The Transition Zone 13 - Year Two Begins.

A Long, Positive Routine.

The first year of The GREAT Canadian Comeback began on Sept. 28, 2015 and ended two days ago. I must say, I covered a good number of miles - a few of them in Kingston (above photo) in late August - and feel I established a positive habit of getting out the door for a walk or jog or both on a regular basis, i.e., over 85% of the days of the year.

What does "a good number of miles" mean? It means 1,380 - 1,385 miles as of Sept. 27, 2016. On average, I walked/jogged about 27 miles per week and only suffered a minor setback or two related to an 'over-doing-it' injury.

A few more stats will be forthcoming in a few more days, after a Year Two chart is completed. (You knew there was going to be a chart, right? Possibly laminated!)

Gord on vacation:

 I enjoyed pleasant walk-abouts in Kingston

 I enjoyed pleasant non-walk-abouts too

 Wow. I enjoyed quite a few days of relaxing, with no walking routine

Jim and Gord toured a vineyard in PEI (not a walking tour)

Over the course of the first year I thought about what would be reasonable goals re walking and shuffling and jogging for a guy my height and age (short in stature, long in tooth). Though I am in a transition zone at this time, i.e., trying to cover about 25 miles per week on average, including easy jogging 2 or 3 times per week, I feel I am on the right path.

At this time I don't feel I need to increase my mileage during Year Two. In fact, 24 miles per week (1,248 miles in 52 weeks) might be a very reasonable goal to aim at or shoot for. As usual, now that vacation time is over (September's walking routine took a hit while I relaxed in PEI), I will adjust my goals as months go by. And, barring injury, I believe by the end of October I will be back to my very positive routine.

Year One ends and Year Two begins on a positive note

Please link to The Transition Zone 12 - Vacation Time

Photos GH

The Transition Zone 12 - Vacation Time

A Lengthy Break From Routine

Steady Eddy strikes again! Three jogs in six days

Oh, and I was doing so well!

The week (Sept. 4 - 10) before my wife and I drove to PEI I walked and jogged 30 miles. My 10 week average didn't suffer one bit.

In the back of my mind I may have realized my fun and fitness routine was going to go 'bye-bye' while visiting with my oldest sister and her hubby in a land far away. And that it did. That it did.

I think I gained 30 pounds in 12 days. Ouch!

Oh, I had a few bursts of energy here and there. I walked 4.75 miles in Cornwall on the 12th after driving about 650 KM, and I ran 4 miles on a hotel treadmill on the 21st (again, in Cornwall after 650 KM or so. Something in the water?). But, there was a lot of relaxing and eating at restaurants during our time away. What's to be done now?

I will take the long view:

 The St. Lawrence River, east of Quebec City

South of Montague, PEI

Today is the one year anniversary of The GREAT Canadian Comeback and I can truthfully say I am already making a comeback toward my usual fun and fitness routine. Since the 24th of September (the day I officially finished unpacking from the trip east) I have walked and jogged 15 miles and will likely have a good total for my first week back in the 'hood. 

Yes, my 10 week average will suffer for awhile because of my vacation but I think I will start Year Two of The Comeback with good incentives. (Aims: About 25 miles per week including 2 or 3 jogs). 

Svelteness is likely just around the corner. 

: )

Please link to The Transition Zone 11 - Finding My Average

Photos GH

The Transition Zone 11 - Finding My Average

The Year Tells a Tale

I won't stop walking in the 'hood

The date is fast approaching that will mark the one year anniversary of The GREAT Canadian Comeback. Will I serve cake on September 28th? Not likely. But I will reflect on progress made in Year One, from being more couch-potato like to being more physically active on a regular basis.

One thing that has come to mind lately is that I find myself aiming to walk/shuffle/jog at least 25 miles per week. Early on I did not log my miles on a daily or weekly basis but focussed on developing the habit of getting out the door 5 or 6 days per week or 20 - 24 times in a four week period. In that regard I can say I have met with success.

A month or so ago I started calculating the 10-week average for miles covered and though I've only collected a short list of results, the average has been around 25 miles.

For example: 10 Week Average to....

July 30 - 25.68 miles

Aug. 13 - 26.45 miles

Aug. 27 - 26.28 miles

Sept. 3 - 25.40 miles

25 miles seems to be a reasonable target and as long as I shuffle and jog on a regular basis, e.g., 2 - 3 times per week, I should continue to see improvements in my stamina, strength, duration and speed of my jogs. If I get out the door regularly, as in the past year, and log a steady supply of miles (keeping my 10 week average around 25 miles), I should be svelte in a few years!

Still a long road ahead but the view has been awesome so far

Goals - improvements in stamina, strength, duration and speed of my jogs.... and sveltness.

Not bad, not bad at all.

Please link to The Transition Zone 10 - Good Routine

Photos GH