The Running Jackal

Rolling out from Gordon Head, the loop begins on quiet neighborhood streets before heading west toward Shelbourne. From there, the route carries on along Cedar Hill Road, a long straight stretch that threads through Saanich. It then bends south, passing Swan Lake and weaving through parkland and suburban lanes before crossing toward the Gorge Waterway. The ride continues into downtown Victoria, curving past the Inner Harbour and skirting around Deadman’s Island. From there, the route climbs back north through residential streets, steadily winding back toward Gordon Head to complete the 20 km circuit.

I set out on a brisk solo walk, starting from the residential streets and following my route downhill toward the water. The early kilometers took me past Rutland Park and through shady, tree-lined sections where I paused to notice a sign for Sierra Park. My pace stayed steady as I wound through the neighbourhood streets, my shoes scuffing the pavement, and I tracked my splits and heart rate along the way. Soon, the trees opened up to reveal Arbutus Cove, where the sand, rocks, and driftwood spread out beneath the morning light. I lingered for a few minutes by the quiet shoreline, taking in the contrast of sea, forest, and sky before looping back toward home.

On the ferry, I chatted with others about seniors traveling for free, cycling policies, and how vehicles were loaded. I explained my e-bike setup, battery range, and how I managed a multi-day trip by charging overnight. I compared different routes, including the Lockside Trail and back roads from Cowichan Bay toward Victoria. As we crossed, I reflected on leaving home, noticing how the ferry’s speed matched the pace of an e-bike. The trip wrapped up with a few last thoughts on senior discounts, space on the boat, and my farewell from the ride.

I started my run at the weir on Robinwood Drive and followed the Irvine trail up toward the summit. The morning was cool and damp after a night of rain, and I stopped briefly to admire the nasturtiums blooming in bright orange before the climb began. As I pushed into Zone 3, I felt steady, letting the rhythm of the trail and my thoughts about mindset and community carry me upward. Reaching the summit, the wind hit hard, but the wide view of the Coho ferry and ships in the distance reminded me why I love these climbs. The descent down Glendenning was steep and rocky, and I took it carefully, grateful for the workout, the scenery, and the sense of moving into a new season on the trails.

I recorded a trailer video during my run at Glencoe Cove, taking a detour from the main trail to capture the moment. Along the way, I experimented with a metronome to improve my cadence, enjoying both the downhill stretches and the challenge of climbing Balmacara Hill. I shared updates about restarting my home brewing, this time making a Munich-style lager, after learning more about shelf life from my previous batches. Despite forgetting my water bottle, I pressed on, listening for zone alerts and pacing myself through quiet neighborhoods and wooded trails. The run ended with reflections on training, balance, and wishing everyone continued success and a stress-free life.

Good morning, everybody. It’s Sunday, and I’m easing my way into wakefulness with a trip into the woods — my little forest of fun. This is a route I usually save for Fridays, but today felt like the right time to switch it up. Fifteen minutes in, I crossed the hiker’s bridge, sitting 20 seconds ahead of pace with an average heart rate of 137. A quick hydration break and then back to running — the clipping stops as soon as I settle into stride. By the sixteen-minute mark I was still holding steady, average heart rate up to 140 and about 38 seconds ahead of schedule. Just me, the trail, and the slow shift from sleepy Sunday to awake and moving. Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/28924972?utm_source=youtube (video made with https://www.headliner.app)

Five K with Rob Out for a 5K with Rob today along the West Bay Walkway. Floatplanes overhead, cruise ship in the harbor, and plenty of stories along the way. Pace was easy, about 9:30/km, but we made up for it with good company and a lot of laughs. Always better running with a friend.

“Morning from Saanich—Friday, August 29th, just before ten o’clock, and I’m back from the trails. Today was a cadence workout, five miles that turned into an out-and-back to Lohbrunner Pond. Ended up covering 8.79 kilometers with about 200 meters of climbing, and it took me just over an hour twenty. Average pace was around 9:15 per kilometer, with cadence sitting at 58. A good steady run, and the kind of quiet morning that makes training out here feel worth it.”

Good morning from Gordon Head! Today’s Running Jackal episode turned into a little boat-spotting and beach adventure. I set out from San Juan Avenue into the sun, shades on, and wandered down toward Arbutus Cove. With the tide low enough, I managed to scramble across the rocks and driftwood, slipping a bit in my road shoes but still making it through. Lots to see along the way — dogs on the beach, waves lapping, and even some big boulders being put in to reinforce the shoreline. It was one of those perfect sunny BC mornings where you just keep going, not worrying too much about the plan. By the time I wrapped up, I’d done about 6 km, picked up an old picture frame for a future project, and was already thinking about splitting a bit of wood when I got home. Just another midweek wander with the Running Jackal! Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/28762805?utm_source=youtube (video made with https://www.headliner.app)

Join me on a special birthday run adventure at Mount Douglas. 🎉 Starting near Majestic Drive, I wander into the forest, choosing my route on the fly and soaking in the views. With a recent long run in my legs (and a slightly tweaked ankle), I keep the pace easy while tackling some steeper climbs and technical sections. Along the way, I pass Douglas Creek Trail, the hiker’s bridge, and some stunning wilderness that makes this run feel extra epic. This “birthday edition” run is all about trail vibes, steady effort, and capturing the journey on camera for you to come along.#TrailRunning #BirthdayRun #RunningVlog #MountDouglas #MorningMiles #TrailLife #SingleTrackForever #RunningPodcast #ZoneOneRunning #RunningOver70

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 It was one of those steady midweek runs, nothing fancy, just the rhythm of my breath and the soft crunch of gravel underfoot. The blackberries along the trail tempted me, but most of them were just out of reach, dangling like rewards for another time. I curved past King’s Pond, where the water had shrunk back for the season. A few ducks lingered, mostly females, while the rest had slipped off to better waters. I carried on, the quiet broken only by a pair of deer grazing off to the side, unbothered by my passing. That’s always the magic of this loop—wildlife tucked between fairways and pathways, reminders that the golf course is more than manicured greens. By the time I closed out the half hour, the relief was there as always: my faithful ebike waiting, untouched, ready to whisk me home. A standard mid-weeker, maybe—but a good one, marked by ponds, deer, and the steady pulse of the run.

I set off up Harrop Trail fuelled by porridge, banana, turmeric, and blueberries, determined to chase altitude over distance. About fifteen minutes in, I wrestled a water bottle from my pack, greeted a friendly white Labrador, and reminded myself this was day three of consecutive running. The climb was brutal—150 meters in one kilometer—forcing me into a power hike where I leaned so far forward I could nearly touch the trail. Along the way, I tracked heart rate zones, calculated calorie burn, and reflected on my August “on the wagon” challenge, feeling my liver thank me for the break from beer. I reached the teacup summit sweaty, grinning, and still in pirate spirit, snapping proof shots before signing off—The Running Jackal, adventure logged.

This morning I set out on P’Kols before the heat arrived and had a fantastic 70-minute adventure on the Saddle Loop. I started near the Sea View Inn and Suites at Cordova Bay, crossing the three “Fake Bridges” — my nickname for the short boardwalks over damp, mossy ground. Whittaker Trail took me into the cool cedar shade, winding upward toward the saddle with its mix of roots, dirt, and rocky steps. I passed places rich with Coast Salish history and ongoing restoration work, then descended toward Douglas Creek before looping back to my starting point. By the time I finished, I had covered 6.67 km, climbed 153 m, and enjoyed every minute of my 1h 1m run, legs light and lungs filled with sea breeze. #PKOLS #TrailRunning #SaddleLoop #WhittakerTrail #SeaViewInn #CordovaBay #CoastSalishTerritory #NatureRun #RunHappy #DouglasCreek #ForestRunning #TrailLife

Today I tried a new variation of my usual route, heading from Mount Douglas toward the meadows and looping along Blenkinsop Road instead of the well-worn Lochside Trail. It had rained overnight, so the forest felt fresh, and I kept a steady Zone 2 pace, pausing now and then to snap photos and sip my homemade blackberry sports drink. I’d recently serviced all my bikes and hit six days without alcohol, which left me feeling sharper, hungrier, and more energized out on the trail. Along the way, I met a friendly runner with his dog and recalled a past encounter with a man who once told me, “I am the dog,” which always stuck with me. I wrapped up the run at the Hiker’s Bridge, where I usually begin, feeling grateful for this midweek reset.

This morning, I ran up to Peacock Hill via the Chip Trail, starting near King’s Pond after locking up my bike and getting an early Zone 3 warning from my heart. I chatted about a new medication I started—meant to ease prostate symptoms—but decided to take it at night due to possible dizziness. As I moved along the undulating trails, I reflected on my preference for real-life interaction over "Zoom" and reminded myself to keep my effort sustainable if I want to be running into my nineties. Near the summit, I recorded a short video and snapped a few photos of the hazy view, with Mount Tolmie, Mount Doug, and Bear Mountain barely visible through the smoke. By the end of the route, I had logged over twenty minutes of running and talking, enough for a full-length episode—unedited, meandering, and unmistakably Jackal.

“The kid had wandered off near the base of Christmas Hill, chasing something—maybe a rabbit, maybe just curiosity. Witnesses said a huge eagle swooped down and lifted her clean off the ground before anyone could react. Searchers scoured the hill all day, expecting the worst, until someone spotted her calmly sitting at the summit, legs dangling over the rock. She wasn’t crying, wasn’t scared—just holding an eagle feather and staring out over the valley. No one could explain how she got there without a scratch, and she never told.”

This morning, I rode my eBike along the Lochside Trail and stopped at Rithet’s Bog for a relaxed trail run. I covered 4.82 km around the bog loop in just under 40 minutes, keeping things steady with an average pace of 8:16 per kilometer. The soft chip and dirt paths were gentle on my legs, and I maintained an average cadence of 65 throughout the run. The ride there and back added a smooth rhythm to the outing, turning the whole experience into a refreshing cross-training session. It felt great to be out moving in nature, combining wheels and feet for one perfect morning.https://youtu.be/sdtd2kScnbg

Blog Post: “A King's Pond Walk — Ducks, Doctors & Drainpipes”By Carlos CastilloThis morning’s solo walk turned into something richer than just a physical workout—it became a reflection on health, life’s interruptions, duck diplomacy, and neighborhood plumbing. I set off a little after 7:40 a.m. under clear skies, aiming to burn 600 calories and keep a relaxed Zone 1 effort. My route took me through the familiar streets of Saanich

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s49rrq_ww3EThis morning in Saanich, I went on a 6.52 km power hike around the Cedar Hill Golf Course, which took me 1 hour and 14 minutes with an elevation gain of 105 meters and an average cadence of 59. Early in the hike, I had a brief encounter with someone near a little shrine that had recently been decorated with moss and butterflies—we chatted before going our separate ways. I filmed a trailer video and tried to record audio for my podcast, highlighting the Gary Oak meadows and a few natural features, including a now-dry pond. At one point, I flipped the camera to show my hiking gear and mentioned how tricky the rocks can be, even after you think the trail has leveled out. Unfortunately, I later discovered that none of the audio had recorded, so I decided to officially begin the episode at the clubhouse while heading back toward King’s Pond.

This morning, I had planned to run with Derick, but the rising heat had him thinking twice. I was still at the bus stop when he backed out, so I never got on. Instead, I swung onto my little bike and rolled off without a route, just a sense of possibility. I called it my “Freedom Ride”—a spontaneous escape from routine. It felt like the day itself had nudged me to take a break from the schedule and simply move.