Walks: Saturday, Jan. 7 to Wed. Jan. 11

Hair of the Dog 2012, wet winning walkers (Top 4 women, top 2 men)

Despite the downpour for the Hair of the Dog 9K on January 1st, Rainer was second male and Margy third female against some very stiff competition. A great beginning to the new year. Congratulations.

For our sixteen 2012 Challengers (more info here), our goal will be to make klicks while the sun shines. How about 10K on Saturday, along the boardwalk to the Neville Park loop? Don't be tempted to over-train. After setting this lofty goal, we'd hate to find ourselves out of commission due to over-enthusiasm.

On Monday, we can repeat last Monday's 7.25K, perhaps varying the direction. On Wednesday, let's do this 8K route, but going in the reverse of our usual direction.

Any groups forming for the extra distances, please mention your time/place in the comments. It might be convenient for others to join you.

Anyone wanting to do the Detroit Half, rates nearly double after Jan. 7th (from $45 to $75), so zip over here to register, toot sweet. Four of us are now confirmed for the International Half, Competitive Walk.

Last call for jacket embroidery. I'll need your jacket/hat by this weekend.


To our flurry of birthday girls – Alisa, Olwyn and Jan – we hope you're treated like the special gals you are on your special days.

And to our Disney Queens, this weekend you deserve to hold your heads extra high (as difficult as it might be with all those medals).

Walk: Sat. Nov. 26 @ Tim's

Lights! Camera! Action!

My camera decided to put a "Vaseline lens" on this shot, probably so that we old timers wouldn't be shown up by the freshness of our newest and youngest member, Lauren. Welcome!

If Saturday goes as predicted, it should be a lovely day for a walk. Come out and flaunt it for 8-10K.

The Interest List is now updated with all the declarations from the party. Check it out and see what you've "signed up" for... and let Dawn know when you're confirmed. (Dawn, I kind of voluntold you again for the race monitor role. Speak up if you want to let someone else have all the fun.)

You might have seen that Eileen is pulling together a Shore Things recipe book. If you have "one of those recipes" that we're always asking about, please contact her with the goods.

Final calendar reminder: I have Alexis and Sheila on my list. Anyone else, please email me. I'll be reordering these and the yearbooks over the weekend.

A heads up that for the rest of 2011 I'll only be sending out one reminder a week, starting this weekend. As we go into 2012, I might start doing what the Toronto Power Walkers do, which is posting the week's distances in a special box on the blog. We can all learn from each other.

Walks: Mon. Nov. 21 & Wed. Nov. 23

Libby's brilliant creation for the Shore Things Party! Delicious, too.

Thanks to everyone for a great time on Saturday night – wonderful organization, food and people. If we gave out medals for pot luck, Libby's would deserve special recognition. Good thing I got a picture before it all disappeared.

Another special merit award to Rainer and Margy for the very pro-look on the expo table – as well as another great performance in the Whitby Waterfront 5K the next day.

We had many declarations of interest in 2012 races, which I'll transcribe and add to the Interest List over the next few days. Now remember to actually register (I say this to myself as much as to anyone else)! Please let Dawn know if you have signed up for these or any other races.

So far, I just have an order from Sheila for the calendar reprint. Please email me asap if you want a calendar. It's hard for me to keep track of verbal orders for a group of our size.

Same goes for yearbooks. I'll be ordering 8 books at the end of the week (for Arlene, Barbara B, Dawn H, Debbie, Jan, Leverne, Libby and myself). If your name should be on this list, let me know.

Hope to see people Monday and Wednesday at 7 for a companionable 6-8K. I believe Dawn is leading an afternoon walk at 4 on Monday, and perhaps another hike on Wednesday (?). Sign in to say where you'll be.

Walk: Sat. Nov. 19 & Shore Things Party

Sunrise on the Spit

I'm not sure what happened with this week's Mon/Wed post. It appeared on the blog, but many people reported not receiving it. Let me know if you were one of them.

With luck, you'll get this one, because it's about our walk and party on Saturday.

The Disney crew have 16K on their schedule, but I think they switched some distances around. Tell me if I'm wrong, gals. We mortals need only enjoy 8-10K, unless you wish to push yourself while the weather permits. Sign in and let us know.

Then it's partytime at 6 pm, when we get together for fun and food, food and fun, at Presteign-Woodbine United Church. Wear your medals! Bring your favourite beverage. And ideas for next year.
 
The calendars are in, so if you ordered one please bring your chequebook or $20 to the party. If you didn't order, but know you want one, please email me. I can place a reorder if we act quickly. I'll bring the yearbook on my iPad, so you can decide if you want one, too. As always, there is no obligation.

Happy birthday to birthday twins Ruth and Marilyn. Have a most wonderful day.

Walk: Sat. Oct. 29 @ Tim's

A bemedalled Eva hugged by Trish and Cheryl at the Scotia Half

Let's begin with birthday wishes this time, sending them out to Stacey and Jeanny. What a perfect day you have for it – hope you have the chance to enjoy those blue skies.

Saturday looks to be more or less the same. Come out for 8-10K, starting at 8 am at Tim's.

Or, if you're looking for an extra level of challenge, join Disney gals Ruth, Arlene and Libby for 32K, starting at 7:30 am from Tim's. Let them know if you're coming by signing in.

Just think, a year ago at this time we were doing our Shore Things 10+1. By the way, our next Shore Things event will be on April Fool's Day. Save the date.

Speaking of calendars, I'm working on the Shore Things calendar for 2012. Will you be ordering a calendar this year? Please let me know, asap.

Walks: Mon. Apr. 11 & Wed. Apr. 13

2011's first visit to Rosetta McClain Gardens

Whew, boy. I'm late this week! Hope you Mississauga Halfers are ready for 8K & 8K, with 8K & 6K on the schedule for the Toronto Women's Half-ers. And, of course, everyone else is on your own schedule – come out and join the walks. See you at 7.

Many of our group have signed up for the Sporting Life 10K on May 1st. However, the Shore Things have been offered another chance to volunteer for this race. If you have a couple of hours to give, let me know, asap, and I'll pass our names along. Last time, we were involved at the race start and were finished in time to enjoy breakfast together.

Congratulations to Margy and Rainer who competed in the Run/Walk for Retina in London, Ontario. Margy did us proud with a sub-40-minute finish in the 5K, and Rainer was second-place walker in the half marathon (the only race with a walkers' category), with a time of 2:34:54 – just 2 minutes behind first place. They liked the race, and are talking about next year and that $150 prize for first.

We still have stuff in the trunk that belongs to you: long-sleeve tees, calendars, even a vest. You know who you are, so please stake your claim! Send me an email to arrange pick-up.

Walk: Sat. Feb. 5 @ Tim's

Highlighting two of our midtown gals, Elaine and Marilyn

Saturday, we invite you to a relatively short 11K for the Chilly Half crowd – or shorter or longer distances, should you desire. Our route will depend on snow coverage.

If that isn't inducement enough, our long-sleeve tees have arrived, so come pick yours up. We'll look fabulous! On that note...

Summer heat might seem a loooong way off, but if you'd like a sleeveless shirt (what, Helen, more money to spend?), MEC has this one on sale right now in our colours. It's $19 ($10 off) and is available in a range of sizes. Mind you, the sizing is smallish – I bought mine at full price last summer, and chose a size L. However, if we individually buy a bunch, we could add our logo.

Arlene is finalizing details for the Wow Powerwalking classes. Looks like we'll have the maximum for the 6-week course, and the minimum for the 2-hour course and nutrition seminar. More on this later.

Good luck (and safe journey) to Rainer, who is once again off to Sarnia for the Hypothermic Half on Sunday. This time, Margy will be there to cheer him in. He draws our attention to this little article on the benefits of walking from the Toronto Star. If your head feels heavier after walking, here's a reason why:

Click on the image to view in a larger size.

Rainer also alerts us to a 5K race in Whitby on Feb. 13th called Champagne and Chocolates. It's $25 and includes lunch as well as, you guessed it, champagne and chocolates. The money raised goes to support a dental and medical care mission to Ethiopia – so, a good cause. No medals, but prize of a Timex watch to the first overall runner and walker. Nice that they acknowledge walkers.

See you at 8 am on Saturday.

Happy advance birthday wishes to Barbara B, our weekend birthday girl.

Walk: Sat. Jan. 29 @ Tim's

A splash of warmth in a snowy landscape

Cutting to the chase: Chilly Halfers go 16K this Saturday, but you can choose a shorter distance. We all know the 16K route eastbound, but if it's too snowy I've also mapped out this route that takes us northbound through Rosedale. The early party of the route will be familiar to most of you; the latter part will be familiar to many. Let's see what the weather brings.

Please do consider the courses offered by Wow. They don't start till the weather is a bit nicer, and they really do help. Unless you're some kind of prodigy, you don't learn to play the piano by having a teacher come once or twice. You build the muscle memory over many visits and practise. We need to have our minimums to have the courses at all. If they don't interest you now, but might do later, then let Arlene know.

A heads-up from Libby about a Vinyl Cafe event on Feb. 9th with possible appeal to Stuart McLean fans. Libby, Arlene and related gentlemen are attending. Part of the ticket price comes back to you as a charitable donation receipt. Click the image for a larger view.

Libby also says that t-shirts should arrive next week!

And on that note of giftery, here's wishing Elaine a happy birthday. Hope you're having a great day!

Walks: Mon. Jan. 17 & Wed. Jan. 19

So let's just say, we didn't have much competition for the path.

Seems like we're getting all the snow we missed last winter... plus this year's as well. But, boy, are we a game bunch of boys and girls. Welcome, Kathleen, who picked just the right day to join us.

Next week: 6K (plus fartlik) on Monday; 8K on Wednesday. Depending on the slogging, the snow might be fartliky enough. Don't want to wimp out too much as we're building up to longer walks, with 13K on the Chilly schedule for Saturday – although those doing the Robbie Burns might modify that distance. TBD.

On that note, Trish is organizing car pooling for Robbie participants. If you haven't heard from her yet, please do drop her a line.

The t-shirts were a hit at Tim's. If you didn't get to try yours, I'll bring the samples on Monday and Wednesday nights. However, Norma needs to hear from you to confirm your order by end of day Wednesday.

We've had some interest in the Wow Powerwalking training organized by Arlene. Now that you've nibbled, Arlene can get back to us with more details. Minimum numbers are sometimes required for the multi-week training sessions. If you haven't taken a course with Lee Scott before, note that I used to walk faster than Bob – till he trained with Lee. Now, there's no stopping him and he makes it look so darned easy. So, if you've been sitting on the fence think: more speed, less effort. Wouldn't that be nice?

And now a few winter-walking tips

We're into winter with a vengeance, so here are some words about gear:

Light up the night: Charlotte will be going to Mountain Equipment Co-op on Friday, and will try to purchase as many of these light-up marker bands as she can. They're $12.00 plus HST for a total of $13.56. Let Charlotte know asap, as it's first-come, first-served. Let's be safe out there.


Protect your skin from Old Man Winter: When it gets blowy and cold like on Saturday, protect your exposed skin by rubbing in a dab of Vaseline or BodyGlide. Let's be gorgeous out there!

Keep your feet dry: Trish passes on this tip from her Wow coach Helena: Duct tape over toes of your shoes keeps your feet drier, thus warmer, in weather like today's. It lasts a couple of walks (depending), and is worth a try. FYI, you can now get Duck brand duct tape in leopard-skin pattern. I'm just saying.

One final word: YakTrax!

Walk: Sat. Jan. 15 @ Tim's

See? We are a perfectly well-behaved group. 

Come out on Saturday and play another game of weather roulette. Judging by last Saturday, we know that very little daunts a Shore Thing! We start at 8 am, and we go 10K.

Here are a few things for you to think about:

Long-Sleeve T-Shirts:

Samples will be at Tim's on Saturday for you to try: a Women's M and L and a Men's M. However, the sizing is comparable to our short-sleeve tee (same manufacturer), so you can use that as your guide. Women's comes with a zip-neck, Men's comes with a mock-turtleneck (unless we can get 12 or more Men's orders). We'll have the Shore Things logo on front and back, as for our other tee.

The price, including tax, will be $36.50. Please pay by cheque, made out to Charlotte.

We need to get our order in quickly, to have our tees ready by the Chilly Half.

Walking Training with WOW:

If you're interested in improving your walking form – getting better results with less effort – Arlene has talked to the best trainer we know, Lee Scott of Wow Powerwalking. Here's Arlene's message:

Hi Shore Things,

Are you interested in additional training this winter and spring? Lee Scott of WOW Powerwalking can offer us the following as enhanbcements to our regular walking routines:

 > a 6 week course emphasizing half form and half speed

This is designed to improve performance for our hardcore walkers and racers. Lee suggests either mid-February to the end of March OR beginning of March to mid-April

 > a 2-hour workshop that emphasizes proper power walking form

This single session is geared to the more casual walker but can be expanded if participants are interested

 > a lecture on nutrition suitable for casual walking or racing 

Lee is not a nutritionist herself but has extensive knowledge on the subject

I'm assessing your interest before discussing specifics with Lee. Please let me know your thoughts.  

Arlene

The comments are a good place to post general interest in the tees or the training. Or, you can contact the coordinators directly: Norma about the tees or Arlene about the training.

Norita is this weekend's birthday girl. We think about you, Norita, so drop by anytime.

Walk: Sat. Dec. 18 @ Tim's (and Monday alternative)

Holy moley, Saturday's just a week away from Christmas. Seven days! I don't know about you Santas, but I need to get my sprinting shoes on! However, I'd be happy for a walk to get a head start on the mad dash ahead. How about 8K, quick coffay and on our way? See you at 8 am.

For Monday, an alternative plan is afoot to meet at Dawn H's at 9 am rather than the evening. Please sign in if you're interested.

By the way, we have one extra, memory-filled, made-with-love Shore Things calendar up for grabs – for the reasonable sum of $21. First come, first gets. (If you saw the yearbook and wish you'd ordered one: you can. We have up to 40 days after ordering to reorder. But please be quick.)

Walk: Sat. Dec. 11 @ Tim's

One of Olwyn's photos – sunrise over Lake Ontario

Saturday will soon be here – if you have the time and need the airing, there will be people just like you ready for a walk (all speeds, any distance). Come out and match up. (A few of us doing the Tannenbaum 10K on Sunday may or may not be there. TBD.)

We could even see Cynthia, who has been given official "Survivor" status after many moons of treatment. We knew that about you already, Cynthia. Looking forward to having you back.

The first order for calendars and the Shore Things yearbooks have all arrived. If you've ordered, Charlotte will contact you with payment instructions.

In case you missed the notice in today's Toronto Star about the visitation and service on Friday for Olwyn's mother, please follow this link for details. Olwyn, our thoughts are with you.

Walk: Sat. Nov. 27 @ Tim's

Two of our Shore Things photographers (themselves, very photogenic) compare captures.

If the weather cooperates, we'll enjoy 8-10K on Saturday (or less, if you prefer), complete with genial conversation. Please join us, starting at 8 am, from Tim's on Lakeshore at Leslie.

There will be a calendar reorder (first order should arrive Dec. 12th), so if you're sorry you missed out please email me instantly. (Haven't received the book delivery date yet, but they have been ordered.)

Please RSVP directly to Debbie (not to me or the comments) if you're accepting or declining her invitation after the Resolution 5K on Dec. 26th. Save some room for what looks like will be a marvelous brunch. FYI, price hikes up for race registration after Dec. 1st.

That's it from me. Stay warm. Stay safe. And, if you have any American in or with you, have a happy Thanksgiving!

Walks: Mon. Nov. 22 & Wed. Nov. 24

For a little balletic cross-training, Lou-Ann steps up to the piano barre.

Looks like it might be a wet one on Monday. Let's see how it is closer to the event. If we can, it would be good to squeeze in 5-6K, don't you think? Wednesday's weather looks more promising, and we'll aim for the same.

Races are filling quickly. The Toronto Women's Half in May is already sold out (!), as are the Tannenbaum 10K and Robbie Burns 8K. So so visit the blog, look at the races posted there, or suggest your own, and register. It's much cheaper to register early and, as we can see, it avoids disappointment.

For those doing the Resolution 5K, Debbie has generously invited us to brunch at her place afterwards, and she's putting on quite a spread! I'll send you all the details privately. Thanks, Debbie!

It was great to see Debbie out and looking so fit on Saturday. We should all look so good after major surgery!

Calendars and books have been ordered. Charlotte will contact you about payment (thanks, Charlotte!), after I get the final tally. With the discount for a 25+ order, the base price for the calendars is US$17.99, plus currency exchange, shipping and HST. The base price for the books is US$101 and change, plus the above.

We have a 30-day window in which to re-order if you decide you want a calendar, but it would be without the discount: US$19.99, plus the above. The exchange rate comes in pretty close to par.

Thanks to everyone who has volunteered on various committees! You are making my life a whole lot easier. For those who need how-to training on the blog, I'll arrange a lunch or dinner session over the Christmas break. Thanks to Eileen for coordinating everything.

And thanks again, all of you, for my sparkly jewelry. I love the Shore Things.

Walk: Sat. Oct. 30 & Shore Things 10 + 10

Witness Leverne's amazing levitation powers!

Don't be a punkinhead! Be sure to get your costume ready for Sunday and our Shore Things 10 + 10. By now, you should have received maps and instructions. Remember to bring $15 each in cash for our brunch. If anything's unclear, please contact me. All I can add is: please don't hog the prime parking spaces at our usual haunt. There's more room across the street.

I haven't heard from anyone who still wants to meet for a walk on Saturday. If you meant to ask for company, but haven't yet, this is the time and place!

Birthday wishes to Stacey and Jeanny! Did you know you two shared your big day? Hope it's spectacular, despite this iffy weather.

Shore Things books and calendars: I have three orders for books, and 20 for calendars. After our race, I'm going to place the orders. If your name isn't on this list, but you'd like to order, please contact me. There's a 10% discount if we order 25 or more -- on the calendars, we're very close (I don't expect to get 25 book orders).

Calendars:
Olwyn (2)
Ruth
Eileen
Helen
Bob
Charlotte
Lynne
Dawn H.
Alexis
Michelle
Barbara B.
Rainer/Margy
Debbie
Stacey
Libby
Trish
Sharon
Lou-Ann
Jan

Book:
Barbara B.
Debbie
Jan

Walk: Sat. Sept. 4 @ Tim's

You knew this about these two, didn't you?

We're into the home stretch in training for the two upcoming events. Chicagoers have 29K on the schedule. That should be a cinch after your sweaty 30K last weekend. I expect you'll be starting at 6 am – please sign in to confirm or deny.

The half marathoners for Kitchener-Waterloo go 16K. Should we start at 7 am? I think so.

I realize that the 10K K-W racers don't have a schedule, so come out and (as those goofy Mungo Jerry In the Summertime lyrics say) "just do what you feel." But let us know what you're feeling, especially as it's the last long weekend of summer.

Whenever it's a long weekend, we often walk Monday morning at 9:30 am at Loblaws, rather than the Monday evening walk. Sign in to say if that appeals to you, and I'll note it in the next blog post.

Pre-race dinner for KW: Consensus is eat-in, so we'll make plans accordingly. Bob has volunteered to find a place for brunch afterwards. Details will follow.


Shore Things 10+10: Yes, we're starting to plan for our own 10-mile and 10K race on Sunday, October 31st, costumes optional. Eileen has agreed to be race marshall again, and now we need other volunteers. Last year, people volunteered to organize things like volunteers, prizes and the post-race brunch (TKOs was wonderful last time). We already have our route and hopefully can re-order medals. Please let us know your interest, as participants or as volunteers.

Shore Things Yearbook & Calendar: It would help me to know in advance how many people will order a book and/or calendar. For the book, I can go up to 100 pages. However, if you're thinking of ordering a book, you can help by telling me in advance how much you'd want to pay, and I can design the book accordingly. Your input, please.

Walk: Sat. May 15 @ Tim's

This is early last Saturday, as the sun pressed through the clouds. This Saturday, the sun should be full-strength.

Time to look for your sunscreens. Here's a repost of recommendations that Ruth received from a dermatologist (I've been using Neutrogena Ultra Sheer and find it great):

To get protection against both UVB rays and UVA rays, look for a product that contains mexoryl, helioplex, or parsol 1786. If you blank out when it comes to remembering chemical names, any product that carries the seal of the Canadian Dermatology Association will provide good broad spectrum protection. There is a list at the web site below.

http://www.dermatology.ca/patients_public/info_patients/sun_safety/recognized_sunscreens.html

The dermatologist's particular recommendations were:
La Roche Anthelios
Vichy
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer

These recommendations are based on finding a product that feels nice on your skin, so that you won’t mind using it. The most important thing is to find something you like, so that you’ll use it.

Here are our distances this week:

Halifax Half: 8K
Chicago Full: 11K
Reykjavik Full: 16K
Toronto Women's Half: 18K

The 18K group has told me they're starting at 7 am, so perhaps the Reykjavik gang will want to join them. Sign in to let people know you're coming. Everyone else, see you at 8 am.

Lots of best wishes this weekend. Congratulations in advance to Eva on reaching the milestone of Mother-in-Lawness -- not Mother-in-Lawlessness, mind. Bon voyage to Jan and Ray for your well-deserved Olé in España. And good luck to the Mississauga Half racers on Sunday. My the sun shine on all of you.

Walks: Mon. May 10 & Wed. May 12

We dodged the rain on Saturday, and it actually turned into a beautiful albeit windy morning before the deluge came as we were driving home. So you never know...

And, last Monday, look at the lovely strangers we met on our walk: Brette and David, looking happy, relaxed, and pretty good in that t-shirt, Brette.


As just about all the racers have 10K on their schedules for both walks, let's reprise last week's routes.

So Monday, we'll walk to Rosetta McClain Gardens, with one small change. If we go to the bottom of Warden, we won't need to do extra bit past the park.

Wednesday, we'll follow the route I posted last week, including hills for those who want them, and a shorter route for those who don't. I'll bring some detail maps of the hills section.

Thursday, we wish happy birthday to new Shore Thing, Janet. Have a great day, girl.


P.S. Vests again. I now have orders for nine vests (don't forget to email me with your size if you gave me verbal orders on Saturday). If we can get at least three more, we can place an order now, rather than waiting for fall. Mine was certainly welcome today. But please don't wait too long. The suspense is killing me.

Walks: Mon. Apr. 19 & Wed. Apr. 21

Today's weather report: A bit blustery, a bit drizzly, with occasional flashes of sunshine, yet with a healthy crowd of Shore Things to stare it down. 

Monday and Wednesday look fair for 8K distances each; Wednesday with hill repeats. See you in our appointed spots at 7 pm.

Vest Reorder: More people want vests; but we need 12 to place a reorder (any combination of sizes and genders). Same price as before, which rounds out to $42, including tax. Please email me with your size if you're interested; it's hard to keep track of verbal orders. (Sharon, Michelle and Arlene, I do have yours.) I've found my vest to be a very practical addition to my training gear; even more than I'd expected.

Walk: Wed. Jan. 6 @ Shoppers

Look at all the brave soles from Saturday! This cold weather ain't leavin' any time soon. So c'mon out for our 6K, folks, to keep up our base over the winter. Those who walked on Monday night found it not too bad – which goes to show (or goes to snow, as the case may be).

A few updates:

Sorry you missed ordering a softcover yearbook? Please let me know by Friday, as I'll be reordering for Norma and can add you in.

Thinking of Reykjavik? We've heard back from the organizers – the marathon is limited to 6 hours when they stop official timekeeping and roll up the streets. However, all finishers will get medals. There's also a half and a marathon relay. Bob & I are still considering the full, and will decide this week. Sharon might already have booked her ticket!

Replace your light batteries and dig out the YakTrax. See you 7ish.