It's All About Timing (2).

Feeling the Balance.

I walk or bike to the YMCA three times per week. Via the underground.

I joined the YMCA on November 1st  of last year. To make good use of my membership I was soon regularly using the Y facilities 5 - 6 times per week. Occasionally I would walk or run outdoors as well on familiar city pathways.

Today is August 27, almost 10 months later, and my fun and fitness routine - making use of both outdoor and indoor (YMCA) facilities - has reached a lovely balance. Not that it won't change when colder weather hits our region, but "I'm really kinda in a good groove" right now.

 The Journal says I'm moving forward in all fun and fitness departments

My usual habit is to hit the Y three days per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday, thank you) and get out for a long walk or run or both on three of the other four days. Because life happens, perfectly alternating indoor and outdoor workouts doesn't always happen, but this balanced approach seems to be a very good goal to work toward.

My YMCA activities are also achieving a nice balance when comparing one month to the next. I walk or bike to and from, and include a satisfying combo of running, biking and weight lifting (or pulling and pushing) while there. Over the last few months I have grown familiar with sit ups, four free-weight exercises and seven stationary weight-machine exercises. (Svelteness is one of my ultimate goals : )

Outdoor pathways that hug the banks of the Thames River are a healthy spot for my 6 - 8 mile walks, runs or walk-runs. I collect about 30 points per week (1 point per mile) via walking and running, and another dozen points for some cycling (1 point per 18 minutes) and weight-lifting (1.25 points for a 25 - 30 min. workout). Some say "variety is the spice of life" and I would not disagree with that when it comes to an overall workout schedule.

Some Good Numbers:

See the right hand column above for details. 

1. August Weekly Miles - 15 (first 3 days, w one day off), 44.5, 43.0, 39.75 mi.

2. (The Last) 10 Week's Miles - from 46.5 - 39.75 mi. Pretty steady. Only one wee vacation.

3. Miles 10 Week Average - 39.925 - 40.125 mi. over the last 4 full weeks. Not bad, I say.

As long as good weather is around I will be attempting to maintain the same balance in my schedule. But once the snow flies I'll be heading indoors more often.

Photos from Olde Londontowne:

The home-YMCA round trip is 3.25 miles. Easier when it doesn't rain! 

Art work in the King Street 'traffic chunnel'.

More to follow.

Please link to It's All About Timing (1).

Photos GH

It's All About Timing (1).

Definitely Not the Winter Season.

Mojo's Runner, used with permission.

As of today, all is going well re The GREAT Canadian Comeback. I'm running about 4 times per week, between 2.75 - 5 miles, within my limited limits*, feeling very healthy.

And 'healthy' is the key word. I'm walking and running about 40 miles per week and enjoying workouts at the YMCA and on city pathways 5 or 6 days out of seven. I'm putting the time in but not pushing to become that runner I was in the past. 

While sorting photo files I came across one of my favourites of all-time, from a U.S. blogger (James, aka Mojo). And I also found a few of mine that appear to have been taken about the same time of year. So, with my fun and fitness routine marching along at a good and steady pace, I thought I'd tip my hat to familiar paths.

 Harris Park, London. Beside the Thames River.

 As I exit Harris Pk. and head toward Gibbons Park.

 Beside a community garden near Ann Street, south of Oxford St.

 From my front porch, Ground Zero for several walks and runs per week.

 Yes, there are other ways to travel.

The runner in the top photo reminds me of many a winter run while I trained for marathons with a solid group of London runners. Some of them are still out there, putting more miles into the bank.

Not many thoughts enter my mind about increasing my distance to 6 - 13.1 miles this year (e.g., for a fall half-marathon), but if I stay healthy then one never knows.

*limited limits, i.e., around 10 - 11 minutes per mile, a fair bit slower than 15 years ago when I ran most distances from 6 to 26.2 miles at 8 minutes-per-mile or faster. The GREAT Canadian Comeback is more a state of mind than about going faster and farther.

Please link to Running Toward Summertime (2).

Photos GH