Walks: Sat-Wed, June 1 to 5

View from the Island Garden Tour

This is the big weekend for the Niagara Falls Women's Half. We wish all of our Niagara gals – and you are many – a fun weekend and a great race. Bring home the medals. And wine.

For the rest of us, Saturday means 14K for the Dubliners; a mere 8K for the Midsummer crew (might be a crew of one). If I recall, 14K can be accomplished by adding the Peanut to the boardwalk route, there and back – and, of course, the boardwalk is 8K. That would put us all on the same path.

Is it time to shift our start to 7:30? Chime in with your opinions. The weather is starting to warm up.

Monday and Wednesday, everyone has 6K, both days. I'm going to suggest moving to Occasions for the Wednesday walks, and adding hills. Takers? There's an optional beer in it for you afterwards.

For next year, Rainer proposes the Cleveland Half, May 18, 2014. The early-earlybird rate is $40 for the half marathon if you sign up by this Friday, May 31, 2013. Quite a discount! We did this race last in 2007, and included a good visit to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. The course is described as flat and fast, if that appeals, and Cleveland was a relatively easy drive. Let Dawn know if you sign up.

Thanks to Norma for the play-by-play of the Robin family. Sorry to hear you're now an empty nester.

Happy birthday to our birthday girls, Trish and Susan! Hope the sun shines on you both.

And remember to let Libby know if you'll be attending the alternative walk from her place on Saturday, June 15.  There's a breakfast afterwards – a great way to kick off the summer.

Finally, save the date for the Annual Shore Things Pool Party at Lou-Ann's: Saturday, July 13! Yay!

Walks: Sat-Wed, May 25-29

Our proud Sporting Life 10K finishers

Saturday is the taper day for our Niagara Falls trainees. So let's declare 8K for all (or 12K, by Libby's schedule) and enjoy each other's company – unless the Niagara group tell us they have other plans. (The Midsummer Night's 15K schedule also kicks in now with an easy 6K – fyi.)

I'll remove the old schedule this week, so we'll follow Libby's revised schedule from now on.

That revised schedule means 6K and 5K for Niagara on Monday and Wednesday; 8K and 5K for Dublin. As always, you should follow your own needs when choosing your distance and pace.

Now that the big move to Montreal is over, I'll be starting to make appointments to train volunteers for the Shore Things hand-over. Please email me with a few available times so that we can coordinate. I might be able to do daytimes, depending on the day. Thanks and let me hear from you!

Walks: Victoria Day Weekend and Wed. May 22

Our world in living colour

My usually reliable sources didn't send me any pix from the Sporting Life 10K, so you'll have to be content with a colourful view from tonight's walk. However, I did hear that – despite the cold and wind last Sunday – all our Shore Things were winners. A race report from Libby:

Ruth continues to lead us all with a blazing time of 1:12. Eva, Cheryl (1:26) – supported by Ralph and myself (1:14) – had PB times! perhaps spurred by the cold. Norma (1:18), David 1:04 (the runner), Trish, Olwyn (1:34), Ellen (1:26), Cynthia (way to go 1:43) and Marilyn (1:27) all finished strong.

Congratulations to all of you! Let us know if we missed out on any personal bests.

This Saturday, the Niagara crew have 18K on your schedule (if you're following the old schedule, which I assume you are – speak up if you're doing things differently or starting early). Dubliners, it's 10K using the new schedule. As always, you set your own distance and pace.

Monday, being a holiday, there's a morning option starting at 9 am at Tim's 2 (Vic Park & Gerrard) – if you prefer to start earlier, make a plea in the comments. Ditto if you prefer to meet in the evening on Monday. 10K for Niagara; 8K for Dublin.

Wednesday is just a normal Wednesday: Shoppers at 7 pm. 10K for Niagara; 5K for Dublin.

Have a great long weekend, everyone. Break out the sunscreen and be careful of those fireworks.

Walks: Sat-Wed, May 11 to 15

Ruth, Sharon, Libby and rainbow at the start of the Cincinnati Flying Pig

Our two-sided Cincinnati Flying Pig medals with the curly pigtail (long wished-for by some; I name no names) came with a certain amount of hardship. Rain, hills, hills, more hills, even more hills and, for a very select few, long lines, a missed flight and a larcenous cab driver. But it was worth it.

Saturday, the Niagara racers get into the home stretch with 16K. I have a feeling you've talked amongst yourselves to decide when or where to meet, so please share with us on the comments. Everyone else, it's freestyle! Set your own pace and distance.

Monday and Wednesday, it's 10K and 10K for Niagara; 8K and 5K for Dublin (following Libby's revised version of the training schedule now posted on the blog).

Wishing all the mums and moms in our group a happy Mother's Day. We deserve it!

Walks: Sat-Wed, May 4 to 8

Robin – official eggs of the Shore Things

Thanks to Norma for the picture – and the story of the growing robin family right outside her office window. How nice of them to have eggs in Shore Things colours!

This Saturday, the June racers enjoy an easy 11K. Isn't it fun to be able to say that? While on Sunday, our half marathoners in Cincinnati and Toronto reach the culmination of their spring training. We wish us all the best of luck, and weather.

Monday and Wednesday, the Niagara folks are scheduled for 8K and 10K, while the Dubliners' training kicks in with an easy start. I'll be posting the new training schedule from Libby, which includes the Midsummer 15K, after I hit publish.

Happy birthday to Cynthia! Hope you had a great day – the sunshine certainly delivered.