No Fooling

As we say goodbye to March and enter the truly springlike April, it’s hopeful conditions on all fronts will improve. Let’s keep our fingers crossed the weather won’t try to fool of us.

Snowbirds Return

From Margy and Rainer, who have sheltered in Florida:

Greetings from sunny Florida with current temperatures in the 80’sF. Margy decided to keep up the tradition of doing a short local race on Sunday. The Shamrock Classic is a nice 5km race in Ft.Desoto state park. Margy pounded the paved trail and beat a slew of runners to the finish line. See attached picture …. 

We are currently counting down the days till we have to leave as Margy has appointments in Toronto, thankfully travel restrictions are easier so we do not expect any problems crossing the border. Lets hope by early April there will be better weather in Toronto. See you all soon …..

Weekly Walks

Saturday’s forecast is borderline, and marginally better than Sunday so let’s stick with the plan unless there’s a last-minute revision in the weather. Loblaw’s at 8:00 then for a distance of your choosing, unless there is a commitment to a race. There is interest in the Ottawa Tamarack on the last weekend in May, in which case training should begin fairly soon depending on chosen distance (see below). So far Tim’s has been lightly occupied and dominantly masked despite the mandate over, so not alarming for post walks.

Ottawa Tamarack Info

From Jan:

This will be an in-person event but if you are still uncomfortable it can be done virtually.  Downside – it’s expensive!  Maybe we would just plan to go to the Tulip Festival and create our own distances!

10K Saturday May 28 6:30 PM                  $89.00

Half Marathon Sunday May 29 9 AM        $119.00  

Full Marathon  Sunday May 29 7 AM        $144.00

We’ll just miss the Tulip Festival – runs from May 13-23 – but I’m hoping there are still some tulips in bloom!

I have attached a slightly accelerated Half-marathon training schedule as we have only 9 weeks to train if we are going to do it.

1/2 Marathon Training Schedule – Ottawa Half-Marathon May 29/22
Week #	Week starting	Tues	Thurs	Sat
1	3/28/22	8	8	10
2	4/4/22	8	8	12
3	4/11/22	10	8	14
4	4/18/22	8	10	16
5	4/25/22	10	10	18
6	5/2/22	8	10	20
7	5/9/22	8	8	16
8	5/16/22	10	10	12
9	5/23/22	10	8	21

Preaching to the Choir

Another great article on the benefits of walking from Health Magazine. This one goes into a bit more detail regarding technique, supporting exercises and long range plans. A good reminder for those of us who may have forgotten some of that (stretching perhaps?).

Not Easy Being Green

A few of us chose to honour St. Patrick on a beautifully warm spring day by completing a commitment to the Frigid 10K. No snakes were harmed in the completion of this goal.

Weekly Walks

Well wouldn’t you know it… rain and wind on Saturday. If you are feeling impermeable, join your hardy walking mates at 8 am at Loblaw’s on Saturday. A few other have indicated they prefer deferring to Sunday at 1 pm as the forecast is much more favourable. Sign in and let us know your choice.

Weekly Walks

Not yet!

This morning’s dusting of the cold white stuff reminded us that we are not quite there as far as Spring is concerned, so continue to be careful on the roads and sidewalks. Saturday seems to be leaning towards a wintery version but still doable. A few of us are away but send our regards.

Next week looks much better and could include a return to slightly longer distances for those interested.

Although there are no specific birthdays to celebrate this week, March 8th will be International Women’s Day. As my trying to get into that topic might ironically be considered “mansplaining” to a group overwhelmingly distaff, I refer you instead to the United Nations site where pertinent resources can be read.

Ukraine Crisis

Our group is one focused on health and camaraderie, inasmuch as politics do not define us, although it is a topic not shied away from on walks. That said, I’m putting it out there: is there any interest or thoughts towards helping the people of Ukraine in any way as a group? I’ll leave that hang for face to face chats…

Weekly Walks

The weather is yoyo like for the next while so conditions may be unpredictable. If we are lucky enough that we can “walk the dog”, it’s Saturday at 8am at Loblaw‘s for a walk wherever, although based on previous days, it’s possible the Spit may be a good option as winds will be mild and temp around freezing. We can consensus that on the day.

Post-walk, Timmie’s is an option as usual, and since vaccine passports are no longer mandated, probably easier than ever. That said, it’s likely to be busier than we have seen in a long while.