Walk: Sat. April 30 @ Tim's & Sporting Life 10K

After the rains on Wednesday evening; sailor's delight

The Wow class will meet at 8 am this Saturday, as Lee is away. We have an intensive interval schedule from her to follow, and others are welcome to join us... if you dare!

This is the big training walk, 18K, for the Mississauga Half racers. Toronto Women's Half gals do 11K. Everyone else, as Mungo Jerry once sang, just do what you please. As many as 16 are doing the Sporting Life 10K on Sunday, so I don't know who will be out on Saturday. Sign in and let us know!

Good luck to all the Shore Things in the Sporting Life. We wish you fine weather and a great race.

This comes from Arlene's son Jeremy, who is doing something wacky for a good cause (emphasis below is mine – I did say it was wacky):

On Saturday, June 4th 2011, our team of 8 avid canoe trippers will participate in the annual Canoe Heads for Kids charity race. We will be taking Toronto by Storm, paddling 20km on the water and portaging canoes 20km through the downtown core. 

The point is to raise awareness and money for an amazing charity that every summer sends underprivileged kids to summer camp. As someone who went to summer camp from age 8-23, from a junior camper to a camp director, I have personally seen the value of the camping experience on my own life and many others. Thus, it is very exciting to be able to share this experience with kids who would otherwise never have the opportunity. 

Our goal is to raise $5,000 as a team for the event, and would greatly appreciate your support.

Link to the Donations Page where contributions can be made:

http://www.canadahelps.org/GivingPages/GivingPage.aspx?gpID=12214

For more info on the Amici Charity visit:

www.amicicharity.org

Last of all, Debbie draws our attention to this article on the Stellar Runners' old website, all about major health and fitness myths that have recently been debunked. Debbie says it's worth a read: "I thought it was thought-provoking as well as well-written and funny. Their coach has a healthy skepticism about food and exercise marketers." Thanks, to our sharp-eyed readers, always.

Walks: Mon. Apr. 25 & Wed. Apr. 27

Part way through our striptease on The Spit

For those lucky kids who get the day as a holiday, there's a change of time and location for Monday: 9 am from Dawn H's. Let us know if you're coming. Or, let us know if you'll be out for Monday evening from Loblaws at 7 pm as usual.

Wednesday, we'll be back to normal. The Mississauga Half distance is 10K for both days; the Toronto Women's Half distance is 8K for both. If you aren't doing either race, you set your own distance. There's usually someone to join you, so don't be shy.

Warm weather is back, so break out the light clothing. We overdressed and were casting clothes off left and right on Saturday. Luckily, the Spit had handy trees and poles on which to stash our gear, but we won't be so fortunate on our weeknight routes.

Lee Scott has a challenge for those doing the KW Half – she dares us to do the 25K Run for the Toad the following weekend (Oct. 1). Finishers for both will receive a special medal and t-shirt from Wow Powerwalking. There are only 130 spaces total for walkers in the Toad, and a surprising 5 or 6 of us (among whom: Dawn H, herself) have signed up. So if you're interested, hurry. We'll be training for it over the summer.

Happy birthday to my own darling husband! How did you manage to get a long weekend for your prezzie? P.S. There's this stuff in the yard I need your help with.

Walks: Easter Weekend

World's largest chocolate egg, and five Easter bunnies. You knew that.

Your Easter basket overfloweth with choices – which little birds have been passing along to me. All you need do is declare which one you'll choose, right here in the comments.

Due to the rain forecast on Saturday, these alternatives are all on Friday:

1) Tim's at 8am with the half marathon group walking 16K

2) Tim's at 9 am doing a shorter distance

3) Dawn's at 1:30 pm doing a shorter distance

Sign in and let people know where you'll be. Of course, you can also decide to walk on Saturday as usual. If that's your pick, let people know.

Then there's the Wow Class – this one is actually the 5th class (I'll get it right eventually) – which will happen as scheduled, rain or shine, on Saturday at 10 am.

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter and a belatedly enjoyable Passover celebration. C'mon out and work off all those delicious calories.

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

Despite the rain, here we are smiling. That was before the 16 hill repeats.

Both half marathon groups have 8K and 10K on their schedules this week. Will we let a little weather stop us? You know the correct answer to that question, don't you? Looks like we'll have quite the week to put our resolution to the test. See you out on the streets.

As a closing note: Now that the ice has (we hope) disappeared, we really need to do more hills. I'm serious. Discuss.

Walk: Sat. April 16 @ Tim's

Here's a look at what the TTC is doing by our stomping grounds

Last-minute post to invite you to our weekly Saturday walkfest starting at Tim Hortons at Leslie and Lakeshore at 8 am. For our racers, it's 11K (Mississauga Half) and 13K (Toronto Women's Half). Looks like Saturday's weather will be wet. The racers have the option to set a rain date, perhaps for Sunday. Sign in and/or check in on the blog early Saturday if you're planning on switching.

For those training with Lee Scott (our 5th class, already!), we start at 10 am from Tim's. I have a feeling that Lee (AKA "There is no bad weather, only bad clothing" Scott) will go ahead with the class, whatever the weather. So please ensure that you are not wearing "bad clothing."

Our birthday kids this week are the birthday kids from last week (Jim and Nishe) as I was a bit previous in my birthday wishes. Hope you had twice the fun.

I still have one vest (women's small) and one calendar that has 8 good months in it, plus lots of pictures. Please claim your wares.

Walks: Mon. Apr. 11 & Wed. Apr. 13

2011's first visit to Rosetta McClain Gardens

Whew, boy. I'm late this week! Hope you Mississauga Halfers are ready for 8K & 8K, with 8K & 6K on the schedule for the Toronto Women's Half-ers. And, of course, everyone else is on your own schedule – come out and join the walks. See you at 7.

Many of our group have signed up for the Sporting Life 10K on May 1st. However, the Shore Things have been offered another chance to volunteer for this race. If you have a couple of hours to give, let me know, asap, and I'll pass our names along. Last time, we were involved at the race start and were finished in time to enjoy breakfast together.

Congratulations to Margy and Rainer who competed in the Run/Walk for Retina in London, Ontario. Margy did us proud with a sub-40-minute finish in the 5K, and Rainer was second-place walker in the half marathon (the only race with a walkers' category), with a time of 2:34:54 – just 2 minutes behind first place. They liked the race, and are talking about next year and that $150 prize for first.

We still have stuff in the trunk that belongs to you: long-sleeve tees, calendars, even a vest. You know who you are, so please stake your claim! Send me an email to arrange pick-up.

Walks: Sat. Apr. 9 @ Tim's

Let's look forward to more blue skies like this

Saturday puts 16K (Mississauga) and 10K (Toronto Women's Half) on the schedules. However, please be ready to leave at 8 am for the distance of your choosing.

Our third Wow class also continues on Saturday at 10 am. Bring your energy.

Jim and Nishe have birthday celebrations this week – we wish you happy ones. And good luck to ever-ready Margy and Rainer in the Retina race in London this weekend!

And if you have expenses from the Shore Things 10 + 1, please be sure to submit them to Charlotte.

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

Norma captured this determined fight to the finish at the Shore Things 10 + 1

Congratulations Barb, Margy and Rainer on your hard-fought victory. It was a great race, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. Thanks to all the organizers, all the volunteers, all the generous donors, and of course all the participants! Stay tuned for plans for next year.

The April showers seem to be on the same schedule as the Shore Things this week. But here's what's on our schedules: Mississauga/Toronto halfs: 8K & 10K. Toronto Women's half: 8K & 8K.

Wednesday is the last Doc Soup night before the Hot Docs festival begins at the end of the month, which means many of our Wednesday regulars will be away. So please do check in through the comments if you're coming out on either day, or if you're trying to schedule a walk at another time.

Enjoy the wet weather – it brings May flowers! Or so they say.