Walk: Wed. Apr. 2 @ Shopper's

It would be 10K on Wednesday. However, due to Doc Soup, the Wednesday-night regulars who are doing Mississauga will be away at the movies.

So I declare Wednesday a wild card night: Show up and choose the distance! If you haven't been out in a while, this is the night for you. With Shopper's/Woodbine/Danforth as three sides of the route, Coxwell turnaround is 5K; Greenwood is 6K; Pape is 8K. Enjoy!

Free ticket: Niki can't use her Doc Soup ticket this week, so the first to email Helen* with the right answer to the skill-testing question Can you use this ticket? can claim it. (*Just Reply-to this message when it hits your in-box.) The documentary this month is Young @ Heart, Bloor Cinema (near Bathurst) at 6:30 pm. For those interested, tickets for the 2008 Hot Docs Festival and passes for the Doc Soup 2008/9 Subscription Series are now on sale. It's fantastic value for great film.

Walk: Mon. Mar. 31 @ Loblaws

That's a thumbs-up from Marg in her first Saturday outing after December's tumble. Meanwhile, Rainer demonstrates what we all know, that behind a great woman is often a great man trying to keep up... (until they get that hip thing going, and then, Whoa!).

Please do a rain dance for Monday at 7 pm, when we have 8K scheduled and "They" have double-booked rain. Sprinkles won't stop us, but a solid downpour might. Please check in and be counted.

FYI, the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) has over-ruled the City's "No!" and is allowing an 18-acre Walmart to be built almost next door to Tim's between Lakeshore and Eastern. If you believe that this part of the city is not the right place for such a development, you might be interested in the petition campaign that is trying to get the Province to intervene.

Walk: Sat. Mar. 29 @ Tim's

Now the distances begin to stretch for the Mississauga crew: 13K. If we take the Spit, that's a stroll to the lighthouse at Vicki Keith Point and back via the outside road, properly called Tommy Thompson Park (when you turn left at the first fork in the road).

In case you've sped past it before, the pic is of the Vicki Keith commemorative plaque -- which shows, as if we didn't know, that girls are amazing creatures who can do amazing things.

For those looking for something shorter: for 6K, the fork in the road is the turnaround; for 8K, don't turn left at the fork but go straight along Leslie Street to the large rocks just before the bridge; for 10K, take Tommy Thompson Park till it begins to turn right around the pond (turn back at the "Do Not Pass"/60 road sign); or, continue till the two roads meet for 11K.

Note on the Chilly: I still have three bags in my car for people on my race-pack pickup list. If you did the race, let me know if you're missing one. I've also just written a follow-up note about t-shirts to Kelly Arnott. So, if she's back from vacation, we might have an update on that soon.

Walk: Wed. Mar. 26 @ Shoppers (& other biz)

Here's a little ice dance by Sharon, who is gamely trying to keep winter at bay... Thank you, Sharon, from the bottom of our feet.

Wednesday's distance is 8K: our Danforth circuit, with Pape as our western point. Hope to see you. We've let our start time slide recently. Unless we get a "wait" request, let's be ready to leave at 7 pm.

Concert night/afternoon: We have two groups for the Brahms Requiem. Dawn's in charge of Saturday evening (Eva, Cynthia, Cheryl, Ralph, Dawn, Eileen) and I am gathering names for Sunday afternoon (Helen, Bob, Jan, Ray, Julaine). If you should be on either of these lists, please contact Dawn and/or myself. Our aim is to get Donna our cheque(s) this Saturday.

Poll feature: This was a new blog function I tried as it was available. However, it only lets you vote once, and won't let you modify the question once someone has voted. So while it wasn't practical for the concerts, I will try it again from time to time now that I know how it works.

New members: This weekend, I received a new member request, but didn't get a reply when I asked for some identification as I didn't recognize the email address. If you know who this is, please let me know so I can add them. Just need to be sure they're a real person.

Concert night: Donna's choral group

On the left, are the details for the Brahms German Requiem, which Donna's choral group is performing on April 5 & 6. Click the image to view at a larger size.

I'd be very interested in catching the Sunday afternoon performance – April 6 at 3 pm (there's also an 8 pm Saturday performance). Anyone else?

If we know our numbers in advance, Donna can order tickets for us and have them ready at the door. She is also looking into the possibility of a group rate for us. We'll have to send her our cheque(s) prior to the performance.

How about it, gang? I'm trying a new thing: there's a Poll in the right column of the blog. Click the date you prefer and Vote -- (I tried to suggest voting more than once if you want more than one ticket; apparently the poll won't work that way, and won't let me change the question now that people have voted, so if you need more than one ticket, just email me). That way, we can quickly see the numbers for our group. Try it!

P.S. There's no reason we can't have two groups. This isn't a vote between one or the other -- just a way to add up how many tickets required for each performance.

Walk: Mon. Mar. 24 @ Loblaws

Well the fine turnout matched the fine weather on Friday -- and we had the Spit almost to ourselves, but for a few birds, birders, beavers, and one lonely biker. Let's enjoy it while we can.

And, friends, Monday is the start of Conversation Week! Did you know there was such a thing? Apparently, it is sufficiently organized that people have voted on the Top 10 Questions facing the world, just to get us started talking. So, don't be shy. I know we hardly ever say a word out there.

Hope you all have been having a lovely, officially Springy weekend. It's just 6K on Monday, a fitting way to cap a long (for some) weekend:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/walk/canada/on/toronto/361446392

Votes R in: Walk: Friday, March 21 @ Tim's

Most voters went for Friday – so Friday at Tim's it is, for 11k (or the distance of your choosing). If that's when you're walking, there's no need to reply -- see you at 8 am.

However, if anyone still does prefer to walk Saturday, "comment" your availability as a reply to this message on the website, just in case someone else is also looking for company.

The day looks like it will be sunny but cool. Let's do the Spit again:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/walk/canada/on/toronto/928419845

Don't forget your sunglasses.

Walk: Wed. March 19 @ Shoppers (and Easter)

Monday was the first day of the year with 12 hours of sunlight -- so the sun seems to know spring is coming, even if it hasn't mentioned it to the weather.

Wednesday we are scheduled to do a sprightly 6K (boundaries: Woodbine, Greenwood, Danforth, Shopper's). Consider the walk "on" unless it turns out to be actively raining or icy underfoot.

For Easter weekend: Some of us discussed walking on Friday morning rather than Saturday, so we can enjoy two (or three) mornings in a row to sleep in. I know this isn't an option for everyone, so please voice your preference in the comments here so I'll know what to propose.

Walk: Mon. March 17 @ Loblaw's

Okay, so how many of you knew that Toronto has one of the largest St. Patrick's Day Parades in the world? Not me, for sure.

Unfortunately, it happened on Sunday -- so we'll have to do our own little St. Paddy's parade, starting 7 pm from Loblaw's. It's 8K long.

Wearing green is optional.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/on/toronto/115879763

The schedule says hills, but we'll keep it simple till road surfaces become more trustworthy underfoot. Soon, I hope. The sunshine and temps for our walk along the Spit on Saturday were signs that spring might just be around the corner.

In our pic of the week, Dawn and Eileen demonstrate another important sign, this one at the turnaround point for Saturday's 10K walk: Do not pass.

Walk: Sat. March 15 @ Tim's

Let's wish and hope someone has a thumbtack holding that sun in place on the weather report for Saturday when we have 10K scheduled.

If it is nice, I suggest we head down to the Spit, which gets us not quite to the end of the pond (mapped here to the 5K turnaround point). Note your own turnaround if your distance is shorter:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/on/toronto/957516791

Otherwise, we can take to the streets and go north, which gets us to the lookout over the Don Valley:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/on/toronto/1076912454

Either way, see you at 8 am.

Walk: Wed. March 12 @ Shoppers

We literally walked off into the sunset on Monday night. And every day, we'll be getting about 3 more minutes of sunlight -- that's one brighter half hour every ten days.

Our distance is 6K on Wednesday night: follow our usual circuit, turning at Greenwood. I'm using the Missisauga Half schedule for these. However, don't feel you have to do the whole stretch if you're not doing the race -- or let me know which race(s) you are training for so I can provide alternatives.

At least one of us (Brette) has registered for the Wow Powerwalking course I mentioned last time. A few others are talking about taking it, too. Will keep you posted.

Call me a beggar for punishment, but I've also let Bob stare me into registering for the Harry's Spring-Runoff *8K*. We were early enough to have our fees counted as a 100% contribution for prostate cancer research, but the list is filling up fast. If you're signing up for either of the races, look for Shore Things on the team listing. Bring on the hills (and the thaw first, please)!

Walk: Mon. March 10 @ Loblaws

Well, here it is: proof that at least one of us did win "big" at least once! Congrats, Leverne.

For those who walked on Sunday (six, including two-day trooper Susan) we also won with sunny weather, clear skies, and mostly clear paths. Mind you, I had to reroute our walk to take advantage of road-walking to accomplish that. And well done, you courageous souls, to the eight who walked in Saturday's blizzard.

The weatherbird tells me the nice weather should stick around for our 6K on Monday night -- here's a link to our route:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/walk/canada/on/toronto/361446392

FYI: There's another Wow Powerwalking course starting on April 14th in the Beach area. It's a 10-week Marathon 1 training course on Monday nights, but you don't have to be planning a marathon to benefit from it. [Note: when you see something underlined in our blog, it means you can click it to link to another site for more info.] This might be a good way to be sure of focussed interval training on Mondays. Anyone interested?

Walk: Sat. March 8 @ Tim's (Or... TBC)

Unless we're mired in snow, it looks like our first post-race gathering will be on... International Women's Day! How appropriate, as many of us are international women.

Here's an easy 8K route that keeps to the sidewalks. Hopefully they will be clear:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/walk/canada/on/toronto/653238756

However, if the weather is ridiculous on Saturday morning, we might reschedule the walk to Sunday morning. Weigh in on this idea...and watch this space.

Small races: Size does(n't) matter

Now that we're over the Chilly (yay!) and before we get into Mississauga, I've just gotta say: It isn't always about the big races. Small is fun, too.

A few shorter races are on our radar. Most of you know about Alfie Shrubb on June 1st. At the Chilly, we also learned about a new fall race just for walkers. More about that in a bit.

First, the race coming up soon: Harry's Spring Run-Off in High Park, Saturday, April 5th. It's available in two flavours: 5K and 8K. And, yes, I'll admit both have hills. But they are manageable, especially in the 5K -- which was the first race I walked in Spring 2006 after breaking my ankle just a few months before.

2008 is the 30th anniversary of this race and all participants will receive a rather cool looking green sports cap. 8K finishers also get a medal. Starts at 10 am (11 am for the 5K), pancake breakfast follows. And, even better: 100% of Entry Fee for the first 2500 entrants goes directly to Prostate Cancer Research. It's a good cause. Think about this one.

The fall race is the brand new Kitchener Waterloo Walking Classic, September 28th. For walkers only! A 5K or 10K event benefiting a mental health cause, Minds in Motion. We all agree that walking is good for our mental health, which is the message the organizers are hoping to promote. This claims to be the only race in Southern Ontario dedicated to competitive walkers, of all persuasions. So perhaps we should give it our support.

Whether you are working these into your training for longer races or simply looking for a shorter event to aim for, there's lots to choose from. You can find links to all the races I've written about in our blog in the right column of our website.

Walk: Wed. Mar. 5 @ Shoppers

If we aren't snowed or iced in, again!, you might want to meet on Wednesday at 7 pm for 5K. Yes, only 5K. That's once around the block. Take it easy, haul out the YakTrax and play it safe. Sign in on the web page if you're coming.

I say "you" because it's Doc Soup night again, so some of us will be watching a documentary called Autism: The Musical and eating popcorn for supper somewhere near this colourful corner.

Note: The front end of the Mississauga Half schedule posted is now modified to give us a more gentle start after the Chilly. We start up again on Saturday with 8K and build from there.

Incidentally, the times are now posted for Sunday's races. Check them out -- we did splendidly, particularly our first-timers. Recovering athletes Trish, Eileen and Cheryl also deserve special mention for courage and determination.

NO Walk: Mon. March 3 -- so enjoy some Chilly/Frosty chillin'

We came, we saw, we walked up a storm! The sun was out, the roads were clear, and we all finished upright and smiling. As a result, we're free to rest on our, er, laurels... or any other part of our precious anatomy this Monday evening.

For those training for Mississauga, or training alongside them, we'll start up with a modified beginning of the posted schedule on Wednesday and/or Saturday.


The race results aren't yet posted as I write this. However, in a day or two you should be able to look for your time/pace, &c. here.

We do know a few results.

Our own Robert Pelletier came in first in his age category, with a chip time of 2:35 and change. Lynne and Leverne also completed their very first half marathon in excellent time -- Lynne just under and Leverne just over three hours. Barb's friend Jackie was also a first-time half marathoner with an excellent time. Way to go, everyone!


Two little snags: I'll write to Kelly Arnott, the race organizer, about the no-t-shirt issue. Hopefully, we can work something out. Also, next year, let's studiously avoid the shuttle buses! All in all, though, two wee annoyances weren't enough to spoil the race for anyone I spoke to.


On the plus side, the pasta dinner was excellent, great value and good speakers, and it introduced Bob and I to the highly recommended YoPro French Vanilla Frozen Yogurt, coming soon to a grocery store near you.

Though, maybe that's not a good thing.


As you can see by our picture badge, I've posted photos on our Flickr site. I'll put instructions for downloading on our private Google Groups page. If you also have pics, there are uploading instructions already posted on Google Groups. If you have questions or problems, contact me directly.

Thanks also to everyone who came out just to support us -- Sharon, Dawn and Margy & Rainer. To paraphrase Churchill, "They also serve who stand and cheer!" As the sign says, You rock, Shore Things! All of us!