Walks: Hallowe'en and Wed. Nov. 2

The man from Mars? No, not race nutrition

As Monday is Hallowe'en, you might be shelling out to witches rather than walking. If not, be sure to sign in here to let any ghosts and goblins know you'll be walking the night.

Wednesday is our usual time and place for 6-8K. Gasp. It's November already, already!

We have 20 calendar orders so far, and 25 usually qualifies for the 10% discount. Once I hit 25, I'm going to place the order – provided I have all the birthday pictures in place – and I hope the calendars will be in by our party. If you miss the first round, we have 30 days to place repeat orders.

Next, I'm going to ask if anyone wants a yearbook. I always make one for myself, so you'd be piggybacking on my order. However, if you are among the few who do want a book, then I'll make sure to include as many pictures of you as possible. Please let me know asap. I likely won't order the books till the party – so you'll be able to see the "proofs." And, of course, I'll bring memories of previous years.

Speaking of party, we'll need volunteers for a little setting up, and for cleanup afterwards. It often seems to be the same folks with their hands in the soapsuds. So please let me know if you can help.

Walk: Sat. Oct. 29 @ Tim's

A bemedalled Eva hugged by Trish and Cheryl at the Scotia Half

Let's begin with birthday wishes this time, sending them out to Stacey and Jeanny. What a perfect day you have for it – hope you have the chance to enjoy those blue skies.

Saturday looks to be more or less the same. Come out for 8-10K, starting at 8 am at Tim's.

Or, if you're looking for an extra level of challenge, join Disney gals Ruth, Arlene and Libby for 32K, starting at 7:30 am from Tim's. Let them know if you're coming by signing in.

Just think, a year ago at this time we were doing our Shore Things 10+1. By the way, our next Shore Things event will be on April Fool's Day. Save the date.

Speaking of calendars, I'm working on the Shore Things calendar for 2012. Will you be ordering a calendar this year? Please let me know, asap.

Walks: Mon. Oct. 24 & Wed. Oct. 26

Shore Things conquer China's Great Wall

Congratulations, Dawn, on achieving one of your life's ambitions – although looking at those steps (besides reminding me of Iceland) might just make me think twice about attempting the Great Wall Half Marathon. Whoo. From her expression, Charlotte might be thinking that, too.

Do a rain dance, friends, so we can come out and play. 6-8K -- depending on the whim of the participants. See you 7ish.

A couple of sizing alerts for the swag in two of our races.

Ruth notes that the Resolution 5K jackets are on the large size this year; for example, the XS is larger than last year's S. Visit the Running Room to try on samples and/or change your registered jacket size (you can do this by phone, too). They'll need your name, phone #, email address and the location of your entry – Toronto, probably. If you need an XS, act quickly, as they tend to run out of that size quickly. Well, happily, I don't have to worry about that dilemma.

For those considering the Robbie Burns 8K in January, Bob Brake has provided me (and other bountiful bottoms) with the sizes for those lovely unisex compression shorts. As usual, there'll be a place where you can exchange your shorts on race day, but it's much easier just to select the right size. Here are the waist sizes:

Size      Waist
XS       26-29”
S          29-32”
M         32-35”
L          35-38”
XL       38-43”
XXL    43-48”
XXXL 48-53”

And here is the sizing chart -- you should be able to click the image on our blog for a larger view:

Walk: Sat. Oct. 22 @ Tim's

Let's hope for a few more nice days like this

Saturday, we're supposed to get a break in the wet, windy weather. Let's make the most of it, and enjoy a stroll along the boardwalk. 8K would take us to the end of the boardwalk; 10K would take us around the Neville Park roundabout. After being stuck inside for so many days, 10K sounds good to me.

We're sending big birthday wishes out to Pat. Or, à la Parisienne, should we say bonne fête? Hope you are feted like a queen on your special day.

While we're on the subject of birthdays, thanks to Rainer for sending along this article from Yahoo! Health: 10 Surprising clues you'll live to be 100. One clue is particularly good news for us:

Faster walkers live longer. University of Pittsburgh researchers crunched numbers from nine different studies including almost 35,000 subjects ages 65 or older. The result: For each gait speed increase of 0.1 meters per second came a corresponding 12 percent decrease in the risk of death.

The average speed was 3 feet per second (about two miles an hour). Those who walked slower than 2 feet per second (1.36 miles per hour) had an increased risk of dying. Those who walked faster than 3.3 feet per second (2.25 miles per hour) or faster survived longer than would be predicted simply by age or gender.

A 2006 report in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that among adults ages 70 to 79, those who couldn't walk a quarter mile were less likely to be alive six years later. They were also more likely to suffer illness and disability before death. An earlier study of men ages 71 to 93 found that those who could walk two miles a day had half the risk of heart attack of those who could walk only a quarter mile or less.

If you use the handy speed converter (you can always find it on the blog, left column), then the fastest speed they cite, 2.25 miles per hour, translates into almost 17 minutes per kilometre. That means some of us, you know who you are, might just live to be 150! Happy walking.

P.S. Another reminder about our Shore Things Pot Luck Party on November 19th. The location will be Lou-Ann's church, Presteign-Woodbine United Church. I'll be sending out an official invitation via our Google Group shortly. However, it's open to all Shore Things, old and new, and their family. If you aren't on our mailing list yet, let me know. My email is at the bottom left of our blog.

Walks: Mon. Oct. 17 & Wed. Oct. 19

Remembering a beautiful foggy walk last November

Congratulations to our weekend's competitors, who did wonderfully despite the rain, wind and grey skies.

In the Scotia Half, Eva finished with a chip time of 3:20. As Trish said, "She did better without training than we did having trained." Well done. Think what you could do with a few hills under your belt, girl!

In the Cavan 10K, Margy stood on the podium as 2nd walker overall, and 2nd-place female; Rainer was 3rd overall -- and I assume first male. Both came home with nice medals and Margy was awarded a big bottle of maple syrup. Rainer still has great things to say about the butter tarts.

Folks, come out to our usual evening launch points for two companionable 6-8K walks. Sign in if you're coming so we'll know to wait.

Walk: Sat. Oct. 15 @ Tim's

No need to fight, gals, our party always has plenty of good food

Except for a few brave and notable exceptions, our race season is winding down. This weekend will see Margy & Rainer out on the 10K trail in Cavan, and Eva driving to the finish with the Scotiabank Half. And the Goofy Gals training for Disney in January have a relatively easy 13K on Saturday.

For the rest of us, it's a do-what-you-please. I'd suggest that we try at least 8K – but you might choose more or less. Some might want to join the 13K walk. If so, let us and the official trainees know by signing in here. We're on fall/winter schedule, which means an 8 am start.

For all of us, let's hope the weatherman is wrong.

As we roll into the 2012 season and new dates become available, I've started to update the race links on the blog. Some interesting changes: A few races (such as the Twenty Valley wine half) have disappeared. Sporting Life is no longer sponsoring the spring 10K, which now happens in April. The Chocolate Half has moved from September to April. Today is the end of earlybird rates for the Rome Marathon – for which you now need a medical certificate. I wonder if that will be a trend. The Big Sur 21-Miler is already about 50% sold out.

This is why it pays to look ahead, which I hope you will over the next few weeks. Our November 19th party is the kick off for our new year. All are welcome, even our newest newbies. Please save the date.

Wishing all our globe-trotting Shore Things a bon voyage, there and back. We look forward to your stories.

Walks: Thanksgiving Monday & Wed. Oct. 12

Portrait of Saturday's Spit walkers, including photographer (bottom left)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I'm thankful for all of you... among my many blessings. Enjoy your turkey time, and my best to you and your families.

Monday morning, there's an option for a morning walk: just 6-8K, starting at 9 am from Loblaws at Vic Park and Gerrard, followed by Tim's nearby. Let us know you'll be there, or if you prefer company for a Monday evening walk, by signing in.

Wednesday, we'll revert to maintenance mode with another 6-8K from Shoppers. You know what you have to do.

Rainer and Margy draw our attention to a 10K event on Saturday, the Cavan Hills Country Run. They had a great time at the event last year (Rainer speaks highly of the home-made butter tarts). If you're thinking of signing up, let us know.

And, if you can't get enough of that competitive spirit, or just need more metal to clink at our party on Nov. 19th, there's the Toronto Women's 5K/8K on October 29th.

See you next week.

Walk: Sat. Oct. 8 @ Tim's

I can say with certainty that San Francisco is a great place to visit. And, hey, they happen to have this great race. Perhaps we can think about that for the future.

In fact, I'd like to put you all on notice that our Shore Things year-end party is coming up fast. It's Saturday, November 19th; mark your calendars. At that time, besides having some good food and social beverages, along with good company, we'll be talking up any races you'd like to do next year.

Saturday's walk, except for those still in training, we'll have a companionable 8K, starting at 8 am, from Tim's. Hope to see you then.

Sorry this wasn't posted sooner, but my plane arrived (1.5 hours late) this morning. I'm still running on California time, with very little sleep. Hoping I can kick start myself back into regular life with some lovely fall walking tomorrow. See you soon.

P.S. It's likely that we'll have a morning walk, rather than evening, on Thanksgiving Monday. Let me know if that appeals to you by signing in.

Walks: Mon. Oct. 3 & Wed. Oct. 5

Approaching Skeleton Hill. Toadally steeper than it looks!

What a weekend! The Toadsters shone and came home with excellent Run for the Toad 10th Anniversary medals. Susan brought home a plaque for placing 2nd in her age category, and all the Wow Ultra challengers proudly wore twice the jewellery around their necks. We are all thankful for hill training!

Meanwhile, in Newcastle, Margy and Rainer were competing in the Newcastle Maniacs 5K. Margy placed second overall and Rainer, third; he also was first in his gender.

Congratulations, everyone. Check out the times for both races here.

Eva is training for the Scotia Half, I believe. And, of course, the Goofies have an autumn and early winter of long walks ahead of them. Let me know which schedule you're following, in case we want to join you.

Other than that, I think we've all entered maintenance mode. Come out Monday and Wednesday for 6-8K – as you like it. Sign in and tell us your preference.