Walk: Sat. May 1 @ Tim's

Today's photo comes from Ruth – and exemplifies the surprises you might see on a country hike. I have the impression that our hikers are away again this weekend, so perhaps I'll have more surprises to show next time.

Our distances this Saturday:

For the Chicago Full: a paltry 8K; enjoy it, the numbers go up from here
For the Toronto Women's Half and Reykjavik Full: 11K
For the Halifax Half: 16K
For the Mississauga Half: 18K

I propose a 7 am early start for the 16 & 18K groups, so we can finish with the rest of the gang. Cynthia is hoping to come for a visit... and she's our birthday girl this weekend. Everyone else, keep the 8 am start.

For the Sporting Life, you guys just need to do 10K – but you can do it on Sunday, if you like. ;^) You'll see some Shore Things volunteering at the race start (it's not too late to join the volunteers and earn an honorarium for our group; just email me).

And everyone else, come out and enjoy the scenery. See you at Tim's.

Walks: Mon. Apr. 26 & Wed. Apr. 28

Haven't heard how our hikers did on the weekend but, in New York City, Shore Thing Debbie completed the More Half Marathon and, in California, Shore Thing Julaine was a finisher in the 25th Annual Big Sur 21-Miler, with one of the most scenic courses of any race. In the same series, Wow Powerwalking founder and Shore Things mentor Lee Scott finished the full marathon with a time of 5:01 – and this is a hilly course. Wow is right.

The weekday weather looks like it will cooperate with our walking schedule. With so many different schedules, it really is to everyone's benefit to match up with walking partners, so please do sign in on the blog to say you're coming or request company for your distance.

This week, we're going to switch it up to add hills to our 8K on Monday. On Wednesday, it will be a straight 10K. However, feel free to come for shorter distances; I'll also plan a Monday route without hills, for those who prefer a flat course. See you at 7, both days.

Speaking of Wednesday, a happy birthday in advance to Lynn. We ordered sunshine for you.

Walk: Sat. April 24 @ Tim's

Come out to partake of the lovely spring weather. Almost seems a shame to remind people about the possible vest re-order, but I'm going to remind you about the possible vest re-order. Please email me with your size if you'd like one. If we don't get the minimum of 12, we'll postpone the order till late summer/fall.

We have races to train for, but also lots of friendly people for conversation:

For Chicago full: 10K
For Halifax half: 11K
For Reyjavik full: 14K
For Mississauga half & Toronto Women's half: 16K
For everyone else, select the distance of your choosing.

Bob will be there, so you can wish him a happy birthday. Also, we'll welcome a friend of Sharon's, Maureen.

Good luck to Debbie in the More Half in NYC, and to our hiking contingent. Smooth trails!

We also want to send our deep sympathies to Donna on the loss of her sister Vivian. This link provides details. Donna, we'll be thinking of you and hope you'll be able to join us again soon.

Walks: Mon. Apr. 19 & Wed. Apr. 21

Today's weather report: A bit blustery, a bit drizzly, with occasional flashes of sunshine, yet with a healthy crowd of Shore Things to stare it down. 

Monday and Wednesday look fair for 8K distances each; Wednesday with hill repeats. See you in our appointed spots at 7 pm.

Vest Reorder: More people want vests; but we need 12 to place a reorder (any combination of sizes and genders). Same price as before, which rounds out to $42, including tax. Please email me with your size if you're interested; it's hard to keep track of verbal orders. (Sharon, Michelle and Arlene, I do have yours.) I've found my vest to be a very practical addition to my training gear; even more than I'd expected.

Walk: Sat. April 17 @ Tim's

This time last year, it was considerably cooler. It remains to be seen how we should feel about our sudden summer.

Saturday's forecast includes rain, though perhaps only light. However, if the weather looks truly lousy, is anyone interested in making Sunday our rain date? Sign in with your preference.

Here are our distances:

For Chicago full and More half: 8K
For Reyjavik full: 13K
For Halifax and Mississauga halfs: 16K
For everyone else, come out and get fit.

Most people will start at our usual time of 8 am. (As I have to be somewhere else at 11 am, I'm hoping to start our 16K a half hour earlier, at 7:30. Let me know if you'll be there. Otherwise, see you when it's over.)

Walks: Mon. Apr. 12 & Wed. Apr. 14

Here we are, hurtling through the month of April... almost mid-month already, and I am facing my last class in each of two courses. So this is the last Monday I'll miss.

For the rest of you on Monday night, how about a nice 8K.

For Wednesday, I could say: do 8K again, but with hills. However, as it's a Doc Soup night, the Wednesday regulars (including me) won't be at Shoppers – so do the distance that suits you.

Happy birthday in advance to Nishe – will we be seeing you out on walk with us soon, dear girl?

A reminder that the vests have arrived. Let me know when you've sent your payment in to Charlotte so you can get your goodies.

Walk: Sat. April. 10 @ Tim's

Looks like these guys at Harry's Spring Run-Off must have slipped on a banana peel, or few! What, this old thing? Appropriately, they were in the yellow corral.

Our distances for Saturday:

If you're racing on April 25th, then 18K.
If you're doing the Halifax Bluenose Half, then 13K.
And if you're just out for the joy of it, then you set your distance.

And are you sitting down? Vests have arrived! I think you'll be pleased. They are $37 plus tax. Charlotte will be handling the money collection, and will probably send out an email with a final calculation. Right, Charlotte?

I usually forget some important detail in every post. It's almost a tradition. This time, it's to give overdue congratulations to Arlene and Ruth for their great finish in the Around the Bay 30K. Here's info from Ruth:

We came in 22 and 23 out of 320 people in the walking category, and were 14th and 15th among the 245 women.  Our times were 3:52, which means we averaged 4.8 miles per hour overall.  (Though we did first 21.2 K at 5.1 miles per hour).

For those who don't speak Milesperhour, the handy speed converter on our blog translates that as between 7.3 and 7.7 minutes a kilometer, maintained over 30K. You gals don't just rock, you're lava hot!

Finally, if you act quickly you *might* snag a $20 ticket from Jan for My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding on Friday night at the Panasonic Theatre. Last I heard, she had one ticket left. Contact Jan directly if you're interested. (Or reply to this email, and I'll forward the message.)

See you Saturday at 8 am.

Walk: Wed. April 7 @ Shoppers

Strutting our Shore Things stuff last Saturday on the Boardwalk. Let's have more of that weather... but not too much. Seasonal sunshine would be amenable to all, I'm sure.

Spring season's training is a bit muddled this year, due to the different schedules. Wednesday, we'll do the same route as last week, with one added hill – that's five – starting at 7 pm.

I say "we," but in fact I'll be serving as the Compost Queen at the opening of the East York Community Garden. If you live in the area and are interested in an allotment plot, you're welcome to come. Visit this link for details.