Simply and Steadily Walking 3.

Great Walking Season Ahead?

[Port Bruce: Bike rides are over for 2018]

I motorcycled to the north shore of Lake Erie on Monday, October 22nd, and realized - with teeth almost chattering - that a significant season was ending. I took a few photographs and rode away, sun on my back, hoping to warm up by the time I returned home.

Cool weather will cause me to put the bike into storage (and did so, the next day), but it doesn't dampen my desire to continue to walk during Canada's colder seasons... fall and winter. While wearing a warm jacket, gloves and toque, the miles do seem to fly by.

Readers may know that 'October 2015' was my first full month of dedicated walking for which I have records, other than the occasional photograph on another long-running blog. (See My Morning Walk - Jailhouse 2, from Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, at IT STRIKES ME FUNNY). I averaged about 100 miles per month during that first fall, and about 130 mi./mo. during the first winter. I have not slowed down since that time. Currently I am covering about 30 miles per week, whatever the season.

 Don Kelly and I walked 4 miles, including hills (MM = Mighty Mountains)

From my first month of records, Oct. 1, 2015. 

I've now sorted out what to wear and when. 

On my mind: Recently I encountered two older running mates (Ruud and Tony, see next photo) from my time as a member of a pack. And though I have been enjoying the last several weeks of "simply and steadily walking" (with no big thoughts about running on my mind), when they mentioned they still meet on the same day, at the same time (as we did in the past), and still go out for a pint after their run, I got to thinking.

I know, I just said "with no big thoughts about running on my mind."

But... I was actually getting back to running this past summer (twice) until the humidity hit record levels (twice). So... thoughts about running have not completely disappeared from my thoughts.

Though I am reluctant to consider running outside once snow and ice appear on the ground (I might fall and not get back up), I recall that I used to do a lot of my training - hill work, speed work, long runs - on a treadmill at the Downtown YMCA. I was "the treadmill guy" for three years and I liked it. The treadmill actually helped me run my fastest marathon and thereby qualify for the Boston Marathon - all the time indoors, no snow, no ice.

Three Amigos, back row, left. Ruud, Gord, Tony.

What I'm saying is, I'm thinking about renewing my membership at the Downtown YMCA. If I give the idea the 'thumbs up' then I will likely start in early November.

Would I like running on a treadmill again? And stick to it?

More to follow.

I continue to do my stretches, sit ups, push ups, weights. 25x.

Pat and Gord, April 2005. Will I ever return to running form?

PS. During yesterday's walk I picked up an information folder from the Downtown YMCA. On the way home I picked up an 'automatic transfer form' from my bank.

The GREAT Canadian Comeback continues.

YMCA on November 1? Stay tuned.

Please link to Simply and Steadily Walking 2.

Photos GH

Simply and Steadily Walking 2.

Three Years and Counting (Lots of Counting).

[Photo: Walking south in Old South. And I won't stop.]

At the end of this month (October) I will complete my third year of steady walking (and some running, with a purpose, and with daily records), in an attempt to make The GREAT Canadian Comeback.

I have developed quite the habit and consistently cover over 120 miles per month - without any blisters.

And I haven't been lost once, except for that time (late at night in England, 2014) when I turned the wrong way at a wonky London intersection and - after about 200 metres - realized I was heading SW instead of West.

"I don't recall this intersection. Whoops!"

In November I'll take time to make a right and proper summary of some of the lessons learned along the way and count up how many miles I've covered to date. I bet it's over 4,000!

Photos from along the way:

Thanks to good sidewalks and well-travelled pathways I travel north, south, east and west with a growing number of other people out for some fun and fitness activities. Somedays I have the paths to myself, or almost, as evidenced by the photos above.

I like writing things down so that I can keep track of mileage by the day, week, month and year. I would say that Steady Eddie (surely we all know at least one) would be pleased with my results over three years.

For the weeks ending Sept. 22 and 29 I completed 32 miles. 

Last January I started making the effort to complete a particular set of exercises (focussed on stretching, push-ups, sit-ups, and strength training) on a regular basis, to compliment my walking routine. I began with small numbers, e.g., ten of this and ten of that, and now I'm up to 25 of this and that, 3 - 4 times per week. Why, if I'm not svelte in another few years I'll be very surprised.

 "Can I hit 5,000 reps by the end of this year? We shall see."

I am enjoying the fall weather (great temperatures at present) and look forward to dusting off my winter coat and boots in a couple more months. 

Some recent numbers:

3 years of dedicated walking w some running - completed

139, 133 and 134 miles covered in the last 3 months

average miles per walk - over 5 miles for the last 5 months

average miles per week - over 30 since March

More to follow.

Please link to Simply and Steadily Walking 1.

Photos GH