Nik’s Chicks is a FREE ladies only running/triathlon group. It is only a time and place to meet & a program to follow.  I cannot join you on every run/workout.  If you are new to exercising, it is advisable to have a doctor’s OK prior to beginning.  Any information or products represented on this site are for educational purposes only and are not a substitute for any advice given to you by a medical, nutritional or fitness professional. Please sign my waiver (in “About”) and fill out my contact info sheet when you arrive for your first run.  Please park on West Oak Trails Blvd, Nightingale or at Bloomfield Park to avoid congestion, locking beeps and car doors closing around my neighbours’ houses! We run Tuesday and Thursday evenings 7:30pm and Saturday mornings 8am from the corner of Westoak Trails Blvd. and Blackbird Court.  Check out Weekly Workout section for specific times and distances.

Type your email address in the blank to the right and click follow to automatically receive my updates! You can also check out the Nik’s Chicks Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/132984713404930/

Quotes of the Week: 

News from the “Nest”: Happy Mother’s Day! Not all us are moms, but there is a pretty good contingent! Hope you take some time to put your feet up and get a little pampering today:) We had a beautiful 20km run yesterday morning around Oakville via Bronte, Lakeshore and 4th Line. There was a lot of “therapy” and sharing going on – a typical occurrence for us.  After I got home, I took a moment to reflect on how blessed I am to have you ladies in my life!  It will truly be a challenge to not talk with you 3 days a week after I move, but it will keep me looking ahead to those destination races – starting with Chicago! Hence, the 4 quotes about running friendships!

The countdown is on! Only 8 weeks until I transplant myself to PEI:( Sooooo many things to fit in, including the Reunion Run – see below!

Reunion Run: Back in 2006 I moved from Halifax, NS and didn’t know a soul in Oakville. I was still running and really hoping to meet some ladies so I selfishly didn’t have to run by myself! I recruited neighbours, my kids’ new friends’ moms, hockey moms, basketball moms, hockey teammates, baseball moms, kids’ teachers, strangers, etc! In October of 2009 I began the website/blog and then we started to get new members via the site and not just word of mouth. In July of 2010, I created the Facebook Group and even more “strangers” sought us out. I figure that over the past 13 years that there have been over 300 ladies who have Learned to Run with Nik’s Chicks! Most started with the Learn to Run 5km program and many went on to do 10km, 1/2 marathon and marathon distances. There was a splinter group of triathletes as well who did Try-a-tris, Sprint Tris, Sprint Dus, Olympic Tris and even Half Ironmans. To honour and celebrate everyone who had a part in making this running group so much more than a running group (even if you only came out once!), I invite you all to come out on Saturday, June 22nd at 8am for a Reunion Run/Walk.  I will be moving to PEI in early July and it would be wonderful to see everyone before I go:) As a group we will be covering the “Big Block” (about 5km) and follow it up with refreshments and snacks at my place. Please share the date with anyone you may know that has run with us but may not be receiving these updates. I am looking forward to the Reunion! Please note that my departure will not mean the end of Nik’s Chicks…the ladies will still continue to run in my absence under new leadership (more news on this later) and I hope to be back for some visits!

Sulphur Springs Races 2019: Our race day is sneaking up on us – May 25th!  This is a trail race that has many short hills so plan on walking up, shuffling down and not running for time:) A nice jog in the woods! We will definitely be having a group lunch after the 25km girls finish. I will make a reservation at Sammy’s Family Restaurant – we ate there last year and burgers and shakes were yummy! With our 7:30 am start we should all be finished by 11:00 and ready to eat:) For race details check out Participant’s Guide

We will be carpooling to the site. I unfortunately cannot drive as I have company at my house and am leaving my van for them. We can discuss what time we will want to leave Oakville.  Bring a change of clothes. I reached out to Mauro of Conners Runners and we can leave our things on their site – I have a large plastic bin for our bags. Post race we can change in the Community Center before having lunch.

25km: Niki, Shelley, Joanne, Christine G, Christine A, Lee-Ann, Jenn, Anca

10km: Alison, Emily, David and Shannon

Nik’s Chicks Gear:  We may not always be the fastest of runners, but gosh darn it – we look good! Here is a list of the stock and pricing I have for Nik’s Chicks gear. Grab some now before I go!  First come, first served:) Email me at mclaughlins1438@gmail.com if you are interested and want to set up a time to try on.

Sugoi Original Tri Top Size Sm – 20.00Original MEC Tank Top  XS x 2 – 20.00Champion Timing Lightweight T-Shirt Med x 1 – 30.00Champion Timing Tri Top XL x 2, L x 2, M x 1 – 50.00Champion Timing LS Lightweight S x 1, M x 1 – 45.00Grey Nike Running Hat x 1 – 25.00Pink Nike Running Hat x 3 – 35.00Blue LED Arm Light x 12 – 7.00 Chicago Marathon: Training begins June 1st from 10km base. I have the program taking us to 42km – we can discuss if that’s what we want to do. Can’t wait for another race weekend away! Chicago Marathon 2019

Shoe Donations: Just a heads up this is the last week for my shoe collection!   Donate your shoes (not just runners, kids’ and husbands’ as well).  If you have any shoes to donate, feel free to leave them in a bag on my front step or at my garage door at 1438 Redwing Crt. anytime. Thanks to everyone who has dropped theirs off already!

Find your happy pace!   Niki