The Running Jackal

Describing the bog ride:run:ride This morning I started with a 7 km e-bike ride through Saanich to warm up and burn 200 calories. Then I ran the Bog loop anti-clockwise, 4.9 km at an easy 8:05 pace, enjoying the quiet trails and soft ground. After the run, I got back on the bike for another 7 km ride with a bit more climb. By the end, I’d covered about 19 km in just over 90 minutes. It was a perfect mix of riding and running to start the day.

This morning’s “Duck Run” covered 8.01 km from Blenkinsop Road up through Gordon Head, finishing near Tyndall Avenue. The total time was 1:38:19, with 1:16:32 of active running at an average pace of 9:33 per km. Heart rate stayed mostly aerobic, averaging 124 bpm and peaking at 157, with 37% of the time in Zone 2. The run burned an estimated 711 calories, exceeding the 600-calorie target. You reported feeling great, keeping a steady 61 cadence and smooth pacing throughout the route., Avg Cadence:61

Happy Thanksgiving from Canada! It’s a blustery holiday Monday, but the skies have finally cleared after days of rain and cloud. I set out for a run through the forest at Mount Douglas, recording both audio and video while passing fellow hikers, dogs, and families enjoying the crisp autumn air. Along the way, I reflected on the Royal Victoria Marathon held yesterday and chatted with a few locals about their Thanksgiving plans. Surrounded by the sheltering trees and golden light, I felt deeply grateful for nature, friendship, and the freedom to explore the trails that inspire me

I started my road trip early, catching the bus at the end of San Juan Avenue just seconds before it arrived—perfect timing. After a quick transfer to the 72, I rode to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal and boarded the small ferry bound for Fulford Harbor on Salt Spring Island. I had no fixed plans, just a simple goal to explore the island and see what future e-bike trips might look like.Once there, I biked about six kilometers to Ruckle Farm, logging around 500 calories on my little road bike. The island was scenic but steep—definitely better suited for an e-bike next time. I stopped at a local store that had everything from sandwiches to wine, enjoyed a beef sandwich and a discreet Pilsner Urquell from my water bottle while listening to a pianist by the pier.Despite a few mishaps, it was a rewarding solo adventure full of music, good food, and the open road.

This morning I ran laps at Lambrick Park, alternating 300 calories clockwise and 300 calories counterclockwise while struggling to stabilize my heart rate after a late night out. I carried my camera and a diluted Damiana tea sports drink, took walk breaks in the shade, and noticed lots of people walking dogs and playing baseball and tennis as I went. Despite my elevated heart rate readings, which I suspected were due to adrenaline, dehydration, or even Bluetooth interference, I kept to my program and checked my stats periodically. By the time I’d run nearly 5 km, I realized both directions had been equally stressful, so I decided to head home while still feeling good overall. As I turned into my street, I reflected on pacing, age, and the importance of listening to my body while running.

I headed out on a 90-minute run–hike mix, aiming to keep most of it in zone one with occasional stretches into zone two and three. I monitored my cadence, heart rate, pace, and hydration, pausing for tea breaks and noting how my body responded to the mixture. Along the way I passed other runners, including a Coast Guard woman, and reflected on recording challenges, outfit noise, and whether the audio quality would be useful. My thoughts drifted to family—like my son flying back from England—and everyday details, such as salmon deals at the store. The route climbed steadily to the saddle, where I wrapped up the recording before heading downhill toward Bow and Lambrick Parks to finish.

Hello everyone—today I’m taking you on a hike instead of a run, aiming for about 90 minutes of activity. I’ve got my camera, voice recorder, and the metronome ticking away, though that click may make the audio unusable. Crossing the Hiker’s Bridge, I passed people enjoying Douglas Creek. I stopped for water, admired the trees I think of as friends, and recorded some trailer footage while moving toward the meadows. The traffic and clothing rustle made the audio tricky, but I pressed on past the outdoor schoolroom, then climbed toward Arbutus Mount, noting helicopters overhead. The trails were beautiful, rocky, and quiet, and I filmed again for the video audience. Today’s episode will likely be called ‘To the Meadows and Back’. Wrapping up, I stowed my earbuds, and continued the hike—still recording,.. still 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