Walks: Sat-Wed, Oct. 27 to 31

The Shore Things motored in Motor City!

What an event. Ruth took third place overall amongst the Detroit full marathon walkers, with a blistering 5:31 chip finish. Most of us would have been thrilled to even have had her clock time of 6:01. In the half, our leader was Bob; 9th overall and on the leaderboard as 5th male with a chip finish of 2:31. We all placed in the first 50% of participants. Special thank-yous for the support of our cheering section, particularly Alexis and Barbara, who restocked the thirsting with water (we were told bottles weren't allowed to cross the border). Well done, Shore Things.

See you Saturday to talk it over on a companionable 8-10K, or the distance of your choice, at 8 am from Tim's. Newbies welcome! Monday evening from Loblaws (and a possible uptown location), for 6-8K, depending on how we feel. Wednesday evening is Hallowe'en – sign in if you'd prefer to walk on Thursday, Nov. 1 instead, from Shoppers.

There are daytime walks on weekdays for those available. Just sign in and show up for our regular locations. Or contact me for the other locations, and I'll hook you up with the organizers.

A few things upcoming:

For anyone considering the Dublin Half, rates go up by four euros after October 31st.

Please start looking for next year's races, to post your interest at our party on November 10th. Our Year-End Party is both a celebration of things past, and a kick-off for the year to come.

For example, I just stumbled on the Niagara Falls Women's Half Marathon on June 2, 2013. There's a bottle of VQA wine in every swag bag. Now it's not a cheap race, but earlybird rates are cheaper, and they jump after October 31, 2012. (Men can participate, but there are no prizes for males.)

Also, Bob and I are fulfilling a long-held wish to do the Cincinatti Flying Pig Half on May 5th, 2013. And I just noticed that they have a 3-Way set of combo races, like the Disney or Bermuda Triangle in January. I believe that Rainer and Margy are already signed up for the latter, as well as for the Chilly Half, and rates for that one go up October 30th.

So look around, see what you like and invite the Shore Things to join you in the races you want to do. I've updated all the updatable race links on the blog, but feel free to introduce us to new races.

Still taking orders for calendars: approx. $19.99 plus HST. However, if I hear from nobody else by end of day Saturday (emails only, please – it's the only way I can accurately keep track), I'll submit our order and with luck will have calendars ready for our party.

Now that we've completed our last big race, the yearbook is also almost finished – but send me your great photos by this weekend. FYI, Sharon got a preview Tuesday evening and immediately placed an order. Cost will be approx. $80 plus HST.

Happy birthday to Stacey! Wishing you nothing but loveliness for your day and your year. And also to Jeanny – we missed you in Detroit. Hope you're okay.