Nik’s Chicks is a FREE ladies only running/triathlon group. It is only a time and place to meet & a program to follow.   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 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”: 25 days! 25 days! 25 days!  The reality of how many days til our move date on July 2nd has just struck me and my stomach is a little queasy. Partly because I am feeling a wee bit of stress about my long to-do list, partly because I am excited about moving home and a big part is the sadness I feel at leaving my amazing network of truly wonderful ladies (insert tears here).  Our move has evolved from someday to next year to a few weeks and I have managed to just park my emotions at the back of my minds saying I will only worry about it when I need to. Well, those emotions have officially bubbled to the surface as I write my update today. There are so many things I will miss about this group: the laughter, race weekends, sharing firsts, nudging one another to reach new goals, “therapy” runs, building a community of like minded women, destination races, looking good in our gear, knowing “Niki’s Corner” will exist after I move, having a network of girls I can count on for anything…and so many other things. I will be back to ON to visit my sons and intend on crashing with some of you and definitely joining in on the running sessions! This definitely not a goodbye, just a see you later!!

New Chick Leaders: As I move along, this group will be in good hands going forward! I have “coerced” 3 veteran Chicks to step in and share the leadership role so it’s not too big of a burden on anyone.  Let me introduce them to you:

Shelley Gallant – Resident firecracker and go getter.  This “Little” Chick knows how to set a goal and go after it. Shelley brings her endless energy, zest for life and natural coaching/mama hen tendencies to the group!

Tania Grecco – Ass kicker, dog lover and spitfire extraordinaire.   This “Speedy” Chick is driven and will drag you along with her with calls of “You’re Fine!”. Tania brings her enthusiasm for running and no shit attitude to the group!

Joanne Wiggins – Cool, calm and collected. This “Amazon” (compared to me) Chick is always the voice of reason and is never fazed by distance, weather or other running variable (mud). Joanne brings her no nonsense attitude and endless optimism to the group!

I feel confident that these three ladies will have no problem taking Nik’s Chicks into a slightly new direction while keeping the premise of the group (social, fun, welcoming) the same.  They will be monitoring the Nik’s Chick Facebook Page and taking over the Blog Updates in my absence. Good luck ladies – I am only a text/email away if you need any help!

Reunion Run Saturday, June 22nd at 8am:  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 July 2nd 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:)

Sulphur Springs Races 2019: Wow!!! This was some race! As the weekend grew near the forecast was not promising. Rain, rain and more rain.

We made our way to the race site, dropped our dry post race gear and “toed the line” while the rain poured and the thunder boomed.  Yes, we began an outdoor trail race in a thunderstorm! The first two hours brought much of the same, then it stopped and then the sun came out and heated things up. With the monsoon rain and plethora of runners came…mud! Lots of mud! For a gal who hates getting her shoes dirty this was in the beginning stressful and by the end cathartic!

The fast girls finished the hilly 25km course in just over three hours and slower gals pulled in an hour later (porta potty breaks, good food at the aid stations and photo ops slowed us down!) It really was a fun time and also very empowering. I’m not signing up for a mud run anytime soon though! Great job girls!

 We capped off the race with a great meal at Sammy’s in Ancaster. Well done wishes go out to Alison and her family for doing the 10km course – hopefully the experience hasn’t scared her kids off running! So glad I could share this experience with the Chicks. There is no other group of amazing people that can come close to you guys!! Really looking forward to Chicago – well the company part…not the marathon:) 

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 – 45.00

Pink Nike Running Hat x 3 – 35.00Blue LED Arm Light x 12 – 7.00Chicago Marathon: Training began June 1st from 10km base. I have created 2 programs -one taking you to 36km and one to 42km. Can’t wait for another race weekend away! Ontario Chicks (36) Chicago Marathon 2019     Ontario Chicks (42) Chicago Marathon 2019

Shoe Donations:  Thanks to everyone who has dropped off their used shoes. They will all have a second life:)

Facebook:  If you are new to running with Nik’s Chicks, you may not have signed up to join our Facebook group.  Ladies can chat with each other about who will be showing up for workouts or attending races and it is a place to share photos of the group. It is a closed group – invite only. Message the group ahead of requesting to become member please so we know you are a actual participant and local runner:) https://www.facebook.com/groups/132984713404930/