Run Prep 1.

Time to Get Off My Duff.

[Photo: Four lads hold a steady pace in Gibbons Park]

A steady six-miler on Sunday marked the end of the "Hold Steady" series of winter-time walks. Now I will concentrate on preparing for two races - a 10K and a half-marathon.

All local paths are now clear of snow and ice. Time to run.

The Plan: Start nice and easy and work my way toward slow, steady and svelte. Underline the svelte.

 Sunday - Hold Steady #125! Monday - Run Prep #1 @ 7 miles.

Lots of walk/runs - in the 4 - 6 mile range - are on the menu.

Photos from along the way:

 Good habits - 1,000 sit-ups and push-ups coming up tomorrow.

Long road ahead for run prep.

Please link to Hold Steady 16.

Photos GH

Hold Steady 16.

Photos, By the Mile.

[Seasons in transition on London pathways]

Throughout the winter months I generally walked north to Gibbons Park (above) and Baldwin Flats, or west to the Terry Fox Pathway. I had a goal in mind - run enough to hold my stamina at 6 miles - but poor footing got in the way.

Paths have been clearer recently, so I see runners more frequently, and I will soon be one of them.

That being said, I was able to hold my mileage steady - from November to March, about 30 miles per week - and when I ran 2 times in March, I easily covered six miles at a slow and steady pace. (Steady Eddie is alive and well).

And my fitness routine (incl. stretching, sit ups, push ups, a few weights) is a very steady habit and Charles Atlas will soon be able to retire.

Photos from along the way:

 Blackfriars Bridge is still in the shop for polishing

 95% of winter white has retreated to the North Pole

 My second favourite bridge on my walking route

 16 push ups, 16 sit ups, 16 of this, 16 of that! 1,000 - coming soon!

 My winter goals - a very good success rate

 Good walk/run on Sunday, the 18th.

 Steady Eddie miles of March.

New Spring goals are coming up.

More to follow.

Please link to Hold Steady 15.

Photos GH.

The Comeback: Photos From Along The Way.

Is it Early Spring, Late Fall? Sunday?

[Photo: Walking north 'tween Blackfriars and Oxford. Bridge* has been stolen.]

Just kidding.

(*Blackfriars Bridge has been removed for polishing).

As I walked north yesterday toward Gibbons Park and Baldwin Flats I noticed that paths were lined with browned leaves, fallen branches and inklings of snow and ice. A stranger to our region and fickle seasons would rightfully be confused about the time of year.

"Is it late fall, early winter, possibly spring?"

And if the stranger was several-years-retired there could be other questions.

"Is it Tuesday or Sunday? Is there a decent pub on Oxford Street**?"

Photos from along the way:

 I can almost do 700 pushups in a row.... er, two months : )

 Yesterday. Or October 28th. Maybe Dec. 6th.

 January, no doubt!

 Two weeks ago in Port Bruce.

**Not to my knowledge.

Please link to Hold Steady 15.

Photos GH

Hold Steady 15.

Running Down, Miles Up.

[Photo: Maintaining 'peace o mind' as warmer weather nears]

I'm not jumping up and down upon my head just because I'm not doing any running this winter. I'm doing lots of walking instead. I know, I wanted to run half the time and keep my 'run stamina' in the 6-mile or 10-kilometre range BUT I don't like running - even slowly, which is my usual speed - on snowy or icy surfaces. AND I'm not going to return to treadmill running at a local YMCA in order to achieve that one goal.

Fussy, eh?! 

I'm holding steady in other areas so once warmer weather arrives and paths are clear I will adapt to slow, steady running and be ready for a 10-Km. run by late May or early June - without any difficulty.

 Trails in Lindsay follow a rail line north to Fenelon Falls. Excellent!

 Pigeons are building nests under a bridge inside Lindsay

Scugog River passes by Old Mill Park near downtown Lindsay

 Lots of good walking in Lindsay, most under blue and sunny skies.

 Excellent mileage during 25 walks in 28 days. Steady Eddie.

Weekly average is holding steady.

More photos from along the way:

Hopefully I will see you out there.

Please link to Hold Steady 14.

Photos GH.