The Running Jackal

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 trail area, sharing observations about the neighborhood and past connections with fellow runners. His run continues along the Lochside Trail toward Roy’s bridge, marking distance, pace, and small details like reopened water fountains and trail conditions. Reaching the turnaround point, he captures a few photos, notes his progress, and signs off before heading back.


















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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 in some areas were named after notable racehorses rather than historical figures. As a result, “Nancy Hanks Street” in Victoria reflects the legacy of the celebrated horse, not Abraham Lincoln’s mother.

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I started my run from the top of Harrop onto the South Ridge Trail toward Cougar Cave, setting out with Norma before she turned back due to her sore back. I kept the early pace slow, mixing in walking so we could ease into running together without pressure. Once on my own, I stayed relaxed in Zone 1, moving through the meadows and past familiar landmarks like Tombstone Rock while taking in the spring flowers and birdsong. I adjusted my route around the new dog fencing, noticing how it’s changing some of my usual loops but still enjoying the shared trail space with others and their dogs. By the end, my pace improved steadily, and I finished with photos, video, and audio—grateful for a flexible, sunlit run on the Mount Doug trails.

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I had set out toward Lambrick Park to close out my “Revisit Trilogy,” beginning my first windy lap with the goal of staying in zone two. I reflected on the previous runs—King’s Pond and Rithet’s Bog—along with a tough experiment in zone one the day before, which made this effort feel more balanced. Over five steady laps, I shared the quiet rhythm of the park, brief encounters with fellow runners and plenty of dogs, all while keeping a consistent pace. I noted how the run fit into my broader weekly training, managing effort, calories, and recovery to stay on track. I wrapped up the session on my final lap, looking ahead to upcoming adventures and signing off from Lambrick Park on April Fool’s Day.

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I set out under a grey sky, looking up through bare branches as I found my rhythm and settled into the quiet of the trail.
The ground turned slick and alive beneath me, and I carefully crossed waterlogged logs, each step a mix of balance and trust.
There’s something grounding about wet shoes and the sound of slow-moving water, like the land is speaking in a softer voice.
I paused at the edge of the bog, taking in the story of this place and how it’s shaped by time, water, and patience.
It felt less like a run and more like a conversation with the landscape, one step at a time.

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Podcast Description: On a sunny post-rain morning loop around the Chip Trail, Carlos sets out for a mostly solo run blending movement, reflection, and nature. Along the way, he captures the energy of early spring—blooming flowers, warm sunlight, and lively park scenes—while sharing thoughts on training philosophy, including the balance between heart rate–based running and the run-walk method popularized by Jeff Galloway. Drawing from personal experience, including recovery from an Achilles injury, he reflects on how his approach to running has evolved from performance-focused to joy-driven. A chance mid-run encounter adds a human touch to an otherwise introspective episode, closing with a relaxed sign-off and a promise of more to come.

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I headed out on an epic solo hike, keeping a mostly steady, easy effort as the trail rolled on. The highlight was a crew of playful crows—darting, calling, and almost running alongside me at times. They brought a lively, mischievous energy that made the solitude feel shared. It turned into less of a workout and more of a memorable moment in the wild.

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Douglas Creek to the Sea 
Midweek miles in the rain—wet shoes, dripping len, and that steady rhythm in my 'hood.
Following the creek all the way out to the open water.


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On my Sunday show run through Gordon Head, I set off chatting about the local sights and sounds as P'kols pulled me along yet again. The pace was good until I hit the trails, where the heart rate mattered more than the watch and I stopped now and then to snap photos and catch my breath. Along the way I ended up in a couple of friendly trail-side debates about the new dog fencing and whether it’s really protecting the vegetation or just annoying the regulars. I also wandered up toward the old Cougar (or maybe Copper) Cave, thinking about the days when kids and even motorcycles used to roam these hills a lot more freely. By the time I crested the saddle between Little and Big Mount Doug, I was still happily rambling about the Ides of March, Caesar, and the little adventures that always seem to happen on a simple Sunday run. 🏃‍♂️🌲

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On my midweek run I completed the return leg of a seven-hundred-calorie out-and-back along the trails around P'Kols, an episode I titled “The Leaning Trees on P'Kols.” I ran mainly downhill at first, enjoying one of my favourite stretches of trail and settling into a steady pace of around ten minutes per kilometre while retracing the same route I had taken earlier. Along the way I passed the outdoor school again, heard the rush of Douglas Creek after the rain, and noticed the bustle of kids enjoying the day while I kept moving. I reflected on how I once ran beside the road without realizing this beautiful forest trail even existed, now appreciating the shelter of the trees and the quiet rhythm of the route. I finished the run near the Hiker’s Bridge, satisfied that this time the recording worked and that the short midweek outing had turned into a simple trail story with dry feet and steady miles. 🌲🏃‍

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