Friday 31 May 2019

Walks: Sat. June 1 to Wed. June 5

Laura and Sharon take time out for a quick game of checkers...
Okay, I'm late again! Too much going on at our house lately. But there's still lots of time to sign in to say if you'll be joining us for a refreshing walk in the Beach, starting at 8 am Saturday from Tim's at Lake Shore and Leslie. Training hasn't kicked in yet, so it's whatever distance inspires you.

Our weekly schedule also includes:

  • new time and place for Sunday mornings, until further notice*: A 10:15 start, meeting at Lee Avenue. Dogs are allowed on this walk and we usually walk the boardwalk/peanut at a slow/moderate pace." As Sundays have been infrequently attended, please sign in or contact Kim directly if you're coming out. *If anyone still meets at the Running Room on Sunday mornings, just let me know.
  • Monday evenings at 6:30 pmPlease note a change in venue: Meet at the west entrance to Lowe's at Danforth Shoppers World. Our new location gives us access to the Taylor Creek trails. We enjoyed it last week! Let us know if you're coming.
  • Wednesday evenings (still at Occasions) 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 regulars in this group. Let her know if you want to be added to the list.

No race news this week!

But do check our Race Interests list in the right sidebar on our website and let Libby know if you have signed up for anything. Training and racing is (or are) always better in the company of friends.

Get well and/or have a great trip wishes go out to all our Shore Things who are absent. We're thinking of you, either way!

And a reminder to let Lou-Ann know if you'll be attending the pool party. Please note that the day of the event has been changed to the Sunday, rather than the Saturday.

See you on Saturday!

The bridge on the Spit was displaced by our record rains!

Thursday 23 May 2019

Walks: Sat. May 25 to Wed. May 29

Margy conquers Cleveland
In an ideal world, we will be getting together at 8 am this Saturday at Tim's on Leslie at Lake Shore for a sunny, I said sunny, spring walk. That's not much to ask for the last week in May, is it?

As you ponder this, please admire Margy's sveldt form and bright smile and think about how good walking – and walking quickly – is for our physical and mental well-being. Yes, it is!

Our weekly schedule also includes:
  • A new time and place for Sunday mornings, until further notice*: A 10:15 start, meeting at Lee Avenue. Dogs are allowed on this walk and we usually walk the boardwalk/peanut at a slow/moderate pace." As Sundays have been infrequently attended, please sign in or contact Kim directly if you're coming out. *If anyone still meets at the Running Room on Sunday mornings, just let me know.
  • Monday evenings at 6:30 pmPlease note a change in venue: Meet at the west entrance to Lowe's at Danforth Shoppers World. We're trying this for the first time.
  • Wednesday evenings (still at Occasions) 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 regulars in this group. Let her know if you want to be added to the list.
Race news from Rainer:

Just back from Cleveland OH where we did the 10km race. Cleveland is a city of 350,000 people and as it was part of the ‘Rustbelt’, its downtown looks like time stood still. Lots of the older style buildings with Art Deco designs. The city is becoming a lot more tourist friendly with Theaters, Restaurants, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Major Sport attractions. There is tremendous building activity downtown as old buildings are renovated or converted to condos and updated. There was a lot to see and do in Downtown Cleveland. We stayed in the Renaissance Hotel build in 1918 and now a posh Marriott Hotel.
The weather was good for the race hitting 23C by the time we finished, Margy came in 15th out of 183 Walkers in the 10km walking event and I came in 7th. The race weekend usually attracts over 15,000 participants for its 5km, 8km, 10km, half and full Marathon.
Congratulations to both of you! Last time the Shore Things did the Cleveland half as a larger group was in 2007. Many of us have joined since that time, so perhaps it's a race to consider for 2020.
Sending love and good wishes to all our "away team" – hope to see you back on the trails soon!
If you have news to share, please send it my way. And now a pictorial interlude. 
Maybe someday we can even pack up our long pants and jackets!

Thursday 16 May 2019

Walks: Sat. May 18 to Wed. May 22

Congratulations to our racers (L to R), Trish, Anita, Cheryl, and Olwyn!
Aren't our smiling Shore Things an inspiration? Hope to see you, too, at Tim's at Lake Shore/Leslie at 8 am Saturday for whatever distance pleases you. I won't say a word about the weather.

Because it's Victoria Day Weekend, please note the change to the holiday Monday walk below.

Our weekly schedule also includes:

  • Kim confirms that the time and place for Sunday mornings has temporarily changed: "The Sunday morning walking group has a 10:15 start, meeting at Lee Avenue. Dogs are allowed on this walk and we usually walk the boardwalk/peanut at a slow/moderate pace." Sundays have been infrequently attended, so be sure to sign in or contact Kim directly if you're coming out.
  • Monday, as it's a long weekend, we often prefer to walk as a group in the morning – let's say 9 am. I'm not sure why we chose to come back to Tim's on Lake Shore last time, but let's do it again, weather permitting as always. 
  • Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm from Occasions.
  • OR 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 all the Sporting Life 10K walkers. Shore Things provided a great turn out, doing us proud despite the rather dismal weather. (will spring /summer ever come?). Well done Lou-Ann, Barb S., Stacey, Trish, Cheryl, Olwyn, and me (Libby).

Our venerable racers Margy and Rainer have returned to Canada only to head back on a short drive south May 19 for the Cleveland 10K. This race is a great walking-supported race for any who wish to join them. They would love company. 

As Rainer says about Cleveland, home of the Rock and Roll Museum, "Nice city with lots of restaurants and sights to see and it is close enough one can drive easily."

Thanks, Libby – it's hard to keep up with Margy and Rainer, our Queen and King of the Short Race!

That's it from me (Helen) – I'm still personning the blog duties so if you have news, send it my way. Now, some more pictures, from the sublime to the ridiculous. I'll leave you to decide which is which.


Bobby the Lobster, and friends
Chasing cherry trees

Post Script: Whoops, Olwyn sent me this interesting walking opportunity to consider:

As is my wont, I have signed up to be in the Santa Claus Parade again this year.  

They are looking for more marchers to take part;
 it’s a fun day and a good way to bring joy and cheer to thousands of kids, and start off the holiday season ~ and dress like a teddy bear, or a bunny rabbit…..or a chicken…! It’s a 6k route ~ and very festive.

If we join as a group, they’ll put us all in the same ‘float group’, but it’s also fun to walk as different characters, and share stories later.

Thursday 9 May 2019

Walks: Sat. May 11 to Wed. May 15

This week, we're in search of cherry blossoms
The route planners have sussed out a patch of cherry blossoms close to home, so our walk on Saturday will take us in the direction of Cherry Street and Villiers. (Let's hope they hang onto their petals in today's wind and rain.) Others might prefer another route. Either way, let's meet at Tim's on Lake Shore at Leslie at 8 am for the distance and direction of your choosing.

Please check our schedule below for a few changes to our routine.

Our weekly schedule also includes:


  • Sunday morning at 8:30 am at the Running Room on Queen Street. [Note that Kim made a recent comment that this time and place might have changed: "The Sunday morning walking group has been temporarily changed to 10:15 start meeting at Lee Avenue. Dogs are allowed on this walk and we usually walk the boardwalk/peanut at a slow/moderate pace." She might not be able to confirm that this still holds before I have to publish, so please check with her or check the comments on this post.

  • Monday (Please note a change in venue: Meet at the west entrance to Lowe's at Danforth Shoppers World) and Wednesday (Occasions) at 6:30 pm – as usual, weather permitting. It's especially useful if you sign in for weeknight walks! Let's see how we like the new Monday starting point for a change of scenery.
  • 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:

This weekend we celebrate Mother's Day and the Sporting Life 10K. At least eight Shore Things are racing. A new route starting at Davisville this year! Always a fun race, well supported and almost downhill the whole way. Let's hope the rain holds off until we finish. 

Happy Mother's Day to all. All the best to the racers. 

If you want me to include something on the blog, please send it my way by email. 

A little fun from Olwyn.


Friday 3 May 2019

Walks: Sat. May 4 to Wed. May 8

Shore Things on the shore
Oh, my goodness, it's Friday already and I'm just getting the blog post out. If you're on our internal mailing list, this will go out to you that way – sorry! So much going on at our house right now!

Let's meet on Saturday at Tim's on Lake Shore at Leslie, 8 am, for the distance that pleases you, followed by friendly conversation and warm bevvies.

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:


No race news this week. We are a social bunch this year! 

Libby is looking for  company for a 10K this Saturday – practice distance before Sporting Life a week Sunday. We wish the Good Life racers well this Sunday. I am not aware of any in our group competing!

Let's get out and enjoy the spring-ish weather, whatever that might be.

Hopefully, no more burrrrrrrrrr!