Some connections Sue has made recently are with businesses that compliment Sue’s practices, and provide valuable resources for Tread Powerfully^® (TP) and its participants (and in some cases, maybe even a discount or two…)

Sue’s favourite shop for just the right outfit or accessory to treat her inner and outer self is Joelle’s. Let Joelle and her attentive staff help you show off your new TP body in a great pair of jeans that seem like they were made for you.

Visit Joelle’s at 457 Brant St in Burlington, and check her out online at www.joelles.com.

Just around the corner from the TP starting point is this downtown Burlington athletic footwear and apparel shop. Owners Paula and John are avid and experienced runners who offer both selection and advice on shoes and all the latest running and walking clothing and accessories.

Paula and John were instrumental in locating just the right water belt for TP participants, and extending a special TP price.

Visit them online at www.FootTools.ca. Mention TP when you’re at their store at 2013 James St in Burlington, and get a runner’s discount on shoes and apparel.

Recently, Sue had her gait assessed by Far Samji, registered Pedorthist and owner of Burlington Orthotic Centre, located at 1900 Walker's Line. Far, also a retired LPGA touring pro, made some valuable suggestions to Sue, and invites anyone to visit her for a visual gait assessment. During your visit, Far will also talk about orthotics (if required), and make possible footwear recommendations.

Check them out online at www.burlingtonorthotics.ca. When you book your appointment, tell them you’re a Tread Powerfully^® participant, and receive 30% off retail prices for shoe gear when you are there.

It's been almost two years since I became a customer of Plan B Organic Farms (visit them online at www.planborganicfarms.ca), by purchasing a weekly "share" of certified organic vegetables, salad greens, herbs and fruit.

I really do look forward to opening my box each week to see what little gift awaits me. Will it be a new vegetable to experience by using the recipes sent via email from the Farm each week? Or will it be those lovely mini-tomatoes in the dead of summer that I secretly pop before anyone in the family can spot them? Not only are you avoiding the toxic residues when you purchase a box, you are also supporting this local Flamborough farm, which was established in 1997 by Rodrigo and Alvaro Venturelli and Melanie Golba.

With any exercise routine, safety is number one and I've been thinking alot about how most of us TP and train on our own without identification. I was pondering this one day in class when one of our own avid TPers, Julie Ellis from Mabel's Labels (www.mabel.ca), offered a suggestion. She mentioned that their company had a shoe-tag product that would allow vital information to be attached to each TP member in an easy and yet stylish way.