Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Maria wins the Canadian Cross Country Championship-Masters titles

Bruchet, Wodak, Knight, Petrick, Finlayson, Zambrano take national titles

November 30, 2013
(But since we don't have a photo of Maria, Dad gets to steal a bit of her limelight, even though I only placed a lowly 75 out of 97 at a local Calgary cross country race)


VANCOUVER - Six national champions were crowned today at the 2013 Canadian Cross Country Championships at Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver, B.C. Lucas Bruchet of Surrey, B.C., Natasha Wodak of Port Moody, B.C., Justyn Knight of Vaughn, Ont., Heather Petrick of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., James Finlayson of Victoria, B.C., and Maria Zambrano of Calgary, Alta., were all crowned 2013 Champions.
Lucas Bruchet took the senior men’s Canadian title in the 10-kilometre race in a time of 31:38.39. Chris Winter of Vancouver, B.C won silver in 31:47.91 and Aaron Hendrikx of Parkhill, Ont., won bronze in 31:50.97.
Natasha Wodak won the senior women’s national title in the 7-kilometre race in 24:30.80. Vancouver, B.C.’s Rachel Cliff was right behind her for silver in 24:34.00. Cliff, “It was a great race. Both Natasha and I wanted to go first-second”. Also on the podium was Calgary, Alta.’s Jessica O’Connell in 24:48.07 for the bronze.
Justyn Knight won the men’s Canadian Junior title finishing first in the 8-kilometre race in 25:43.30. Knight on his race; “I hate losing and I really felt strong running with Ben (Flanagan) and Mike (Tate).” Ben Flanagan of Kitchener, Ont., clocked 25:47.12 for the silver, “It was a great way to end the season”. Bronze was won by Mike Tate of Heatherton, N.S., in 25:53.89.
In the junior women’s 5-kilometre race Heather Petrick won gold in 17:47.63. “I was able to get an early lead and it is awesome to get revenge after falling last year”, explains Heather. “I am really happy with my training”. Defending Champion Jillian Forsey of Kippens, NFLD., was second in 18:02.45. “It was a great race and I was happy to be racing with a strong field”, said Jillian. Third place went to Kitchener, Ont.’s Jaimie Phelan in 18:13.13.
James Finlayson won the overall Masters men’s title in 26:54.34. It was a British Columbia sweep in the men’s Masters 8-kilometre race with silver going to Burnaby’s Oliver Utting in 27:17.66 while bronze went to Victoria’s Craig Odermatt in 27:35.00.
The Masters women’s national title was won by Maria Zambrano in 30:15.98. Defending champion Catherine Watkins of Vancouver, B.C. raced to a time of 30:31.43 over the 8-kilometre distance. Third went to Rachel Ruus of Richmond, B.C. in 32:10.36. Check the complete results below for Masters age category champions.  
For complete results visit www.xcountry.athletics.ca.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Snow

Start of the 1st snowfall of the year.  Maria and I planted a scraggly little, foot tall, Charlie Brown tree back in 2001.....it's sure grown up into a nice little xmas tree!


Sledding in the front yard


....and a snow angel or two


....but the kids wanted a real hill....so if was off to the neighborhood park










....apparently, big kids like to play in the snow too....


....so.....we tell the kids to bundle up when they go and play in the snow.....and then mom sets a fine example




Alberta provincial cross country championships.  Maria was 3rd overall and 1st master.  Next stop Vancouver at the end of October for the XC National champs.

Carla turns 5 and Halloween

She's a BIG girl now!


....and a princess




Last big bike ride before the snow hit.


Great observations decks over the Bow river


Autumn snooze


17km to downtown from Bowness Park.  Ramon and I rode back to get the van, while Maria and Carla took the bus home.


The perfect skate board for Halloween


....a natural


Some folks go crazy with all the Halloween paraphernalia




Ramon looking a bit worried....


....one scary bunny!


The booty.  Which oddly enuf, disappeared the next day :)   They didn't even miss it.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Fall-Autumn Another first for the kids




Ramon trying to catch up to Carla.  1km race....he outkicked her at the finish.





Carla flying with both feet off the ground....her mom's secret.




At the finish, with dad taking a photo in the background.



Maria crossing the Elbow river.



First time ever!  Maria seems to have forgotten how!



......and some hiking



Carla the reindeer




Tons of mushrooms this year....with the very wet spring they had.



Carla's mossy moustache



....and some cycling up nose hill



3 sisters in the background....down to zero but very cozy


Great to have the table out when we are driving, as they love to colour.  Thank D and D for the idea!


Dad had to sleep by himself upstairs


No sibling rivalry here....nary a peep :)