The GREAT Canadian Fish Story December 2020 (1)

AKA "1000 Maybe 2000 Fish" in the Thames River

The fins of Gizzard Shad look like tiny shark fins. 

Introduction:

Just 250m north of Black Friars Bridge on the Thames Valley Parkway (east side of the Thames River) one comes to a spot where the pathway narrows and passes over a very small stream. Black metal railways keep one from falling into the water if you're looking at a loose shoelace and not what lies ahead.

In late November - early December the mouth of the stream was alive with "1000 Maybe 2000 Fish" as I liked to say. I took numerous photos and a few videos over the period of 4 - 5 days and I must say - because I have never seen such a thing - they still fascinate me. 

I have read that the fish are called Gizzard Shad and information about the name could likely form the basis of another story. I say, knock yourself out!

Below I share a few "photos and videos from along the way":  

Still shot: A few more photos can be found here "Productive November"

Video: 6 seconds. GH

More to follow.

Photos and Videos GH

A Week's Work in December 2020 (1)

The First Week of December is "Carry On-Style"

My Average 'Miles Per Week' is Under Review

Looking south on an icy path through Harris Park, London

Introduction:

The first good snowfall of winter occurred during the first week of December. Every scene I had encountered on my regular walking/running routes over the spring, summer and fall was drastically different. White, crisp, clear and cold had replaced green, colourful, warm, and easy miles.

Due to a minor but frustrating foot injury in late October I altered my fun and fitness routine. Running was out. Regular lengthy walks were out. Shorter walks to test the foot and 'reading and riding' (i.e., bicycling on a recumbent exercise bike) became the norm. And now that I'm in the habit, shorter walks and bicycling will likely get me through the winter. Running shoes are on a shelf.

During the last seven days my routine was "carry on-style", much like the last three weeks of November:

Sunday - Walk (W) 7.5 miles

Monday - W 4.5 miles, Bicycle (B) 3 miles (45 minutes: 15 minutes = 1 mile on my equivalency chart)

Tuesday - W/B 7.0 miles (3.5 miles each)

Wednesday - W 6.25 miles

Thursday - W 4.75 miles, while my car was fitted with snow tires

Friday - W/B 8.0 miles

Saturday - B 5.25 miles (83 min.)

Total - 46.25 miles (10-Week Average - 46.0 miles) 

Since I don't like running on slippery, snow-covered pathways or sidewalks or at the edge of city streets, the next 12 - 16 weeks will likely follow the above pattern. Boring? Only if I run out of good book to read, and right now I have a pile of interesting books that fill half of the bottom shelf on a bookcase beside my exercise bike. Oh yeah, I'm ready for some entertaining and educational miles on the bike.

More details to follow shortly.

Photos from Along the Way:

December is "Carry On-Style," weekly average may drop to 40 - 45 mi./wk.

Relax'n in my workshop 2019. Party time is over 'til COVID is over

Gord, suck it in!! "Sorry, I was captivated by scenes west of Utterson" : ) 

Since those "heavy days" I've enjoyed fewer Big Macs w Fries, Whoppers!

"1,000 Maybe 2,000 Fish" recently caught my eye in the Thames River

Spotted as recently as Dec. 5, two days ago (I'll look again today)

Note the fins of Gizzard Shad in front of first girl on the left

Winter arrived last week! 

Welcome to Canada, eh!

For more details and photographs related to The GREAT Canadian Comeback please link to Productive November Draws to an End by GH.

Photos GH

Productive November Draws to an End

The Walks Take Me Past My Favourite Fish Pond!

The Bike Rides Help Me Catch Up on Reading

1,000 maybe 2,000 Gizzard Shad appeared near the TVP for four

days in late November. I have never seen anything like this.

Introduction:

I started off the month by adding a lot of cycling (recumbent exercise bike) to my weekly routine due to a minor foot injury. Then I combined walking + biking for most days in the rest of the month (e.g., a 4-mile walk + a 45 - 60-minute bike ride while reading WAR by Gwynne Dyer). 

I have such a tall pile of books beside the bike, I will probably continue to 'read and ride' during the cold and slippery months of winter, and wait until warm, pleasant weather returns before I get back to a slow and steady running routine. 

The walk/bike routine takes about two hours

I spotted the "1,000 maybe 2,000 fish" on Friday - Sunday near the TVP,

about 250 metres north of Black Friars Bridge. So did many others!

Most of the shad are mere inches below the surface, very visible to the patient

observer, though many fins appear in front of the spectator, farthest left. Sunday

I finished the month with a good walk on Sunday and a W/B combo today

"Steady Eddie" ended Nov. with a 46.5-mile weekly average, the same as October.

Not much to see today, just a circling shark!

The sky was gray, the water murky; the shad were almost invisible!

Please link to the previous post - A Week's Work in November 2020

Unattributed Photos GH

A Week's Work in November 2020

 It May Be All Walking and Biking 'Til Spring 

A hard snow is a-gonna fall but I still want to travel outta-doors

Introduction:

The weather in London ONT did a flip flop this week. I would like to say, "a flip flop like no other," but - thanks to global warming - most of us are getting used to 4 - 5 different types of weather systems during any given week.

I could have gone walking in shorts on Thursday and Friday, the weather was so mild. And today I bet some people are digging out their winter boots and worrying that they haven't put their snow tires on the car yet.

That being said, after taking a few photos off the front porch this morning and examining the evidence ("Yup, it's snowing!"), I think I'll be wearing an extra layer, but I will still get my 7 - 8 mile walk completed in running shoes. (I know, it's a first-world problem, eh).

Last Sunday I biked (recumbent exercise bike, with a tall pile of good books beside it) for about two hours, and worked up a good sweat. And then I walked/biked (combo) for a total of about two hours for the next four days to see how my right foot would hold up. It was AOK, so. I finished off the week with two good walks, in the 5 - 6 mile range.

Am I going to get back to running during the winter months? I don't think so. If memory serves, I haven't done much winter running over the last several years - well, maybe a bit at the YMCA, because I could wear shorts on the treadmills, and I like treadmills. But it's closed now. 

This is good walking weather!

I bet I'll continue to enjoy walking and the walk/bike combo until spring. And when the weather warms I'll get back to some form of a walk/run combo. And if there is a half-marathon scheduled in London during the spring of 2021 I'll be gearing my runs toward 13.1 miles... if all goes well : )

See you on the TVP trails!

Please link to Four Weeks Have Flown By!

Photos GH

Four Weeks Have Blown By!

The Key to Success is "Making Time for Fun and Fitness" : )

Stats From Oct. 18 - Nov. 14, 2020

Leave the house, lock it up, cross the street, keep going for 3 - 4 miles

Introduction:

Last time I posted an entry, four weeks ago, I mentioned a few words about my progress during the week of October 11 - 17. I'd covered 49 miles in six days of walking and running. Healthy as a horse, i.e., a healthy horse with good horse power.

Looking back, if I'd had a half-marathon race on Sunday, Oct. 18th, I would have finished in 2 hours and six minutes or better (6:00 min./km). But I didn't have a race to look forward to (once I'd learned the Hamilton 30Km Road Race had been officially cancelled in early October), just a goal to enjoy the outdoors and maintain a good fun and fitness schedule.

Since that time (to Nov. 15) I have mainly walked and biked (only two runs) every day but five, and covered 180 miles (using an equivalency chart; 1.e., 15 min. biking = 1 mile walking/running).

However, sometime between Oct. 25 - 28 I rolled my right foot twice off the edge of the tarmac on the Thames Valley Parkway. As well, I stepped into two divots that were hard to see due to fallen leaves, shadows and puddles on the paths.

As a result, on Oct. 28 I declared an injury, and began to do a fair bit of biking (indoors) to maintain my fitness routine, along with a bit of careful, shorter-distance walking to help assess the healing process. And today I would say I still need to emphasize the biking - and limit the walking - for another week at least.

I am fortunate I have a decent recumbent bike and a pile of good books I wish to read : ) I am also fortunate that I am used to (have the habit of) carving about two hours out of each day for a reasonable exercise routine. I would imagine that for most people the battle to carve out time for exercise is the toughest hurdle they face when developing a satisfactory and satisfying 'fun and fitness' schedule. 

"What must one give up to pick up an extra 60 - 120 minutes per day for exercise?" 

That is the question. And if I were to write a book about The GREAT Canadian Comeback I think Chapter One would be all about answering that question.

Until then, here are some photos from along the way:

Taking life easy last weekend

Scottish piping, Harris Park

"Getting Out the Door" is the secret to success, exercise-wise : )

"Running Faster Than Bears" is the secret to survival

Ready for Hallowe'en "Trickr Treatrs"

Short walk on Oct. 27; no walk Oct. 28 due to "injury"

"heel better!" - I was overly optimistic on Oct. 29

Lots of biking in November

I reduced travel due to weather and a foot injury

When the snow is gone take a road trip to Charlotteville Brewery 

Please link to the previous post - A Week's Work (7)

Photos GH