Walks: Mon. Nov. 29 & Wed. Dec. 1

Shore Things lighting up the streets in November 2009

As we head into December and the holiday season, our goal is just to get out for an airing. Weeknights will be about 6K, weather dependent. Do try to come for a walk if you can.

There was a fascinating New York Times article recently that touches on the relationship between exercise and healthy aging. It's worth registering with the NYT to read this online (it's free), as it underlines the good things we do for our overall physical and mental health when we exercise – especially as we, er, mature.

A reminder that Dec. 1st is the day rates go up for the Resolution 5K.

Margy & Rainer, having been there, done that, and got the t-shirt (well, the jacket) have opted instead for the Boxing Day 10-Miler in Hamilton. This one also has a medal, and you know they don't have quite enough of those. The race swag is a pair of snowman-printed technical mitts. You have till Nov. 30th to register online if you'd like to join the King & Queen of the Short Race – though, at ten miles, we might have to change their title for 2011!

See you soon, friends.

Walk: Sat. Nov. 27 @ Tim's

Two of our Shore Things photographers (themselves, very photogenic) compare captures.

If the weather cooperates, we'll enjoy 8-10K on Saturday (or less, if you prefer), complete with genial conversation. Please join us, starting at 8 am, from Tim's on Lakeshore at Leslie.

There will be a calendar reorder (first order should arrive Dec. 12th), so if you're sorry you missed out please email me instantly. (Haven't received the book delivery date yet, but they have been ordered.)

Please RSVP directly to Debbie (not to me or the comments) if you're accepting or declining her invitation after the Resolution 5K on Dec. 26th. Save some room for what looks like will be a marvelous brunch. FYI, price hikes up for race registration after Dec. 1st.

That's it from me. Stay warm. Stay safe. And, if you have any American in or with you, have a happy Thanksgiving!

Walks: Mon. Nov. 22 & Wed. Nov. 24

For a little balletic cross-training, Lou-Ann steps up to the piano barre.

Looks like it might be a wet one on Monday. Let's see how it is closer to the event. If we can, it would be good to squeeze in 5-6K, don't you think? Wednesday's weather looks more promising, and we'll aim for the same.

Races are filling quickly. The Toronto Women's Half in May is already sold out (!), as are the Tannenbaum 10K and Robbie Burns 8K. So so visit the blog, look at the races posted there, or suggest your own, and register. It's much cheaper to register early and, as we can see, it avoids disappointment.

For those doing the Resolution 5K, Debbie has generously invited us to brunch at her place afterwards, and she's putting on quite a spread! I'll send you all the details privately. Thanks, Debbie!

It was great to see Debbie out and looking so fit on Saturday. We should all look so good after major surgery!

Calendars and books have been ordered. Charlotte will contact you about payment (thanks, Charlotte!), after I get the final tally. With the discount for a 25+ order, the base price for the calendars is US$17.99, plus currency exchange, shipping and HST. The base price for the books is US$101 and change, plus the above.

We have a 30-day window in which to re-order if you decide you want a calendar, but it would be without the discount: US$19.99, plus the above. The exchange rate comes in pretty close to par.

Thanks to everyone who has volunteered on various committees! You are making my life a whole lot easier. For those who need how-to training on the blog, I'll arrange a lunch or dinner session over the Christmas break. Thanks to Eileen for coordinating everything.

And thanks again, all of you, for my sparkly jewelry. I love the Shore Things.

Walk: Sat. Nov. 20 @ Tim's

Great shot of last Saturday's misty morning, by our gal Eileen

They say that this week's sulky weather will smarten up a bit for Saturday. Good thing, 'cause I have leaves to shred! Shall we say 8 am for 8-10K? We need to get a walk in before Santa Claus arrives on Sunday to herald in high-calorie season.

By the way, you still have time to order a book or calendar, as I won't be placing the order till we straighten out the dates below. Every year, we seem to get reorders after people see the product, so why wait? (As I don't make a penny on the sale, this little nag is for your benefit only.)

Our poll: Votes so far overwhelmingly prefer (13-1) a spring race and fall party. If you haven't clicked in your vote (the poll is at the top of the right column on the blog), you have three more days to do so. Sorry, I can't accept votes given in the comments, as there's a danger of duplication.

Proposed dates: For our spring 10K race, how about Sunday, April 3rd (the day after Harry's and the Beach Spring Sprint)?

For our fall party, for the last couple of years it's been on the second Saturday in November. However, in 2011 that falls on a couple of Shore Things birthdays. Since we'll all know in advance, I'm hoping the group won't mind shifting the date by one week to make it November 19th (the 3rd Saturday), for 2011 only. Then we'll return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Good luck to Margy and Rainer, who are already working on deafening us at next year's party with the sound of their medals clinking. They're doing the Whitby Waterfront Race on Sunday.

I also have sad news to pass along. Many of you will remember Darrell Atherley, the extremely tall, extremely fast, extremely nice walker from Wow in Oakville. He passed away on Nov. 12th after a year-long battle with cancer. There will be a death notice soon with details in the Globe & Mail. We send our sincere condolences to his wife Joan and their family.

Walks: Mon. Nov. 15 & Wed. Nov. 17

Gracious hostess and host, Norma and David

First, I know we all want to thank Norma and David for opening their home to us on Saturday. It was a lovely venue for a great way to end our year. Thanks also to everyone who brought such delicious food. Once again, I heard murmurings about a Shore Things Cookbook. We might even have a volunteer to handle that one. Alisa?

By the way, Norma is looking for the owner of some lost articles: the couscous plate/spoon and a tea towel, both left behind. No ransom required. Speak up.

A poll is now up on the blog about our race and party, so please go on over and vote by November 21st. Due to the growing popularity of the 10K event, we'd keep our race to a 10K only (or, perhaps, a 10 + 1 in honour of 2011). The question is: when should we hold it, and how should we avoid another two-week-apart race/party situation? Whatever we decide, I'd like to include the dates in our calendar. If you have specific suggestions, include them in the comments to this post. Your choices are:

- Spring race and brunch/Fall evening party
- Race/brunch only OR Evening party only, likely in fall
- Combine the race and party, held at brunch-time rather than evening

We also forgot to mention our Shore Things Directory, which Sharon has now updated (the long delay is my fault, not Sharon's). Please let Sharon or myself know if you would like a PDF copy via email.

A reminder that if you're able to volunteer for the club, please contact Eileen. With a big thank you from me!

Monday's and Wednesday's walks will be a companionable 5-6K. Come out for an airing at 7 pm.

Birthday girls Ruth and Marilyn, I hope your day is splendid. Happy birthday! Do you realize that we have 10 people in our group who share the same birthday (well, actually they share the same five birthdays)? Is that statistically significant (and, if so, of what?), or just a crazy coincidence?

Walk: Sat. Nov. 13 & Party!

A salute to the many volunteers behind the Shore Things 10 + 10. Thanks, gang!

We'll have a fine fall walk. Does 8K sound good? Then a quick coffee and we can go get cracking on our pot for the pot luck. No, not that kind of pot.

Last I heard there were still a few names missing from the RSVP list that I'd've expected to see there. Ask: did I RSVP a) by email and b) to Norma? If not, please do. More than just swizzle sticks depend on this info. Remember to wear your medals on Saturday evening, too.

Shore Things are registered for these upcoming races – maybe you'll want to join them. Links to the races and lists of our participants (see the Races Interest List) are on the blog:

Tannenbaum 10K, right here in the Beach, Dec. 12th (over 75% sold out)
Resolution 5K at the CNE, Dec. 26th (fees go up after Dec. 1)
Robbie Burns 8K, Burlington, Jan. 23rd (often sells out quickly)

Last weekend, at the Angus Glen 10K, Rainer was initiated into the guiding role by Arlene, who was going for a personal best. It looks like they and Margy all had blazing times. Here's Rainer's report:

Margie came in strong and looking great (as usual) with a time of 1:21:13 chip time. Alene and I came in at 1:11:12 chip time and had been told by a couple of other walkers and a race official that we were the first walkers in. However, Sportstats results showed us in 6 & 7 position. We spoke to Sara Stirling (Race organizer) about this and heard the same old stuff... how can we control... we don't have spotters...how can we know who is walker and who is runner....same old stuff. We were looking at a couple of pics that are already posted (really fast) by photographer and it is obvious they were runners (or run / walking). Will send Sara some feedback and hopefully it helps for next year.

I was sore after race. Arlene is a fast walker and I had a hard time trying to keep up with her.....and she asked me if she was holding me back. So Arlene was first overall walker (as she beat me by 2/100 second). I hope I can get Sportstats posting reversed as she deserved to win the race, she walked a very strong race.

We can all help educate people (and race organizers) about what it means to walk a race. Running with a walk break, or walking with a run break, is not walking. It could be as easy as putting a sentence on the registration info: Walkers walk, 100% of the time; if you'll run any part of the race, please register as a runner. It's really as simple as that. Spreading the word will help reduce the number of people who I believe in all innocence register mistakenly as walkers.

This was meant to be a short post, and now look at it! One last thing: Happy birthday to Libby and Yuen! Hope your day is sunny!

See you on Saturday, friends.

Walks: Mon. Nov. 8 & Wed. Nov. 10 -- and Party, Nov. 13

Cheers! 2010 has been quite a year. Come celebrate.

First, I need to request your RSVP ASAP for our pot luck next Saturday, Nov. 13. Yes, it's awfully close to our 10 + 10 – and I'll propose a way to avoid that next year – but our hosts Norma and David need to know how many swizzle sticks, &c., they'll need. So please check the original invitation in your in-box for Norma's contact info, or reply directly to me, and come celebrate 2010 together. Bring your ideas for next year. P.S. Wear your medals!

Monday and Wednesday will be maintenance mode: 6-8K depending on the group and the weather.

And fair weather is in our wishes for our 10K racers on Sunday at Angus Glen: Rainer will be guiding for Arlene for the first time, and Margy will be keeping them company. Good luck, gang.

Walk: Sat. Nov. 6 @ Tim's

Clocks go back this weekend, making it extra dark for our weeknights!

Saturday at 8 am, about 8-10K in good company. Sound like a plan? Good.

Remember to set back your clocks before heading to dreamland on Saturday night... you get an extra hour of sleep! But it will be even darker for our weeknight walks. We won't always have a flash camera lighting us from behind. Wait a minute. Yes, we probably will. Me! But not all the time. So get out your reflective gear, put on your sparkle lights. (And, while you're at it, have a look for your Yaktraks, so winter doesn't take you by surprise.)

Next Saturday, Nov. 13th, is our year-end pot luck party at Norma and David's. Please RSVP to our hosts, so they will be prepared.

Any medal suggestions for your friends and cohorts, send 'em my way. Due to a paucity of volunteers (hint hint), I am the entire medal committee this year. As I'm hoping to retire – I would love to pass the baton officially so that we can continue to have our beloved medals (love my subtlety?).

Let me know which races you've signed for, too -- I'm updated our interests list. Check it out on the blog.

Walks: Mon. Nov. 1 & Wed. Nov. 3

Just the kind of people you expect to run into on a walk: a guy dressed as Golden Age Flash (whom any comic reader knows is "The Fastest Man Alive" – and, appropriately for us, winner of the 10M in the Shore Things 10 + 10 2000 + 10), an Old West sheriff and Cleopatra. Right? You bet your asp! Not only that...

We saw Jane Fonda workin' out (and winnin' the 10K). Santa made an early appearance, looking much younger without the beard. Plus, we were followed by a cute biker chick, Count Dracula and his Ladybird, a queen, a hockey player, a hippie, a baker and a chef, and assorted creatures identically dressed as Shore Things. Scary! Look for them soon on our Flickr site.

The TKOs brunch was once more a success and the weather was much more cooperative than our first time out. Huge thanks to all our organizers, prize contributors and race day volunteers. What do you say, kids? Same time next year (Sunday, Oct. 30th)?

Thus begins our maintenance schedule till the new year. Weeknights will be 5-8K, depending on the weather and the turnout. Saturdays will be 6-10K, with the same criteria. This is the ideal time to join us for walks if you've been lurking due to the long training distances. Come out and enjoy the late fall weather.

This Wednesday is a Doc Soup night, which takes many of our regulars away. So please sign in if you plan to be there... so no one has to wonder if they'll be walking alone.

Speaking of signing in, please let us know in the comments if you'll be signing up for (or are thinking of signing up for) any of the December fun races. Barbara tells me she has already signed for the Resolution 5K, and is thinking of the Santa suit race again. Please voice up asap.

Birthday wishes to David, the first of our November babies. Have a very happy one!