Photographs: Lots of Walkn and Fishn in 2021

The Months Go By, in Foto Files from January - March

The "1000 Maybe 2000 Fish" Survived the Winter

Some vivid memories return as I search my Foto Files

Introduction:

I did more walking and biking than running during the first three months of this year due to a slight foot problem. As a result, I carried a camera on more days than not.

Below are 53 photos from different walking trails in the city of London. I include as well one 14-second video, fish related. Gizzard Shad filled a small tributary (Carling Creek) of the Thames River just north of Blackfriars Bridge beginning in late fall, and a handful survived the winter. That being said, 1000s of minnows now inhabit the same portion of the aforementioned creek, so another round of "fish fotos" may grace these pages in the future.

First, here's a view from my front porch while I'm lacing up my boots:



The first flowers of January!

Only one bench left on TVP North

I'm impressed with the good ice opposite Harris Park, London

TVP West, aka Terry Fox Pathway

Morse Code on my back deck: "Wear warm socks"

The neighbourhood skunk had a walk-about the back yard

The entrance to the skunk's den, under my shed

On the TVP West to Wonderland Gardens:













On the TVP North, on the flats near UWO:



Downtown London is linked via TVP to UWO:













I spotted just a few fish near Blackfriars, early March:



I'm now on TVP West:












The last snows of March, 2021:







This is a puzzle, north of Wortley Village:



I'm heading north to Gibbons Park on St. Patrick's Day:

A wee bit o' green in Gibbons Park

                     A wee bit o' grin in Gibbons Park on St. Paddy's Day

The "1000 Maybe 2000 Fish" are now "100 Maybe 200 Fish":

Some of the Gizzard Shad look pretty beat up!

Presenting... the One Video!

Wee minnows are abundant in Carling Creek

More photographs to follow. I walk, run, bike and take pictures.

Questions or comments can be added below. Cheers!

Please link to more news and views (pics) at A Year's Work, 2020

Photos, Video by GH

Video: Walking and Biking Shorts (4)

February, an Active Month in Spite of the Cold

A view of Harris Park and TVP North, London ONT

Introduction:

The snow fell in January, the three branches of the Thames Valley Parkway became ice-covered, my running miles declined and my (exercise) biking miles increased. I travelled 200 miles in January and about 180 in February. For those who think in kilometres, I covered about 600 Km total in those two months.

I Walked and Biked, Plus... I added some stretches and easy weights

to my routine in February. I averaged about 45 points* per week

*Using a scientifically engineered and rigorously tested "Equivalency Chart," I count 15 minutes of cycling or 20 minutes of stretching/easy weights as 1 mile in my daily journal. And if miles or points were dollars and I had a savings account, the savings would be going north (the right way to go). 

I could say more! So, I'll let a new video do the talking:

Walking and Biking Shorts (4)

Produced and Directed by Old-What's-His-Face

Please link to Video: Walking and Running Shorts (3)

Photos and Video by GH

Video: Walking and Running Shorts (3)

The Snow Will Slow Me Down in January 2021

200 Miles Seems to be My New Monthly Target

SNOW - I don't mind shovelling the stuff, but I don't like running in it

Introduction:

When I was younger I seem to recall few problems ploughing through 6 - 10 inches of snow with buddies in a running group. We focussed on finishing a planned route in preparation for our next half-marathon, 30 Km, or full-marathon, yabbering to one another - with quite a few laughs - all along the way.

Today is different. Post-seventy, I don't want to slip or fall or turn an ankle on an icy lump hidden by the white stuff.

That being said, January started off with relatively mild temperatures and I took the opportunity (on clean streets and paths) to add runs to my routine, with thoughts about preparing for an April half-marathon. By January 21st I was running smoothly. Slow and steady.

200 total miles. 10 weeks in the 45 mile range. Average = 45.775 miles

A few more details about the first month of 2021 are found in the video below: 

To see the previous video, please link to Video: Walking Shorts (2)

And to view the previous entry on this site, please link to A Year's Work, 2020

Photos and Videos GH

A Year's Work, 2020

 Steady Progress, Positive Stats, Good Views = A Win 

2020 Sets Me Up Nicely for More Good Clean Fun

"I covered over 2,000 miles in 2020. Many more lie ahead," says Steady Eddie

Introduction:

The journal and monthly stats for the year just past don't lie. 

I walked and ran for fun and fitness for all 12 months, stayed within my limits, suffered only one minor injury, took hundreds of photos, ran my first virtual half-marathon, won my age-group (I was the virtual winner!), earned the nickname 'Steady Eddie' (yeah, I thought of it myself), wore out a few pairs of socks and a couple of pairs of running shoes, kept abreast of the laundry, didn't make any promises I couldn't keep, made a lot of soup in my slow-cooker... but I digress.

Stats for December 2020 tell a colourful tale. "The guy keeps at it!"

By The Numbers:

I walked or ran on 320 out of 366 days in 2020. Or, I got out the door on 87.4% of the days of the year. Makes me think, if I'd scored that high in math and science while in school... why, I coulda punched my own ticket!

That being said, even at my current age (70+), my prospects look bright for the future. I may not walk/run as many miles - on average - over the next ten years as I did in 2020 (2,381 miles, or 3835 km), but I bet I'll be 2,000-plus miles for at least a few more years. I'll keep journals and stat sheets, and keep adding posts here on occasion. You're welcome to visit anytime!

For the first three months of the year I was a member at a local YMCA, so that boosted my mileage. And in the future I don't know if the YMCA will be an option for me, and if it is, I don't know if I will want to return. I seem to be doing AOK out on the city pathways and I'm discovering new routes as I go along. So, a dip in mileage is somewhat expected. 

At present, I am maintaining a 45-miles-per-week average (45 miles x 52 weeks = 2340 mi.; nice goal) and that is very close to my 2020 average (45.8 mi./wk.). I am motivated by the desire to run another half-marathon in April and run at least as fast as I did last year. Beyond that we will see what we will see. 

So, "outward and onward" I shall go.

A few photos from the highlight reel:

"Cheers! Hope to see you out there!" Powered by Guinness

"There are a lot of stories out on the trails. How about a '1000 fish' story! 

The TVP South Branch is a peaceful route

One season ends, another begins

Please link to The GREAT Canadian Fish Story (1)

For more details about Gizzard Shad please visit "1000 Maybe 2000 Fish": The Movie : )

Yes, more fun and fitness ahead, and more fish than you can shake a stick at!

Photos and Videos GH

Video: Walking Shorts (2)

Walking a Lot in December 2020

Turning Photos into Videos

I saw a lot of dedicated runners in December. Maybe I'll get back at it?

Introduction:

I keep a daily journal related to my fun and fitness routine (re walking, running and biking miles) and - according to my colourful records - I didn't miss a day during December.

A lot of other walkers and runners and cyclists (on bikes with big, fat tires) were outside on a regular basis as well, and one or two athletes appear in photos I take along the way.

Occasionally I take time to turn stills into videos, using a free app called Adobe Spark.

"I hope to see you out there!"

Please link to an earlier entry called "1000 Maybe 2000 Fish" Still a Story.

As of early January, though the river is higher by 1 - 2 feet and the water is murkier - the fish are still visible.

Photos GH