I think it’s safe to say we are all happy to be entering the month that includes Spring, more warm and sunny days and opportunities to bask in the sun.
This was followed by an outdoor coffee break!
Weekly Walks
Saturday’s forecast seems to show a cool but workable day for walking. Let’s convene as usual at Loblaw’s (I cling to the possessive apostrophe despite rebranding pressures) and walk east along the Boardwalk as the Winter Stations are now installed. I caught a quick glimpse of them clustered on Ashbridge’s Bay beach. For afters, although Tim’s staff have not been particularly adamant about checking vaccine passports and ID for dine-in, it’s still worthwhile to bring it along. At a minimum, a health card is always wise to have with you on any walk, particularly with icy conditions.
Not content with last Saturday’s bust, it looks fairly likely this weekend will also be a washout, or snowout, or a bit of both with underlying ice.
For the truly resolute, please make sure you have the best footwear, and be extra careful. Or, join some of us doing the PATH downtown. Not the most stimulating walk, but dry and safe. Sign in as usual, please!
Friends out on a better walking day!
Spring Run-Off T-Shirt
For those of us swayed by swag, here is the t-shirt for this year’s Spring Run-Off. The design is by Toronto-based artist Mark Serrano, who also did the 2021 Toronto Waterfront Marathon shirt. His inspiration came from the High Park cherry blossoms that should be in bloom when the race occurs.
According to the email received, early bird pricing is only around until March 8th.
As written about before, safe footwear for winter walking is a big deal for the Shore Things, with all-too-real consequences when things go wrong. The following link is to the KITE Research Institute, the research arm of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute at the University Health Network located here in Toronto. KITE is home to WinterLab, which performs experiments and tests inside a 5 meter by 5 meter room that is attached to the top of a motion base that allows the entire space to be tilted. It has a floor made entirely of ice, refrigerated to below 0 temperatures, and can simulate winds up to 30 km per hour! Scientists can study winter slips and falls and the extremes of cold air and wind, without exposing participants to the risks in real life. The site includes ratings on a number of winter footwear brands. This might guide your purchase, if you are inclined (but not too much, in case you slip).
If anyone wants to raise their training up a few notches, there are a couple of Spring races that might pique your interest. From Lee Scott, via Ruth…
LIVE RACES are coming back.
“Under Armour Spring Run-Off in High Park will be held virtually, and in-person on April 9. Also, there is a combo in-person+virtual event which might be fun! I imagine the in-person event will be limited in numbers, so if you want to participate…register soon.” https://raceroster.com/events/2022/54979/under-armour-spring-run-off-2022 “The other nice touch is that for the Spring Run-Off, Under Armour has posted the measurements for their shirts (or, anyway, the specifications they gave their suppliers), so it may be possible to get a shirt that fits. The information is hidden under FAQ -> how do the shirts fit -> check out our sizing charts here.” https://canadarunningseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2022-SRO-Shirt-Size-Selection-Grid.pdf
“The second Spring race is the Toronto Marathon on May 1st (in person only as far as we can tell). FINALLY, organizers have decided to start the walkers first rather than last (I wonder if this will last, once the elite runners find their way blocked by first-time walkers). Of course, after years of us sneaking up into earlier corrals, I wonder how many runners will sneak up into the walking start. Although there is the early start for walkers entered in the half marathon, there are no walking prizes.” http://www.torontomarathon.com“
Birthday Wishes
It’s Dawn’s turn to celebrate on Monday, both her birthday and Valentine’s Day. Much love then!
Weekly Walks
Saturday’s forecast: Considerable cloudiness. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Morning high of 0C with temps falling to -9 to -7. Winds NW at 25 to 40 km/h.
So leave your sunglasses at home and join the gang at Loblaw’s (or are we ready to go back to Tim’s…just asking?) at 8:00. Some interest is out there to walk east along the lake and catch possible work on the Winter Stations. We will achieve some kind of consensus Saturday regardless.
The church that Lou-Ann attends is having a Survival Winter Clothing Drive along with another church in Leaside to support the Out of the Cold Program at Eastminster United Church.
If you have anything to donate she will be walking on Saturday and would be happy to take them off your hands (good reason to do a little decluttering) and deliver them after the walk. If you are not walking Saturday, please post a comment or get in touch with Lou-Ann so she can do her best to come around a pickup what you might have.
Alternatively, you can deliver the items to Northlea United Church (see below).
For Vulnerable People in Toronto – February 5 & 6, 2022- 10:00 – 2:00
*Alternative Storm Dates: Saturday, February 12 & Sunday, February 13 – 10:00- 2:00.
The situation in Toronto, this winter, is desperate because the pandemic has increased the number of people in need and Covid outbreaks have decreased the capacity of shelters and warming centres and other services; and add to this the severe cold and snow we are experiencing this winter…The Out of the Cold (OOTC) Program at Eastminster United Church serves about 65 people weekly, providing a hot meal, a lunch kit, and survival items.
Help us help them!
Where: Northlea United Church, 125 Brentcliffe Ave. Drop off outside church.
When: Saturday, February 5 & Sunday, February 6, 2022 from 10:00 to 2:00
Needed items:
Preferably NEW items.
If used, please ensure they are in excellent condition – all zippers/buttons work, laundered, no rips or stains; suggested sizes Medium, Large, X-Large.
Underwear, thermal or other
Socks
Hoodies, sweatpants (no sweaters)
$10 Tim Hortons or Dollarama gift cards
Also wanted:
Toques, waterproof winter gloves
Waterproof winter/ski jackets
New winter sleeping bags
Camping mats
Small tarps
More Picks of Pics
Hey gang! I need more photos for the blog and Helen will need more for the calendar. If you have anything to share, send it my way so we can all see your smiling or masked faces on this page!
Meadoway News
The latest issue of BlogTO features news on the Meadoway extension. From what I can understand, an extension is planned to be developed from Scarborough Golf Club Road, where it currently ends, to Neilson by the fall. That will mean a bridge over Ellesmere, and down the line, over Highland Creek. The opportunity to connect to the trail leading south to lake seem to be possible as well. More as the site updates, but it’s safe to say the Meadoway will see some walkers back once we get into spring.
Winter Stations
One Canada by the University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Design & Rural Development
Yes, they are back, starting on the 21st this month.’s A preview of the designs can be seen here.
Birthday Greetings
It’s a twofer week for birthdays: first Barbara on Sunday, then Lou-Ann on Wednesday! Happy days!
Weekly Walks
More snow, yup! By the time this post is up, we’ll have a better idea of the conditions underfoot, which may sway who walks and when. However, Saturday temperatures are tolerable and the forecast is sunny, so slipperiness notwithstanding, it’s Loblaw’s at 8, with possible Timminess to follow!
We are the Shore Things 