Walks: Sat. April 27 to Wed. May 1

Time to get hoppin'

Only a few more walks in April – the month has gone so quickly! – let's hope we can make the most of them. Come join us at Tim Horton's on Lake Shore at Leslie, 8 am Saturday, for walking and talking. You choose the distance. At the moment, no one seems to be training for races.

The route planners have been talking about an alternative Saturday route sometime soon, for those who like to mix it up. Stay tuned for details!

Our weekly schedule also includes:

• Sunday morning at 8:30 am at the Running Room on Queen Street.

• Monday (Loblaws, Gerrard/Vic Park) and Wednesday (Occasions) at 6:30 pm – as usual, weather permitting. It's especially useful if you sign in for weeknight walks!

• Wednesday at 9:00 am at Tim's – usually Charlotte sends a confirming email to the regulars in this morning group. Let her know if you want to be added to the list.

Race news from Libby:

Congratulations to Ruth (and Dianne) as they braved the rain in the Good Friday Race in Burlington. Here is Ruth's report. Maybe more will try this out next year. The 5K is likely more walker friendly.

Well, the medal is really cute.  And the volunteers were the nicest I’ve ever experienced – friendly, supportive, smiling.  And they stuck it out to the bitter end without glaring at us for making them stand in the rain.  Also they had a pretty nice selection of food afterwards.  I think much of the difference was that the volunteers were “real” volunteers, rather than high school kids coerced into doing it.  But even the Halton police were friendly. Dianne and I were certain we’d fulfilled Arlene’s goal of finishing DFL, but it turns out one woman came in after us.  So we’re going to try for DFL again next year. Very few people do 10K, and the rest were all runners, so we really were out there alone (good thing I had Dianne).  I’d say it would be a nice race for a sunny day. It really does make a difference when the race is put on by people who care.

Keep on training and let Libby know of any races you choose to enter. Beaches Jazz festival and Shakespeare's Run the Night are open for summer consideration!

Hope to see you all soon out on the trails.

Despite all evidence to the contrary, spring IS on its way.

Walks: Sat. April 20 to Wed. April 24

Back on the Spit again!

Well, friends. I'm going to mention the W-word, which seems to be thinking of deploying the R-word. Let's hope all those predictions are wrong! Do come out if you can to share a walk and talk, with a coffee chaser, at Tim's on Lake Shore at Leslie, 8 am on Saturday.

On long weekends, for some, we often switch our Monday walk to Monday mornings. Those who are able to, let's meet at our regular Tim's at 9 am, for a bit of a sleep in.

Our weekly schedule also includes:

• Sunday morning at 8:30 am at the Running Room on Queen Street.

• Wednesday (Occasions) evening at 6:30 pm – as usual, weather permitting. It's especially useful if you sign in for weeknight walks!

• Wednesday morning at 9:00 am at Tim's – usually Charlotte sends a confirming email to the regulars in this morning group. Let her know if you want to be added to the list.

A very short bit of race news from Libby:

This week's racer is our speedy Ruth - we wish her good weather and good company for the Burlington Good Friday 10K. Enjoy and report back on the race. Happy Easter to all!

And, as Elmer Fudd says, that's all, folks!

Oops! Almost forgot to include this great shot of our gal Olwyn!

Walks: Sat. April 13 to Wed. April 17

Our amazing racers at Angus Glen

As you know, I have vowed never to make weather predictions here. But there's a rumour that it might possibly perhaps maybe (or maybe not; let's not tempt the Weather Gods!) nice for a walk on Saturday. I hope you'll come out and see for yourselves at 8 am at Tim's on Lake Shore and Leslie. Please comment to let us know if you're coming.

Our weekly schedule also includes:

• Sunday morning at 8:30 am at the Running Room on Queen Street.

• Monday (Loblaws, Gerrard/Vic Park) and Wednesday (Occasions) evenings at 6:30 pm – as usual, weather permitting. It's especially useful if you sign in for weeknight walks!

• Wednesday mornings at 9:00 am at Tim's – usually Charlotte sends a confirming email to the regulars in this morning group. Let her know if you want to be added to the list.

Race news from Libby:

Congratulations to our racers last weekend. Olwyn represented us well, completing the 8K Spring Roster climbing the hills of High Park on Saturday. 

Ruth, Arlene and Elaine climbed the hills on the golf course at the Angus Glen 10-Miler on Sunday, and Ruth kept up a blazing pace of 12:56 mins per mile (that's under 7.88 mins per km)! 

Well done ladies! You are an inspiration to us all.

The Toronto Waterfront 10K in June sold out in 2 days! Rainer is looking for a spot, so if you know of anyone wishing to sell their bib (which is allowed by the organizers), please contact him!! 

As always, please advise Libby of any Race Interests!

The Southern-Shore Shore Things

Race report from Rainer:

We did a 5km on the beach last weekend. A little different PowerWalking in sand. However had fun on a beautiful day and of course enjoyed a cool beer post race. With this heat, beer is important to stay hydrated. Have a great walk Saturday. Hope it is mild and dry.
Rainer

Norma captures a little local beauty

Shore Things, near and far, vacationing and recovering, we send you our good thoughts and, remember, we always love seeing you, no matter how long you've been away. 

If you have news, pictures, or complaints about the weather (well, maybe not the last one), please contact Helen who remains the sub, for the present, until Susan rejoins us.

Walks: Sat. April 6 to Wed. April 10

The dynamic duo do it again!

After last week's post, I've laid off making any fair-weather predictions on a Thursday afternoon for Saturday morning. I'll simply say that it *might* be nice, so come out to Tim's at 8 am for some springtime fresh air and good company.

Our boilerplate weekly schedule:

• Sunday morning at 8:30 am at the Running Room on Queen Street.

• Monday (Loblaws, Gerrard/Vic Park) and Wednesday(Occasions) evenings at 6:30 pm – as usual, weather permitting. It's especially useful if you sign in for weeknight walks!

• Wednesday mornings at 9:00 am at Tim's – usually Charlotte sends a confirming email to the regulars in this group. Let her know if you want to be added to the list.

Race news from Libby:

Best of luck to our keen racers this weekend.

• Olwyn in the Spring Run-Off – You go girl!
• Ruth, and Arlene with Elaine as guide- in the Angus Glen 10-Miler! – Go Girls. 

We know you will all make us proud. Looks as though the weather gods will be kind!

Race report from Margy & Rainer:

We did another 5km that had a walking section ... a lot of good walkers including some serious race walkers (top walker finished in just over 29 min). Margy had a dramatic finish with 20 yds to go past the walker in front of her. She was 2nd in her age group and I came in 1st in my age group. Nice fun race and one of the few races down here that has separate walker sections. We have a couple of more short races planned before we are back in Toronto however they are all fun races. Next Saturday we will do 5km on the beach in Indian Shores at 30C and beer post race ... it is a tough life down here.

It sure sounds tough to me, Rainer!

For those who are away, for many reasons, we're thinking of you and sending you our best. For those thinking of rejoining us, please do! We miss you. For each and every one of you, thanks for making this great group so great!