Blog

Another guest post:

Hello. Someone told me about the blog. I read it and enjoyed it. May I add my 2 cents?

Hello. I’m Darren Skuja. And I was A Runner for 45 years. 

I joined CVRR (and Comox Valley Cougars) in 1986. I immediately started coaching with Cougars. Sometime in the mid-90s I became the CVRR coach…for about 15 years.

Claims to “fame”:

– I dreamed of a sub4min 1500m, starting in 1976 when I ran 5:12. Every year for the next 13 years I got faster. And on a lovely evening at UVic in 1989 I ran 3:59.4. This journey taught me so much about setting goals and chasing them.

– On a lovely evening in Burnaby in 1991, coach Neil Holm ran his PR 10000m in 30:49. I was 20sec behind him – also my PR. There was something in the air that night.

– Also in 1991 I managed to cross the line first in the Comox Valkey 20k. The fast guys didn’t show up. I first did this event in 1984. I now love watching it every year. I cannot believe that it is 2026 already.

I was completely obsessed with running for all those years. I loved it all: The Island Series, track, CVRR sessions and events… What an experience!

My left knee decided that it didn’t want to run anymore in 2019. I sulked for a bit as I walked – I can walk 20k no problem! Then one night lightning stuck and a loud voice shouted “Why aren’t you at the pool?”

Now I love swimming! Try x distance in y time. Just like running. I won’t win any swims or set any records. But that’s ok. 

There is life after running! 

(Pic = 1989 CVRR 5k. I’m pacing Steve Royer and a few familiar others. Look at that old asphalt track.)