Walk: Wed. Sept. 30 @ Shoppers

Come out, come out, ye one and ye all, for the last walk of September 2009; a delightful autumn 8K. See you at 7.

Anyone doing the Hamilton Road2Hope Half please note: to guarantee a t-shirt, you must register by Oct. 1. That's this Thursday. Barbara, Bob and I each have an asterisk beside our names in the interests list -- meaning we're signed up. Come on off the fence; it's downhill all the way from here.

Some thoughts on walking form, after Sunday's race in Waterloo: Wardens policed the course on Sunday and, as a result, three people were disqualified (DQ) for not following proper walking form. How disappointing it must be, after all the training and completing the race. Don't let it happen to you.

As competitive walking grows in acceptance, and especially when we represent the Shore Things Walking Club an all-walker race like this, we need to be fully conscious of what constitutes proper walking form. Next year, the KW Walking Classic will include a 5K, 10K and half marathon, all for walkers only, and I'm hoping we'll be "representing" in all three distances.

What is walking? Well, first, walking isn't running; not even a few steps. If you're running with walk breaks, or walking with run breaks, you should register as a runner. It's that simple.

Generally speaking, for our level of powerwalking, walking form requires two things: keeping one foot on the ground at all times (the most important requirement), and landing on a straight forward leg.

Here are a couple of sites that can help. While it focuses on more-rigorous race walking form, this coaching guide from SpecialOlympics.org is actually very useful in describing how to do it right. And this link from DynamicWalking.com takes you to some excellent pictorial cues to fix common walking problems. Plus, don't forget our own Tips on Technique posted on our blog.

Even when disqualification is unlikely, such as in an unpoliced run/walk with a walkers' category, walkers still like to measure themselves against other walkers – or against themselves. It doesn't matter how far down the pack we finish, we all like recognition, such as age-category rankings. Nothing is more irksome than to be bumped from the category by the runner we've been walking behind all through a race.

If this happens to you, spread the word. But please do it in the nicest way possible. Often this happens because runners just need to be educated. We can all be ambassadors for walking, and ambassadors must be, well, ambassadorial.

Meanwhile, let's all work on our walking form so that the only DQ we experience at the end of a race comes with a cone or some butterscotch sauce.

Walk: Mon. Sept. 28 @ Loblaws

Our luck held with the weather, didn't it!? In Waterloo, fourteen Shore Things completed the 10K walk (13 of them shown here), with a number of personal milestones.

Bob met his goal of beating his last year's time; Rainer met his goal of a sub-7-min/km pace; and Dawn B. earned her very first medal. Plus we had five walkers placing in their age category (Bob, Rainer, Margy, Sheila and Charlotte), despite some very strong competition. Way to go, Shore Things!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Ruth was doing her second half marathon within eight days at the Scotiabank Waterfront Half Marathon. Looks like her chip time (2:39:25) was within seconds of her personal best at the Toronto Island Women's Half last Saturday. Phew. That's our girl!

Starting Monday night, we'll follow Week 10 of the Generic Half Marathon Schedule posted on the blog. That's 8K -- see you 7ish (barring any lightning activity).

Walk: Sat. Sept. 26 & Sunday's Races

The Shore Things ruled at 2008's inaugural KW Walking Classic 10K, when the fast feet of our own Robert Pelletier were the first across the finish line. Our defending champion says his goal is simply to beat his own time this year.

A dozen Shore Things will be back to support the race in 2009 – even if it's in rain gear. Our support has paid off, as they promise an all-walker half marathon for 2010. That should definitely be on our list of upcoming races.

Kit pick-up is at Waterloo Town Square Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Out-of-town racers can also pick up kits on Sunday, from 7:30-8:30 am. If you plan a late pick-up, email the organizers first at: info@kwwalkingclassic.gmail.com. Or, if you want me to pick up your kit, email me your race confirmation now.

On Saturday night, many of us will be at the Waterloo Hotel. We haven't make dinner plans yet, but someone in the know tells us that the place for brunch after the race on Sunday is Angie's.

For the Scotia Half, the expo/kit pick-up is at the CNE's Direct Energy Centre this year. There's a shuttle bus, apparently. Check the link for details. Take pictures!

And now, for Saturday at Tim's @ 8 am: Did you think I'd forgotten? Those not racing, choose the turnaround that best pleases you: Leuty Lifeguard Station (6K), end of the Boardwalk (8K), end of Neville Park (10K) or Kingsbury at Lakeside (16K). Here's a map for the long route.

Those interested in either of the November 1st half marathons *should* be doing 16K on Saturday. Yes... already! But feel free to give yourselves a bit of recovery after last weekend's half. We begin training in earnest again, starting in October.

On that topic: I need you to assert your actual preference for this half. Sheila and I are the only ones who have declared one (Hamilton: no hills but downhill), and everyone else says they'll will go with the majority. Does that make me a majority of two? Shall we say Hamilton?

Wherever you're putting down your feet this weekend, hope you stay safe and enjoy your walk. Good luck to all our racers! Remember: you're Shore Things!

Walk: Wed. Sept. 23 @ Shoppers

We begin with a scene from past triumphs, at the finish line of the Scotia Half 2008. This year, two of our Shore Things (Ruth and Milka) will be doing the 20th Anniversary Scotia this Sunday, while 11 of us return to the KW Walking Classic 10K, in Waterloo. Does anyone need kit pick-up for that? Let me know.

For tonight, we'll do a taper 5K walk in honour of the Scotia crew. See you 7ish.

Walk: Mon. Sept. 21 @ Loblaws

The weather was perfect on Saturday – wherever we were walking. On the Island, the Shore Things had three finishers in the top ten (Ruth, Arlene and Libby) and five in the top 20 (adding Debbie and Lynne). And we all finished well. See our results at this link. We needed all our extra grit to haul home the goodies in the fully loaded swag bags.

Meanwhile, back in the city, a game group was tackling the stairs down to Taylor Creek Park.

And, while I'm on that subject, this is a general call out to those who have been MIA for any reason over the past few weeks. Come out, come out, wherever you are! We've missed you.

Before I post a new schedule for the fall, I need to hear from you, and soon: what do you want to do? What do you want out of this... relationship. Please sign in with your opinions and goals.

See you at 7 pm for a 6-8K recovery walk.

Walks: Sat. Sept. 19 @ Toronto Island & Binswood Ave

We are mighty! And we will be proving it again this Saturday at the Toronto Island Women's Half. The Shore Things participants have made our pre-race plans. Contact me if you're still unsure what you're doing. Remember, email me your race confirmation if you want me to pick up your kit tomorrow.

Those not racing have two options – with the distance of your choosing. One group is meeting at 95 Binswood at 8 am to walk in Taylor Creek Ravine. Or, there's always Tim's at 8 am. Sign in here with your preference.

On a social note – Olwyn and I are organizing another night at the Opera. This time, it's an opera that will be much talked about: Stravinsky's Nightingale, which is performed by puppets while the singers sit in the pit.

The nights are Sunday, Nov. 1 OR Thursday, Nov. 5. Rather than the 5th Ring, we might want better (aka more expensive) seats for this. We need at least 10 people for a group discount. Some nights are already sold out, so please let me know asap by replying to this message with the number of tickets. Once we gauge interest, we'll get a better sense of prices.

Enjoy the (finally) summer weather on our last weekend of Summer 2009!

Walk: Wed. Sept. 16 @ East Lynn?

Do you suppose that as a) summer is about to draw to a close next week, and b) some of us are about to burn off a few extra calories on the Islands this Saturday, that we could do our 5K with a celebratory finish with ice cream at Carter's? Sign in here with your preference.

You can always opt for the sherbet...

For everyone doing the race, I have sent out an email covering race plans to all the participants I know about. If you were missed, please let me know. FYI, I'll be picking up race kits on Friday afternoon, so email me your confirmation form if you'd like me to get yours.

And for so many of our September babies whose birthdays I've missed, please accept a Big Belated Birthday Buss from all of uss. That means Julaine, Margy, Denise and Debbie!

Walk: Mon. Sept. 14 @ Loblaws

What a busy weekend! Friday was the set-up for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer, unpacking t-shirts, putting together signs (and occasionally being bonked on the head with them) and distributing flyers (including through some posh neighbourhoods). Thanks to all who came out, and thanks again to Ruth and Michelle for the lunch goodies.

Saturday, Rainer did a last-minute registration for the Port Perry Half Marathon and came in 2nd walker overall (2:40:57) just 2 seconds behind the winner. Great work, especially after his first-place finish last weekend! Here's his report:

We had great weather, well organized, lovely countryside, lots of perks, door prizes... and a wooden "medal" to all finishers, plus a towel, a 'bamboo' shirt, and a hotdog after the race. It was an earth-friendly event and they claim it to be carbon neutral. This could definitely be a good Shore Thing event; about 25 walkers registered and only about 1hour from Toronto.

Last of all, the Terry Fox 10K on the island, here, showing seven of our 10 participants. (You'll have to mentally swap this picture with the top one.) At the same time, we crossed paths with a huge turnout for the Winners 5K Walk for Hope benefiting ovarian cancer. In all, it was a big weekend for fundraising.

Now, down to Monday's business: it's 6K. See you at 7 pm.

Walk: Weekend of Sept. 12/13

Ward's Island is still on the agenda for a 10K walk on Sunday, rather than Saturday. The Terry Fox Run/Walk for Hope begins at 10 am at The Rectory Café. You can bring a cash donation or pledges or donate online, all for a good cause. It's the Fall schedule, so the ferry to Ward's Island leaves the docks at 9:45 am. Fares: $6.50 ($4 for seniors). A few of us did this two Septembers ago and had a very enjoyable time. Bring your family -- it'll be an easy walk.

For those who aren't interested in the island, Tim's is still an option, meeting at 8 am for the distance of your choice. Sign in with your preference here.

Volunteering for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer on Friday: If you're on the list, but don't know where to go or how to get there, reply to this email and I'll try to set you straight.

Two races to consider:
The Hamilton Road2Hope Half Marathon, November 1st. I've contacted the organizers who assure me there is a walkers' category, with recognition for placers. We have till October 10 to think about this before the rates go up.

More pressing is this amazing way to experience the 25th Anniversary of the Big Sur Marathon in California. This sounds like a really exciting trip (and I wish I could take it). But you have to sign up for Big Sur now before it sells out – which it does quickly. Have a look.

Walk: Wed. Sept. 9 @ Shoppers

As we gear up for our half marathon, it's important to plan to get through those long distances. Here, Ruth demos the latest in race nutrition, in the handy 50-lb./22.67-kg. size. Perfect to bring along for hill training. (They were threatening to call me Hill-en after today's walk.)

Rainer certainly didn't need to bring the sugar sack, as he finished first in the Oakville 10K on Labour Day with a lightning time of 1:13:56. Way to carry the Shore Things flag, Rainer!

Wednesday, we have 8K on the schedule. C'mon out and join us.

In the meantime, a happy birthday to Alexis, the first of our many September babies. Hope your day is a great one.

Walk: Labour Day (& race plans)

That was 18K, gang, which means we're on relative Easy Street now till race day, on Saturday, September 19. Welcome to Carron, who visited us from the Toronto Power Walkers.

Before I go on, let me announce Labour Day Monday's walk, which will be in the morning at Loblaws. Our long-weekend start time is 9 am; our distance, 8K. If you prefer the evening, let us know here.

Now back to it: You still have time to register in the Toronto Island Women's Half before the rate increase on Sept. 9th. Note that kit pick-up is at the ferry docks from 4-7 pm, Friday the 18th. A round-trip ferry ticket is part of our kit. Chips will be picked up on the island, morning of the race. We'll want to catch the 9 am ferry (there's also one at 8 am), and our race starts at 10:05 from Centre Island. Carpool plans will firm up over the next two weeks.

Terry Fox 10K Run/Walk for Hope
Once again, this event is a week from Sunday (Sept. 13th) from Ward's Island, which might be a good time to preview our island route. For that reason, I suggest we swap our Wednesday and Saturday distances, making our schedule this week 8K, 8K and 10K. We'd walk on Sunday rather than Saturday (or both, for those with an appetite for it). Sound good to you? Let us know when you sign in.

Shore Things Year-End Party
Thanks to everyone who volunteered their home for our November 14th party, which will be at Brette's, in the Bluffs, this year. It would be great to get one more volunteer for the awards committee -- good sense of humour required. For the rest of you, please start thinking about races or other events that interest you for 2010. We'll begin making plans at our party.

Enjoy the summer weather!

Walk: Sat. Sept. 5 @ Tim's

This might be what we'll want to do after our 18K this Saturday. The long distance group will set off at 7:30 am, [UPDATE: THE START TIME FOR 18K WILL BE 7 AM] and will head for Rosetta McClain. Again.

There is also a will for a shorter distance (10K?) leaving Tim's at 8 am.

Please sign in with your preference.

Walk: Wed. Sept. 2 @ Shoppers

Quickly, here's the call to come out for 10K on Wednesday. We're going across the bridge for a change of scene. See you at 7 pm.

Now throw your mind back nine months to November 1st, 2008 when this picture was taken... our kind-of-official end of one season and the beginning of another. I want to be sure you all note the date for the Shore Things end-of-year party on Saturday, November 14th, in case you don't check your Shore Things calendars. I'll be asking for volunteers to: a) host the party this year, and b) to be on our fun Awards Committee. Let me know if that's you.

November 1, 2009 is also the date of another half marathon I'm considering, the Road2Hope Hamilton Half Marathon. It's said to be all downhill, finishing at the lakefront. This would be my 19th half, allowing me to reach #20 in 2010; a nice symmetry. Hope some of you will join me.

For those interested in smaller races, we've been invited by the organizers to think about another race with Hope in it on Thanksgiving Monday: The 5KSMRun/Walk for Hope in Oakville. They have a walkers' category, with recognition for 1st, 2nd and 3rd male and female placers. The runners' awards are more extensive. However, as more walkers sign up for races like these, the recognition will have to grow along with the numbers.