Walk: Sat. Oct. 30 & Shore Things 10 + 10

Witness Leverne's amazing levitation powers!

Don't be a punkinhead! Be sure to get your costume ready for Sunday and our Shore Things 10 + 10. By now, you should have received maps and instructions. Remember to bring $15 each in cash for our brunch. If anything's unclear, please contact me. All I can add is: please don't hog the prime parking spaces at our usual haunt. There's more room across the street.

I haven't heard from anyone who still wants to meet for a walk on Saturday. If you meant to ask for company, but haven't yet, this is the time and place!

Birthday wishes to Stacey and Jeanny! Did you know you two shared your big day? Hope it's spectacular, despite this iffy weather.

Shore Things books and calendars: I have three orders for books, and 20 for calendars. After our race, I'm going to place the orders. If your name isn't on this list, but you'd like to order, please contact me. There's a 10% discount if we order 25 or more -- on the calendars, we're very close (I don't expect to get 25 book orders).

Calendars:
Olwyn (2)
Ruth
Eileen
Helen
Bob
Charlotte
Lynne
Dawn H.
Alexis
Michelle
Barbara B.
Rainer/Margy
Debbie
Stacey
Libby
Trish
Sharon
Lou-Ann
Jan

Book:
Barbara B.
Debbie
Jan

Walks: Oct. 25th & 27th & Shore Things 10 + 10

Except for the furious rain-dancing, it's such an easy week for the Shore Things. Come out on Monday and Wednesday for 6-8K-ish.

Sunday is our Shore Things 10+10, and we're hoping and dancing for dry weather. Our 10 Mile (16K) race starts at 8 am, but be at the race start earlier, no later than 7:45. We need you all to sign in and get your bib. The 10K race starts at 9 am, but be there no later than 8:45. Our TKOs brunch starts at 11 am. More detailed instructions and route maps will follow shortly.

Given that many of us are racing on Sunday, please let us know in the comments whether or not you'll be walking on Saturday. I'll post again later in the week to announce the consensus.

Remember to vote on Monday!

Walk: Sat. Oct. 23 @ Tim's

The good news is that Debbie's operation at TGH was successful, she's now recovering and, if all goes as planned, should be home in 3-5 days. Debbie, think of this picture as a toast to your good health!

Saturday is taper for everyone. 8K, or whatever distance feels right. Plus a rain dance to ensure that a week from Sunday will be sunny, as forecast. The sun's supposed to shine this Saturday, too, so c'mon out, folks!

Walks: Mon. Oct. 18 & Wed. Oct. 20

Fall colours along Lakeshore Avenue

Folks, this is one of those easy weeks – unless someone is training for an event they haven't mentioned to me. Just come out on Monday and Wednesday for an easy 6-8K. We'll decide the distance on the evening.

Congratulations to Ruth on her 2:38 chip time finish in the Toronto Half. It looks like it wasn't a personal best for her, but it's a record most of us would be proud – ecstatic – to have. Well done.

And congratulations, again, to Rainer for placing first in the Cavan Hills Country 10K. He and Margy had a good race. Here's his report:

The race was 10km and it was VERY hilly. It's called the Cavan Hills Race..... really tests your legs. Nice snacks after race. Home made baked beans and home made BUTTERTARTS. I usually never eat them but these are soooo good had 2. Actually had 2 cups of beans too. Very small and friendly event.

If you have a race or races you want people to consider for 2011, let me know. We might take 10 minutes at our party to do a short pitch for next year's events. Put on your thinking caps. On a pecuniary note: the earlier we register, the more money we save on entry fees!

Birthday wishes this week go out to Pat. Enjoy your day! It was great to see you on Thanksgiving Monday.

Walk: Sat. Oct. 16 @ Tim's

Look at the new equipment they've put in our playground! Er, gym.

Just two weeks left till our Shore Things 10+10. As we have to finalize everything, we ask that you commit by Saturday, including which race you're doing and your numbers for our brunch. You also might want to be planning your costumes for the big day.

This Sunday, Ruth blazes through the GoodLife Fitness Toronto Half. Good luck, girl. May you have fun and good weather.

I know it seems like we just finished, but now's the time to start thinking of races for next year. Or if only for our fun races in the month of December. There's the Santa Shuffle 5K on Dec. 4, not to be confused with the all-Santa-suit race, the Santa Jingle 5K, on Sat. Dec. 11. Both support good causes.

Plus, you have till Friday, Oct. 15th (that's tomorrow... or today, depending on when you read this) before the rates go up another $5 for the Resolution Run (AKA Walk) 5K on Boxing Day this year, Dec. 26th. The swag is a jacket that looks like it might be even nicer than last year's.

Saturday's walk for the 10-Milers will be 14K. For everyone else... come out and have a lovely stroll. We can talk about our plans.

Walk: Wed. Oct. 13 @ Shoppers

Five of our six smiling Chicago marathoners

The stories are starting to trickle in about Chicago. Debbie posted our team's finish times in a recent comment. They were impressive, to say the least. But the race was not without challenges. In 2009, according to a website I saw this morning, the temperatures in Chicago were in the 50-65˚F range. In 2010, it seems they were closer to 100˚F. Here's what Libby had to say about the experience:

It was certainly a test of endurance. With a crowd of 40,000 participants and over 100,000+ supporters, the city was filled with crowds similar to my Asian travel experiences!

The spectators were not allowed anywhere near the start or finish so it was hard to have pictures but I have attached a few. We were staying at different hotels as well. Nike had etched all participant names on the wall outside the store on Michigan avenue...I could only photo Lynne and Leverne as the rest were too high up!

The heat was quite a challenge and most runners added 30 minutes to their expected finishes. 4000 did NOT finish the race- a 10% drop out is high!- the ambulances sirens were running constantly so you knew the heat was an issue!

As recreational athletes we were all proud to be alive at the end of it! For Alexis, Lynne, Leverne and I as first time marathoners - I'm not sure I could say this was an exhilarating experience given the heat but we are all relieved to have this over and looking forward to more leisurely fall walks!

For Barbara B., the weather was too much. She became ill and had to drop out at Mile 10. Barbara, I know first hand how hard it is to have to drop out part way through a marathon you've trained so hard for. It looks like marathon fever hasn't quite died down, and there might be some who'd like to train with you if you're ready to make third time the charm in Chicago. Something to think about in the months ahead.

That's it, except to say: Come out for a walk and talk this evening at 7 pm. We'll set a 6-8K distance.

Walks: Thanksgiving Weekend 2010

Autumn 2010 along the Leslie St. Spit

If all goes as planned, we'll have a lovely Thanksgiving weekend (and the weather in Chicago looks amazing). Saturday, we'll meet at 8 am at Tim's for 11K (for the Shore Things 10-Milers) or a distance of your choosing.

Monday, the few people who've responded favour 9 am from Tim's. Let's make it 8K. Please sign in if you prefer to meet in the evening, to drum up company.

We'll be thinking about our marathoners on Sunday, October 10th. That's: 10.10.10. You're all 10s in our book. We can all do amazing things, and sometimes surprise ourselves.

Just read this article from Cheryl. Click on the image to enlarge it.

Walks: Mon. Oct. 4 & Wed. Oct. 6

Four of our six Chicago Marathoners. You go, girls!

It's easy street for the next two walks, if you're going to the Chicago Marathon: 6K and 5K. The rest of us might as well join them, to send them on their way in good cheer – and with big cheers!

And big cheers to Margy & Rainer for their performance in the PEC Half Marathon in Prince Edward County. They were each 2nd in their age category and top-ten finishers in their gender with a sub-3-hour finish. You guys are hard to beat for boundless energy!

Looking ahead to Thanksgiving weekend, there might be our long-weekend switcheroo for Monday's walk, if people prefer. What say, folks? Anyone prefer to walk on Monday morning rather than the evening? Sign in with your preferred time and place, and we'll announce it in our next post.

Please get Charlotte your $10 fee if you're doing the Shore Things 10 + 10. Please contact Trish if you can contribute to the prizes, and let Dawn H. know if you'll be at TKOs for brunch afterwards. Family are welcome to join us for brunch ($15 per person), but we need to let the restaurant know our numbers.

One last reminder: the Shore Things end-of-year party is Saturday, November 13th. Mark your calendars!

Walk: Sat. Oct. 2 @ Tim's

20-mile water station, Chicago Marathon 2005

Wow, October... already? The Chicago Marathon racers are getting ready for their milestone race on Thanksgiving weekend, just 10 days from today. Ruth is going for one more half mid-month with the Toronto Marathon. And the Shore Things 10+10 is closing out the month on Hallowe'en – don't forget to register with Charlotte, so we can be well prepared for our own race and fun. Apologies in advance for the important detail I'm missing. It's always something...

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Saturday, our Chicago racers enjoy a relatively brief 13K walk, while the rest of us can choose the distance that pleases us, depending on our race or recreation plans. Come out, come out, wherever you are. Good company and conversation are guaranteed, whatever your distance.