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