A Better Idea (1).

There's Always More Than One Way to Go.

Neon "Great Idea" is found at Merit Brewery, James St. N., Hamilton*

As I get older I feel I am making fewer quick or snap decisions.

I drive slower too - and like it - but that's another story.

In my last entry I said the following:

I am thinking about 'pausing' my YMCA membership for four months, beginning the break near the end of May. And during the pause I will make full use of London's multi-purpose pathways in the hopes of becoming one of our city's slowest, steadiest and sveltest senior runners in modern-day history. So, the GREAT Canadian Comeback continues.

Well, I did think about pausing my Y membership, and well before stepping up to the main counter and saying, "Let's do it now."

Smooth move on my part, because a few good thoughts about 'the pause' have come to mind in the meantime:

I would not have easy access to a great pool during the summer months; I'd have to set up a sprinkler in the back yard and I have no idea if I even have one; I would miss what has become a regular cycling routine at the Y with a good book in my hand; I would miss the regular weight and stretching routine - and that's a lot of good stuff to give up.

So, now I'm leaning toward 'no pause.' Instead, I may just alternate trips to the Y and trips to the paths. I can enjoy both worlds (indoors and outdoors) while working toward the same goals as above, i.e., slow and steady efforts toward ultimate svelteness.

Paul and I pause in front of our reflections in Hamilton*, April 13th.

*My two sons and I walked a lot while in Hamilton for "a boys' beer tour" (the reflection above was captured at Collective Arts Beer Store) and trip to The Brain. All good ideas too, solidly connected to fun and fitness.

Please link to Still at the YMCA, But.... (4).

Photos GH

Still at the YMCA, But.... (4).

Progress is Progress is Progress.

London's off-street pathways will soon be home to a lot of activity.

I started the month of April by saying, "The annoyance of slight pain in the left hip has not returned, so I will very gradually increase the amount of running for a few weeks, with some minor increase in speed... and I will see where that leads."

To date, I have continued to walk to the YMCA regularly and combine 'very slow running' with walking on a treadmill. I cover 2.0 to 2.75 miles, alternating walking at a steady speed for e.g., 0.05 mi., with running for 0.15 mi. 'Easy does it' is my motto and I am gradually increasing my running speed and distance.

Pathways skirt the Thames River inside London. Time to walk/run!

I am thinking about 'pausing' my YMCA membership for four months, beginning the break near the end of May. And during the pause I will make full use of London's multi-purpose pathways in the hopes of becoming one of our city's slowest, steadiest and sveltest senior runners in modern-day history.

So, the GREAT Canadian Comeback continues.

Stay tuned for svelteness updates.

Heading home through Harris Park.

Please link to Still at the YMCA, But... (3)

Photos GH

Photographs: From Along the Way (2).

Road Trip vs Sidewalk Trip!

These late-March snowfalls make me think, "Gordie-Boy... road trip!"

If I had a larger VW camper I'd be packing it right now.

And forget the maps, we'll just follow our noses.

Detroit, the I-75 South, and follow the signs to Nashville. The rest takes care of itself.

But I don't have a larger camper van. So I'll be sticking to the sidewalk.

Photos From Along the Way:

Please link to Photographs: From Along the Way (1).

Photos GH

Still at the YMCA, But.... (3).

One Last Try for the Gipper?

I'm going to ride ze bull one more time. Slowest runner ever.

I stayed off the treadmill - running-wise - for a few weeks and my concern about a sore left hip lessened, as expected. I think I had been running too far too fast and the break from 3 - 6 mile runs did me good.

In March I still kept walking a good number of miles per week, and riding an exercise bike regularly (good book in hand), and completing sets on various weight machines, thus keeping the dream of "svelteness in this lifetime" alive.

 

I covered 182.25 miles in March, walking and riding combined.

Total miles per week, for the last 15 weeks, can be seen above, and my 10 Week Average stayed near 41 or 42 miles from Feb. 24 to March 30. Not bad for a geezer : )

Pumping iron w free weights and 5 machines, 25 or 30 reps at a time.

"Look at dem pipes!" (Yeh, right!)

Last week I started to include a minimal amount of slow treadmill running in my routine, and so far all is well. The annoyance of slight pain in the left hip has not returned, so I will very gradually increase the amount of running for a few weeks, with some minor increase in speed... and I will see where that leads.

Old South was hit with a bit of snow yesterday. Nice day for walking, for sure.

The thought has occurred to me that when I started running (or jogging; "out for a jog" it was 'a thing' in those days) back in the early 1970s, I thought it was a big deal to jog a couple of miles 3 or 4 times per week.

Last week I added a bit of running here and there. Slow as a slug. 

Hopefully, the snow will be gone soon. 

I've hit the YMCA over 100 times since November 1, 2018. $3.65 per visit.

I wonder if I'm heading toward a "going full circle" type of situation? 

I think I could live with that, heading out for an evening jog, feeling the breeze blow through what's left of my hair.

: )

Please link to Still at the YMCA, But.... (2).

Photos GH