Great Walking Season Ahead?
[Port Bruce: Bike rides are over for 2018]
I motorcycled to the north shore of Lake Erie on Monday, October 22nd, and realized - with teeth almost chattering - that a significant season was ending. I took a few photographs and rode away, sun on my back, hoping to warm up by the time I returned home.
Cool weather will cause me to put the bike into storage (and did so, the next day), but it doesn't dampen my desire to continue to walk during Canada's colder seasons... fall and winter. While wearing a warm jacket, gloves and toque, the miles do seem to fly by.
Readers may know that 'October 2015' was my first full month of dedicated walking for which I have records, other than the occasional photograph on another long-running blog. (See My Morning Walk - Jailhouse 2, from Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, at IT STRIKES ME FUNNY). I averaged about 100 miles per month during that first fall, and about 130 mi./mo. during the first winter. I have not slowed down since that time. Currently I am covering about 30 miles per week, whatever the season.
On my mind: Recently I encountered two older running mates (Ruud and Tony, see next photo) from my time as a member of a pack. And though I have been enjoying the last several weeks of "simply and steadily walking" (with no big thoughts about running on my mind), when they mentioned they still meet on the same day, at the same time (as we did in the past), and still go out for a pint after their run, I got to thinking.
I know, I just said "with no big thoughts about running on my mind."
But... I was actually getting back to running this past summer (twice) until the humidity hit record levels (twice). So... thoughts about running have not completely disappeared from my thoughts.
Though I am reluctant to consider running outside once snow and ice appear on the ground (I might fall and not get back up), I recall that I used to do a lot of my training - hill work, speed work, long runs - on a treadmill at the Downtown YMCA. I was "the treadmill guy" for three years and I liked it. The treadmill actually helped me run my fastest marathon and thereby qualify for the Boston Marathon - all the time indoors, no snow, no ice.
Don Kelly and I walked 4 miles, including hills (MM = Mighty Mountains)
From my first month of records, Oct. 1, 2015.
I've now sorted out what to wear and when.
On my mind: Recently I encountered two older running mates (Ruud and Tony, see next photo) from my time as a member of a pack. And though I have been enjoying the last several weeks of "simply and steadily walking" (with no big thoughts about running on my mind), when they mentioned they still meet on the same day, at the same time (as we did in the past), and still go out for a pint after their run, I got to thinking.
I know, I just said "with no big thoughts about running on my mind."
But... I was actually getting back to running this past summer (twice) until the humidity hit record levels (twice). So... thoughts about running have not completely disappeared from my thoughts.
Though I am reluctant to consider running outside once snow and ice appear on the ground (I might fall and not get back up), I recall that I used to do a lot of my training - hill work, speed work, long runs - on a treadmill at the Downtown YMCA. I was "the treadmill guy" for three years and I liked it. The treadmill actually helped me run my fastest marathon and thereby qualify for the Boston Marathon - all the time indoors, no snow, no ice.
Three Amigos, back row, left. Ruud, Gord, Tony.
What I'm saying is, I'm thinking about renewing my membership at the Downtown YMCA. If I give the idea the 'thumbs up' then I will likely start in early November.
Would I like running on a treadmill again? And stick to it?
More to follow.
I continue to do my stretches, sit ups, push ups, weights. 25x.
Pat and Gord, April 2005. Will I ever return to running form?
PS. During yesterday's walk I picked up an information folder from the Downtown YMCA. On the way home I picked up an 'automatic transfer form' from my bank.
The GREAT Canadian Comeback continues.
YMCA on November 1? Stay tuned.
Please link to Simply and Steadily Walking 2.
Photos GH
No comments:
Post a Comment