WALKN Miles in 2017 (21).

All Kinds of Weather.

Tough Hide Required at Times.

The weather keeps changing this winter. Snow boots on a Tuesday, shorts on a Wednesday and Wellies every Friday. And it's only January.

I suspect that walkers in other locales will make similar remarks. That being said, apart from regular costume changes, my walking routine has progressed well - so far - in 2017.

Two good walks and a day off to end the week at 32.5 miles 

I walked another marathon and took a few photos along the way:

Lots of sunshine while wearing too much gear!

Please link to WALKN Miles in 2017. TZ2 (20).

Photos GH

WALKN Miles in 2017. TZ2 (20).

Extra Miles This Week (Month!)

Wider than usual is the mighty Thames. It's not alone.

I'm wider too. Thanks to the weight of Christmas cookies eaten over the last month my waist is wider than in November. I can tell. I can barely touch my toes and my favourites jeans are a titch tighter.

There are even more cookies to be unwrapped and enjoyed, so that means I'll have to add a few more miles to my routine over the next few weeks. Cookies in, cookies out. 'Recovery mode' 'til mid-February.

I'll be back on the bike tonight with another good book

Photos from along the way:

Please link to WALKN Miles in 2017. TZ2 (19).

Photos GH

WALKN Miles in 2017. TZ2 (19).

Homeward Bound

Cathcart Street is quiet as I head north toward home.

Last summer I tried my hand at jogging - after a ten-year hiatus - and, after many sorties, developed a smooth, easy stride. I called one set of outings (of 100 walks/jogs) The Transition Zone because I was attempting to do more than walk a few miles per day, I was attempting to transform into an efficient, world-class runner again, albeit very gradually, one step at a time, within my reasonable limits.

"World-class" may be a bit of a stretch, of course, but, be that as it may, I enjoyed several fairly lengthy runs and feeling a breeze flow through what's left of my hair. So, I called my current set of 120 walk/runs "Transition Zone 2" (or Transition Zone Squared) and hope to trot me way tow world-class running again when the weather warms up.

Yesterday, while completing TZ2 #63 (out of 120), I felt that, had I been wearing running clothes, I could easily have jogged a few blocks at an easy pace.

Stand back. I've found my spandex tights!!

Homeward Bound!

We shall see what we shall see.

: )

Please link to WALKN Miles in 2017. TZ2 (18).

Photos GH

WALKN Miles in 2017. TZ2 (18).

Off to a Good Start, I Say!

Yes, I've hit a few bad days for WALKN. (But not many).

The first month of 2017 has been gentle in many ways - if you're a regular walker or cyclist. After one thick snowfall the streets were soon bare again.

Will January be the warmest on record? Could be. I saw two motorcyclists on Sunday!!

Easy WALKN and BIKN so far.

I'm pretty sure my biking miles will be higher this month than usual because - when asked about Christmas gifts - I suggested people give me books, bargain table books, even used ones. So, I have a stack two feet high! READN and RIDN will be my thing 'til end of February, I bet.

Photos from along the way:

As the miles pile up, the book pile will fall.

Please link to WALKN Miles in 2017. TZ2 (17).

Photos GH

WALKN Miles in 2017. TZ2 (17).

I Aim for a Marathon Per Week.

My aim is straight and true.

Mild weather and clean sidewalks helped to make this an 'easy walkn' week. My goal was to cover - at least - marathon mileage, i.e., 26.2 miles or 42.2 km, and I had 30 miles wrapped up after my walk home from Friday's hockey game at Budd Gawdens.

By the Numbers:

 I was BIKN on Thursday and WALKN on Friday

 Three WALKN marathons in January. One more?

My 10-week average reveals a 'Steady Eddie' approach to WALKN

My mileage over the last ten weeks has been very consistent: One week, while away, I walked 17 miles; during all the rest I covered 24 - 30 miles, with 7 weeks at marathon mileage or higher. 

Prediction - Barring unforeseen injuries or more than the usual number of vacations from WALKN, I should be able to walk 40 or more marathons in 2017. (3 in 3 weeks in 2017 so far). 

My aims are within my limits

Please link to WALKN Miles in 2017. TZ2 (16).

Photos GH

WALKN Miles in 2017. TZ2 (16).

WALKN One Marathon Per Week.

Overtop the Horton Street extension, walkn toward Harris Park

Atop the tracks between Horton and York Streets

This week (January 15 - 21) I have covered my miles in a variety of ways, with a marathon of miles (26.2) as my target. I think the goal is a good one, easy to remember, appropriate for a retired marathon runner and certainly within my limits (I walked slightly more than one marathon per week in 2016, on average).

 Thanks to global warming, Sunday was easy walkn.

Sunday's walk on the Terry Fox Pathway (6.75 miles) on a sunny day started the week in fine style. Monday's walk to Berkshire Village - easy kap-easy. On Tuesday, after a 3 PM visit, I was loaned a book (by the son of a WW2 correspondent) and spent part of the evening readn and ridn.

Walkn, playing hockey, more ridn, plus - walkn to a hockey game.

Variety is the spice of life.

Tonight (Friday, Jan. 20), after I walk downtown for supper with friend Bernie (currently, a fast marathoner), I will have covered this week's "walking marathon." Not bad for an old geezer.

More Photos From Along the Way:

I prefer snow over rain in January!!

 Please link to WALKN Miles in 2017. TZ2 (15).

Photos GH

WALKN Miles in 2017. TZ2 (15).

Can I Walk a Marathon Per Week?

There are many scenic walkways in London.

Several thoughts run - or briskly walk - through my head as I consider my fun and fitness (or walking/shuffling/jogging) goals for 2017.

In no particular order.... I realize I walked a lot of miles in 2016, i.e., 1439 miles in all. Should I match that total, or cover more or fewer miles in 2017? I shuffled and jogged 60 times last year, and developed a relatively smooth and easy stride. Where does jogging fit in during 2017? My desire to get out the door is consistently strong, I nurse no minor injuries, the streets are generally bare, routes are scenic, the air is fresh, I like afternoon or evening walks in the one to one and a half hour range, and I seem to be consistently hitting 20 - 30 miles per week without difficulty.

 On Wed., Jan 11 I walked before my hockey game. Smooth move.

Friday the 13th weather was good. I easily completed walk No. 54

(out of 120, the Transition Zone Squared set, i.e., TZ2) 

I like my routine and I don't think it needs much tweaking. Sure, I could do more stretching and strength training, and I think I will.... gradually, and in the near future. For certain, I seem to be aiming for 26.25 miles (marathon distance) per week with Saturdays off.

Will I be able to walk a marathon per week for 52 weeks in 2017? If I do, I would cover 1363 miles, down a bit from 2016.

We shall see what we shall see.

Photos from along the way:

Stay tuned for more WALKN in London, Ontario.

Please link to WALKN Miles in 2017. TZ2 (14).

Photos GH

WALKN Miles in 2017. TZ2 (14).

Tough SLUGN Equals Easy RIDN.

Sunday Photo - Yeh, I'll give it a try!

I lasted 25 minutes. The cold didn't send me back home, nor did the snow in the face. It was the footing. Two steps forward, one back. Walkn in tire tracks was easier but drivers couldn't see me very well. So..... I trudged home, grabbed a good book and put on my cycling shorts.

I completed 26.5 miles - a marathon - last week

Readn and Ridn is a great alternative to SLUGN

The sidewalks and streets in Old South have been ploughed so I bet I will have an easier time today.

Yesterday's storm created havoc on the 401, but not near Bruce St.

Please link to WALKN Miles in 2017. TZ2 (13).

Photos GH

Photos From Along the Way (2).

Ice Necklaces, and Walking Near the Thames.

Fortunately, I saved one of my old pocket cameras a few years back. It's coming in handy now - after I wiped off the dust - and after I dropped my newest pocket camera on the railroad tracks the other day....

 The two willows mark my turn-around-point, for a four-mile walk

Access to the tracks is just down the hill. 

And what was I doing walking on the railroad tracks anyway?

I thought I'd get a good picture or two before continuing with my day's walk.

Please link to Photos From Along the Way

Photos GH