Another guest post:
“Hello,
I am Jason, I grew up in the Comox Valley. For me, running started when I found myself up front during PE class runs at G.P. Vanier Secondary in 1986. It was known then as The Bridge Run and was a regular short course known to everyone who went through that school. It started at the Vanier gymnasium, and the turnaround was the old Dove Creek Bridge that is no longer there. The feeling I got from running was powerful. It led me to join the Cougars Track Club and the school’s cross country running team. I didn’t break any records but thought 2:10 in the 800m and 5:35 in the 1500m were decent. Those times kept me in the top 3 at most track meets.
After high school I took a long break from running as I focused on raising kids and building a career. In 2009, not even considering exercise, my sister asked me to join her in a learn-to-run program in the Cumberland Forest where I rediscovered my love of running. At the same time, I was introduced to a world class trail network that wasn’t around when we were young growing up around the area. I soon joined CVRR and discovered the running community was full of the best people. I have been inspired by many runners and have made many lifelong friends.
Since 2009, I have run many half marathons including one full marathon, lots of trail races, hundreds of local group runs, and have been a regular at my favorite, Thursday Night Trails. My best half marathon time was 1:42:22.
Knowing all the local trails from my youth, TNT founder Frank Graham instantly made me a run leader on Thursday nights. I still lead the middle pace group whenever I can.
I will continue to run for the health benefits both mental and physical, as well as the freedom to eat baked goods. There is something special about meeting your headlamp wearing peers at the trail head on a dark, rainy, winters night and grudgingly knocking off 10K.
One run can change your day, many runs can change your life (author unknown)
See you in the trails…..”
