The Running Jackal

I headed to Cedar Hill Golf Course for my midweek chip trail run, recording the trailer video at the start before settling into another episode of guerrilla podcasting. Although I felt a little low on energy and had a looming dental appointment to have a tooth pulled, the peaceful morning, well-kept golf course, and familiar figure-eight route with its convenient water stops kept me moving. Along...

On my Sunday solo trail run, I enjoyed a brisk outing through my favourite Forest of Fun, recording both a trailer video and podcast while keeping a steady pace and staying well hydrated with my homemade mint-electrolyte sports drink. I reflected on my recent strength training, the changing scenery, and the simple pleasure of running beneath the forest canopy where the shade made the summer heat m...

On Canada Day, I headed out solo for a road and beach run around the Low Tide Loop, enjoying a steady and relaxed pace from start to finish. I covered 8.2 km, making it my longest run of the week while focusing on easy endurance rather than speed. The route included 126 metres of climbing, my biggest elevation gain of the week, and I finished stronger than I started. Even though my pace was slight...

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Carlos combined a grocery run with a short exploratory outing, setting off by e-bike toward Fairway Market before heading out on foot to investigate the aftermath of a recent motor vehicle incident near Cedar Hill Cross Road. Following a winding route through Synod Road, Jennifer Road, and Doncaster Drive, he reflected on road closures, a demolished school site, and the possibility that the crash...

“Harrop Up, Churchill Down: Antenna Loop” A short, punchy loop taking in the antenna site: climb steady on Harrop Trail, then enjoy a faster, flowing descent via Churchill Drive. A simple up-and-down route that links effort with reward, and a clean circuit for checking in on the hilltop installations. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-running-jackal--500980/s...

Today’s outing to Lohbrunner Pond turned into a bit of an adventure when I accidentally took my usual route and had to backtrack before getting on course. Along the way I mixed steady walking with short running bursts, enjoying cooler temperatures, plenty of trail encounters, and a chance to test how a few lifestyle tweaks have been affecting my energy levels. I crossed the meadows, exchanged gree...

On a sunny Sunday, I set out to walk Rob’s five-mile route at an easy pace, enjoying the busy atmosphere around Lambrick Park with cyclists, soccer games, baseball, and the summer market. I reflected on a trip the day before to visit my friend Derek and see a Spielberg movie, though missing a bus turned part of the journey into a five-kilometre walk. The route took me through neighbourhoods and al...

Today I ran to the summit, climbing through dense forest to the communications towers on the rocky ridge above. Dark storm clouds loomed overhead, but patches of blue sky created a dramatic backdrop. As I gained elevation, sweeping views opened up across the surrounding hills and forests. Reaching the top was rewarding, especially with the constantly changing weather adding to the experience. It w...

The “Salmonberry Do-Over” Over the last three months, most of my hiking training has been comfortably aerobic, with 68% of my time spent in Zone 2. I added some steady effort in Zone 3 to help build endurance and strength on the trails. Higher-intensity work was kept to a minimum, making up just a small portion of my training. Overall, it’s been a consistent and balanced approach focused on buildi...

Today's errand ride combined beer-making supplies with a good workout on the e-bike. I followed my familiar route along the Galloping Goose Trail, stopping first at Walmart for dextrose before continuing to Hamilton Hops and Barley for malt, caps, and other brewing essentials. Along the way I reflected on cycling fitness, enjoying the challenge of using less motor assistance while rebuilding stren...

Anti-Clockwise at the Bog This morning’s adventure started with an easy e-bike ride out to Rithet’s Bog. Once there, I left the bike behind and headed onto the trails for a relaxed run through one of my favourite local nature spots. The bog was quiet, the legs felt good, and it was one of those outings where the kilometres seemed to take care of themselves. After the run, I cruised home on the bik...

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This morning I tackled the Meadows trail loop, a short but demanding five-kilometer route packed with steep climbs, rugged rocks, and tangled roots. The constant elevation gain kept the effort honest, pushing me into Zone 4 on some of the tougher sections while most of the run stayed comfortably aerobic. I averaged about a 10-minute kilometer pace and managed to keep moving steadily despite the te...

Carlos reported in from near King’s Pond on a Wednesday rest day, where he checked on the ducks and admired a tame wood duck before continuing toward the golf course for water. He reflected on how his running schedule shifted week to week and spoke about recent concerns with his breathing, heart rate, and overall cardiovascular health as he compared his walking and running pace. Along the route, h...

I headed up Mount Douglas Park for a tough run-hike to the summit of Little Mount Doug, taking on the steepest climbs right from the start. The trails were rugged and slow going, with plenty of climbing, off-leash dogs, rocky sections, and a careful descent after my recent fall earlier in the week. I looped past the saddle, caves, and Todd Trail before making the final push to the summit on the sa...

Back at Lambrick Park today, keeping things simple with steady laps, early walk breaks, and plenty of time to settle into the rhythm. The wind was up, the skies were moody, and the park was full of life — tennis players, tai chi groups, baseball practice, dog walkers, and all the familiar Lambrick regulars crossing paths on a cloudy Wednesday morning. My pace gradually improved as the breathing se...

I visited the weight room to see the changes they had made and noticed that some of the equipment had been moved around. I went for a long run through Bow Park, Bow Pond, and King’s Pond, stopping at water fountains along the way and checking on the ducks without bringing them any food. During my run, I talked about my work schedule, including how I had covered extra dishwashing shifts and was pre...

Up Irvine down Harrop trailsI put in a solid effort on a familiar route, tackling it for the 35th time with a bit more grit than usual. My pace was slower than recent runs, but the added elevation and tough mid-route climbs made that expected. I spent most of the run in higher heart rate zones, pushing into threshold and tempo for a strong overall effort. The challenging terrain also dropped my ca...

I climbed up from the Harrop trail to the South Ridge on Mount Douglas, realizing partway through that I’d lost about twelve minutes of recording, so I kept the recorder going as I continued. I adjusted my gear so I could climb hands-free, navigating rocky sections, loose gravel, and some steep, hands-and-feet scrambling while stopping to take photos of the camas, broom, and sweeping views out tow...

Went out for a run this morning on “The Show Route”—6.86 km in 1:10. It was a mix of steady effort and some harder bursts—felt great overall! Averaged 9:42/km, and with 733 calories burned, it was a solid session. Heart rates climbed, so I know I pushed a bit harder—time to rest up and recover! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-running-jackal--500980/support...

I went out for an easy run and covered just over 8 km in about 70 minutes. I kept a steady, relaxed pace and my heart rate stayed mostly in the aerobic zones. I felt strong throughout, with most of my time spent comfortably in Zones 2 and 3. My cadence and effort stayed consistent, and I didn’t push too hard at any point. I finished feeling great and hit my move goal for the day. Become a supporte...

I headed out for a routine trail run but got stopped at the bridge by a group releasing classroom-raised chum salmon into the creek. A quick chat turned into a reminder of how those fish support the entire ecosystem, from bugs to trees. The run itself settled into a rhythm—managing heart rate, mixing walking and running, and enjoying the familiar Mount Doug trails. I couldn’t help noticing the con...

Carlos heads out on a run documenting recent changes to a fenced-off dog area, noting it was created as a compromise after leash rules upset dog owners. He reflects on the restricted access, comparing it humorously to confinement, but accepts people will eventually adapt. Along the route, he passes familiar local spots, including Kevin’s firewood lot, new housing developments, and the Glendinning...

Nancy Hanks was the mother of Abraham Lincoln, remembered for her influence on his character despite her early death in 1818. Her name later lived on in a different way through Nancy Hanks, a record-setting harness racing horse of the late 1800s. The horse became famous across North America, symbolizing speed and excellence during a time when horse racing was hugely popular. In Victoria, streets i...