Walking with a Camera

 Still Running? Not Me. But my Walking Habit -

With a Camera - is Very Regular. Steady Eddie!

"Walking the TVP" is now a popular video series : )

Introduction:

Occasionally I will run a few short distances, each followed by a walking break, just to see if I have it in me to run a 10 K or half marathon - my favourite 'long distance' race now, after several years of the training I went through to prepare for 13 marathons, including Boston. And while running a bit I admit to myself that I'm really not interested in a half marathon, not even a 10 K.

And the day after running a bit I get the feeling that my regular walks - usually 4 to 6 miles in length - are more than enough to support a fun and fitness routine that will last at least another 10 years. I really like walking, especially on days that I take a camera or two. There is a lot of wildlife out there that I enjoy tracking down, including a bird species, deer, fish in the Thames River (e.g., spotted gar!) and turtles.

Especially turtles. Snappers, red eared sliders, Common Map and Northern Map, painted and spiny soft shell turtles, most of which are listed as endangered species in Ontario.

As I walk about town on the Thames Valley Parkway I am aware of when I have walked 4 - 6 miles, hoping to maintain my 30 - 35 mile average each week. Currently my ten-week average is at 32.0 miles and I'm hoping to gradually bring it up to 35.

A spiny soft shell turtle in the Thames River
 

"There's always something going on at Turtle Point"

Because I have 16,000+ photographs and 667 videos taking up storage space on my iMac, and I keep getting reminders from Apple.Inc to buy more space, I have been trimming the numbers (very gradually, down from 24,000+!!) by making YouTube videos.

Especially about turtles : ) I've been at it so long that my family now buys me 'turtle gear' for birthdays and Christmas! Turtle t-shirts, PJs, stuffed toys, socks!!

Below I have provided links to a few recent videos. I now say that 'fun and fitness and cameras' go together. Whatever gets me out the door!

Walking the TVP, 2026 (11)

Turtle Music (1)

Even More Turtle Tours, 2026 (17)

Questions or comments can be dropped off here - gordh7700@gmail.com

Unattributed Photos GH

Running? Not Anymore. Walking? All the Time!

My Running Shoes Still Get a Daily Workout

Workout Goals Have Changed Due to... the Weather? ; )

Gord is out 'walking the TVP' (Thames Valley Parkway, London ONT)

Oh, I've got goals alright! Year round, all kinds of weather

Introduction:

The years have gone by quickly that's for sure. Almost four years have gone by since my last entry on this blog. In 2022 I trained for two half-marathons, did well in both age-group-wise (a first place and a second, but don't ask me how many runners were in my age-group : )

In 2023 I didn't continue running because of a problem with my right hip. Stiff, sore, especially after running. An inherited problem. Maybe even to be expected after the earlier 12 - 14 years of steady, hard, long-distance running, including 13 marathons, 9 'Around the Bay' races (Hamilton, 30 km.) and as many if not more half-marathons. That being said, if there is a half-marathon coming up this summer/fall that invites and accommodates walkers (i.e., they keep the clock running and water stations open for all walkers as well as runners) I will sign up tomorrow.

I didn't quit my fun and fitness routines, but I significantly changed them. I.e., no running, just walking. Generally aiming for 30 - 35 points per week, with 1 mile equal to 1 point and a short, daily 'weights and stretching' routine (approx. 10 - 12 minutes in length) equal to one-half point.

Am I sticking to it? I'd say the routine suits me just fine, and if I sort out my journals for all four year's worth of stats I'll say a bit more in the near future. I'm currently in the 30 - 35 points per week range but two dips require a bit of explainin'. (Ever been to the UK for two weeks? (Less walkn, more talkn.) 

I provide below a couple of links to current YouTube videos that reveal a bit more about my current interests related to fun and fitness:

Walking the TVP, London, 2026 (10) 

Turtle Tour Photo Gallery, 2026 (10) 

The TVP runs for several miles in three directions from downtown London.

I'm on the pathway just about every day, generally with my camera(s)

And there's always something going on at Turtle Point

(on the Mighty Thames River)

More details re my walking habit soon to follow.

Please click here to view more about "what's been going on."

Questions or comments? Contact me at gordh7700@gmail.com

Unattributed Photos GH