Walk: Wed. Apr. 30 @ Shoppers

My friends, the end of another long training period approaches. We have come a long way, literally and figuratively. Give yourselves a huge pat on the back -- or, try a rolling pin on those sore leg muscles, whichever feels best.

The Sporting Life gang will strut their stuff from Lawrence to Lakeshore this Sunday (don't forget to pick up your race kits before race day). Leverne has booked our brunch table, seating 14, at the Hot House for 10 am in the name of the Shore Things. Please email Leverne to confirm if you are coming. Some of the "brunch only" group will arrive on time to secure our spot, and racers should drift over, sparkling with pride (and medals), as soon as you finish.

The following Sunday is the Mississauga Half Marathon. If it isn't pouring, the schedule has us doing 13K on Wednesday. It might be pleasant to do this park route:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/walk/canada/on/toronto/550185263045

There are turnbacks for shorter distances. Bob will be away, so I'll be looking for a companion for the full distance. However, as we've built on the base of winter training and the Chilly Half already, it won't be a crime if we miss one target. Taper begins on Saturday.

After Mississauga, we have a free week, then for the first time in ages we begin a half marathon schedule from scratch, preparing for the Quebec Deux-Rives Half Marathon, August 24th. This will be a great time for anyone who has been out of circulation to begin again, with a month of easy distances. For those who are gung-ho, think of it as an opportunity to focus on form and speed. However, remember that rest is important for your body, too.

Happy Birthday to this week's birthday girls, Lynne and Cynthia. Health, and lots of it, to our recovering friends, to the list of whom we add Nishe (who took a tumble last Saturday and sprained her ankle). Please take care, everyone!

Walkers' Wish List

Mother's Day is coming up -- and Father's Day, and birthdays by the score. So I thought it would be good to create a post that includes surefire gifts for the walkers in your life. Here are a few that I've noted. (And, at the right, you'll see to what lengths I'm willing to go for the good of our blog.)

Year-round:

- Keihl’s Mineral Muscle Soak Foaming-Relaxing Bath with Sea Salts & Aloe sounds great to me (your bubbles may differ). They're said to be not as drying as straight epsom salts. Keihl's has a store at 407 Queen Street West, another at 2518 Yonge Street, plus boutiques at the Bloor and Yorkdale Holt Renfrews.

- How about a Race number belt -- a $10 gift for fast on/off of race bibs like this one from Running Room. Remember that time you overdressed for a race and had to juggle unpinning your number while walking to remove your top layer? This is the gift for you.


- Don't forget Road ID identification tags -- different styles, from dog-tag to a shoe wallet, all with phone numbers, &c. clearly engraved. Do you know the home phone number of the person who has just fainted beside you? Would they know yours -- or your allergies? We should all be carrying ID while out walking, and this is an easy way to be sure you never forget yours.

- For the gadget hound on your list, there's the Garmin Forerunner 405 -- this launched-in-2008 version of Forerunner combines GPS with a sports watch. So obvious; so why didn’t they think of this before?

- Considering discarding that plastic water bottle? Swiss-made Sigg lightweight metal water bottles (in lots of nifty patterns) are available in Toronto from Curbside Cycle in the Annex. The interior is coated, but the coating doesn't have the nasty stuff people are worrying about.

- I know you've always wanted one: a Buff tube hat like Helen’s orange one from the More Marathon. The Buff converts from a toque to a scarf to a headband, even to a pirate hat. Available in many colours and patterns, and even in summer weights.

- For deals on gear and shoes, also note that the Brooks Warehouse Sale runs this Wednesday through Sunday.

Please feel free to add your favorites or wishes to the list through the comments feature. Tell us: what do you love that other walkers would, too -- and/or what would you love to receive?

Walk: Mon. Apr. 28 @ Loblaws

What Fallingbrooks up...
Originally uploaded by theshorethings

Come on, admit it, you missed this hill all winter, didn't you? Look at all those smiles as we reached the top.

Monday is at Lobaws at 7 pm, as per usual. 8K is on the schedule for the Mississauga gang -- however, those who would normally be there on Monday will be at Class #3 with Wow. Have a great walk!

This is an experiment to see how it works to blog a photo directly from Flickr (usually, I upload a separate picture for the blog). Let's see how it works.

Walk: Sat. Apr. 26 @ Tim's

Let's pray for some of last Saturday's sunshine this weekend – as the Mississauga group will be doing their longest training walk, 18K, regardless of weather.

Those who do the full distance will get a special treat (as long as there are 9 of us or fewer). I won't say what it is, but it does involve cookies. Tempted?

See you at 8 am. Here's the route, with turn-backs for shorter distances:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/walk/canada/on/toronto/746609897

Reminder: Only one day left to sign up for the post-Sporting Life brunch by voting on our web site. Leverne has volunteered to reserve, and the sooner she knows the numbers the sooner you secure your table. You don't have to do the race to meet for brunch. The reservation will be for about 10:30 or 11 am -- to give everyone time to finish, catch up with each other, cue for medals (which took a while last year) and stroll over to Church & Front to The Hot House.

(While you're on the web site, sign up for the Alfie Shrubb brunch, too!)

Walk: Wed. Apr. 23 @ Shoppers

Yes, the frightening spectacle on the right is proof that shorts weather has arrived in the east end of Toronto, or at least briefly. Did I just make a pun?

Mississauga trainees, it's 10K again on Wednesday. But the route below has a number of turnaround points for shorter distances: http://www.mapmyrun.com/walk/canada/on/toronto/494542572

For 5K the turnaround is East Lynn; just shy of 8K at Monarch Park. With luck, any rain will be over with early in the day and the air will be nicely laundered.

If you check our calendar you'll see we have a couple of birthdays coming soon. So see you in good voice at 7 pm.

Walk: Mon. Apr. 21 @ Loblaws

Oh, what a lovely looking bunch of human beings we Shore Things are -- as we prove every day (naturally) but especially at the celebration in honour of Nishe on Saturday afternoon.

You'll find a selection of our beautiousness at the right of the blog. For the full album, please sign in to our Flickr page (instructions are on our Google Groups page, and probably in a past message in your email in-box). Feel free to add your pics to the collection (instructions, ditto above).

For those training for Mississauga, it's 10K on Monday at 7 pm. Most Mondayers aren't doing that race, so I'll assume the Loblaws gang wants something shorter. If you take the westbound route along the back streets south of the tracks: 4K turnaround is at Woodbine; 6K is at Hollywood & Gerrard; 8K turnaround loops you through the tunnel at Monarch Park then returns north of the tracks:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/walk/canada/on/toronto/741936790

Meanwhile, Bob, Jan and I will be having our whips cracked by Lee Scott for one class. It might not be 10K, but it will probably feel like it. So see you Wednesday.

P.S. The blog now has a second poll to get brunch numbers for the post-Alfie Shrubb race. Be sure to be counted by clicking your "vote." If none of the answers fit you, contact me directly.

Walk: Sat. Apr. 19 @ Tim's

Suuuuuuuuuuuunshiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine!

Yes, summer has made an early appearance, and it looks like it will hold over till Saturday. What a perfect day for 16K. That's just what you were thinking, right?

Here's the route:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/walk/canada/on/toronto/558540927

It's a there-and-back, so it's easy to turn at any point. But here are some things to remember, since we've probably forgotten what it means to walk in warm weather:

- bring water; you'll get thirsty
- dress for 10˚C hotter than the predicted temp -- or in easy-to-strip layers
- hat!
- sunglasses!
- don't forget to apply the BodyGlide if chafing is an issue
- sunscreen! -- especially if you dare to be bare (is this the day to break out the shorts?)

One thing: we've gotten over the excitement of the blog and are starting to take it for granted. It works best when everyone uses it. So please sign in to say if you're coming -- or not coming. And please use the poll (not the comments) if you want to be counted for space at the restaurant after Sporting Life.

See you at 8 am.

Walk: Wed. Apr. 16 @ Shopper's

For Wednesday, there's an 11K route below -- and those wanting a shorter distance can turn back sooner (at Coxwell for about 6.5; at Greenwood for 8); see you at 7 pm:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/walk/canada/on/toronto/729058728

A few notes and reminders:

I'll be putting two polls on the site for post-race brunches: Sporting Life on May 4th and Alfie Shrubb on June 1st. Please read each option carefully before you vote -- the system only lets you vote once.

For Sporting Life, we've had success with the buffet at The Hot House. Can we get a volunteer to organize this? I can't trust myself to take it slow the week before Mississauga, so I won't be doing SL. However, I can volunteer to drive people to the race start (the subway won't open in time) -- let me know if you need a ride.

For the Alfie, Breda has learned that the Bowmanville Family Restaurant, where we brunched last year, can accommodate us all after the race. We just need to gauge numbers.

Finally, we had our first Wow class tonight, and I think even the old pros will learn a lot. FYI, the start time will be 7 pm for the rest of the course, in case you are still considering it.

Walk: Mon. Apr. 14 @ Loblaws

You never know who you'll encounter when you walk the streets of Toronto. Like this hale fellow well met on our first boardwalk walk of 2008; he (she?) had clearly lost the way home.

Fortunately, cell phones exist, so this beaver tale has a happy ending. But it was a bit of a wait in the drizzle for the rescuers to arrive. While trying to prevent the critter from becoming a beaver jam on the roadway, we took time to chat about beavery things. The price of trees these days. What Debbie Travis has been up to at the lodge next door.

Anyway, enough of that. It's 8K Monday night. However, five of us have signed up for the Wow Powerwalking course, so won't be walking Mondays for the next 10 weeks -- unless the course is cancelled. We'll know by weekend's end.

Here's a choice of routes for you:

If you're ready for a change, the first takes you westward, then through the tunnel in Monarch Park to loop north of the tracks. If no one in the group has done it before, you might need a guide the first time.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/walk/canada/on/toronto/741936790

Otherwise, here's the "old familiar" Loblaws 8K taking you back and forth along Swanwick then down to that loop we've used, with places to head back to the starting point for a shorter walk:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/walk/canada/on/toronto/115879763

I leave you as our furry friend (that small black dot) is escorted across eight lanes of traffic.

Walk: Sat. Apr. 12 @ Tim's

It would be great to give the Boardwalk a try again for our 11K this Saturday. Let's wish the predicted rain away. However, it is a good time of year to add a dollar-store poncho to your workout wardrobe. Below is a link to the route:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/walk/canada/on/toronto/495105611

Sporting Life reminder: you have till Monday night to use the discount coupon I sent you the link for if you're registering for the Sporting Life 10K. It knocks $5 off the current $50 fee, so it's as if you had registered back in January or February.

This picture from a Sporting Life past is to tell you to smile for the camera when you do the race -- and never, ever, ever let them photograph you from below.

Speaking of registering, they have now fixed the online bugs so you can sign up for a Jeans Marines social membership. Your $50 keeps you in touch with what's happening and helps a whole new wave of newbies make an unforgettable change in their lives.

Walk: Wed. Apr. 9 @ Shopper's

Hey, what happened last night? Marg, Rainer, Lou-Ann and I had a very "intimate" group at Loblaws – despite my attempt to lure you out with Chilly shirts! Perhaps the day's agreeable weather put everyone into a spring doze.

Wednesday it's 8K; our circuit turnaround is Pape. Hope you see you, high (spirited?) and dry.

P.S. Have a look at the web blog when you have time. I've change some things to make it easier to find info, now that our info is adding up.

Walk: Mon. Apr. 7 @ Loblaws

Beautiful concert on the weekend. Thanks, Donna, for inviting us -- it's amazing what interesting lives we lead as civilians. By blowing this photo up to a ridiculous size, you can barely make Donna out in the centre, looking elegant in black and pearls.

Monday we meet for 8K -- with five sets of 3-minute fartlek intervals. Fartlek can be anything to boost your aerobic workout while still having fun: walking slightly faster, skipping, grapevine step. The word is Swedish for "speed play."

So: work a little harder; still have fun. We like the second half of that sentence. We'll learn to like the first half, too.

By now, the 8K route from Loblaws should be familiar: south to Swanwick; west on Swanwick to the end (past Main); turnaround and return along Swanwick to Blantyre; south on Blantyre, cut behind the condo; continue around that dead-end loop; then back the way you came, till you get to Swanwick & Pickering; north on Pickering and back to Loblaws.

Once the ice is really all gone, we will try different routes for variety.

Great to see Barb at the concert on Sunday. She'll be coming off the injured list over the next few weeks. It's a good time to do this. Here's why...

After the Mississauga Half, which somebody scheduled on Mother's Day (Did I realize this when I signed up? I did not!), we will be starting the Quebec Half schedule right from scratch, with a few weeks of short walks.

So, if you've been holding back because of all this 16K nonsense, please come out and join us.

P.S. If you're gonna, don't forget to sign up for Sporting Life and the Wow course.

Just wild about Harry's Spring Run-Off

Maybe they were pulling out all the stops for the 30th anniversary of the race, but OMG, the Harry's 8K has to be the swagfest of all time! Fab two-tone New Balance t-shirt (Harry Rosen sure knows his schmatte), fab lime-green hat (for our green-headed collection), cloth-like swag bag (not plastic), quick-dry gym towel, decent goodies (not just lip balm) AND a medal! All this, plus a sunny day.

Besides, look at that scenery! Who needs Central Park? Click this picture and squint just past that cluster of trees at the bottom and you'll see Ruth and Libby.

Okay, there are two steep hills. However, they loom larger in the imagination than they do in real life. They are over quickly -- especially the last one, which rewards you with a finish line at the end. And despite the hills, we were not too shabby with our results (which you can view through this link).

Let's hope they continue with the medals -- and the fine weather -- for this event next year. The four of us had a fun outing.

Walk: Sat. Apr. 5 @ Tim's

Isn't this the best picture in the world? Thanks to Olwyn's great snapping!

This Saturday, while Ruth, Libby, Bob and Helen are climbing hills in High Park in the Harry's 8K (with pancakes, medals and a green hat waiting at the end), many of you will be meeting at that little beacon in the distance, at a bright, early 8 am.

The Mississauga schedule says 16K, but assuming most of you won't want that, I'll leave you to set your distance. If you take the Spit, here are your turnarounds:

- 3K, the security booth
- 6K, the fork in the road
- 8K, the big rocks by the bridge (if you continue along Leslie)
- 10K, the "Do Not Pass" 60 kph sign around the corner at the top of the pond
- 11K, the reconnection of Tommy Thompson Park & Leslie Street
- 13K, the lighthouse

A reminder: The Wow Powerwalking course in the Beach will start on Monday, April 14th. I'm still considering taking this myself, cash flow being my primary stalling point. However, Wow training pays off in health benefits, so I might grin and bear it.

Local news: About a dozen from our sister group, the Stellar Runners, most of whom have just completed Around the Bay, also won the lottery to get into the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco this October. Give them two big cheers for us.

Spring Races -- Register Now

Folks, you have only a few hours left to register online tonight if you want to do the Harry's 5K (8K is sold out) this Saturday. Four of the Shore Things have registered for the 8K race. Please think dry thoughts, for those in High Park as well as those at Tim's.

If you've been talking about the Sporting Life 10K, the race is May 4th -- so register soon. So far, only Olwyn & Mary are on the confirmation list. You'll now find a link to the race site in the right column of our web page. Remember, this is one of the city's biggest races (about 9,000 racers), and many downtown brunch spots fill quickly. Let me know if you register, and I'll update our interests list -- so we can keep an eye on our numbers and reserve ahead.

For June 1st, 25 of us are registered for the Alfie Shrubb 8K. It's a small race, so sign up soon. Again, for such a big group, we should think about booking ahead if we want brunch afterwards. We were absurdly lucky to find an impromptu spot last year; let's not take chances.

Any volunteers?