Video: Walking and Biking Shorts (4)

February, an Active Month in Spite of the Cold

A view of Harris Park and TVP North, London ONT

Introduction:

The snow fell in January, the three branches of the Thames Valley Parkway became ice-covered, my running miles declined and my (exercise) biking miles increased. I travelled 200 miles in January and about 180 in February. For those who think in kilometres, I covered about 600 Km total in those two months.

I Walked and Biked, Plus... I added some stretches and easy weights

to my routine in February. I averaged about 45 points* per week

*Using a scientifically engineered and rigorously tested "Equivalency Chart," I count 15 minutes of cycling or 20 minutes of stretching/easy weights as 1 mile in my daily journal. And if miles or points were dollars and I had a savings account, the savings would be going north (the right way to go). 

I could say more! So, I'll let a new video do the talking:

Walking and Biking Shorts (4)

Produced and Directed by Old-What's-His-Face

Please link to Video: Walking and Running Shorts (3)

Photos and Video by GH

Video: Walking and Running Shorts (3)

The Snow Will Slow Me Down in January 2021

200 Miles Seems to be My New Monthly Target

SNOW - I don't mind shovelling the stuff, but I don't like running in it

Introduction:

When I was younger I seem to recall few problems ploughing through 6 - 10 inches of snow with buddies in a running group. We focussed on finishing a planned route in preparation for our next half-marathon, 30 Km, or full-marathon, yabbering to one another - with quite a few laughs - all along the way.

Today is different. Post-seventy, I don't want to slip or fall or turn an ankle on an icy lump hidden by the white stuff.

That being said, January started off with relatively mild temperatures and I took the opportunity (on clean streets and paths) to add runs to my routine, with thoughts about preparing for an April half-marathon. By January 21st I was running smoothly. Slow and steady.

200 total miles. 10 weeks in the 45 mile range. Average = 45.775 miles

A few more details about the first month of 2021 are found in the video below: 

To see the previous video, please link to Video: Walking Shorts (2)

And to view the previous entry on this site, please link to A Year's Work, 2020

Photos and Videos GH

A Year's Work, 2020

 Steady Progress, Positive Stats, Good Views = A Win 

2020 Sets Me Up Nicely for More Good Clean Fun

"I covered over 2,000 miles in 2020. Many more lie ahead," says Steady Eddie

Introduction:

The journal and monthly stats for the year just past don't lie. 

I walked and ran for fun and fitness for all 12 months, stayed within my limits, suffered only one minor injury, took hundreds of photos, ran my first virtual half-marathon, won my age-group (I was the virtual winner!), earned the nickname 'Steady Eddie' (yeah, I thought of it myself), wore out a few pairs of socks and a couple of pairs of running shoes, kept abreast of the laundry, didn't make any promises I couldn't keep, made a lot of soup in my slow-cooker... but I digress.

Stats for December 2020 tell a colourful tale. "The guy keeps at it!"

By The Numbers:

I walked or ran on 320 out of 366 days in 2020. Or, I got out the door on 87.4% of the days of the year. Makes me think, if I'd scored that high in math and science while in school... why, I coulda punched my own ticket!

That being said, even at my current age (70+), my prospects look bright for the future. I may not walk/run as many miles - on average - over the next ten years as I did in 2020 (2,381 miles, or 3835 km), but I bet I'll be 2,000-plus miles for at least a few more years. I'll keep journals and stat sheets, and keep adding posts here on occasion. You're welcome to visit anytime!

For the first three months of the year I was a member at a local YMCA, so that boosted my mileage. And in the future I don't know if the YMCA will be an option for me, and if it is, I don't know if I will want to return. I seem to be doing AOK out on the city pathways and I'm discovering new routes as I go along. So, a dip in mileage is somewhat expected. 

At present, I am maintaining a 45-miles-per-week average (45 miles x 52 weeks = 2340 mi.; nice goal) and that is very close to my 2020 average (45.8 mi./wk.). I am motivated by the desire to run another half-marathon in April and run at least as fast as I did last year. Beyond that we will see what we will see. 

So, "outward and onward" I shall go.

A few photos from the highlight reel:

"Cheers! Hope to see you out there!" Powered by Guinness

"There are a lot of stories out on the trails. How about a '1000 fish' story! 

The TVP South Branch is a peaceful route

One season ends, another begins

Please link to The GREAT Canadian Fish Story (1)

For more details about Gizzard Shad please visit "1000 Maybe 2000 Fish": The Movie : )

Yes, more fun and fitness ahead, and more fish than you can shake a stick at!

Photos and Videos GH

Video: Walking Shorts (2)

Walking a Lot in December 2020

Turning Photos into Videos

I saw a lot of dedicated runners in December. Maybe I'll get back at it?

Introduction:

I keep a daily journal related to my fun and fitness routine (re walking, running and biking miles) and - according to my colourful records - I didn't miss a day during December.

A lot of other walkers and runners and cyclists (on bikes with big, fat tires) were outside on a regular basis as well, and one or two athletes appear in photos I take along the way.

Occasionally I take time to turn stills into videos, using a free app called Adobe Spark.

"I hope to see you out there!"

Please link to an earlier entry called "1000 Maybe 2000 Fish" Still a Story.

As of early January, though the river is higher by 1 - 2 feet and the water is murkier - the fish are still visible.

Photos GH

The GREAT Canadian Fish Story December 2020 (1)

AKA "1000 Maybe 2000 Fish" in the Thames River

The fins of Gizzard Shad look like tiny shark fins. 

Introduction:

Just 250m north of Black Friars Bridge on the Thames Valley Parkway (east side of the Thames River) one comes to a spot where the pathway narrows and passes over a very small stream. Black metal railways keep one from falling into the water if you're looking at a loose shoelace and not what lies ahead.

In late November - early December the mouth of the stream was alive with "1000 Maybe 2000 Fish" as I liked to say. I took numerous photos and a few videos over the period of 4 - 5 days and I must say - because I have never seen such a thing - they still fascinate me. 

I have read that the fish are called Gizzard Shad and information about the name could likely form the basis of another story. I say, knock yourself out!

Below I share a few "photos and videos from along the way":  

Still shot: A few more photos can be found here "Productive November"

Video: 6 seconds. GH

More to follow.

Photos and Videos GH

A Week's Work in December 2020 (1)

The First Week of December is "Carry On-Style"

My Average 'Miles Per Week' is Under Review

Looking south on an icy path through Harris Park, London

Introduction:

The first good snowfall of winter occurred during the first week of December. Every scene I had encountered on my regular walking/running routes over the spring, summer and fall was drastically different. White, crisp, clear and cold had replaced green, colourful, warm, and easy miles.

Due to a minor but frustrating foot injury in late October I altered my fun and fitness routine. Running was out. Regular lengthy walks were out. Shorter walks to test the foot and 'reading and riding' (i.e., bicycling on a recumbent exercise bike) became the norm. And now that I'm in the habit, shorter walks and bicycling will likely get me through the winter. Running shoes are on a shelf.

During the last seven days my routine was "carry on-style", much like the last three weeks of November:

Sunday - Walk (W) 7.5 miles

Monday - W 4.5 miles, Bicycle (B) 3 miles (45 minutes: 15 minutes = 1 mile on my equivalency chart)

Tuesday - W/B 7.0 miles (3.5 miles each)

Wednesday - W 6.25 miles

Thursday - W 4.75 miles, while my car was fitted with snow tires

Friday - W/B 8.0 miles

Saturday - B 5.25 miles (83 min.)

Total - 46.25 miles (10-Week Average - 46.0 miles) 

Since I don't like running on slippery, snow-covered pathways or sidewalks or at the edge of city streets, the next 12 - 16 weeks will likely follow the above pattern. Boring? Only if I run out of good book to read, and right now I have a pile of interesting books that fill half of the bottom shelf on a bookcase beside my exercise bike. Oh yeah, I'm ready for some entertaining and educational miles on the bike.

More details to follow shortly.

Photos from Along the Way:

December is "Carry On-Style," weekly average may drop to 40 - 45 mi./wk.

Relax'n in my workshop 2019. Party time is over 'til COVID is over

Gord, suck it in!! "Sorry, I was captivated by scenes west of Utterson" : ) 

Since those "heavy days" I've enjoyed fewer Big Macs w Fries, Whoppers!

"1,000 Maybe 2,000 Fish" recently caught my eye in the Thames River

Spotted as recently as Dec. 5, two days ago (I'll look again today)

Note the fins of Gizzard Shad in front of first girl on the left

Winter arrived last week! 

Welcome to Canada, eh!

For more details and photographs related to The GREAT Canadian Comeback please link to Productive November Draws to an End by GH.

Photos GH

Productive November Draws to an End

The Walks Take Me Past My Favourite Fish Pond!

The Bike Rides Help Me Catch Up on Reading

1,000 maybe 2,000 Gizzard Shad appeared near the TVP for four

days in late November. I have never seen anything like this.

Introduction:

I started off the month by adding a lot of cycling (recumbent exercise bike) to my weekly routine due to a minor foot injury. Then I combined walking + biking for most days in the rest of the month (e.g., a 4-mile walk + a 45 - 60-minute bike ride while reading WAR by Gwynne Dyer). 

I have such a tall pile of books beside the bike, I will probably continue to 'read and ride' during the cold and slippery months of winter, and wait until warm, pleasant weather returns before I get back to a slow and steady running routine. 

The walk/bike routine takes about two hours

I spotted the "1,000 maybe 2,000 fish" on Friday - Sunday near the TVP,

about 250 metres north of Black Friars Bridge. So did many others!

Most of the shad are mere inches below the surface, very visible to the patient

observer, though many fins appear in front of the spectator, farthest left. Sunday

I finished the month with a good walk on Sunday and a W/B combo today

"Steady Eddie" ended Nov. with a 46.5-mile weekly average, the same as October.

Not much to see today, just a circling shark!

The sky was gray, the water murky; the shad were almost invisible!

Please link to the previous post - A Week's Work in November 2020

Unattributed Photos GH