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20-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, March 23, 2004 A ~slebtanc@ haltonsearch.com -There's 'snow' stopping Milton Runners Snow, bitter cold no match f or local racers' dedication Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Members of the Milton Runners head out on one of their recent Sunday morning runs, bravlng the cold and snow. By STEVE LeBLANC Thse Ch.ampion For the Milton Runners, there's no such thing as an off-season. Even during wmnter's nastiest stretches like the ones experienced back in January, the club's entire complement can be seen braving the elemnents and toughing il out tbroughout town. So they were hardly about t0 go mnto hibernation when old man wmnter retumed for a final shebang last week. 'Sure I'm looking forward to the spring, but it (retumn of snow) was actually kind of fun - one last kick at the can," said long- time Milton Runner Trigg Hall, who did about 14 kilomnetres in the bitter cold Wednesday. 'Mat level of commitment is common- place among the group's core members, just about ail of whom are currently gear- ing up for May's Flymng Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. "Yeab. the snow and cold are a tintle annoying, but it's neyer stopped me," noted Nancy Cole-Hryciw, who's also preparing for next month's Boston Marathon and is hopisg to place top ftve in the 501-59 womn's divisions. "You just bundie Sp with heavy socks and thick gloves.- Wbile extra layers of clothing belps get them, tbrough week-day training, it's cama- raderie that really fuels the tire Sunday momnings - when club members reli- giously meet at the Leisure Centre for their weekly group run. "'Me social aspect really helps," said Cindy Jobnston, who did 12 km Wednesday and is one of numerous Milton Runsers who've completed over 30 marathons. 'You chit chat for a while and before you know it the lime bas flown by." Added Hall, "Running together is what makes it bearable, especially on those real- ly cold days." That fellowsbip can be particularly essential at times when slippery sidewalks present a legitirnate hazard and frozen water botules no doubt have some miembers questioning their almost obsession-like commilment to the sport. "'You just joke about bow il could be worse - like if il were freezing ramn mnstead of just freezing," quipped Johnston. Hard work pays off 'Me Milton Runners' teamnwork and dis- cipline has certainly paid sizable dividends in recent years. A number of group mem- bers have successfully tackled the dreaded ironman - a grueling 3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42km run course - on more than one occasion, wbile Cole-Hryciw was recently named Triathlon Canada's Femnale Masters Athlete of the Year for long-dis- tançe triathlon racing. Needless 10 say, that success cas be largely attributed 10 the club's winter war- rior ways. "It really helps 10 be weatber adapted," said Cole-Hryciw, who earlier Ibis montb was first anosg 236 masters women and ftfth overaîl arnong 690 female racers at a 5km rus in Toroto. Digso many esents tbrougbout the yeac. il s important 10 be prepared for anything." Agreed Hall, "Training in winter defi- nitely belps witb the mental aspect of rac- ing. During those competitions wben you ftnd yourself struggling, you just remem- ber back 10 those really cold days and pusb yourself througb." 'Me Milton Rutiners' Cincinnati excur- sion fotlows their trip to Panama City this past November, wben aIl 10 members suc- cessfully completed lronan Florida- eight doing so in record-setting limnes. with Sheridanki.nfuêMnrus Corinne,î5 With Sea Sait Sa'ub0 1 Mar 23-27 & M~ioisturizing Parafli Uand Treatnent2- la .... 58» K Main Ste Li Milton e 05w-Su"7U 11 This sprng, emak aMarch 3Oth, from 7:30-9:30Opm? guided tour of classica plus a dress rehearsal for the Toronto Philharmonia. maesict Ke tatn and St. Paul's United Church, 123 Main St., Milton fiiefds as exipert navgatOrS. Cost $ 149/persan, including GST ,.4ve "Oeof the best courses 11)e taken outside rny "stressful" professional life; a great escape. " To oinun a brodueiWster, pteaw cStac knbiente Inc. POý BOX 5002, station A Toronto, Ontario MSW lN4 Phorfe: 905-886-2185 a Fax: 905-882-2264 E mail-, Ambienteinc@aolcom