Shores most beautiful trails.  Almost all single track, this rooty and rocky course is complete with random sets of steep stairs throughout.  With 10km or 21km distances to choose from – there is something for everyone.

P.A.C.E. athletes have been training twice per week together.  One day is speed and strength focused, with challenging hill climbs, time trials and speed play.  The other day we enjoy building our endurance over slow distance on trails such as Crawford, Wild Horse Canyon, Knox Mountain, Smith Creek…

Kudos to this dedicated and hard working group of athletes!

Rene

Congratulations to Dani Taillon, Stephanie Swaisland, Andrew Corcoran and Shelly Fojtek who all took to the trails in Washington to complete the 30km or 55km trail race last weekend!!  The course was challenging, but beautiful!  With over 4500 feet in the 30km distance and 8000 feet in the 55km – finishers of both distances were cursing race director, James Varner, as testimonials were that it was one of the hardest races ever.  The climbs were heinous and steep and just kept going… and going… and going!  (I think deep down James loved the level of suffering that went on that day)  The day brought a mix of rain and sun, however cooler temperatures were welcomed on what turned out to be a happy and positive day for all P.A.C.E. athletes.

Personally, I would go back next year to run it again.  The people, trails and views were awesome AND they served BEER at the finish line.  That is my kind of race...

If you’re interested in checking out what the Cle Elum Ridge Run is all about, just click here:  Cle Elum Ultra.  http://cleelumridge.blogspot.com/

Happy Trails!

P.A.C.E. couldn't have asked for better representation at the Siskiyou Out and Back 50km in Oregon on July 10th.  These three gals (from left to right) Linda, Stephanie and Carla pushed through over 4000 feet and 6hrs of rolling terrain to receive PB's acros the board!  I am so proud of you and grateful for the opportunity to be part of your training and journey... thank you for, once again, trusting your health, fitness and ultra goals in me!  Rene

Wow!  What a month it has been for P.A.C.E. athletes!

Linda Abbott-Simons, Carla Stephens and Stephanie Swaisland had an incredible weekend racing in Oregon on the 10^th.  These three gals flew into Medford Oregon to take part in the Siskiyou Out and Back (S.O.B.) 50km Ultra.  This race is 90% single track, has over 8000 feet of elevation, up and down, and beautiful meadows.  I heard the race organization was awesome!  Right down to receiving a medal, bottle of beer, chocolate and logoed race socks as you crossed the finish line! 

This marked the 2^nd Ultra for both Linda and Carla and the 4^th for Stephanie.  All three Gals had PR races and we are so happy and proud of them.  These three know what it take to devote, train hard and smart and they put FUN into everything they do.  Even when they are ‘suffering’ through long distances trail races like this one.  Way to go you S.O.B.’s…

Other news on the P.A.C.E. Ultra scene is with Mel Bos and Daryl Spencer.  Both took part in the epic and challenging North Shore Knee Knacker on July 10^th.  This race has a reputation for the toughest trail ultra in North America with 16,000 feet of elevation up and down!  What breath the views don’t take away – the terrain will. 

This was Mel’s 2^nd time getting to the start line and had a very successful race finish of 2^nd female o/a in a time of 5:56!  This is after Mel suffered a rolled ankle with 4km to go and was forced to walk from this point in.  This was Daryl’s first Knee Knacker experience and he finished with an awesome time of 6:42, giving him 15^th male o/a.  Congratulations to you both on all your hard work and training and for enduring such a tough race!

I have witnessed, first hand, just how hard all five of these athletes have worked towards their events this month.  Their training included speed and strength sessions such as time trials, hill climbs of up to 700 feet in one repeat, fartleks, tempo session and long, long days on their feet since spring.  It is a privilege that I get the opportunity to coach athletes like these and it is very rewarding to see them all do so well and have such positive race experiences.