Walks: Mon. Feb. 28 & Wed. March 2

Let's all make joyous trilling noises. Just 6K and 5K this week before Sunday's Chilly Half. We have done the training, so we will be ready... and will have a great time in the race.

Speaking of time, it's a good one to remind everyone how to prepare for a race. So here's a reprise of a post from waaaaay back in 2008 – please give it a once over. Can you believe we've been doing this that long?

Wednesday is a Doc Soup night, so some of our regulars will be away. Please sign in to let people know if you'll be there.

We're sending get-well and speedy-healing wishes out to Susan, who is nursing a broken wrist after Saturday's fall on the ice. Please take care of yourself.

Walk: Sat. Feb. 26 @ Tim's

Here comes the sun? We sure hope so!

Hooray! A reasonable 8K before our race next week, when 14 of us (plus one speedy daughter) will represent the Shore Things in the Chilly Half. Only 8K! Come out, come out, wherever you are! Join us.

In addition, 24 Shore Things will be doing the KW Classic Half and 4 doing the KW Classic 10K in September. What great showings. Thanks to Bob for getting so many of us booked into the Waterloo Hotel, which from all accounts is now full. We're looking into nearby alternatives. If you have a suggestion, let Bob know.

See you Saturday at 8 for 8.

Walks: Mon. Feb. 21 & Wed. Feb. 23

The Shore Things take up ice-rope walking

As Monday is Family Day, which many of us enjoy as a holiday, we're offering a Monday morning alternative. Those willing will meet at Tim Hortons at 8:30 am. (If you'd rather meet at Loblaws in the evening, sign in to prompt for company.) The scheduled distance is 8K – but, as always, your mileage may differ.

Wednesday, ignore the schedule posted online and show up for 10K (or less, if you prefer) at the usual time and place. It will be our longest walk until we do the Chilly Half. Do I hear cheering?

Plans continue apace for different events. If you're doing the KW races, remember to get me your cheque, this weekend if possible. Bob is looking into the possibility of a group rate for the Waterloo Hotel (no guarantees, but no harm asking). In any case, we'll try to reserve a block of rooms. Let us know if you're interested.

We're also starting to prepare for the Shore Things 10+1 on Sunday, April 3rd, with Bob as race marshall. Don't be fooled by the name of the race; there will be only one race and one distance: 11K, for 2011. We'll have one start time, probably at 8 am, to be finished in decent time for brunch. Further details will follow, but this is to get you thinking. (Harry's Spring Run-Off is the day before, for those who are considering it.)

Walk: Sat. Feb. 19 @ Tim's

I suspect that Friday's weather will send this snowcouple off on holiday.

Just a quickie to say: this is the big one, Chilly Halfers. 18K. The direction of our route will depend on road safety, as Friday's unseasonable melt will probably ice up by Saturday morning.

If we go east (if the boardwalk is clear enough), Rosetta MacClain Gardens is our turnaround. If north, then we can get our extra 2K by either continuing up to Moore, then right to Bayview OR wending north through the cemetery to Mt. Pleasant.

Can someone who lives in the Beach check the boardwalk by end of day Friday? It would be great to know what to expect there before we begin.

If 18K sounds daunting, remember: there is always someone (or, more likely, someones) who isn't going these crazy long distances. Do join us.

Before I sign off, I've been very remiss. Norma and Libby deserve big thank yous for organizing the long-sleeve tee shirts for the group! I believe we're united in thinking the tees are fabulous. Thanks, gals!

Further thanks to Barbara for herding us cats together to see Billy Elliot. It's going to be great fun.

See you 8ish at Tim's for our big adventure.

Walk: Sat. Feb. 12 @ Tim's

This looks totally unposed and natural, doesn't it?

Another Saturday, a nice long walk: 16K for the Chilly Half crew. I suggest we repeat the Rosedale route. An upward slope, and a downward return. There are shorter turnarounds along the way. It might depend on which way the wind blows, however. See you 8ish.

A few things to note: I've contacted Susan Lewis about registering as a team for the Kitchener-Waterloo Walking Classic races in September, and will send you a separate email about that on Friday.

Don't forget that little Champagne and Chocolates race this Sunday. Details were in my previous Saturday reminder.

Not that you're thinking about gardening much right now, but I also wanted to pass along this great rain barrel buy: $55 gets you a decent sized barrel with all the fitting, and the cost benefits the Toronto Master Gardeners and Toronto Botanical Garden. Follow the link to my blog for more information.

Stay warm, my friends!

Walks: Mon. Feb. 7 & Wed. Feb. 9

You see how happy everyone looks to be at the top of a hill... going down!

On the Chilly Half schedule, we're on the big push, with two long walks on each of the next two Saturdays. Regardless of what the midweek schedule says, though, we decided last year not to go beyond 10K on a weeknight. So the next two walks will be 8K and 10K, pending suitable weather.

Last Monday, we broke into two groups: one did long hills, the other did repeats on shorter hills. We might do the same again, but with one group focusing on intervals rather than hills. Road safety will be the key, though, as a significant temperature drop predicted for Monday evening after a relative thaw during the day might translate into icy conditions. Let's see how it plays. Yaktrax really made the difference to me on Saturday's icy surfaces, so do come prepared.

Congratulations to Rainer who had an excellent finish of 2:43 (2nd walker overall) in the Sarnia Hypothermic Half. Looks like a cool medal for your growing collection, Rainer.

Hypothermia reminds me that Phyllis of the Toronto Power Walkers has passed on this link to a walk (not a race) that benefits the Toronto Street Mission. It's the Coldest Night of the Year, a 5K or 10K evening walk on Feb. 26th that highlights the challenges of homelessness. Please check out the link.

This week, we send happy birthday wishes out to Lou-Ann – may it be a lovely one. Did you notice Lou-Anne's nifty winter shoes? Like trainers with a raincoat!

Remember to pick up your t-shirts. We'll have them on Monday and Wednesday. Also, believe it or not, I still have two calendars to give away. Is there someone out there who's wondering what day it is?

Walk: Sat. Feb. 5 @ Tim's

Highlighting two of our midtown gals, Elaine and Marilyn

Saturday, we invite you to a relatively short 11K for the Chilly Half crowd – or shorter or longer distances, should you desire. Our route will depend on snow coverage.

If that isn't inducement enough, our long-sleeve tees have arrived, so come pick yours up. We'll look fabulous! On that note...

Summer heat might seem a loooong way off, but if you'd like a sleeveless shirt (what, Helen, more money to spend?), MEC has this one on sale right now in our colours. It's $19 ($10 off) and is available in a range of sizes. Mind you, the sizing is smallish – I bought mine at full price last summer, and chose a size L. However, if we individually buy a bunch, we could add our logo.

Arlene is finalizing details for the Wow Powerwalking classes. Looks like we'll have the maximum for the 6-week course, and the minimum for the 2-hour course and nutrition seminar. More on this later.

Good luck (and safe journey) to Rainer, who is once again off to Sarnia for the Hypothermic Half on Sunday. This time, Margy will be there to cheer him in. He draws our attention to this little article on the benefits of walking from the Toronto Star. If your head feels heavier after walking, here's a reason why:

Click on the image to view in a larger size.

Rainer also alerts us to a 5K race in Whitby on Feb. 13th called Champagne and Chocolates. It's $25 and includes lunch as well as, you guessed it, champagne and chocolates. The money raised goes to support a dental and medical care mission to Ethiopia – so, a good cause. No medals, but prize of a Timex watch to the first overall runner and walker. Nice that they acknowledge walkers.

See you at 8 am on Saturday.

Happy advance birthday wishes to Barbara B, our weekend birthday girl.