Walks: New Year's Eve, Mon. Jan. 2 & Wed. Jan. 4

Our Christmas Eve 2011 walk

Saturday, at least 27 Shore Things, family and friends, will be at the Resolution 5K. A reminder for those car-pooling: we meet at my house, leaving at 8:45. The race starts at 9:30. Race-day kit pickup is available, 7:30-9 am at the Queen Elizabeth Building.

The blue jacket got the freeze test on this morning's walk, and gets thumbs up. A reminder that we can have these (or our yellow/green jacket) embroidered with the Shore Things logo for $14 + HST. By now, we have the minimum order confirmed, but there's still time to add your name to the list.

Half a dozen of us have signed up for the Wow Powerwalking 2012 in 2012 Challenge. To help us along, we're going to try going a touch farther – just over 7K, rather than 6K – on our regular walks during the tougher weather of January/February. Here's a route from Loblaws for Monday, and a route from Shoppers for Wednesday. Bookmark and memorize.

Those still off work this week might prefer morning walks when it's light, starting at 9 am. Evening walkers, the time is still 7 pm. I don't know if there's still an afternoon option. Please speak up if you do. Wednesday is a Doc Soup night, so many regulars will be away. As always, sign in to let folks know there'll be company aka moral support.

January 1, registration opens for two spring races that some of us are interested in, the Chocolate Race on April 29 and the WIN Whitby Half on May 27. Do it early for the best rates. You can also register now for the KW Half. I'm continuing to update the race links on our website. Check them out.

Our sincere condolences to Pat S, whose mother passed away on Christmas Day. I'll send a private message with Pat's contact info for those wishing to reach out.

Happy birthday to Alisa, our first January baby (or babe) of 2012. Wishing you a full year of fun.

And happy New Year, everyone! Have a fun, safe celebration. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to walk, talk and commune with you. Looking forward to another fantastic year with the Shore Things.

Walks: Xmas Eve, Boxing Day & Wed. Dec. 27

The Disney Trio powers to their 38K finish

Let's gather on Christmas Eve at 8 am for pre-feast calorie burning, 8K max. We'll think in awe of our three Disney-bound gals doing their last 21K before the big race(s). For those who can't make it Saturday, have a very Merry Christmas and a belated Happy Hanukkah. We also send birthday wishes out to Brette.

If you feel like a walk on Boxing Day, let's follow our tradition of a morning holiday walk: 6K starting at 9:30 am from the Tim Hortons on Gerrard at Victoria Park (near Loblaws). Sign in if you're interested.

For the Resolution 5K, Trish is organizing a car pool. Race kit pick-up starts Thursday. Bob & I will be going -- email me your race confirmation if you'd like us to get your kit. There's also race-day pick-up, 7:30-9 am.

We can have our blue jackets embroidered: $14 +HST for front and back, just like our vests. If you'd like a hat you already own embroidered, it's $5 if done at the same time as the jackets. Let me know if you're in.

Lee Scott has sent out another challenge: “2012 in 2012”  Here's what she says about it:

"It’s a challenging, yet achievable goal for any healthy adult. Walking 2,012 kilometres in one year. It averages out to a little over 5k each day. For those who include a longer training walk of, say, 10k each weekend, you would need 7.17k on each of four additional days or 5.74k on each of 5 additional days."

Some of us are thinking seriously of taking up this banner in 2012. If you didn't get Lee's Wow Powerwalking newsletter for December, let me know and I'll forward it to you for the details. 

And, to convince you further, check out this great link from Rainer: http://youtu.be/aUaInS6HIGo

For anything I've forgotten, and there's sure to be something, check the comments. Happy holidays, however you celebrate them!

Walks: Saturday to Wednesday, Dec. 17-21

A cheery smile for a rainy day

This is the big weekend for our Disney gals, their rehearsal for back-to-back half and full marathons on race weekend, so let's send out vibes for good weather.

For the rest of us, last few Saturdays have been 8K, which sounds right to me. Monday and Wednesday, we'll keep it to 6K. Signing in to say you'll be there is especially important during these busy weeks.

Christmas Eve walk: A number have expressed an interest in having a short walk together on December 24th. Keep this in mind as you make your plans.

Resolution 5K kit pick-ups: Anyone need this? Please speak up. Bob is investigating whether we can have our blue jackets embroidered with the Shore Things logo (we can) and what it will cost (TBD).

Carpooling to the Resolution 5K: If you'd like to do this, we suggest a rendezvous at our house. We are close to the Coxwell Subway station, for transit riders. Free parking is also available in the school lot across the street. Let us know if you need a ride, or can offer one.

Volunteering: Many have stepped up, but Eileen needs to fill a few key roles – one is my back-up on the blog when I'm away. It's easy, really. You'll get written instructions as well as an online demo. We'd also love to have three people to: map out fresh routes; plot race schedules against the calendar; coordinate our social get-togethers. Each of these is just an occasional commitment. I'll distribute Eileen's list, so please contact her if you can help.

Looking ahead to 2012: Looks like we have a growing will to do the Chocolate Race 16K on April 29th, followed by the WIN Half Marathon in Whitby on May 27th. Registration for the former opens on Jan. 1st; and for the latter, TBD. And remember the Shore Things 10K on April Fool's Day!

Walks: Saturday to Wednesday, Dec. 10-14

Newly re-weds, Rainer & Margy

As I'm still working out the logistics of a one post per week schedule, it might be best to post our reminder before Saturday, rather than afterwards -- what say you? It would give us news just prior to our largest gathering. That's why I'm posting today. Sorry if there's any confusion.

For example: Rainer has only good things to say about Vegas. In short: "A fantastic place, a fantastic race but the only description is ‘Over the Top'." As some of you might know, they were in the "Run Through Wedding" corral, along with about 30 other couples renewing their vows, and 8 couples actually getting married. As the image above shows, however, they were not dressed as Elvis.

Saturday: 8-10K
Monday and Wednesday: 6-8K

Next weekend (Dec. 17 & 18) is the long walk for Disney. It would be great if you can help en route (eg. bathroom access, or a water/food meet-up). Or, is anyone interested in doing part of the distance? Let me know.

Again, our condolences go out to Cynthia and family on the loss of her mother. The service is on Sunday at 2 pm. Contact me if you need details.

Walks: Week of Dec. 5 to 11

Stacey welcomes Brette back to the fold

After being blessed with the weather on Saturday, it looks like we'll have a few damp days, Monday included. Let's see what it's like closer to the event. Sign in if you're coming on Monday. Our weeknight distances are 6-8 K. Most evenings, we keep it short.

Wednesday is a Doc Soup night for many. Those coming for a walk, please say so. All we need is one other person for company – it's a shame not to come out just because you think no one will be there.

Saturday, weather permitting, it will be 8-10K along the Boardwalk under the winter sun.

We wish Karin a happy birthday. Looks like you're getting the whole family into the act! Hope they treat you like a walking queen on your day.

On Dec. 17 & 18, our Disney trainees will be doing back-to-back Saturday/Sunday distances, approaching a half marathon one day and a full marathon the next. We'd like to get out to support them – either keeping them company on part of the route, as we did for Eva a few years ago, or stopping along the route with food and/or water. Let me know if you're interested, and we'll organize a posse.