In the Good Ol' Summertime!

Unbelievable that we are into June; where has the time gone?

With all the warm weather, it gets more difficult to take on the indoor tasks and really, who wants to be inside all day long! If you're not doing so already, be sure to check out our website and participate in some of scheduled weekly runs. They are a lot of fun and you can pick up some great training tips!

Our VIRA Island Series is well behind us now, and our club made a very good showing in the series this year, placing 6th overall. The final race in the series, the Oceanside 10K was once again a huge success, thanks to the committee and volunteers!
A full listing of results can be found at www.vira.bc.ca

ORCA Singlets

If you wish to purchase a team singlet, please contact Pam Horbay, our clothing coordinator. The cost is $30.00. Email or phone 738-0447.
If anyone would like to have the ORCA logos screened onto personal clothing, the cost for small logos are $3.00 and the larger logos are $3.50 (a minimum of 12 items to be screened to place order). Great idea for hoodies, T-shirts, or tanks!

Club Equipment Storage

We have put out several requests for this and if there is anyone in our membership that would kindly take this on, please email Kim or Randy or phone 248-8515.

The team equipment and supplies have been stored at the Longmuir's for quite a few years and they would appreciate the space for other things. ORCA is seeking a new home for approximately 7 to 8 large plastic totes and some boxes of miscellaneous kitchen supplies. This would be approximately 6 to 8 square feet of space.

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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!

Do you have any quality photos from a previous race or Orca event? Planning on taking your camera to future races? Please email your photos to Don Petrie.
ORCA Media Contact

If you would like to submit a newsletter item or article, please email Ann McDonald.
ORCA Newsletter Editor

UPCOMING RACES:

The Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life is a unique, hope-filled community event. Register on line today, sponsor a friend, or volunteer - follow the links www.cancer.ca.
Relay For Life—a celebration of survival, a tribute to the lives of loved ones and 12-hours of fun, friendship and fundraising to beat cancer—is an inspiring event that involves teams of ten or more people who participate in a 12-hour non-competitive relay. Participants take turns walking, running or strolling around a track. Teams consist of individuals representing corporations, neighbourhoods, community groups and/or families and friends. Participants form bonds and make new friends as they camp out on the surrounding grounds and enjoy camaraderie, entertainment, food and fun activities. Taking part in this heart-warming event creates a strong community of people striving to reach a common goal—to beat cancer.

We have received two dates for this event:
In Nanaimo, June 9-10, 2006.
Please call Renee Bohun 250-741-8180 for more information or Email: rbohun@bc.cancer.ca.

In Port Alberni, June 23-24, 2006 at the Bob Daily Stadium.
Please call Kristi Dobson 250-724-5747 or Email: kdobson@bc.cancer.ca

June 11, 8:30 a.m. Edge to Edge Marathon, Half & Relay
Tofino, Contact Bryan Tasaka at 250-715-8933
Marathon runs from Tofino to Ucluelet. New Half Marathon on the Wild Pacific Trail

June 14, 7:00 p.m. Chemainus Twilight Shuffle 4-mile
Chemainus Legion Hall, Contact Island Runner at 595-2378

June 17, 7:00 a.m. 3rd Annual Kusam Klimb
Sayward, BC, Contact John or Terry Hollo at 250-282-3101
Online Registration

June 18, 6:45 a.m. New Balance Half Iron 2005
Elk Lake, Victoria, BC Contact Normon Thibault
2km swim, 91.8km bike, and 20km run. Online Registration

June 24, 9:00 a.m. Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race #2
Duncan, BC Contact Bryan Tasaka at 250-715-8933

June 25, 7:30 a.m. Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K
UBC , Phone 416-944-2765 - Online Registration

June 25, 8:00 a.m. Qualicum Beach Triathlon
Ravensong Aquatic Centre, Contact Leslie at 250-752-6840
400m pool swim, 18km cycle, and 5km Run.


July 1, 8:00 a.m. HBC Run for Canada
Government St beside Parliament Bldgs Information Line 1 866 JULY 1ST
10K run at 8 am, 1K kids run at 9:30, 3K walk at 10 am. Fundraiser for HBC Foundation supporting Canadian athletes. Online Registration

July 16, 9:00 a.m. Frontrunners GutBuster Trail Run #3
Westwood Lake, Nanaimo Contact Bryan Tasaka at 715-8933
Half Marathon at 9:00 a.m., 8km at 10:00. Co-Hosted by Runners of Compassion Nanaimo.

August 20, 8:00 a.m. Port Alberni Log Train Trail 1/2 and Full Marathon
McLean's Mill National Historical Site, Contact Mary Bauto at 250-723-7701
A non-competitive & untimed event.

September 10, 8:00 a.m. Harbour City Half Marathon & 10K
Nanaimo, Contact Dan Brady at 753-2241. Proceeds support Runners of Compassion charitable work.

September 10, 9:00 a.m. 11th Annual Land's End Half Marathon & 10K
Sandown Harness Raceway, Saanich, Contact Maureen Cain at 995-3035

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

Are Hikers and Others Quenching Outdoor Thirsts with H2-UH-OH?
Toxins in Water Bottles
Submitted by Rhys Harrison

For years, hikers, bikers, campers, and other outdoor recreationalists have favoured wide-mouthed water bottles made from Lexan® polycarbonate plastic, like those sold under the brand name Nalgene®. Lexan‚s advantages have been as clear as the water that flows from containers made from it. It‚s tough, lightweight, absorbs no flavours, and imparts no unpleasant tastes to liquids stored inside. According to new research, it may, however, be imparting unhealthy doses of a chemical called bisphenol-A.

According to several recent studies, polycarbonate plastic readily leaches a chemical called bisphenol-A (BPA) into foods and liquids that are stored in containers made from it. BPA has been identified as an endocrine disrupting chemical, or a chemical that easily mimics hormones when absorbed by the human body. In the case of BPA, the hormone being mimicked is estrogens. Exposure to this compound at the wrong time can cause a cell division problem called aneuploidy in which chromosomes do not evenly split as a cell divides, leaving the two resulting cells with more or fewer chromosomes than normal. This uneven distribution of genetic material can in turn lead to cancer, miscarriage, and birth defects that include Down‚s Syndrome.

Low levels of BPA, including those well below the current regulatory safety threshold, have also been shown to affect prostate development, promote prostate tumours, affect breast tissue development and sperm counts, and even possibly create and enlarge fat cells.

The problem with BPA contamination from polycarbonate water containers first came to light in 1998 during research at Case Western Reserve University . Scientists conducting a study on aneuploidy in mice noticed a sudden inexplicable 8-fold increase in the condition in their test subjects. An investigation found that a lab worker had washed out their water bottles with a particularly harsh detergent that had caused large amounts of BPA to be released from the plastic into the animals‚ drinking water. The researchers found that the BPA levels the mice were exposed were similar to the levels experienced by people under normal conditions and that chromosomes in cells affected by BPA appeared to have been "shot with a shotgun.‰ To verify their unexpected conclusions, the scientists duplicated the detergent accident and achieved the same results. To verify that BPA was, in fact, the culprit of this genetic damage, they then gave mice a daily dose of pure BPA and found that results of this intentional exposure were the same.

As a result, for several years now, experts have warned against washing polycarbonate bottles with harsh detergents and/or using older bottles for food or beverage storage, especially those with scratches, discolorations, or other readily apparent signs of age. The belief was that BPA generally only leached from well-used bottles or those that had come into contact with the strong chemicals found in many commercial dishwashing detergent formulas.

Additionally, a University of Missouri study, as reported in the July 2003 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, found that the BPA leaching problem isn't restricted to older polycarbonate bottles. Instead, researchers found detectable levels of BPA leaching out of brand new bottles at room temperature. This new finding calls into question the safety of any kind of polycarbonate plastic container, new or used, for food or beverage use.

Unfortunately, polycarbonate plastic bottles and containers are identified by the plastic recycling symbol #7, which is used for a wide variety of plastics and plastic mixtures that fall into the "Other category. Unless the #7 symbol is accompanied by the letters "PC, there‚s no sure way to tell if the container in question is made from polycarbonate or not. To be safe, environmental advocates suggest simply avoiding #7 plastics altogether and opting for safer choices for food and beverage storage. These better options include polypropylene (#5 PP), high density polyethylene (#2 HDPE), and low density polyethylene (#4 LDPE). No evidence has been found to suggest that these plastics leach toxic materials. Scientists advise against the repeated use of plastic water bottles made from plastic type #1 PETE as there is evidence to suggest that such bottles each a compound known as DEHA, which is classified by the EPA as a possible human carcinogen, as well as acetaldehyde, which has received the same designation from the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

In addition to outdoor water bottles, it should be noted that polycarbonate plastic has also been used in the past for many baby bottles. Although environmental experts note that manufacturers have quietly substituted other, safer plastics for their baby bottle products since the BPA leaching issue first emerged in 1998; these products have not been banned and may still be found in some stores. Parents and other child care professionals are advised to check new and existing bottles for the #7 codes and dispose of them. Safer substitutes (see above) are easy to find.

Babies aside, consumers unwilling to part with their polycarbonate water containers should wash any they own only with very mild soap and water and throw away any that have interior scratches, discoloured areas, or other signs of aging. Stainless steel and glass containers, though heavier, are healthier. Nalgene also manufactures a model of their classic water bottle made from safe HDPE plastic.

From "Seventh Generation"

Welcome New Members

Lucky, Miki, Alycia and Adam Butterworth
Gina Coutts
Andrea George
Stephanie Happach
Cheryl Leibeling
Mark Termes
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ORCA Summer Fun!

We have 2 summer runs planned followed by Appy's at a pub!

JULY Summer Run
Date: Monday July 17, 2006
Meeting Spot: Ballenas School for relaxing hour run starting at 6:30pm Get together at Upper Deck, Bayside in Parksville after run (around 7:45pm)
Appy's provided by Team ORCA!
Please RSVP to Melanie by Monday Jul 10 at mdpeake@hotmail.com

AUGUST Summer Run
Date: Monday August 14, 2006
Meeting spot: Jack Bagley field, Nanoose for relaxing hour run starting at 6:30pm Get Together at Rocking Horse Pub in Nanoose after run (around 7:45pm)
Appy's provided by Team ORCA!
Please RSVP to Melanie by Monday Aug 7 at mdpeake@hotmail.com

All ORCA members welcome! Join us at the pub even if you cannot make the runs. Hope to see you there.
Melanie, ORCA Events

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Vancouver Island Relay

The weather held out and Team ORCA's entry for the Subway Vancouver Island Relay on May 27th did likewise! The "Multiple Orcasms" completed the eight stage relay course covering 100 kms in a combined time of 7:55:11, placing them second in the Mixed Open Category just minutes shy of the first place finishers.
The team consisted of Ann McDonald, Jackie Allen, Shirley Wong, Stacy Cuzzocrea, Lucky Butterworth, Rod Bailey, Shayne Stokes and Melissa Ross, in their respective stages.
Many thanks to our team captain, Rod Bailey for his great organizational skills and to our providers for team support vehicles, Jackie Allen and Lucky Butterworth. The van and motorhome made for comfy travel and our mascots looked great adorning the vehicles! Also, thanks to Team Orca for providing the entry fee. Hopefully, in the future, more teams will be encouraged to join in on all the fun!

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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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Running to Safety

Everyone knows that exercise is important. But while you are outside losing calories, you may be losing track of your surroundings. Exercise safety is an often ignored, important area of life. Here are some tips to ensure that the only thing in danger during your work out are those extra pounds:

Do not wear head phones while you jog. You may be inspired by the theme song from Rocky, but it will be difficult to hear oncoming traffic or footsteps behind you.
Be aware of all around you. Avoid isolated areas of the park or woods and try to remain visible to the public at all times. If you are running early in the morning or late at night, find paths that are well lit.
Make at least one other person aware of your running route and the time you expect to return.
Change your routine around. Do not run the same path on the same day every week.
Run with a partner, whether that means a human being or even your dog.
Run facing oncoming traffic.
Leave your watch and jewelry at home. These items put your at risk for muggers.
In case of an emergency, carry change for the phone with you or keep your cell phone handy.
Keep some form of identification on you. This may just mean writing your name on your shoe.
Wear light or reflective clothing.

Article from www.safety.com, submitted by Ann McDonald


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President: Randy Longmuir

Past-President and Treasurer: Brenda Light

Membership Director: Kim Longmuir

Secretary: Donna Golding

Race Director: Rhys Harrison

Communications: Ann McDonald

Events: Melanie Peake and Brian Laslo

Media Contact: Don Petrie

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: Monday, September 11th at Randy and Kim Longmuir's home. Please Email Kim for their address.