Walk: Sat. Oct. 1 and Run (aka Walk) for the Toad

Toad! This time, it's for real.

We Toad you so! Good luck to the hardy soles, yes, soles, who signed up for the 25K on Saturday. I know we'll be Toadally fine at the Run for the Toad... even if we walk it. Let's enjoy the adventure and, for those who also did the KW Half or 10K, look forward to those Wow Powerwalking Ultra Challenge special medals and tees. Thanks, Lee Scott.

Good luck to Margy and Rainer who, of course, are doing a short race with Running Maniacs in Newcastle. Keep those hardy soles moving, guys. We know you'll be great.

And for the hardy soles who're sticking closer to home, enjoy your walk. Except for the extremely hardy soles training for the appropriately named Goofy half marathon/marathon double-header in January, I don't know of any other race till the Resolution 5K on December 31st. If I'm wrong, please disabuse me.

See some of you Saturday.

Walks: Mon. Sept. 26 & Wed. Sept. 28

First-time half marathoner, Lou-Ann

Beautiful weather, great crowd, delicious food.  Who could ask for anything more?

We had lots of firsts at the KW Walking Classic: Lou-Ann's first half marathon, the first half in some time for Trish and Eileen, a first "official" race for Denise and Alisa in the 10K. Rainer and Margy placed in their category in the 10K and Ruth in the Half. We also had some prize-winners in the draw. Yay, Shore Things!

Any personal bests? I one of my best times... and still managed to finish in the middle of the pack. There was some tough competition in this race.

For Bob, who fell on his bike in the rain on Friday night and broke a rib, it was his first time as a race judge on the course. (Bob also met with Dave and Susan Lewis and Lee Scott to discuss the idea of a powerwalking association. More on that to come.)

Monday and Wednesday, we're keeping to a taper schedule with 6K and 5K, before the 25K Toad race on Saturday. Sign in and let us know where you'll be.

This week, I wish myself a happy birthday. Hopefully, there's plenty more where that came from.

Walk: Sat. Sept. 24 & KW Half/10K and Island Girl Half

Some of our Shore Things competitors in the KW Half/10K 2010

This is one of the weekends we've been training for. Good luck to all the racers in every event. Take pictures, be safe, and have fun. We want to hear all the good stories afterwards.

Anyone not competing can still get together for a companionable walk on Saturday morning at 8 am. Please sign in and tell people you're coming.

Walks: Mon. Sept. 19 & Wed. Sept. 21

Many fine shots were taken Saturday, but this one is the album cover

An easy week this week: 6K on Monday; 5K on Wednesday. See you 7ish for the evening walks.

Afternoon walkers, your time has changed to 4 pm on both days; leave from Dawn's. Email or phone her if you'd like to be added to that group.

The KW Half and 10K and the Island Girl Half happen on Sunday. We're ready. This week: remember to watch your diet, especially from Thursday on. Nothing that will upset your digestion. If you need to clip your toenails, do it now. Get those shoes and socks broken in, and remember that cardinal rule. Can I hear you say it? Nothing new on race day.

Niki is our birthday girl this week. So: happy birthday, birthday girl!

Congratulations to the Yorkville 5K participants, Olwyn, Barb S., Norma and David (have I left anyone out?). Norma walked it in a searing 38 minutes! We are not surprised, Speedy. Looks like you all got some pretty swanky medals and tees for your collections, too.

Walk: Sat. Sept. 17 @ Tim's

Today's post brought to you by a sport bean... just one of the odd characters you sometimes meet on the boardwalk. Sorry for the late posting, it was one of those weeks!

Saturday, we meet at 8 am – note the later start, 8 am – for a mere 8K. Dress for the weather; a high of 10˚C.

Happy birthday to Fiona, wherever you are. You know where to find us. Hope you have a great day.

Our September races will soon be upon us. We've trained through the heat of summer, and now this sudden (welcome) fall. So feel strong as we head towards accomplishing our goals. Think of those medals clinking!

See you Saturday. Er, that's tomorrow!

P.S. Tomorrow is the Windfest kite festival in the Beach. It starts at noon, but we might see them getting ready… in case you want to return to see the fun.

Walks: Mon. Sep. 12 & Wed. Sep. 14

Calm sailing for our taper week

We have that 18K long walk under our belts (or feet), now we unwind with two 10K distances on Monday and Wednesday. Intervals or hills on Monday to step things up. See you at 7 in the usual spots.

Looking ahead to other races: remember those blue jackets for the Resolution 5K. So far, we have lucky thirteen people registered. There's a link to the registration page on the blog.

And a heads up that on Saturday we'll be returning to fall/winter hours with an 8 am start. Do I hear cheering?

Tuesday's birthday gals are Margy and Denise. Happy one to both of you! On Wednesday, we bid happy birthday to Debbie. Enjoy!

Walk: Sat. Sept. 10 @ Tim's

Good luck to Olwyn and her Flaming Dragons in this weekend's regatta!

We'll be doing the long walk of our KW Half training Saturday, 18K starting for the last time at 7 am. Temps will be mild, but the earlier we start, the earlier we finish. Remember to bring some nutrition; it's a long trek. See you then.

Just two weeks till the KW Classic races. Please check the race confirmation to be sure your name is listed; all the paperwork should be done. We have a significant team. By now, you should have received messages from Debbie (coordinating our pot luck dinner) and Dawn (coordinating car pooling). Let me know if you haven't. If you need new shoes (Helen), now's the time to break them in before the race.

This weekend is also the Great White North Dragon Boat Challenge down at Marilyn Bell Park. Olwyn's team the Flaming Dragons is competing in qualifying heats Saturday at 10:45 am, 11:30 am and 3 pm, so if you feel like cheering, check it out. Speed on, Olwyn!

Happy birthday to Alexis, the first of our many September babies, and to Julaine. Have wonderful days, gals. You deserve them.

Walks: Labour Day and Wed. Sep. 7 @ Shoppers

Lovely sunrise, hot day for Saturday's 16K

Monday morning, begin your Labour Day with 10K and one last swim in the Shore Things' Unofficial Pool, starting from Lou-Ann's at 8 am.  Or, sign in to let others know that you'll be walking Monday evening instead.

Wednesday's distance is also 10K. We'll set out from Shoppers at 7 pm. Or, once again, you have an alternative, if your schedule permits...

After Monday, the Morning Walkers contingent is changing its name to Early Evening Walkers. At least until September 29th. They'll set out from Dawn's Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:45 pm. Sign in or contact Dawn if you're going to join them.

We're starting to coordinated plans for the KW Half and 10K in September. Debbie has volunteered to keep track of the food for our pot luck. We'll also want to coordinate car pooling. I'll send out a private message with contact info.

As usual, I have the nagging feeling I've forgotten something. I'm sure you'll tell me what it is.