Note changes: Post-Christmas/New Year walks

At the Resolution 5K, what a turnout for the Shore Things, partners and kids!

A great showing for the Shore Things on a blustery cold day at the Exhibition Grounds. We even had a winner (Ray) at the post-race draw. And a most serious spread at Debbie's afterwards. Thanks, Debbie, from all of us for your generosity. We all want your flat now, though, as well as your recipe for brownies.

Next week, for those who are free during daylight hours, Dawn has again offered to host morning walks. For this week only, we'll switch our days to Tuesday and Thursday, for 6-8K starting at 9 am.

If you'd prefer company for our usual days and times, please make your requests here.

As Saturday is New Year's Day, we're also going to do a one-time switch for our weekend walk to Sunday at Tim's. So we don't completely go off the rails for our first walk of 2011, let's keep it to our usual 8 am start time; distance 6-10K.

Next week, we return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Another memorable calendar year draws to a close for the Shore Things. Some of us have been walking together since the beginning of 2003 – which means we're heading into our ninth year as a group. My my, time really does fly when you're having fun. As Sharon wrote in her Christmas letter:

I have met truly amazing people, men and women alike. I could not have imagined that I would have so many friends that I could share so many ideas and interests with. I never thought that I would travel to so many places, even out of the country (imagine, Iceland!)… all the time challenging myself to push that much harder, to go that much further, to always improve and to be a better person.

We have been the best support group for one another. We have been there in the worst of times and the best of times. We have shared triumphs and disappointments. We have laughed heartily and have eaten our way to oblivion. We have celebrated milestones and endured everything that life can throw at us. We have done it all…

More good stuff in the months ahead, beginning (I think) with the Robbie Burns 8K on Jan. 23rd.

Belated Happy Birthday to Eva, Advance Birthday Wishes to Brette, and a very Happy New Year to each and every one.

Pre-Christmas walk and Resolution 5K

We liked the morning walk so much on Monday, we're going to try it again. Maybe it was the butter tarts. On Wednesday, Leverne has offered to host the walk, starting at 9 am. That sounds good to me! (Check the Shore Things directory for Leverne's address -- if you need a directory, let us know.)

If anyone wants to find companions for a different day or time, please say so here.

Race kit pick-up for the Resolution 5K: Dawn and Charlotte have offered to pick up race kits. If you need a pick-up, please forward your race confirmation to one of the gals. Let me know if you need an e-ddress.

Carpooling for the race: Bob & I have room for five more in the van if you'd like a ride. Or maybe you can offer a ride? Please let us know in the comments.

If we don't see you before the big day, do have a Happy Christmas! See you when the panic is over.

Walk: Sat. Dec. 18 @ Tim's (and Monday alternative)

Holy moley, Saturday's just a week away from Christmas. Seven days! I don't know about you Santas, but I need to get my sprinting shoes on! However, I'd be happy for a walk to get a head start on the mad dash ahead. How about 8K, quick coffay and on our way? See you at 8 am.

For Monday, an alternative plan is afoot to meet at Dawn H's at 9 am rather than the evening. Please sign in if you're interested.

By the way, we have one extra, memory-filled, made-with-love Shore Things calendar up for grabs – for the reasonable sum of $21. First come, first gets. (If you saw the yearbook and wish you'd ordered one: you can. We have up to 40 days after ordering to reorder. But please be quick.)

Walks: Mon. Dec. 13 & Wed. Dec. 15

A sunny Saturday on the Spit.

Winter is certainly upon us. As I write this, there's a flash-freeze warning on the Weather Network, so please be safe out there and check in to see who's coming out for Monday's walk.

Wednesday is my last class! After which I'll be back in the fold, and boy am I missing those walks.

Both evenings will be 5K, 6K, or whatever darned K we feel like doing, a trend we'll follow until after the holidays. Let us know what's on your mind.

Walk: Sat. Dec. 11 @ Tim's

One of Olwyn's photos – sunrise over Lake Ontario

Saturday will soon be here – if you have the time and need the airing, there will be people just like you ready for a walk (all speeds, any distance). Come out and match up. (A few of us doing the Tannenbaum 10K on Sunday may or may not be there. TBD.)

We could even see Cynthia, who has been given official "Survivor" status after many moons of treatment. We knew that about you already, Cynthia. Looking forward to having you back.

The first order for calendars and the Shore Things yearbooks have all arrived. If you've ordered, Charlotte will contact you with payment instructions.

In case you missed the notice in today's Toronto Star about the visitation and service on Friday for Olwyn's mother, please follow this link for details. Olwyn, our thoughts are with you.

Walks: Mon. Dec. 6 & Wed. Dec. 8

Could this be the Shore Things' club lodge?

My fear friends, I'll keep it short: Hope you can come out for in 5-6K on Monday and/or Wednesday! With luck, our calendars will arrive on Tuesday – at which time, I should know whether tax and duty have been applied, and can get the final price to Charlotte.

A reminder about Brette's Silpada party for Maria on Thursday (regrets only).

And, Karin, hope life is being good to you and that you had a super birthday!

Walk: Sat. Dec. 4 @ Tim's

The cloud elves were cutting out perfect little snowflakes when we ended our walk last Saturday. (Check out the one on Lynn's red hatband.) This Saturday is supposed to be cool but sunny.

Let's get together and see where we feel like walking for 8-10K. We need to clear our minds for our holiday preparations. It's December already!

Before I get on to the next topic, here's a Happy Birthday to Barb S -- hope you're enjoying your day!

As we look ahead to the races of 2011, it's good to think how we can continue to be ambassadors for walking. To that end, here's a message from Arlene with some good things to think and talk about on our walks:

Hi Shore Things,

I recently chatted with Lee Scott of Wow Powerwalking about specific walker concerns in local races. She has since spoken to local race organizers representing Angus Glen, Chili Half, Mississauga etc. and some common concerns have emerged:

- their races are selling out ever-more quickly based solely on the number of runners BUT the number of walkers each year is not increasing

- however, the run-walker category is steadily on the rise (from 10-min run/1-min walk to the opposite)

- there's continual hassle from citizens, officials etc about road closures, both the associated time and costs.  Including walkers means that roads must be open longer. Organizers must account for all stragglers and not just ask them to move to the side at the end of the time period.

- how to officially judge walking results in order to properly award prizes. More walkers are protesting placements.

These organizers are wondering if cancelling the official walker category is the way to go.

Lee feels we must continue to advocate for a separate walking start and separate results. The former will minimize complaints since walkers themselves will police the run-walk competitors. Eventually she hopes to convert the run-walkers to power walkers. Perhaps a protest system will work down the road. She feels that the overall walker numbers will remain somewhat static.

In the short term Lee recommends the following:

- All walkers should support races with a separate walking division [as an aside from Helen: Bob & I have both signed up for the Chilly Half, which is one of those races; hope you'll join us!]

- We should write thank you notes showing our support [excellent point!]

- We should encourage organizers to decrease the time the course must remain open. Our form and training produces faster times than mere strolling. Lee thought perhaps between 3:15 and 3:30 hrs. for a half marathon.

On a final note, Ruth had a great idea if walkers can't have their own results: Register walkers separately for a race within a race and award our own prizes. To be discussed!

Thanks, Lee and Arlene (and Ruth). You've given us lots to think about. I'd like to make another suggestion. Ask those races with walkers categories, such as the Chilly Half and Robbie Burns, to award walker prizes first – it gets a small number of prizes out of the way quickly, and exposes the sport to a large number of people, allowing us to remind the audience that walking is walking 100% of the time. Let's get the conversation going.

But I want to stress that diplomacy is our biggest ally. Angry harangues won't do us any favours.