Thursday 28 June 2012

Walks: Canada Day Weekend & Wed. July 4

Post-walk conversation and, of course, coffee
No matter which side of the border you come from, it's a very patriotic set of walks! As it's a long weekend, it's more important than ever that you let people know that you'll be out walking. Here are our times, distances and places:

Saturday at Tim's, starting at 7:30 am. One last chance to catch 30 extra winks, for 11K. (We'll be switching to 7 am, starting July 7th, for those going into full marathon training.)

Monday at Tim's 2 (Gerrard at Victoria Park), starting at 9:30 am. For those who prefer a morning walk on a long weekend. 8K.

Monday at Loblaws (or alternative location, TBD), at 7 pm. For those who are away for the weekend and can't walk in the morning. 8K.

Wednesday at Shoppers at 7 pm. Business as usual, for a 6K tempo walk. But we tip our hat to our independent American compadres.

Silly me. Somehow I missed wishing Dawn B. a happy birthday! Hope it was a happy one. Best birthday wishes also go out to Arlene and Cheryl. Have fun celebrations. And I'm going to wish my darling husband and I a happy 30th on the 30th. It seems like only yesterday!

Friday 22 June 2012

Walks: Sat-Wed, June 23-27

This makes me want to Spit! (Toronto humour)
Thank goodness the hot weather has broken for the Detroit full marathoners' 14K on Saturday. Those training with them (and any other interested souls) will start at 7:30 from Tim's. For those who are ready for a change, I've mapped a 14K route via the Don Valley through Cabbagetown and Rosedale. For those who prefer the same-old, 14K would take you to Warden via the boardwalk route.

Monday and Wednesday, the Detroit schedule has us doing only 6K and a 5K tempo. We'll take it, pending better offers.

Mark your calendars for the Shore Things Pot Luck Pool Party! Lou-Ann and Paul have again generously offered to host our motley crew – particularly generously, given the wedding that's coming soon. The date is Saturday, July 14th from 2 pm. Bring a chair, your refreshment of choice, a pot luck item to share and, of course, your bathing suit. RSVPs go to Lou-Ann. I'll post a separate private invitation with all the pertinent contact info.

Happy birthday to Greg! I'm glad you're sharing that milder weather you got for your gift!

We're also getting ready to say farewell to Maureen, who leaves us soon for the Capital Region. We'll miss you, kiddo.

And healing waves go out to all our injured Things, including Eileen, Charlotte, Barb S. and Val. And for all you teachers and administrators, here's to a smooth last week of school.

Happy summer!

Wednesday 13 June 2012

Walks: Sat-Wed, June 16-20

This kind of "peanut" is good for your health
Other than the Detroit full marathoners, no one is into deep training yet – as far as I know. Tell me or Dawn if your upcoming race isn't noted on our Interests List. Currently, I'm using the full marathon schedule, as some of us have decided to train with the marathoners. Please, let your body be your guide when selecting your distance. There's always someone to keep you company.

Saturday: 13K. We'll be starting at 7:30 am. I'll repeat that: we'll be starting at 7:30 am – from now till the next heat leap. From Tim's. I suggest the Spit, as we haven't done it in a while, and it offers shorter options. For 13K, we need to do both sides. Let's take the longer/outside road first, then return via the more interesting bridge route. Sign in to declare when you will be arriving, and the distance you prefer.

Monday and Wednesday: 8K and 6K. Again, we'll do tempo on the shorter walk to get our heart rate up and build up our endurance and cardio capacity. The few who came out tonight enjoyed it.

But if you need convincing to go for speed, here's a great article in More Magazine on the calorie-burning benefits of faster walking. 4 mph (9.3 mins/km) is the first big benchmark, and every small increment above that reaps disproportionately greater benefits. At 5 mph, walkers burn more calories than runners, due to our form! The article includes technique tips, so I recommend a read.

It's semi-official: the New Zealand crew has changed its destination for next summer. We're now looking at Ireland, the Longford marathon, marathon relay and half marathon at the end of August 2013. Perhaps this will appeal to a larger group. Let us know if you're interested.

Happy Father's Day to the fellas in our group. May you be fĂȘted as you deserve! And happy birthday to Rainer. Have a medal-winning day.

Wednesday 6 June 2012

Walks: Sat-Wed, June 9-13

Our two fellas each placed first in the Alfie Shrubb 8K and 5K races
Bob took first in the 8K Alfie Shrubb and Rainer the 5K, with an almost identical pace of 6:49 and 6:50 MPK respectively; 54:29 clock time for Bob, and 34:09 for Rainer. Blazing! Until the midway point in the 8K, the Shore Things almost had 1st, 2nd and 3rd tied up. Then a fleet-footed walker swooshed past at the turn, and receded into the distance. Still, Jan and Helen virtually tied for third overall and second female with identical times in the 8K, both with personal bests.

A computer glitch at the end of the race meant that the organizers (temporarily) lost everyone's times, retrieving only the 5K at the last minute. So only Rainer stepped up to the podium; the rest will be mailed our prizes. However, Bob won a $90 watch in the draw – the very last prize of the day. And the rain held off! All in all, a good 10th Anniversary Race for the Alfie crew.

We really must commend race organizer Al Storie for his support of walkers. His long and amusing announcement before the walkers' start made it absolutely clear that walking means no running! All races should do the same. A very easy way to get the word out.

Saturday: Let's say "rain or shine"(bring your rain poncho!), the Detroit full marathoners only need 10K. Neville Park route if it's clear; North to the Lookout if not. Or, send me a route and I'll post it. We'll again stick to the 8 am start for this week. But I suggest we switch to 7:30 am, beginning June 16th.

Monday and Wednesday: Let's do one 8K route (Monday, to Rosetta) and on 6K tempo pace (that's faster, for Wednesday). Again, let me know if you have a new route to try.

Our dear Eileen has taken a tumble, as you might already know, and is now in a full leg cast. We send her our very best healing wishes.

Happy birthday to Maureen! We'll miss you when you move to the big O.

Friday 1 June 2012

Walks: Sat to Wed, June 2-6

The wisteria in bloom at Rosetta McClain
Let's keep Saturday's start time 8 am this week, as it looks like we have a break in the weather thanks to the cooling effect of Friday's rain.

Detroit full marathoners have 13K on their schedule on Saturday. As no one has volunteered a route, I'm suggesting the Spit. Full marathoners go straight out to the lighthouse and then take the curved route back. To the rocks is 8K, to the lighthouse and straight back is 12K. As always, your distance is your own decision – feel free to join us for less, or more!

Monday and Wednesday, we'll keep it to 8K, weather permitting. The forecast seems to have a lot of raindrops in it! (Gardens are thanking the rain gods.)

A few of us are doing the Alfie Shrubb 8K on Sunday. Good luck to us!

Sunday is also the Cabbagetown garden tour. Thanks to Charlotte for the link. Bring your brolly.

We have a lot of June babies in our group. Happy birthday wishes to the first two, Trish & Susan.

I'm sure you'll remind me of all the other things I should be reminding you of. Stay dry!