Walk: Labour Day @ Loblaws

To quickly confirm Monday's date before getting to other business: it's 9 am @ Loblaws.

This Saturday, a small but happy group powered along the Spit. We're so lucky to have such a wide choice of routes! As fall cools down, we'll also have northbound for a change of pace.

It was great to see two faces that had been missing from our midst, Donna and Brette. Brette's husband is recovering so well that she can soon continue with her plans for a 7-day, 150K hike of the Scottish Highlands. We'll be with her in (very envious but slightly less achy) spirit!

Hiking links: As more Shore Things are using hikes to train or cross-train these days, I'm going to add hiking links to our website. Please forward me ones you think others might enjoy.

Race links: Anticipating our November planning session, I've also been adding links to races you might have mentioned. Please browse them over the next few weeks so you'll be ready to declare any preferences. Some interesting choices are emerging.

Chilly Half... or another Spring race: If you haven't heard, the Chilly has cut in half the number of walker places for 2009. There is also a 3.5-hour time limit, with no early start. There's some controversy as to why the numbers are being cut so drastically to 150 -- we can discuss off-blog. My point in writing this now is, if you want to do this race, register early! Like now.

While it rankles that walkers are being singled out for "blame", I had already been considering doing a different race this Spring. As the More Half Marathon in NYC always takes its time setting a date, perhaps it will be Around the Bay (ATB) at the end of March.

The ATB relays might be a great way for a wider array of our group to participate. There's 2-person relay, 15K each, and a 3-person version, with 10K each. But only 250 relay teams are allowed per version, so we'd have to commit early -- why it's worth discussing before November. The full 30K is also available for the brave. Caveats: the last 10K of the race is hilly, and it's not a hugely walker-friendly race, though there is an early start.

Nevertheless, I've heard there will be a large walker contingent at ATB due to the "Chilly reception" walkers have received elsewhere. If we're among them, we can wear one of those "Older than Boston" t-shirts with pride.

Fall race deadlines: Rates go up $10 after August 31st (tomorrow, as I write this) for the Toronto Half Marathon. You have till September 15th before the $5 rate change for the KW Walking Classic. A few of you expressed interest in these. We just missed a deadline for the Scotia Half; but rates go up again by $15 after September 23rd.

Good luck, Rainer: We'll be thinking of you on Monday in Oakville doing the 10K, all on your own! Have a great race, and be kind to those knees.

P.S. If you left a white hoodie behind in Quebec, contact me.

Birthday Gals

I can't let the day go by without one last message (sorry, gang) to this week's back-to-back celebrants.

To Eileen (today), whose smile and good company we miss and for whom we wish a continued recovery. Please come out and join us when you can, even if just for coffee.

And to Charlotte (tomorrow), who just aced her very first half marathon. What a way to celebrate!

Happy Birthday(s)!! It looks like it will be a lovely weekend, especially for you.

Walks: Labour Day Weekend

I'm posting a day early for this unofficial-start-of-fall weekend, because of Labour Day and proposed time changes:

Saturday @ Tim's:

The sun is rising later, and so can we. As an interim time shift (since there will be some long walks over the next few weeks), let's move our start time to 7:30 am, beginning this Saturday. Scotia Half-ers, your distance is 11K; Toronto Half-ers, 10K.

Monday @ Loblaws:

Many people will prefer to have the evening free on Labour Day, so a morning walk has been proposed, starting at 8 am (or, as it's a short walk, we could start later; do I hear 9 am?). The relative distances are 6K & 8K.

Please sign in on this message about the weekend walks, and the previous message about Wednesday's walk.

Walk: Wed. Aug. 27 @ Shoppers

The vue from rive number deux
Originally uploaded by theshorethings

Here you can see three of our top finishers making their breakaway -- and making an iconic image for our album. You'll be able to see many more photos if you sign in to our Flickr page -- and if you have photos to share, please upload them soon. Contact me if you've forgotten or don't know the passwords.

Most of our group are travelling back from Quebec today (Tuesday). For that reason, it would be especially good if you'd sign in to let us know whether to expect you on Wednesday night. A short walk is sure to unkink all the knots. However, we can completely understand the need for some R&R.

I've fixed the problem that was preventing people from reading the combined Scotia/Toronto schedule on our website. If you're doing either race, have a look and decide your distance.

If you've signed up for the Scotia Half, please email me so I can add you to our confirmed list. Ditto for any other races this fall. If you want to know who is doing which race, look at the "Interests List" on our website. This is what we will be generating for 2009 come November.

And a reminder about the Kitchener-Waterloo Walking Classic. More people have mentioned an interest in this -- but it's coming up soon, so click through the link on our website and do your stuff.

Congratulations to the Quebec finishers, and great work to all the trainees for upcoming excursions. See you at 7 pm Wednesday.

Walk: Mon. Aug. 25 @ Loblaws

First, our race report: An unusually high humidex for the end of August, with unrelenting sunshine, would have made it a perfect day for the beach -- but made the Quebec Deux-Rives one of our hardest-won medals yet. However, for the city's 400th Anniversary, it was a good one. Look closely, and you can see the lights between flashes!

We had at least one personal best (Stacey), a few personal worsts (I raise my hand here) and a lot of people really happy to see the red carpet leading up to the finish line. During the race, we made liberal use of the sprinklers on the sidelines -- and the sponges. [File this tip away: if ever they have sponges on a race, never let them slip out of your (likely) very hot little hands. Or t-shirts. Or hat.] The course itself remains spectacular (pictures to be posted later). And, despite the heat, the 21.1K seemed to pass quickly.

So, now, who's training for another half? Monday night puts 8K on both fall Half schedules. Bob & I will be on the train home on Monday, so will do our 8K sitting down. If you'll be out, sign in -- and have a great walk!

Walk: Sat. Aug. 23 @ Tim's (and Québec)

Those in training for Scotiabank have 16K on your schedule for Saturday. Of course, you can choose your own distance. Have a great walk. (A little later that day, the Quebec gang should be having our pasta dinner round about here.)

On Friday night in Quebec, it's been suggested we meet at the Expo at 8 pm -- for a stroll round the town and (if we can fight off the Céline Dion fans) a drink or a bite. Please let us know if you are interested in joining the group. Otherwise, at the very least, we'll see you at our place in St-Laurent for the pasta dinner at 6 pm.

Don't forget to pack your Shore Things directory for cell phone info. And, while I hate to say it, better prepare for rain on Sunday, just in case.

Right now, I'm watching the Olympic women's racewalkers doing 20K in a torrential downpour. They're amazing. But so, in our own sweet way, are we. Here's to fun, companionship, personal bests, and finishing upright and smiling. Cheers everyone!

Walk: Wed. Aug. 20 @ Shoppers

Anyone training for the Scotia Half, if you're not doing another race beforehand, have a look at the new combined schedule posted on our blog. Your distance for Wednesday is 10K.

For the Québec Deux-Rives Half gang, Wednesday's schedule calls for an easy 5K -- and then, when many of us meet again, we can enjoy this view from our place on the shore of the St. Lawrence (or, should I say, St-Laurent?). See you at 7.

Our thoughts go out to all those who aren't able to be with us in Quebec, especially Debbie and Brette and also Libby, who last night told me she had suffered the same loss as Debbie just a month ago. You'll all be with us, every kilometre.

Walk: Mon. Aug. 18 @ Loblaws

The amazing medal
Originally uploaded by theshorethings

It was a great Midsummer Night's Walk on Saturday. This is definitely worth a repeat performance. The recognition of walkers is strong -- look closely at the medal, and the walker-alized t-shirts and bibs.

This race has something for everyone. For speed demons (you know who you are), there's chip-timed competitiveness, with loving cups for the top finishers. For social walkers, it can be as easy-going as you please, with a chance to dress up. Plus walking on the Spit at sunset. Good fun.

Special congrats go out to Robert, who finished 7th in a field of 232 (6th, if you count chip time) and 3rd-place male. Arlene, Ruth and Barb also finished strongly. Well done, everyone!

Monday is the last Wow class, and a taper 6K walk for the Loblaws crew. A route is posted on our website. Please sign in so people will know if they'll have company.

Walk: Sat. Aug. 16 @ Tim's

13K in Taylor Creek Park -- there they go!
Originally uploaded by theshorethings

Look at that blur of motion, and purposeful 13K walking!

That's it, gang. It's all easy stuff now* till the half marathon in Quebec a week from Sunday.

I understand that the cocktail committee convened after last night's walk. We look forward to sampling their creation as our post-race toast.

Saturday's distance is 8K. That's to the end of the boardwalk OR down the Spit to the swing bridge -- and back. State your preference here.

*The asterisk is to exempt the Midsummer's Night Dreamers from easy stuff, as they power through 15K on Saturday night. As that includes me and my speedy spouse, we won't see you at Tim's.

Wherever you are, have a great, safe, fun walk.

Walk: Wed. Aug. 13 @ Shoppers

What a beautiful evening for our walk! Hope you had time between intervals (or, in our Wow class, particularly murderous lunges) to enjoy the sunset.

Not much further now for the Quebec trainees: It's 13K on the 13th. Double luck! I note that, in favouring the park route, you've fallen for my cunning plan, posting it there for people to "discover." Nyah ha ha.... See you at 7 pm.

By the way, I have also posted a combined, colour-coded schedule for those doing the Scotia Half and/or the Toronto Half Marathon. Have a look.

The next time you hear from me it will be through our private Google Groups site -- and I encourage you to log on to the private page to share information about your travel plans for Quebec. My message will remind you how to do that.

Walk: Mon. Aug. 11 @ Loblaws

Casting giant shadows
Originally uploaded by theshorethings

We made a dramatic image as we set out on our 18K on Saturday. And we did it, returning to Tim's with a righteous glow. Way to go!

Special accolades to those who weren't even training for an event. You know you're hooked* when the thought of turning back for 10K and walking 5K by yourself is more daunting than doing the full 18K with your friends. (*Hooked is only one of many possible adjectives.)

If you're counting, the pedometer on my new cell phone -- who knew there were such things? -- marked off over 23,500 steps this morning.

While the Wow group have their 2nd-last class on Monday, others will be meeting at Loblaws at 7 pm. This will be our last week of long walks before Quebec: 8K, 13K, 8K (although the Midsummer's Night Dreamers next weekend will be mixing it up a little bit: 8K, 8K, 15K). Look for routes posted in the right column of our website.

As a final note, I've been authorized to let you know about Brette's husband David, who was in a freak accident on his motorbike last weekend when he connected with a leaping deer. I'm relieved to report that, despite a broken jaw and a fractured vertebra, plus scrapes and contusions (and lots of anxiety for the family), David should have a full, albeit lengthy, recovery. When Maria spoke with Brette yesterday, they expected him to be released from hospital today. Please join me in sending our very best wishes to Brette, David and their family. Hope everything goes smoothly, Brette. We'll be thinking of you.

Walk: Sat. Aug. 9 @ Tim's

Let the carb-loading begin: It's 18K. Yes. Eight. Teen. K! It's our last big push before Quebec.

You know you can do it, because you've done the training. There's an eastbound route on the website. See you at 7 am.

Birthday wishes go out to Norma (today) and Jeannette (Sunday). Looks like the weatherman has decided to gift you both with more rain. But look at the silver lining inside all those clouds. Did you know that lightning is good for the garden? It zaps nitrogen out of the air. Have a happy one!

Walk: Wed. Aug. 6 @ Shoppers

Happy birthday, Sharon!
Originally uploaded by theshorethings

Amazing turnout on the morning of the Civic Holiday -- even the birthday girl showed up! That's dedication.

However, Barb S. trumps Sharon for Hard-Ass of the Week -- with Barb's back-to-back 16K and 18K walks over the weekend. Phew!

This Wednesday, we will only make you go 10K. Promise. There's a route map on the website. Hope to see you out at 7 pm.

Enjoy the rest of your sunny long weekend!

Walk: Mon. Aug. 4 @ Loblaws (Note: 8 AM!)

Here comes the sun, and I say: It's all right! We had a great group walking into the sunrise for our ten-miler Saturday morning, and the rain held off. Hope everyone feels great.

For Monday's 10K walk, it has been proposed that we meet in the morning, 8 am at Loblaws. That way, we get an early start on our day, with no evening commitments. Sign in if you're ready to sign on.

Here are a few things to consider for the weeks ahead:

For those thinking of doing the Kitchener Waterloo Walking Classic on September 28th, it's time to get rooms sorted out. Two race hotels to choose from -- find the links through the race site -- and all I can say is that the Delta has a pool but the Walper Terrace has Yuk Yuks. They both appear to be close to the race start.

Ruth has provided some info on sunscreens:

Today I had a chance to talk to one of the dermatologists at Sunnybrook. She said that in order to get protection against both UVB rays and UVA rays, look for a product that contains mexoryl, helioplex, or parsol 1786. If you blank out when it comes to remembering chemical names, she points out that any product that carries the seal of the Canadian Dermatology Association will provide good broad spectrum protection. There is a list at the web site below.

http://www.dermatology.ca/patients_public/info_patients/sun_safety/recognized_sunscreens.html

Her particular recommendations were:
La Roche Anthelios
Vichy
Neutragena Ultra Sheer

These recommendations are based on finding a product that feels nice on your skin, so that you won’t mind using it. The most important thing is to find something you like, so that you’ll use it.

One other thing: Bob & I took the plunge and registered for the Midsummer Night's 15K, joining Ruth, Milka, Arlene, Fiona and Barb S. Unfortunately, we left it too late to catch the last price increase. Registration has now gone up to $69, which is steep. On the other hand, it looks to be a very special race -- at night, in (optional) costume, mostly on the Spit -- and the medal looks lovely. So there you go. We will be swapping our 13K walk week after next for a shorter weeknight walk.

And, lastly but certainly not leastly: Happy Birthday tomorrow, Sharon (and belated birthday wishes to Breda)!!!!!!!!