I noticed lots of changes this year, most of which I liked. At some point we'll have to do a feedback to the organizers post... but for the moment I'm just chillaxing (as my kids would say) with a nice coffee.
xo, Julie
-- Edited by JulieK on Sunday 12th of September 2010 04:03:19 PM
I haven't stayed for closing ceremonies in years, mostly because we get in so early that it's a long wait.
BBQ lunch - well, I think after last year's walk I posted that I would have loved a hamburger lunch, so I really appreciated that they listened and tried something new. That said, the execution was poor - the burger really wasn't that good. No line ups for food when I rolled through (about 10.30 today, 11.30 yesterday).
They usually do send out a questionnaire/feedback form, so I'm sure we"ll get it over the next week. I loved the new route! I've signed up for year 9 in 2011!
I have to reply that there were many things that were great about this year's walk, notably, the much better organization of the opening ceremonies and the handling of everyone arriving , even the parking directions were much better. I loved the lunch on day 1, but I didn't choose the hamburg, because I was pretty sure it would be overdone, but the sausage was great. In fact, i thought the food was wonderful both days. What I was incredibly upset about was the closing ceremonies -- I finished walking at 4;15 , and by the time I received my victory shirt, the ceremonies were beginning ( I know we weren't the last people on the route, so I wonder what happened to these people once the program began. But much to my dismay, I was then expected to stand for all of the events -- I could barely walk, and then I had to stand. Needless to say, I had to leave, tearfully disappointed and after watching one young lady sitting on the concrete , receiving some care from her friends, I noted I was not the only one with some physical ailments. I much preferred the last two years handling of the closing ceremonies
I like to idea of putting everyone in the circle but I still wish that the crew would get to go in before the surviours so that we can also cheer them on an watch and appreciate what they have gone thru. I think it would be nice if there were seats for us for two reasons, 1. after walking or working all that time everyone is really too tired to stand and so that the family and friends that are sitting behind us can all so see. As for the new route really long and I wasn't to keen on how the walkers kept disappearing from the sweep's site.
This was my first time walking in this Weekend, but not my first experience with the Walk. My husband and I have followed Noreen, driving and cheering along the routes for four years previous to this year, and she and I have fundraised together all this time.
We are so grateful for the fantastic weather, and the fact that we were both able to complete this year's walk together. It was certainly a different aspect for me this year watching our husbands in the red Jeep Saturday and the van Sunday, ringing the bell and cheering all the walkers along the route while I was walking with Noreen.
We will not be in Toronto's walk next year, as Noreen has other commitments that weekend, however we are already in the fundraising mode for our walk in Ottawa in June.
So many people have fundraised, walked, crewed, organized, cooked, lifted and lugged, driven, researched, and so many other things, in order to help people with women's cancers and to find cures. We should all be proud of all of our efforts.
We have done this in memory of all those who have lost their lives, and those that have survived cancer.
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Diane O'Reilly
Team: The Travelling Ta-Tas
2011 in Ottawa in June was a successful 2 day, 60km Walk for Noreen and I. Whoohoo!!! See you in 2012!
Loved the event as I always do. I have registered for next year too! The lines were large for lunch on day one but it was expected as the meal was not preset in packages as it was on day too. My hotdog was cold but I still enjoyed it - loved that there was sun at lunch for both days and plenty of smiles all around. I think the volunteers and the crew members are as amazing as all the walkers - they really help the event come alive!!
My team mates slowed down towards the last 10 kms mostly because it was they're first year walking and one member had not trained enough so they did not fare so well. With that said... I missed a lot this year (dinner was cold and it was too late to get a massage - I always look forward to the massage) but I guess that was in part to my team arriving at camp pretty late. Gotta get the ladies walking faster next year!!!
I really would only change one little thing and that would be the end of day one's route - it was too industrial, kind of uninteresting and a little boring and that's probably when my team mates really slowed down - especialy the gravel road into the park - boy did she really struggled there. I prefer the entry through Keele rather than Sheppard, not sure if everyone would agree.
All in all I liked most of the changes and I especially loved that the weather co-operated this year. Chad, that hug at the finish took me right to the 2011 registration table - cheers to you and to my year 5!!!
It was a great walk, great people and for the most part, very well organized.
Having said that, lunch on day 1 was a HUGE exercise in frustration and I got really ill from it. After waiting in line for almost half an hour, I got a burger that nasty...and an hour later I had the runs that lasted til this morning. Walking in that condition is not fun.
Lunch on day 2 was much better organized and tasted way better too. I hope they go back to that kind of lunch for both days.
Kudos to all the amazing volunteers who kept us going, who fed us, who kept us safe, who cheered us on, cleaned up camp, set camp... EVERYTHING!! The volunteers are amazing people!!!
OH yeah..I'm registered for next year and so is my daughter!
-- Edited by Faestone on Monday 13th of September 2010 12:19:03 PM
I registered for next year at the end of day one. My friend and I looked at each other, knew we would end up doing it anyway, and hobbled on over to the Registration tent!
I liked a lot of the changes, much less street noise on the route, I liked the parks, didn't mind the hills SO much - but was very glad when they were over. I mostly liked the opening ceremonies but felt they lacked a little enthusiasm. I think it would be best to do all the "serious" stuff, then do the warm up and then CHARGE!!! I did miss walking on the waterfront and it was VERY congested at the beginning. I did find the very long walk at the end of day 1 a bit tough, we seemed to have all these lovely short walks, 3-4km and then all of a sudden at the end it seemed like we walked for almost 8km with a break, that was hard. Loved lunch on day 2 - and the weather was fantastic.
I can never say enough about the wonderful staff and volunteers for the weekend - you NEVER fail to impress!
Though unfortunatly I did have not signed up for next year
The experience was amazing but I had so much problem with getting food on the first day. I was STARVING. Lunch was unbelievable bad the first day with only hot dogs and nasty looking veg burgers left. I HATE hot dogs but was so hungry I ate one. It wasn't cooked...my salads awful. The line up to get food was also bad...
Dinner didn't get any better... dried out hard chicken breast with cold potatoes.
Breakfast wasn't bad at least I was full... but the bacon was so thin and they where very small portions considering it was our full for the start of the day.
Lunch was GREAT! Finally tasty and available
I did not like the route at all especially the ending of the first day. Missed walking along the water front. Missed Hyde Park... Didn't mind the "Shoppers" stops BUT the second last one had nothing or nobody cheering us! Not a sign of anything pink any where. What a let down.
Where was the Gatorade?? I didn't want to carry a bottle of something with me... it works better to switch my water with Gatorade. The garbage and pollution from those bottles was a waste.
And then the real kicker for me... I worked my butt off raised $10,000. then I get no t-shirt! You have got to be kidding! The large wouldn't even go over my boobs.. and I am not THAT big...
Then they make us stand for what seemed like an eternity (in the hot sun)... are they nuts? Has anyone on the planning committee walked the walk? I finally moved to the stands and asked some one to give up their seat! The ending inside last year was so much better and organized and out of the heat!!
The crew people as always where AMAZING!!!!! Loved them all they did a great job!
ZooMobile Sweep Van here. So great to see so many of you already registered for next year. I just did the same today!
Its great to hear the feedback on what we can do to improve!
Althought we campers got rained on in the middle of the night, it certainly didn't damper our spirits for Day 2!
Onward and upwards I say.
I have walked twice before and next year, 2011 will be my 4th year in crew. I hope to repeat as a Sweep Vehicle and be better and LOUDER next year. LOL As a walker I can truly appreciate your mentioning of closing ceremonies. I believe that family and friends, for the small amount of time they are there should stand around all the volunteers, walkers and crew who have been on their feet the whole weekend (unless they are physically unable to of course). It's NOT easy for most to stand after the weekend and I agree with that. I aslo liked the bringing in of the flags of Life, Hope etc. Nice touch. More visible to most.
Was so nice to read that you wanted the crew to come in sooner so you can see us all. So nice to want to have ppl appreciate us in that way, but so hard to put us in front of the survivors. They have gone through worse then alot of us who only walk or crew or volunteer on the weekend, but the thought behind that is so heart warming.
We do this because, we want to eradicate the need for survivors, which is I'm sure the same reason you walk to raise money. WE WILL BEAT THIS!!
Look forward to cheering you on next year.
Giving you all some ZooMobile love!!
Tina Daquano
-- Edited by Shiloh25 on Monday 13th of September 2010 02:27:45 PM
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Weekend to End All Women's Cancer; Walker 2005, 2006; Crew 2007, 2008, 2009; Sweep Van Crew 2010, 2011!!
The comment or suggestion of the crew and volunteers walking into closing before the survivors is not to take anything away from the survivors or to get any extra recognition for what we do It's so we too can cheer and celebrate the survivors. I believe 2 years ago as the walkers come in they walked along the carpet to the finish line then they were able to SIT in the stands celebrate with their friends and families & to watch the closings. The crew & volunteers came in & lined the carpet as the survivors took their walk along the carpet to the finish.
I thoroughly enjoyed everything this year. I found that the first few kilometres (especially walking past Princess Margaret right at the start) were great, I was easily distracted by the stores and views of Toronto. As this was my seventh year walking, I enjoyed the change in the route.
I didn't have any problems with the food, and found I was probably eating MORE than I usually do. I appreciate the organizers trying to vary lunches for us, and I've never had a problem with dinner, I truly think it would be a daunting task to try and prepare and feed that many people. Yes, there were lineups, but I used that time for my teammate and I to meet other walkers. I couldn't stay for closing ceremonies, but yes, I think that to have the crew and volunteers go in before us survivors would allow us all to appreciate all the work the crew and volunteers do.
Yep, that t shirt was wicked small (I got a 2xl because I hate clothing touching me), but ah, well, it's not about the t shirts, now is it?
I will continue to do this walk, because as a survivor, for me it's not about the food/conditions/route or whatever else, it's about finding a cure.
I agree lunch on Day One was horrible. But my dinner was pretty good, and breakfast was amazing. Something I noticed was that this year, we could go back for seconds..and I did. I agree we need a BIG breakfast to load up for that walk back to Exhibition Place.
I can't say enough about how amazing the volunteers were and I'd love to see them come in earlier too.
I loved the closing ceremonies, but again, in agreement... letting our families and supporters sit, while we had to stand was just a little cruel. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for the survivors. I know the survivor I walked with, ended up sitting on the asphalt because she simply could not stand any longer. As a result, she couldn't see anything but a sea of legs.
The weekend was awesome, as usual, because of the great people you get to meet along the way; crew, volunteers, other walkers. Enjoyed the route except for the end of day one which went on and on and on in a very unattractive part of town. If it hadn't been for the lift the ice cream gave me at the pit stop I might not have made it! lol I didn't stay for closing ceremonies simply because I can not stand on hard concrete after walking. Especially this year as I have been dealing with a bad foot for the past 6 months. Didn't make sense to make it through the walk and then cause excessive swelling just by standing. Can't do the Toronto walk next year, I have other obligations, but I will give some thought to doing another city, perhaps Ottawa.
I have Crohn's and the food is way to important to me! I feel that when you put on an event of this magnituted you should know what your doing and they do do enough of them to get it right. The first year my gut survived and I guess it's not doing so good this time so I posted and sounded a lot more negative then I wanted too...
The t-shirt to me was a reward that I could wear proudly, maybe shallow...
Funny thing just a few short hours later and I am already forgetting and thinking "How could I do this again? How can I make sure that food isn't an issue? How can I get food if they are having a problem? How can I do this walk with my illness and still be okay? Can I rise this money again??
Maybe it's the same part of the brain that stops you from rememebring the pain of childbirth and allows you to have more kids that is kicking in!
This was my first walk and it was an amazing experience for so many reasons. My first positive thoughts are about the volunteers who were always there to keep our spirits up. Seriously could not have kept going if it wasn't for them, their whistles, signs, stickers, and words of encouragment. Thank you, volunteers!! My second positive thought is about the neighbours who came out of their homes along the route with their signs, dogs, kids and tons of goodies. Beer at one stop, home made pizza at another, and rice krispie squares shaped like boobs at another.....it was incredible! A couple of not so positive things about the walk: Lunch on day one was too greasy and heavy. I was seriously craving a nice big salad...what a disappointment! The hamburger and pasta salad just did not sit well with me....or my team mates. For the most part, the snacks at the rest stops were good. Chips and salty pretzels are not a good choice if you have a problem with swelling though. The orange pieces were my first choice. I was a bit repulsed by some of the walkers who were grabbing at hoards of bags of the popcorn at one of the stops. The litter made by the walkers was the most disappointing though. It was so terrible to see walkers just throwing their trash on the side walks or on top of peoples yard waste bags in their yards. It does not leave a very good impression behind. Overall it was an experience that I will hold in my heart forever. I was honoured to be walking next to some amazing women and friends. Next year it's Dragon Boats for me though! I am sure I will be back to the WEWC one day...
The shirts where made small I know I and others ended up with a mans to bad they didn't ask you if you wanted one mabey can call and get one sent to you. If you have a big problem with food I have read others that needed special food so took there own and a sweep offered to move it for them, that could be the way to go if want to make sure you eat what is right for you. I also was dissapointed with the garbage that I saw along the way since you will always find a garbage can somewhere and we are adults so what kind of impression are we leaving.
Just to let you know that Crew did receive a complaint from one neighbourhood about the all the apple core and banana peels that were piled on top of a yard waste bag and falling all over the ground.....we were able to call Route Restoration and they were going to stop to clear it up.
Very unfortunate side effect of supporters offering food along the route - people felt to need to find someplace to drop the remains. When we get food at stops there are garbage bins there to use, but not along the route.
Same could be said for the Powerade bottles - they were bottles this year since Dasani (coke) were sponsors....unfortunately Powerade does not come in powder (gaterade does). People were leaving the bottles all over the place. This is not a sponsorship issue - it is a people issue. We are all adults and should be prepared to find a proper garbage bin if we are going to take it. Did see a lot of walkers pouring the powerade into their own bottle before leaving the stops, which was great.
As a crew person who was following the last walkers it is amazing the amount of debris we leave along the trail...wrappers, left over food, etc. Route Restoration can only do so much.
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SSM - 2006, 2007, 2008 Walker & 2009, 2010, 2011 Crew Member for Team Going for Bust and 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 Rider for Team Sprockets
I think I know the yard waste bag you mean. When I walked past it I shook my head. If that was my house, I'd be mad. Who wants to clean up a giant pile of someone else's gnarly apple cores??
I had another fun year!! I've been lucky enough to have different teammates every year, so it helps keep it fresh for me! lol I had a wonderful time walking with my Mom this year, and am so proud of how well she did! I was having a hard time keeping up with her during a portion of Sunday's walk!
It was great to meet everyone during the walk, and since my eyesight isn't great, thanks to those of you that came up to me to say hi! :) Doreen, you should definitely walk in Ottawa in June! My Mom and I are already signed up for it!
I was fine with the food the whole time. I'm a vegetarian and love the fact that they have food I can eat. The line up at lunch was long, but my Mom and I made a game of it, to see who would get up there first. My line left her hamburger line in the dust!
We'd just carry our empty bags and wrappers until we found a garbage, so it's unfortunate that there was so much litter! I actually saw a woman walking ahead of me, reach down and pick up an empty chip bag that she saw lying there, and carried it until a garbage can was found, so good for her!
Closing ceremonies are always tough for me, with having to stand. When I get in, I always go back and cheer in the rest of the walkers. I noticed everyone was heading for the stands but there were still lots of walkers coming in, and I didn't want to leave them without some cheering. So by the time we got over to closing, they had already started. Since I'd already been standing for a couple of hours cheering people in, it was just too much. My legs and feet could handle it, but I started to get really dizzy (an affliction I already have without walking 60kms!) so I just grabbed a seat on the pavement. Thank you to the medic who came over and asked me if I was alright!!! :)
So congrats to everyone, and thanks SOOOO much to the crew, sweep vans and volunteets, as you completely make the whole thing that much more fun!!!! We certainly couldn't do it without you!!!
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Team: The Travelling Ta-Tas
2011 will be my sixth year walking, but it will be Ottawa this year.
Let me say first that I have signed up for 2011. Doing this event makes me feel so good. I laid in my tent Saturday night feeling so happy that my heart felt like it might burst.
Lunch on Saturday was a bad experience. What a mistake I made choosing that heavy sausage- regretted that for the next several hours! I hate to see food wasted, but was handed a plate with salads already on it, and they were not something that I would consider eating, so they went in the garbage- too bad. Don't know why I didn't have the presence of mind to ask for a plate without the salads.
My dinner at camp was delicious. I guess the later you ate, the drier the chicken was.The BBQ was going full blast mid-afternoon, as there were >4000 people to feed. I really enjoyed the improvements at camp this year. I had a great massaage, with only 15 min wait. The stretching tent was wonderful.
I enjoyed the Sunday lunch- good food, great location.
I agree the t shirts were a big disappointment, I know it's not about the shirts, but I treasure my victory shirts from previous years & know I will never wear this one. I was going to put mine in with some clothes I am giving to the homeless shelter, but if there is anyone who would like mine I will send it to you if you cover the cost of postage through a donation to my 2011 fund. I ended up with a mens large.
This was my second year walking and above all else, I was impressed by the amazing outpouring of support from the crew and the community. I loved walking by the Princess Margaret Hospital and (I know people are gonna hate me!) but I really liked the addition of the hills. I actually felt more energy after walking up them! Maybe it was just using different muscles for a bit! It seemed to me that there was a bit less enthusiasm from the communities we walked through - not sure if that was because the route was so different. But loved the street where we were given chalk to sign the road. As for the negatives, the lunch on the first day seemed to be not in line with what we were doing and representing. Processed foods full of unhealthy things and LONG lines to get them made almost everyone on my team feel sick. I really thought the rest of the meals both this year and last year were much better. The end of the route on day one was terrible. It felt like walking the gauntlet - desolate and empty of cheering and ecouragement. Perhaps moving the ice cream stop to the beginning of the airfield would have made that last 2 or 3 km far more bearable!! Really preferred the entry from Steeles far more. The last thing is in line with everyone else. The t-shirts were horrible. I know they were donated, but really, i think that free junk is still junk. It is nothing short of humilating to be forced to get a men's large t-shirt because you are too big to wear a womans. No one wants to be reminded of their size at the end of an already completely emotional experience! Enough negative! Those 3 things were small in comparison to the incredible amount of positives and we signed up to do it again. But thought that the organizers needed to be aware of how people felt. Thanks!
Hi everyone! This was my 3rd year participating and first year NOT walking. I was 1/2 of the Super Boobie Fairies Sweep Team. What a BLAST Sweep was!
We got to talk with a lot of amazing people, saw a lot of Toronto and just basically had FUN!
Some of my observations... Driving downtown sucks! haha.. I am an Halifax Girl and am not used to driving in TO (live in Brampton now) and Saturday morning was very nerve racking!
I didn't care for the industrialness of the end of Day 1 and know I would have down right hated that if I were walking.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE my tshirt! I was told they were small so I just got one that fit. I have worn my shirt from year one NEVER and year 2 sparingly. I will wear this year's a lot!
Loveed the outside closing ceremonies.. not so much the standing for those that walked but I sat for two days so it was okay for me.
Being in Sweep we come into camp late and the activities are just about done. I dont' like that part of crew.. we worked HARD and ended up with way dry chicken and about 10 mins of the entertainment.
My plan is to walk next year, but if my hip is still injured I will be back with feathers on my roof and fairy wings on my truck... Go Fairies! :)
I believe 2 years ago as the walkers come in they walked along the carpet to the finish line then they were able to SIT in the stands celebrate with their friends and families & to watch the closings. The crew & volunteers came in & lined the carpet as the survivors took their walk along the carpet to the finish. 
