Walks: Sat-Wed, Jan. 5-9

How's that for a snow castle?

Saturday, Jan. 5th we're going to mix it up with a once-a-month new departure point (remember, we talked about that?). Trish has created an 8K route, starting from Tim's at Eglinton Ave. E. and Brentcliffe Road. Here's a link to directions. We start at 8 am, and Trish will have printed route maps.

Note that this is an optional alternative for those interested. Naturally, some will prefer to meet at our usual time and place. Please sign in to let us know where you'll be.

Mondays and Wednesdays return to regular programming, for maintenance walks between 6-8K.

Bob has created a concurrent training schedule, which I'll upload soon, for some of 2013's upcoming races: May (Cincinnati, Toronto and Mississauga Halfs), June Niagara Falls Women's Half, August Dublin Half and September Canadian Army Half. If you're doing different races, let us know.

By now, you've had time to think about Wow's Challenge for 2013. The 20+13 Challenge is quite do-able (walking 33 minutes a day), but most of the veterans are balking at 2013 minutes a month. But don't let that stop you. Jan has created tracking Excel files for all three versions (Ks, 33 mins a day, or 2013 mins a month), so let me know if you'd like one.

Susan desperately seeks company to do either a yearly 2013K or 2013 monthly minutes – speak up if you'd like to join her. You'd qualify for Wow's finisher medal if you choose minutes, and if you choose Ks, the Shore Things figure out a way to reward you.

In fact, I'm putting out a call to have 2013 be our Year of Personal Bests. Set yourself any personal challenge. For me, it's going to be to do my best half marathon time. Yours might be to do a longer race for the first time, or simply to walk more often. Doesn't matter what you pick, have a goal in mind, and we'll celebrate our accomplishments in November.

Our flurry of January babies begins this week with Alisa and Olwyn – have fun-filled birthdays, gals!