Walks: Sat-Wed, Dec. 29 to Jan. 2

'Twas a snow-free Resolution 5K back in 2011

Winter finally arrived, and it looks like it might stick around for the weekend. Do you know where your Yaktrax are? Whether or not you are doing the Resolution 5K, please let us know whether you'll be walking on Saturday – 8K sounds like a nice round number. But feel free to go shorter or longer.

Resolution folks, race kit pick-up starts on Friday. Charlotte has volunteered to pick up kits, and Bob and I will also be going. Please email your race confirmation to one of us is you'd like us to get your kits. A million thanks to Debbie for organizing the car pool, which leaves from our house at 8:30 am on Sunday. You can park in the school lot across from our house. And a million and a half more thanks to Debbie for organizing the post-race brunch. A few of the 21 attendees are for brunch only – if you'd like to be added, please contact Debbie asap. Don't know how? Contact me, and I'll forward.

Monday and Wednesday, those still on holiday might prefer to walk in the mornings. I raise my hand here. Suggestions for alternative departure points? Evening walkers on those days, let yourselves be known. Everyone, please do sign in on the blog, so your possible arrival (or not) won't be a mystery.

Congratulations to Arlene Mawson for winning the Wow 2012 Challenge draw. And well done Shore Things – we were 12 of the 20 finishers! News on Wow's Challenge for 2013 – it's an either/or: EITHER walk 2013 minutes each month in 2013 OR walk 20+13 minutes daily. Minutes can be banked in the month (from long walks, for example), but I'm unsure if we're out of the challenge if we miss our total for a month. Will write to Lee for clarification. Strange. Even those who said "never again" found ourselves trying to calculate if we could "do it again."

Brette, have a happy birthday! And Happy New Year to all of us wonderful Shore Things!!

Walks: Sat. Dec. 22 and Christmas week

Happy, Shore Things! All finished the 2012 Challenge!

Saturday will be a great time for us all to get reacquainted. No long distances. No breakneck speeds. Just some pre-Xmas calorie-burning. And I mean that in the least calorie-burning sort of way.

Next week, Monday falls on Christmas Eve and Wednesday falls on Boxing Day. I'm going to leave it up to you to organize yourselves, should you want to get together. I believe that Margy and Rainer are bound for Hamilton on Dec. 26 to do the Boxing Day 10-Miler. As always, I admire their stamina.

Six of us will be at Wow's Winter Solstice Muffin Walk on Sunday at 8 am in Oakville – or, as I've called it, the Post-Solstice Awalkolypse. We'll pick up 2012 Challenge medals for all the finishers. There are still a couple of seats in the cars. Contact me if you want to go.

Next weekend is the Resolution 5K. Debbie is organizing a car pool and a brunch, so if you've registered but aren't on the interest list yet, please drop me or Debbie a line. Charlotte has offered to pick up race kits, so let her know if you'd like her to get yours. Thanks to both for stepping up!

Eva is this post's birthday girl. Hope you're nice and cosy and enjoying your special day.

If I don't see you before, have a Merry Christmas, everyone! May Santa bring us what we want – including, and perhaps most of all, peace on earth.

Walks: Sat-Wed, Dec. 15 to 19

Celebrating 12/12/12 at 12:12:12 with a 12K walk

Don't know how I managed to gain that massive double chin during this Year of Living 2012-Challengingly! But, oh well, the moment was historic, so here the picture is. Focus more on my fit-looking companions for the mini-mob version of the Wow Power Walking 12K at 12 on 12/12/12. And follow that link to Wow's revamped website, especially if you completed the 2012 Challenge. If your name is drawn to win a membership, you can plan your options in advance and leap right in.

Saturday, those few still doing those tantalizing last bits of the Challenge want to do 10K. Actually, want might be the wrong verb. Everyone else, please do come out for your own distance.

Monday and Wednesday, we'll say 6-8K (with the option to go up or down, as required).

Next Saturday is our very last chance (with one exception) to complete our 2012 in 2012 mileage, which must be submitted by 2 pm on Sat., Dec. 22nd. The exception is the 8K Wow Winter Solstice Coffee & Muffin Walk the following day, starting at 8 am at Sovereign House in Oakville. A few of us will be going. Those who need the mileage to complete your 2012K can add this 8K to the total you submit on Saturday, if you sign up in advance and attend. One way or another, we'll finish this, gang!

A message from the Shore Things at the back of the pack: they appreciate it when those in front look back to make sure they're okay – and loop back to those who seem lonely or lost. The need to loop may be less of an issue once the holiday crush gets our numbers up and ensures there's a group at every pace. However, looking out for each other is a nice thing to do, so please keep it in mind.

That being said, our loosely defined club has both pros and cons. There are people who prefer the same route every week, and others who crave variety. We each walk at the pace that feels comfortable for us, and sometimes walking slowly can be as hard to maintain for fast walkers as walking quickly can be for slower ones. Unfortunately, we can't satisfy everyone, all the time. If you have suggestions, please let me know.

I also welcome help with route planning. But whether we post routes or simply describe them at the start of each walk, it's up to each of us to know where we're going – or, if unsure, to ask. In fact, two of us got "lost" last week on a route we've done innumerable times. Let's re-do our Shore Things directory, especially our cell numbers, so we can check in if one of us gets lost or needs to be found. A volunteer?

I'll close with a belated birthday wish to Kathleen K., who I missed last week because she wasn't on my Shore Things calendar yet. And, speaking of calendars, the reprints have arrived – I'll do my best to remember to bring them on Saturday. Hope to see you!

Walks: Sat-Mon, Dec. 8 to 12

Our speed demons at the turnaround

Am I the only one starting to get annoyed with our fickle weather? Let's see what the future brings on Saturday, when only the Fearless or Fearsome Four (Leverne, Jan, Helen and Bob) still have kms to log for the 2012 Challenge. It would be great to get many klicks out of the way… if it isn't r**ning. Everyone else, please, come out and lord it over us after the distance you like and some coffee.

Monday and Wednesday evening, 6-8K, depending on who's out and what the weather does. But on Wednesday midday, I'm planning the east-end version of Wow's Mob Walk: 12K at 12 pm (and presumably at 12:12:12) on 12/12/12. How could we resist? If you'll join me, please drop me a line.

Happy Chanukah! Happy December! And happy feet – whatever you're up to this week.