Happy New Year!

2007! Bring it on! I must say my New Year started off the right way and it is my wish that yours started out likewise.

Have you made your resolutions, are you on track or have they been somewhat revised since January 1st? I have made a choice to set mini goals this year. I find they are much easier to achieve and less frustrating!

I did however, attain the biggest goal that I had ever set for myself when I started running about five years ago; I called it "wogging" because it was faster than a walk, but nowhere near a jog! I had also joined weight watcher's and had decided at that time, that I would run a marathon before my 40th birthday. I made the commitment and started out with 30 minutes of walking/jogging every second night and each time would try to get a bit farther without stopping. First to the end of the block, then another block, then top of the hill and so on. It was not until we moved to Parksville and I joined the running club that I found out what "tempo" or "pace" meant. My 5k pace was also my 10k pace!

After several years of tempo and long runs, it all paid off early this month! On January 7th, I took part in the Disneyworld Marathon and completed in 4:48:57. The joy of it being the first one is that is a personal best not only time-wise but also because I had enjoyed it so much! I just had fun with it and I had no intention to race it. It all started with fireworks at 6 am and once we started out, there was so much to see throughout all four theme parks, as well as bands playing along the route. About 16,000 had registered for the marathon itself, and I met quite a few people taking part in the "Goofy Challenge", which meant they also ran the half marathon the day previous to marathon day! Yikes!

26.2 is certainly a long way to go, but the "Mickey Medal" was so worth it! In speaking of goals, my husband was so carried away in the excitement that he is thinking of trying a half marathon before his 50th! Who knows, maybe I'll try the Goofy and run the half with him!
See you out there!

ORCA Clothing

We are looking at the possibility of updating our team singlets, tech shirts and jackets. In the meanwhile, there are a few team singlets in stock, please contact Pam Horbay, our clothing coordinator. The cost is $30.00. Email or phone 738-0447.
Pam also has information should anyone like to have the ORCA logos screened onto personal clothing.

Club Equipment Storage

Rod Bailey has stepped forward and volunteered to store the Orca race bins for our club. Thank you so very much, Rod.

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PLEASE NOTE: CLUB MEMBER CHANGES

It is important that you let Kim Longmuir know if your email address changes. Please call at 248-8515 or email Kim. Kim is the keeper of the Master list of club members; to keep you informed, you must keep her informed!

Our new and improved Website is up and running. If you have any photos, articles or events, Please email to Ken Peters.
ORCA Webmaster
The site is still at http://www.orcarunning.ca/

Questions or comments regarding the newsletter or if you would like to submit an article, please email Ann McDonald.
ORCA Newsletter Editor

February 11, 2007 at 11:00 am. Cedar 12k
Cedar
$15.00 Preregistration, no shirt, $18.00 after Feb 6, $22.00 day-of-race
Contact Bastion at 250-758-0026


February 25, 2007 at 11:00 am. Hatley Castle 8k
Colwood (Royal Roads)
$15.00 Preregistration, no shirt, $18.00 after Feb 20, $22.00 day-of-race
Contact Stephen Cook at 250-474-4863


March 11, 2007 at 9:00 am. Synergy Health Management Ltd. Bazan Bay 5k
Sidney
$15.00 Preregistration, $18.00 after Mar 6, $22.00 day-of-race
Contact Patrick Brown at 250-388-6492


March 18, 2007 at 11:00 am. Comox Valley 1/2 Marathon
Courtenay
$15.00 Preregistration, $18.00 after Mar 13 $22.00 day-of-race
Contact David Nowak at 250-897-8484


March 24th, 2007. FRONTRUNNERS GutBuster 001
Victoria, BC - Royal Roads University
6km & 11km
Start: 10:00am: for more info www.gutbustertrailrun.com


April 1, 2007 at 11:00 am. Merville 15k
Merville
$15.00 Preregistration, $18.00 after Mar 27, $22.00 day-of-race
Contact Cynthia Durand-Smith at 250-286-1364


April 15, 2007 at 11:00 am. Sooke River 10k & Series Awards
Sooke
$15.00 Preregistration, $18.00 after Apr 10, $22.00 day-of-race
Contact Jeff George at 250-479-9404


April 21st, 2007. FRONTRUNNERS GutBuster 002
Duncan, BC - Mt. Tzouhalem
5km & 11km
Start: 10:00am. For more info www.gutbustertrailrun.com


April 22, 2007 at 11:00 am. Port Alberni Paper Chase 10K
Cherry Creek Hall, 3720 Moore Rd
Port Alberni
Contact Chris Morrison at (250)724-4612 or http://arrowsmithradicalrunners.com/


June 2nd, 2007 FRONTRUNNERS GutBuster 003
Victoria, BC - Mt. Douglas
5km & 11km
Start: 10:00am. For more info www.gutbustertrailrun.com


July 15th, 2007 FRONTRUNNERS GutBuster 004
Nanaimo, BC - Westwood Lake
8km & HALF MARATHON
Start: HALF at 9:00am & 8km at 9:30am For more info www.gutbustertrailrun.com

For a full list of Upcoming Races, please visit: Team West Coast

Island Series Results
Submitted by Laurie Ritchie, ORCA Member

On Sunday, January 21st, ten ORCA members raced in the first race of the Frontrunners Island Road Race Series, the Central Saanich Pioneer 8 km. This race had been postponed for a week due to snow.
Of the ten local Team ORCA racers, eight were in the top 10 in their age categories. Melissa Ross (32:08) set a personal best by one and a half minutes, finishing second in her F20-24 age category and Patti Rogers (35:54) posted a best time for her in an 8 km in the race series with her fifth pace finish in the F45-49 age category. This was Alycia Butterworth's first race in the Island race Series and she, along with Rhys Harrison (32:07), Heather Beatty (36:18) and Sharon Farinha (50:37, fourth in the F65-69 age category), were ranked as "elite" in their respective age categories. Alycia came in first place in her female 15 and under age category and was almost two minutes (1:51) ahead of her closest age group competitor, Shauna McInnis, a strong Peninsula track and field athlete from Victoria. Heather Beatty outsprinted her F50-54 age group rivals, coming in first place, just 8 seconds ahead of her second and third place competitors. Rhys Harrison (M60-64) finished second, having recently moved up to a new age category. Bill Vinton finished eighth in his M55-59 age category and Clayton Emerson finished ninth in the M20-24 age category, joining his dad, Don Emerson, in the race. Barry Carr also finished the race in 39:56.

The results of the Mill Bay 10 km race on Sunday, January 28th. Out of the ten Team ORCA competitors, six were in the top ten in their age groups.
I believe Heather Beatty set a personal best (45:04) by 20 seconds and again captured first place in her female 50-54 age group by 8 seconds! This is her second first place finish in two weeks! Peter Poland set a personal best for the Mill Bay 10 km race (38:58 - only 23 seconds behind his best at Sooke in 2005), finishing in fifth place in his competitive male 45-49 age group. Melissa Ross (41:32) was the top Team ORCA female competitor, running a strong race (only 5-9 seconds off her series and Mill Bay PB's in 2005) for a second place finish in her female 20-24 age category. Sharon Farinha (1:02:48) finished fourth in her female 65-69 age category, Rhys Harrison (43:59) finished sixth in his male 60-64 age category and Bill Vinton (44:51) was eighth in the male 55-59 age category. Clayton Emerson (49:00) ran his second series race (the first was just a week before), just ahead of his father, Don Emerson (49:20). Malcolm Farrow (47:15) and Barry Carr (51:46) also added to the ORCA point totals for this race.
The next race is the Cedar 12 km race near Nanaimo on Sun. Feb. 11th. Hopefully, we will see more Team ORCA members out at this mid island race.

Welcome New Members

Barb Brett
Mike Bryson
Rebecca Ford
Nancy Price-Munn

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Attention All Athletes

The Strathcona Nordic Ski Club will be hosting the 2007 Vancouver Island Loppet on Saturday, March 31 at Mount Washington Nordic Centre.
Join in for some cross training over the winter and connect with the excitement that is developing on Mt. Washington as we move closer to 2010.
Free Technique
Full Loppet - 30 km
Half Loppet - 15 km
Children and Family categories
Banquet, Awards and lots of prizes
For information and updates - www.strathconanordics.com or email info@strathconanordics.com

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Vancouver Island Relay

Last year, the club sponsored membership for a team consisting entirely of ORCA members in the Vancouver Island Relay. This year there will be a $400.00 maximum for the entry of teams wishing to participate in the relay. If we manage to have more than one team, the money would be split to subsidize the entry fee for each team. Criteria is that all teammates must be members of ORCA.
There was a change noted by race director, Steve Middleton on the Vancouver Island Relay website that Pacific Sport has undertaken the race in its entirety. The date for this event has yet to be confirmed or posted by Pacific Sport.
Rod Bailey has once again offered to captain a team and will also provide information to anyone who may wish to captain a team of their own. Rod can be contacted via email at rbailey@shaw.ca.

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Special Discount to ORCA Members

Be sure to visit the following Team ORCA Sponsors:

Outsider - The Outdoors Store, Qualicum Beach 752-6610
-10% off running related products, excluding sale items

Frontrunners, Nanaimo 729-8200 or Victoria
-10% off anything except food, heart rate monitors or sale items

Extreme Runners, Courtenay (250)703-9544
-10% off most products

Body Works Fitness & Tanning, Parksville 248-3346
-20% off gym memberships

Body Sculptors Fitness, Qualicum Beach 752-5553
-$40 for a month membership or a ten punch card

Fitness Connection, Parksville 248-3144
-15% off membership fees

Heaven on Earth Natural Foods, Qualicum Beach 752-3132
-10% off sports nutrition items and vitamins, including items on sale

Arrowsmith Bikes, Nanaimo (behind Earl's) (250) 758-6675
- See Kebble Sheaf or Robin Dutton for 10% off all merchandise.

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Safety Tips for Running or Walking

1. When running or walking in the dark, always wear reflective items. What's available? Vests, running tops, tights, looser fitting running/walking pants, jackets and leg bands.

2. At dusk or dawn, wear brighter colors, like yellow, orange and white since they are much more visible.

3. When running and walking on the road, always go against traffic, keeping vehicles in front of you.

4. Always run or walk with a partner or even with a pet.

5. Always carry some form of identification such as name and phone number.

6. Although not recommended, be extra alert if exercising with music.

7. Be aware of your surroundings. Vehicles are not looking for you, so it's up to you to look for them.

8. Lastly, please be careful, be smart and enjoy your exercise!

Adapted From: The Finish Line Running Store, at www.finishlinerunningstore.com


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President: Randy Longmuir

Past-President and Treasurer: Brenda Light

Membership Director: Kim Longmuir

Secretary: Donna Golding

Events: Melanie Peake

Communications: Ann McDonald

Media Contact: Don Petrie

Webmaster: Ken Peters

ORCA meetings are held every 2 months. If anyone from the club would like to join us, please do so! Goodies are always provided!

Next ORCA Meeting: April 2nd, 7:30 p.m. at Kim and Randy Longmuir's residence. Please Email Randy or Kim for more details.