CEDAR MILERS VOLKSSPORT CLUB

We had about 15 walkers join us for our walk of the Waterhouse Boardwalk route. About half the group did the 5K while the other half did the full 10K. Despite the warm weather, we were in the shade during the early and hottest part of the evening so it was not too bad out there. Cedar Miler members were joined by folks from the Sherwood Merrywalkers, and Rose City Roamers, and even a new person trying out volkswalking for the first time! We recommend this walk to everyone as it is an easy stroll through residential areas, a forested boardwalk area, then along quiet neighborhood streets, and parts of the Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation grounds.

A pleasant walk was enjoyed by 4 Cedar Milers and 5 others; some who are becoming regulars for this Monday evening walk. We kept an easy pace throughout while enjoying the sights along the bluff and around the St Johns area. Next week we'll stay at home and enjoy our own Waterhouse Boardwalk. Hope to see lots of walkers!

The Cedar Milers were joined by several other walkers to enjoy the Cook Park walk in Tigard. It was a very pleasant evening for a walk and all seemed to enjoy their time together. Next week we will walk the Willamette Bluff walk (YRE 073)operated by the Rose City Roamers. This walk follows along the bluff overlooking the Willamette River, goes through the University of Portland campus, to a scenic overlook named for Capt Clark (of Lewis and Clark), and through the historic downtown St Johns area. All are welcome to come and walk with the Cedar Milers. The sign in box is located at the video store desk. The walk instructions request that participants park on the street, NOT in the West Coast Fitness-Video Store lot. We head out at 6:30pm! Come join us!

We chose the Hillsboro walk for our Monday evening walk. Dar, Carol, and Elyn enjoyed a nice time together on the walk. The historic homes, downtown area, and parks make this walk an easy pleasant walk. Along the way we decided to try the walk we had planned for a couple of weeks ago for next week's walk so for all those interested (that included other volkswalkers, friends, and visitors) we're headed for Tigard and the Cook Park walk on Monday, July 12th. We decided that a 6:30pm start will work better for traffice reasons, Keep in mind there are backroads between Beaverton and Tigard so you  can avoid Hwy 217.

Our second Monday evening stroll was enjoyed by 10 walkers. We stopped on one of the street corners and held a short club meeting. We decided to host a walk from the PCC Rock Creek campus on the Saturday of the first weekend in November, and to continue the Monday evening walks. A schedule will be developed soon and the next walk will be posted each week where you usually find our meeting information.

All of those of you who braved the downpours and wading along the lake deserve a great big congratulations! When we went out to clear the trail, we were absolutely amazed at how high the water had gotten....we were thinking that yes, you got your feet wet but we had no idea how deep it really was. My guess is it was about a foot deep along the playground area!!! Had we realized this would be the case, we would have re-routed the walk. That you walked through that and came back smiling is a sign that you can be a great volkswalkers. We promise we won't have another volks-swim in our next volkswalk! Three cheers for Weight Watchers---you rock!!!!

Just in case you check here....volkswalkers are oblivious to weather. We walk in the rain. That's what raincoats and umbrellas are for. So if it rains come Sunday morning, JUN 6TH, we'll be there and we hope you will be too!!!! Actually it is kind of fun to get wet. You can even practice quacking like a duck!

Th Cedar Milers will be assisting the Weight Watchers program at Cedar Crossing in Beaverton with their June 6th 5K walk. They will be walking the 5K route of our Commonwealth Lake Walk. We will mark the trail for them and assist with registration. Volkswalkers are invited to join us. Helpers are welcome...this may be a large group. More details will be posted later.

For Weight Watcher participants, here's a primer on volkswalking
1. This is a non-competitive sport designed for Fun, Fitness, and Friendship.
2. A 5K walk is 3.1 miles. Volkswalks are typically 10K walks but often 5K walks are an option. This walk is an adaptation of a 10K walk which usually starts at the West Hills Tennis and Fitness Center.
3. You should wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes and carry a water bottle. We won't have water stations along the way.
4. Walking briskly will help maximize your weight loss and fitness. The best way to maximize your weight loss efforts is to walk at a brisk pace where you find it necessary to breath through your mouth. This pace increases your heart rate to about 60% of it's maximum rate which is the target zone for burning fat. The formula for finding that number is to start with 220, subtract your age and multiply that number by .6
5. You will be asked to sign a volkswalk registration page as we track and report the number of individuals who complete our walks. This registration includes a waiver which is part of our group insurance we carry for walkers.
6. The route will be marked with ribbons and arrows and you will be given written directions and a map of the route.
7. We hope you will enjoy this activity as part of your fitness goals and everyone is welcome to join our Cedar Milers Volkssport Club. Our only dues is a commitment to volunteer for 2 hours a year helping at one of the 3 or 4 walks our club hosts each year.
8. You do not have to join our club or any club to participate in volkswalking. You may walk for free or for credit without being a club member.
9. Free walkers are just that...people who walk for free. (Donations are welcome though :-). Credit walkers pay a $3 fee which supports the club (so we can keep on putting on walks), as well as the Oregon Trails State Volkssport Association (our state level) and the AVA (our national office). The books to track how far you walk and which walks you do cost $5 each. New Walker packets are available for $5 to get you started with your first 2 books, 3 free walk coupons, some other special deals, and information about volkssports.
10. For more... check out www.ava.org where you can find all kinds of information about walking and even go through a tutorial step by step program about our sports.  HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE TRAILS!
 

Great day! 302 walkers and 200-250 teddy bears. We will be using the donation money to purchase additional teddy bears before we make the trip to turn them all over to the Washington County Sheriff's Office for their Buddy Bear program. This program provides officers with teddy bears to give to young children who are in traumatic situations. This is our 4th year of supporting this program. Thanks to all the walkers who brought stuffed animals or gave us money for this wonderful cause. One story to relate...as we were packing up the stuffed animals a little girl walked by and asked us what we were going to do with "all those snugglies".

Hey, we've got a great walk coming up on March 20th. The start will be open from 8AM to 1PM at McMenamins Riverwood Pub on Hall Blvd in Beaverton, Parking can be found around the rear of the building. This walk has 11K/5K routes available. The 11K route will head down the Greenway trails, then over to neighborhoods around Summerlake, through small park trails to loop back to Greenway. You are getting the best of the Greenway and Summerlake yearround events combined into one by routes through quiet neighborhoods and park trails that we have never used before. The 5K route will be primarily the Greenway trails. Of course this walk is also our annual Teddy Bear collection for the Washington County Sheriff's Office Buddy Bear Program. The bears collected will be used by the officers to give to children who are in stressful situations such as being removed from abusive homes, getting hurt in accidents, or having families broken up by arrests or other difficult situations. The officers prefer new or very slightly used teddy bears about 18" tall although we will accept all donations. Bears that the officers cannot use are then donated to charities such as hospitals. Of ocurse we will also have our traditional St Patricks Day contest and all who complete the leprechaun's puzzle will be rewarded with a gold coin! So get into the spirit of the day, wear your best green, and enjoy a pleasant 1+ walk...oh yeah, the checkpoint is also at another of Mcmenamins pubs! Hope to see you there! If you have questions, please contact Samatha Cook at s.scook@verizon.net