Walk: Sat. Aug. 2 @ Tim's

August! August?!?! Yes, it is upon us, and to celebrate the new month we're doing a wonderful 16K. See you at 7 am.

We have a choice of two routes: eastbound along the boardwalk up Fallingbrook towards the Bluffs OR southbound to the lighthouse with a side-trip along the Martin Goodman trail. Both routes are posted on the website. Please give them a look.

So, what's it going to be, folks? I need you to sign in and vote for your preference. It's particularly helpful to see who'll be there (or not) on a long weekend like this.

Speaking of which -- same goes if you will be away for Monday's walk. There's no Wow class this Monday, but we can take a make-up class at any other location (refer to the Wow website). Just let Jane know, and she'll inform the other instructor. Preferences?

Today's picture was taken in London, England when Leverne, myself and our daughters Emma and Betsy met up -- was it only a week ago? My iPhoto picture book of the trip has just arrived; I'll have it on Saturday if you're interested.

Walk: Wed. July 30 @ Shoppers

It's 11K on Wednesday -- a link to the route is now on our website. Please have a look at it so you'll know where you're going.

Here are a few things to think about in the months ahead:

Norma still has some places left in her fall yoga class, which starts in September -- contact her if you are interested.

She has also brought the inaugural Canada Army Run (5K & Half) to our attention. Here's what she says about it:

It is on Sunday, September 21st in Ottawa. It’s Canada’s version of the Marine Corps Marathon and the U.S. Army Ten Miler. The Canadian version will feature a 5k and half marathon and is organized by the same group who manages the Ottawa Race Weekend. The best part……being greeted by a soldier at the finish line who will put the finishing medal (looks like a military dog tag) around your neck!

And, in case you're daunted by the name of the race, here's what they have posted on their website (you'll find a link to it on our blog page):

We strive to accommodate walkers needs with extended time limits. The finish line will remain open until the last walker has crossed!

Sounds like a great option for those who are weary of the same-old-same-old in September.

For those looking ahead to the Quebec Half, please note that, as I have not received any requests for transportation, Bob & I have decided to take the train to Quebec.

On that note, I've heard of some plans for things to do while there. One caution is to be realistic about what's doable in the time you have. Unless you're in town for longer than a long weekend (which includes a half marathon), a whale-watching trip might be ambitious: rather like visiting Toronto then zipping over to Kingston... since it's so close.

They only celebrate the 400th Anniversary once; and, with the $2 shuttle bus day pass, you won't be restricted to activities in the downtown core. There are also river cruises that leave from the port of Quebec. Or, if you really want to get out of the city, there are interesting gorges and waterfalls near Mont Ste-Anne that don't involve an 8-hour round trip. Check with me and let's see if we can organize a group activity.

Walk: Mon. July 28 @ Loblaws

The jury is out on whether this picture of Ralph after a hot 20K Beaches Jazz Tune-up shows a smile or a grimace. We'll go with "smile," especially as two of the lovely women in his family were at the finish to greet him.

Debbie, on the other hand, is smart. She brings her family section along with her on races.

We caught her with son Simon at the end of Sunday's 20K -- which, incidentally, ticks another box in her goal to do a half marathon every month this summer. Okay, she missed June; but made up for it with two in May. She is now looking for a September race, if you have suggestions... one that isn't Scotiabank, which she has done once or five times already.

Bob & I also did the Tune-up, and the 10K version was just as steamy, let me tell you. Every part of me felt the effects of three weeks of doing absolutely nothing, then hurtling back into a full training schedule. I made Bob promise to go slow, and he did. Sort of.

Before I close – with a reminder that Monday's distance is 8K, and the Quebec half is only four weeks away – I thought I'd share with you how Bob unwinds after a tough 10K.

See the Wow gang for Class 4 of 7 on Monday. See the rest of you later this week. Wherever you walk, have a great one!

Walk: Sat. July 26 @ Tim's

It's amazing what a tizzy losing a camera cable can throw you into. Hence, the image-free post this time round. Consider it a little Zen simplicity to end your week.

It's 11K this Saturday for the Quebec trainees. Due to the possibility of "weather" in this record-setting rainy summer, I suggest you avoid the spit this time round. There's an 11K route on the website that takes you up Fallingbrook. It's good to get a few hills under our belts for Quebec, which has one (and only one) big one near the beginning of the race.

If you're free on Saturday afternoon, here's an invitation from Cynthia to her Communal Flush -- I'm sure she'll have final details for you on Saturday morning:

Would you care to join me to check out the new basement bathroom. If the weather holds out we can take the dogs for a run on the bluff and if not just hang out in the back yard. Come as you are and I'll get a keg of wine for the occasion. Either directly after the 11K plus coffee or 1:00 to 3:00 at Kingston and Brimley, Bluffs.

Bob & I -- and possibly Debbie? -- will be doing our distance on Sunday with the Beaches Jazz Tune-Up, so we will see you next week.

(Now, dear St. Anthony... where is that cable?)

Walk: Wed. July 23 @ Shoppers

Friends, it's 8K for 2008's Quebec qurew this Wednesday.

The headline in Quebec's Le Soleil yesterday was, "Sir Paul a conquis Québec." (Sir Paul [McCartney] conquered Quebec). Well, we're preparing for The Shore Things to do the conquering. This week is our final drop-back before the long and winding road to 18K, taper and race -- whatever the weather. Hope to see you, rain or shine.

If you haven't checked out the changes in MapMyRun recently (visit our website to look at the route map for this walk, for instance), you should. In addition to letting you tot up your total mileage, it now lets you plug in your stats and calculate the number of calories you burn for each walk. It's amazing what a difference a little more speed can make. Example: trimming the 8K from 1:15 hrs to 1:05 increases my calorie burn by 50%.

Walk: Mon. July 21 @ Loblaws

Sorry, everyone -- I'm a little late getting organized after my holiday, or I would have sent this out earlier. Blame in on too many Welsh consonants rattling through my brain. And, yes, I can pronounce this name.

Tonight is a Wow class, and I hear we have a huge Shore Things contingent. I'll see you there.

For those meeting at Loblaws, tonight's distance is 8K. You can link to a route map through the right column of our website.

Wherever you are, have a great walk!

Saturday 19th July - Tim's

We had an excellent turnout last night for our Wednesday VERY HOT walk.   Didn't do the whole 10k, (9k) but it felt like it was longer.

Saturday starting from Tim's it's 16k.   It has been suggested that we do this distance by going along the Lakeshore to Coxwell, and back to Leslie, then do the spit to the lightbouse.   Some of us will be doing that route, but feel free to do another route if you wish.

HBC medal update - they are on the way to us...........

WELCOME BACK HELEN!!!!   Many of you may be breathing a sigh of relief because you'll receive 'normal' messages and relevant photos.   And no-one was paying any attention to me when I was the boss, anyway.

In the meantime..... this little one is Maya.   Looks like her Auntie Dawn?    And just as intelligent!

Dawn

Wednesday 16th July - Shopper's

It's 10k from Shopper's on Wednesday evening.    Weather promises to be warm (sticky) so remember to drink....drink.....

I'm going to make an admission which may ruin my reputation!!!   I actually enjoyed the WOW class with Jane last night.   Don't know what's come over me.

See you tomorrow evening.

Dawn

Saturday 12th & Monday 14th July

Hi everyone

I have to double up on the blog this time as I'm going to go to Ottawa unexpectedly for the weekend.

Saturday 12th from Tim's is a 13k walk.   The Leslie Street spit out to the lighthouse and back should do it!!

Monday 14th from Loblaws is an 8k walk.    Many of us will be at the WOW class on Monday, so won't be walking with you.

This is known as 'brief blogging'...........

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Dawn

Wednesday 9th July - Shoppers

Hi everyone

Shoppers

Tomorrow night it's an 8k walk from Shoppers.    I think that's Woodbine/Oakdene/Danforth/Donlands or something like that, right?

WOW training

WOW is right!!  Lee was our taskmaster last night and we did some new tricks as well as some old ones.   One down, six more to go.    This  will hopefully (if I survive it) get me/us into better shape for Quebec.    We have a pretty large group for this training so that's good.

Midsummer Night's walk

For you to think about - and Lee encouraging us to do it.     This takes place on Saturday 16th August, 15k followed by good food and good times.

HBC medals???   Not yet...............

Dawn

Monday 7th July - Loblaws

Birthday greetings

Happy Birthday to Mary (7th), Michelle (8th), Leverne (10th).

Monday 7th - Loblaws

Distance is 6km that day.   WOW class starts today, and many of us will be there on Monday evening for the next seven weeks.    I can feel the aches already!!!

Kitchener/Waterloo 10k walk September 28th

Some people have expressed interest in doing this, and perhaps staying over the night before.    Sue Lewis, the organiser, says that the Delta is close to the start of the race and she'll send me further information which I will share with you when I receive it.    The route apparently is straight along King Street - on of their main streets.    King street is one long street, which hits all four directions in the no logical order - East, West, South North - with no notice whatsoever...........

HBC medals screwup

NO FURTHER INFORMATION YET!

Dawn

Saturday 5th July - Tim's

CANADA DAY photos

The reward for doing the Canada Day event - the HBC medal - which several of us didn't get!!    I had to put it in 'big' so that we coulg\d all admire it.t   This one is Bob's - pretty nice, isn't it?

these are four athletes going to the Olympics.   They are one of our quad rowing teams, and from London.   They did the 1k kids run.      Looking pretty good, arent they.   By the way, the atheletes ate NOT wearing the green hats!

The things you see while walking along the lake.   Courtesy of Eva...

Saturday 5th July.

 Tim's on Saturday 5th July is only 10k.   I (Dawn) won't be there, but hope to make it up on Sunday.

That's all for now, folks.  

Dawn

Shoppers Wednesday 2nd (Thursday 3rd) july

It's a mere 6k tomorrow evening from Shoppers.   As mentioned before, some of us will be doing this on Thursday to allow our feet to rest after today's HBC....

Happy CANADA DAY to everyone.   And what perfect weather we had for it.     Six of us did the HBC today along with what we were told was the biggest group for the HBC Canada Day race.    They were not quite as organised as we had hoped, the biggest disappointment being  that they ran out of medals.    The only person who received one was Bob - the rest of us are hoping to get them eventually.     But Bob did let us look at and touch his medal.    The medals are really beautiful and well worth doing the race for.   (and that's me, Dawn, saying that........)

Sorry, I haven't got the pictures from today (including the one medal) yet, but will hopefully have some for you next time.

Birthday greetings to Cheryl for Friday 4th July - I believe she's just hitting the 25 year mark.    Looks great on you, Cheryl.    Enjoy your day.

That's it for now, I think.