Thoughts on the late start Saturday morning? - The Toronto Weekend to End Women's Cancers

JulieK · Senior Member

Thoughts on the late start Saturday morning?

Naamphong · Senior Member

As a first time walker I agree with your sunrise, I was up anyway and wanted to get started as soon as possible.

crash · Member

I agree. It was nice to not have to go on friday but I agree about covering more ground before the heat of the day. I also think the route was terrible for shade, esp on Sat. Maybe the online check-in can be left but for people who cannot check-in ahead of time, the Friday option can be available.

Ashley Costa · Senior Member

I HATED started at 8 am on Saturday. I am glad we were able to start at 7 again on Sunday

Walker1 · Veteran Member

I didn't like the late start either.

I missed the sun rising just as opening ceremonies started.

It felt like half the day had gone by when we finally left.

And the evening's entertainment was almost over before half of the walkers were ready for dinner. I arrived at camp around 5:30 and was almost exactly in the middle of the walkers. By the time I had relaxed, had my shower and grabbed dinner, I only managed to catch the tail end of the bra contest. Not good.

Also, it would be nice if the route planners could try to put us on the shady side of the street. I know it's partly a matter of perception, but we always seemed to be on the sunny side.

Doreen H · Veteran Member

I also did not like the later start. No sunrise, more walking in the heat, less time at camp to relax before dinner and the 'show'. Really liked the wine and the firemen, though!
The heat was really killer on Saturday!! After reading what others have written, I guess I was lucky because I got gatorade when I wanted it and there was fresh fruit also. Maybe I was nearer the front of the pack than I thought.
So, I liked the online check-in, but I would much rather have an earlier start. It's a good suggestion that those who cannot or did not do the online check in have the Friday option.
I signed up for next year. Hope we start walking at 7am!

tolou · Veteran Member

As Paul and I were accompanying Chad he was requested to do a live interview with City.

The interview didn't get underway till 8:30, we didn't leave till almost 8:45.

Give us back the 7: am start. I like it better. I heard so many comments about how late everyone got into camp. The struck contest had started and alot of people missed it as they were still busy setting up their tents etc.

Hope they are listening and consider going back to 7 works for me.

Ashley Costa · Senior Member

Doreen,
hahahha Those firemen were awesome - I was a proud supporter of their calendar.
They were a hoot! They signed my calendar and then lifted me on their shoulders for a picture!!

I hope they come back year after year !! hahahaha biggrin

Didds · Veteran Member

I felt really rushed at camp. I wanted a chiro appt and by the time I was done waiting and having that (and they had us STANDING IN A LINE WAITING at first until I was like um, can we have numbers like the massage tent) I had less than an hour to get dinner and have a shower. This has never happened before, so I guess it was the late start time.

I'd love to have day 0 and the early start back. And I am not a morning person and day 0 was always somewhat inconvenient to get to.

sdm2818 · Member

I agree that the late start was not a good idea. I hated getting into camp later and because one of our team dehydrated, from lack of gatorade, we were much slower than previous years and we missed the entertainment as we wanted to get our tent setup before dinner. Also, didn't like that we had to drag our luggage to our tents, liked it much better when it was there waiting for us. Bring back the early start and the delivery of our gear.

Terry · Veteran Member

Hi
I to hate leaving late and was told they listened to those that didn't want day zero. So if we all email and call hopefully we will get early start back.

caringspirit · Member

This was my first year walking. Last year I was crewing. I too believe that Saturday was a late start. I loved leaving Sunday morning at 7am and getting there for closing ceremonies by 4pm. Saturday was a slower pace with the lack of gatorade. Every grab & go and pit stop before lunch was out by the time we got there. We eventually had to stop at a store and grab a couple bottles so we could keep walking. Got into camp late around 7pm, grabbed supper and was there just in time to see the finale of Chad on stage. Totally missed my husband up there in the crocheted pink outfit which he made himself. 830 had to go over to the truck grab our gear and bring it over to the tent. For some odd reason I felt Sunday was hotter. I ended up putting ice under my hat to cool down a few times. But yes will have to agree that walking in the sun all day was not fun. Shade trees would have been nice. Already signed up to walk again next year. :)

Julie · Newbie

I'm with all of you. As much as it was sometimes difficult to get to day 0, there was very moving about the event and seeing the other walkers, getting pictures taken, tattoos, gettting tent assignments (so that our bags could be IN our tents when we arrived at camp!), and just getting into the vibe of the walk!

This was my 6th walk and I can't imagine not walking! But to be able to get a few more clicks in before it gets too hot is a fine thing! My team had our own day zero and got together for our annual pre-walk dinner on friday night, but it wasn't the same.

Bring back the early start and day zero for the 2-day walkers!