Walks: Sat-Wed, March 2 to 6

2004 was the first year for the Shore Things. See familiar faces?

A reminder about Saturday – we'll have two locations. First is our usual Tim's. Second is High Park, meeting at the Grenadier Restaurant. Both are at 8 am. I don't know how clear either of the paths will be, but we'll work it out. Those doing the High Park walk should print yourself a copy of this map. 8-10K is our hoped for distance – your distance may vary.

We're now on the training schedule for the May 5th races. 10K for Saturday, but we might be forgiven if the roads are too slushy. Monday and Wednesday, the distance is 8K.

Since I announced my retirement last week, I've head murmurings of blog anxiety. Please don't be afraid of the blog. Writing it is no more high-tech than writing a document in Word. Less, in many ways. Plus, a) I will show you how, and b) I'll still be around to do anything complicated.

Next, what may make sense going forward is:

• have a committee, rather than a single leader. Each committee member would handle a small part of club management. We already do this to some extent (social committee, volunteers, &c.)
• heading the committee would be a coordinator (doesn't have to be the blogger), who keeps track of what others are doing and occasionally nag. 
• the committee would together coordinate planning for the year (I could act as an advisor for the first year, if you want)
• terms would be short for the coordinator and/or committee (1-2 years?), so that no one feels they're taking the role on forever
• things that need to be done (that aren't already covered) include: route mapping; training schedules; weekly blog post; &c.

So please step up. We could have a meeting of the curious (!) to hash things over – no obligation. I want to make it all as painless as possible. Be assured, most of the hard work has already been done.

I don't think we have any birthdays this weekend, but we have Arlene, Margy, Rainer and Ruth doing the Chilly Half. I'm sure a group like that will really shine for the Shore Things! Fleet feet, friends!

Walks: Sat-Wed, Feb. 23 to 27

Helen at the finish of the Marine Corps Marathon 2003

My 10th Anniversary came and went, and I was so busy, I forgot to post about it. Ten years ago, on February 15, 2003, I took my first training walk with Jeans Marines. I wrote it on my calendar: 2K!

Eight months later, with Cynthia, Jan and Sharon (and Breda, now a Stellar Runner), I completed 42.2K – including a last killer hill – in the Marine Corps Marathon.

The next year, our Beach group became the Shore Things (including runners), and Cheryl, Eva, Niki, Norma, Olwyn, Susan, Trish, joined the three above.

Oh, the things we have done and places we've been since!

A fitting time for me to announce that I'll be retiring from running the Shore Things. I'm asking one or more of you to take my place. This decision has been exceptionally hard, but I need to focus on other priorities. The group is such an important part of my life that I'll keep walking, taking pictures, doing books and calendars. But I need to pass on the day-to-day stuff to a new crew before I leave for Ireland in July. Contact me to discuss.

This week, it's business as usual on our Saturday 8K, Monday and Wednesday 6K walks.

A heads-up that Saturday, March 2nd is our alternative location walk. For those doing the Harry's Spring 8K, we thought you might like a preview at High Park, with brunch at the Grenadier.

Sign in, my friends. That's how we know to wait for you.

Walks: Sat-Wed, Feb. 16 to 20

See, we're not all about the walking.

Hearts to you all, Shore Things, and especially to our birthday girl Dawn who always has to share her day with everyone. In honour of Valentine's Day, you get two, count 'em, two pictures – the one above is of a souper Soup Workshop three of our gals attended (note the beetin' heart cut-outs), the one below is from our first Photo Workshop. All our budding photographers like the idea of having another in the spring, so if you missed it, stay tuned.

See you Saturday at our usual Tim's for 8K or whatever brings us joy. Norma sends along this link that tells us how healthful it is to walk amongst nature. So let's do the Boardwalk or Spit, whichever seems most passable or popular.

Monday and Wednesday are still maintenance days. 6K-ish should do it. Please sign in gang.

Heads up that Cheryl will be holding a Sip & Swap swapmeet, fuelled by wine. Dangerous! At her place on the afternoon of Feb. 24. Contact me if you need further details.

Olwyn sends along this for anyone with dreams of onstage glory. Happening this weekend:

Parlando
COC Filling Over 100 “Super” Roles for Spring Productions
Danielle D’Ornellas
Have you ever wanted to be a part of the Canadian Opera Company and have the chance to hear a powerful singer from only a few feet away? You just might get that chance! 

On Saturday, February 16, the COC is looking for over 100 people to join us as supernumeraries in the spring for Lucia di Lammermoor, Salome and Dialogues des Carmélites. What's a supernumerary? Supernumeraries, a.k.a. supers, are the extras of the opera world and play a variety of non-singing roles. They are vital to enhancing the operatic experience presented on stage. Members of Canadian Actor’s Equity, ACTRA or any other professional performing arts union are not eligible to be supers.
http://www.coc.ca/ExploreAndLearn/NewToOpera/OnlineLearningCentre/ParlandoTheCOCBlog.aspx?EntryID=20179

 Gosh, I hope that's everything. See you Saturday in the sunshine!

One of our snap-happy members in Valentine's red

Walks: Sat-Wed, Feb. 9 to 13

The Cherry Street Lifeguard Boathouse – in the snow

The snow is beginning as I write this – who knows if we'll get the big dump we've been promised. Be that as it may, Leverne has planned a 7K alternative walk for Saturday, starting from the Tim Horton's on O'Connor near Amsterdam at 8 am. The link gets you to the "get directions" page (hint: it is not the Tim's at Victoria Park). Leverne will have maps and written instructions at the start.

There will also be a regular 8 am walk from our home Tim's, of course – please sign in to say where you'll be. Wherever we start from, the sun looks like it will be shining, so come out, come out!

Monday and Wednesday, it's maintenance walks, 6K or thereabouts. Let us know if you're coming, or especially if you'll be away, by signing in on the comments.

A reminder to our shutterbugs that Sunday is our photo workshop at Barbara's. Remember to charge your camera(s) and dig out your camera manual. Bring a notepad and pen, too!

Congratulations to Rainer for his first-place finish at the Sarnia Hypothermic Half. Blazing time, too: 2:37. His assessment, "A long drive, but it was worth it."

Happy birthday to Lou-Ann and belated birthday greetings to Barbara (looking at the calendar, my eyes somehow had Barbara's birthday falling today, not yesterday, silly me)! Wishing you both a wonderful, fun-packed year.

For those looking ahead to the Canadian Army Half in September, I've just learned that registration opens Feb. 21. Get in early to enjoy the lowest rates.

Walks: Sat-Wed, Feb. 2 to 6

Soggy but smiling on a rainy January day

Oh, what crazy, mixed-up weather! But you can see that at least some Shore Things are undaunted.
After consulting with Leverne, who has volunteered to plan the next Saturday 8K change of location walk, we have decided to defer the switch till next Saturday, Feb. 9th. This week, we'll start from Tim's as usual at 8 am, and see where our feet take us.

Monday and Wednesday are maintenance days, for about 6K – but note that Wednesday is a Doc Soup night, so most of our regulars will be away. Please sign in if you want company.

Congratulations to Rainer, who placed 2nd in his age category at the Robbie Burns 8K in a big field. Rainer wrote to the organizers to suggest ways to improve the walking category instructions. We hope it will be passed along to next year's new organizer. Thanks for being an ambassador, Rainer.

Thanks also to Barb S. for sharing this: "The latest issue of Running Room Magazine - Jan/Feb 2013 has a 20% off coupon (page 41). Everything in-store and online; expires February 28. *One coupon per person, good for a one-time purchase." [Promo code is: JANFEB2013] Happy shopping!

Wishing a belated happy birthday to Elaine. We still think of you as a Shore Thing!