Under Railway Bridges and Roadways.

The Last Sunny Day.

Good walkn on the Terry Fox Parkway. But distractions abound.

Please link to Hockey and Hops.

Photos GH

Hold Steady 7.

Conflicted.

[Photo: Good walking at The Coves]

The level of my desire to get out the door and go for a walk remains high. Between 0 - 10, with zero representing zero desire, I'll say I'm at 9.5.

Desire level for going for a run is low this week. And I feel I need to run to maintain a reasonable degree of stamina, so that when Spring arrives, I'll be able to enter a race (perhaps even a half-marathon). I just don't like the idea of running in the snow, with poor footing.

What to do?

No trouble w Walkn, Bikn and Readn.

I may have to think about returning to the YMCA or Hamilton Road Seniors Centre so I can pursue indoor running, e.g., on a treadmill or the Downtown Y's small track. 

Q: Am I willing to part with a monthly fee in order to "hold steady" 'til Spring?

A: To be determined.

Photos from along the way:

The Home Stretch, on Cathcart Street.

Please link to Hold Steady 6.

Photos GH

Hold Steady 6.

Three Runs This Week?

[Photo: Getting icy. I'll need to wear snow tires]

Last week may have been the last one in 2017 with clear paths and sidewalks everyday. Snow is in the forecast now and ice is forming here and there.

I don't look forward to snow and ice-covered routes for walking or jogging, but if I want to keep my stamina at the six-mile level, then I'm going to have to learn how to handle WINTER. After a 12-year hiatus from winter running, one thing I will have to overcome is my current reluctance to put on running gear when it's snowing and blowing out there.

"I don't like the looks of this!"

Years ago, I had no problem donning winter gear and going for long runs. Now I don't feel as eager or as confident as I once did, so I know it will be a challenge to get at least three easy runs completed in the next seven days.

Photos from along the way:

 Good walkn, bikn and running on Dec. 3-5.

 Completed 28 miles but just one run last week. Reluctant!

Am I getting soft when it comes to ice and snow?

More to follow.

Please link to HOLD STEADY Until April? (5)

Photos GH

HOLD STEADY Until April? (5)

Possibilities Exist : )

[Photo: View of Downtown London from The Forks.]

My goals for the winter months include keeping my running legs active, and keeping my achievable distance in the six mile range. If I do so, when April arrives - along with pleasant running weather - I should be able to graduate to longer distances without too much difficulty, perhaps even reach the half-marathon range by summertime or fall.

Will I be able to maintain the stamina for running six-miles until April?    

I ran 10K or 6 miles 'with honours' on Oct. 28, 2017.

Here's what I know after one month of trying to 'hold steady'.

 I finished last week with a solid 29 miles of walks and runs.

 Weekly average is now just a bit north of 27 miles.

I finished November (26 - 29) with four good outings, including two runs of five miles (no problemo), healthy walks and a couple of rides on an exercise bike. Though my weekly average of miles remained steady, the total number of runs in November declined, partly due to "nose to the grindstone" while preparing for a presentation, followed by a mini-vacation with son Paul in Chicago.  

We travelled a lot by foot in Chicago, burning off brewpub calories.

I know I 'got out the door' 83% of the days in November, and covered 114.5 miles during the month (about average for 2017). Motivation and miles aren't a problem.

That being said, though I covered the 5-mile distance during runs without problem, I will need to cover slightly longer distances in December in order to become more confident about my current "six-mile-stamina." If I wish to maintain it until April, more bricks in the wall will surely be needed this month.

Good view one mile away from my home. Easy walkn.

Good view one hour away from my home. Easy drivin.

So, more news and views to follow. 

Please link to Hold Steady (4).

Photos GH

Hold Steady (4).

Out the Door on Good Snow Tires.

[Photo: The engine is all warmed up too]

I'm now a full week back from a wee trip to Chicago and the related high-calorie-consumption. But my engine is warmed up and I'm nicely back to my walkn/running routine.

Out the door six days in a row. 30 miles.

I covered 30 miles in six days, and included two slow and steady runs. And if I can complete a half-dozen more runs over the next two weeks, even in the snow (if it comes), then I should be back in solid form.

My 10-week average for miles is in solid territory.

Photos from along the way:

Out walkn in Chicago. 

Some of "the related high-calorie-consumption" : )

Note the 3 lb. Dreamsicle Bar, centre! That's for me!!

Back home in The Village. It's not really all uphill from here!

Please link to Hold Steady (3).

Photos GH

Hold Steady (3).

Back to Work, Eh!

[Photo: Heading home after a good work day]

My son and I enjoyed a mini-vacation in Chicago recently. We walked and tubed and bused around the boisterous city and I recorded a few miles of WALKN everyday, and an estimated total of 21 miles over six days.

I could have walked more, but my young son couldn't keep up! Joke.

So, I'm back in town, and ready to get back to my goal of 'holding steady', aiming to complete 5 - 6 brisk walks and determined runs per week. By doing so, I hope to be ready for a spring time challenge. Maybe another 10K at a faster speed than my last one. Maybe a 10-miler or half marathon. 

Before supper I walked 4.5 miles and enjoyed every step. Tomorrow is another day and I will continue to get back to work.

Please link to Hold Steady (2).

Photos GH

Hold Steady (2).

Taking My Time.

[Photo: Lots of lovely miles ahead]

As I age I grow more patient and aware of advantages related to taking one's time.

Winter is coming, lovely miles of good path lay ahead of me (for walking, jogging).

 HS2, or Hold Steady 2 (out of 125). In Oxford Park, 4.5 miles long.

Each week I plan to complete two walks or jogs of 6 miles. Slow.

My other weekly walks/jogs will be in the 3 - 5 mile range. Steady.

I look forward to the 125 walks/jogs ahead, that will take me to Mar. 31, 2018 (approx.). I plan to hold steady to the good foundation of fitness I've built over the last two years. I know I'm usually not as pressed for time as during summer months, now that the motorcycle is ready for storage and my busy workshop is closed. So, confidence runs high.

Photos from along the way:

 A lovely path and park just west of Wharncliffe Rd., south of Oxford St.

 Good colour in the Kiwanis Park, end of Paul St. A quiet zone.

Taking the high road opposite Harris Park. Lovely miles.

Please link to Hold Steady (1).

Photos GH

Hold Steady (1).

Stay the Course, Naturally.

[Photo: My winter routes and goals are almost all mapped out]

Yesterday afternoon I completed a four-mile walk to Gibbons Park in North London. While listening to a Knights game on a portable radio I mapped out a 5, and 6-mile route on the same path.

"A five-mile turnaround (TA) point - 2.5 miles from my front door - is clearly marked on the Baldwin Flats," I said to myself. "But the six-mile TA is not."

However, I know what to do, so I'll walk the distance and mark the spot on a future 'fun and fitness' outing. Then I'll be set until March 31, 2018 (or thereabouts).

 Yesterday's walk was SP50, the end of a set of 50 good walks and runs. 

What will my next set of goals be?

I know I can also use the Terry Fox Pathway (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6-mile TAs, and more, are easily identifiable) and other familiar routes, but the loop through Harris and Gibbons Park is my favourite. I know I'll use it often while completing my next set of goals over the next five months (approx.).

Goals for my next 125 outings:

"Hold Steady" my present level of fitness

Get out the door often (4 - 6 days per week on average)

Complete the 125 outings by about April 1, 2018

Complete 2 walks, 2 walk/runs and 2 runs per week, whenever possible

Maintain a comfortable pace, about 6 min./km when running, within my limits

Maintain my endurance at 6-miles, at least

Lots of lovely miles ahead:

Years ago I had plenty of winter running gear. Sadly, when my interest in long distance running declined after participating in the Boston Marathon (The Big One, 2005), I cleaned out my closets and currently only have a few bits of winter stuff. So, I guess I know what I'll be asking others to get me for Christmas!

New tights. But not too tight!

More to follow as winter approaches.

Please link to Feeling Some Pressure (10).

Photos GH