Speed Up, Man "Started the Week Easy"

Up to the Hospital

I would have started the week with the lovely number 7 (a seven-miler) but I was offered a ride home from UH and took it. I'll likely complete several longer walks later in the week.

 "I had the energy for seven but not the time. Crunch"

 "On route to Middlesex College and then University Hospital"

"Middlesex clock tower tells correct time"

Please link to Speed Up, Man 6 "Short Cruise Thru Old East"

Speed Up, Man 6 "Short Cruise Thru Old East"

Peregrine Falcon?

"I finished the week with a 3-miler, for a total of 34 miles"

(And I think I like my red tights more than the blue).

On Friday Don and I headed east toward our old stompin' grounds, i.e., past the Old Vic Tavern, Aberdeen PS (the site in which we taught together) and a marvel of a store called Stranos'. Oh, yeah, you really should drop by for bread, pastries, deli meats and cheeses. Right out of the 1950s, with Ma and Pa Stranos keeping very busy behind the counters.

 "Is this a peregrine falcon? Pigeon? Peregrine after eating a pigeon?"

(Atop an empty building on South St.)

 "Curious cats, wondering why I am on their lawn, in Old East."

"Looking west while walking backwards on Queen St. East"

On Saturday we visited the Farmers' Market and walked up and down several neat and tidy side streets. Short but sweet, I say.

Please link to Speed Up, Man 3 "My First Compliment"

Photos GH

Photos From Along the Way

Walkn, Slipn, Slidn

The walkway in Thames Park was partly under water the other day.

Be careful out there.

Please link to Speed Up, Man 3 "My First Compliment"

Photos GH

Speed Up, Man 3 "My First Compliment"

"What Else Can I Say?"

Speed Up, Man. 90 walks over the next three months.

I didn't jog yesterday but I did wear my new red tights again. Stylin' in the 'hood, I say. And I received my first compliment re my outfit.

I offered to help a woman with her groceries and she said, "Are you with the Fire Department?"

Obviously, bright red really works for me.

"I've done this hill 150 times," she told me.

March, by the Numbers -

I completed 32 walks in 31 days, including 3 days off and 4 extras.

My GOTD score (getting out the door) is 103.2%.

My average GOTD score for 6 months is now 92.9%. Yeh, I don't take many days off.

Another month is in the books

I covered 144 miles in March, my highest month's total to date.

My average miles/month now stands at 116.

Over 6 months my walking habit is taking hold and improving in two key areas. My GOTD rate is growing and I'm walking more miles per month, on average.

If I can now increase my speed (slowly, over time) between April and this time 2017, I'll feel like I'm really getting somewhere and that 'The GREAT Canadian Comeback' is well underway.

I say.... Smokin'.

Please link to Speed Up, Man! "90 Day Free Trial"

Photos GH

Speed Up, Man! "90 Day Free Trial"

"Oh, I'll Fly in April, May, and June"

"Spandex Man!"

So, I had to go for the red spandex running tights. They looked hot in the store window, I liked the feel and they were 60 per cent off "This Week Only!" And you'll be seeing a lot of them on paths and trails in London over the next three months as I speed up my walking routine with shuffling and jogging - for 90 days. "Speed Up, Man 90" I call this next set of brisk, fully athletic, outdoor walks.

 "The bright weather looks even brighter with red in the picture"

"I 'Carried On' for 60 walks. Now I will 'Speed Up' for 90"

Watch out. If you see me coming (and I'm pretty sure you'll see me a mile away), step aside. I haven't shuffled or jogged in a long time and I might be wobbling all over the place.

Here's to wobbln!

 "Yesterday I figured out why the Thames is so high this year"

"Somebody forgot to turn off the 'Fountain at the Forks'!"

Please link to Carry On Gang 60 "Hey, Who's on First?"

Carry On Gang 60 "Hey, Who's on First?"

"What's Up Next?"

"The 'Carry On Gang' 

I cut my walk short yesterday because I had a 3 PM appt. As well, the weather was rotten and I wore rubber boots that caused a blister to swell on a big toe. So, No. 60 (out of 60) in the "Carry On Gang" series of brisk, invigorating walks was nothing really special but it got me out the door, and that really is a key factor in making The GREAT Canadian Comeback.

"Monday's weather - wet, wild and windy as I head south on Edward St."

What will I call the next series of walks? How many walks will be in it? Will I start shuffling on a regular basis, even jogging? What will I wear now that my lovely kilts are folded and back in storage? Should I buy new spandex tights to show off my glutes?

Golly, so many questions, so little time to decide.  : )

Photos below: Sunday, March 27, was a brilliant day!

 "Heading south on Cathcart St."

"Looking north on Ridout St."

Please link to Carry On Gang 58 "What Next I Wonder?"

Carry On Gang 58 "What Next I Wonder?"

Carry On Gang Part 2?

"Be careful out there. Don't get swamped!"

I enjoy my (almost) daily walk, oft-times with friend Don, and I don't want to do anything to upset the apple cart. As the 'Carry On Gang' series of walks draws to a close (I completed No. 58 0f 60 yesterday PM), I'm wondering what to do next.

I want to continue the process of making The GREAT Canadian Comeback but do so without lessening the enjoyment level or taking on too much. So, I have some thinking to do. Add jogging once per week? Start with a very slow shuffle? I'm not sure.

But I know I will be doing something!

I will keep walking. I will keep finding new trails. I will have some fun along the way. And I will up my game.... somehow.

Stay tuned.

Please link to Carry On Gang 55 "Put a Bow on It"

Photos by GH

Supper of Champions

Sauce n Gravy Highly Rated

 "Just seconds later I added the secret sauce n gravy ingredients"

Off The Rails Stew - It started out Irish, then went somewhere else.

Success goes as follows:

Pat likes it and I like it too.

"Some if this went into the sauce n gravy"

Please link to Carry On Gang "Pickn Up Supplies and More"

Photos GH

Carry On Gang "More Walkn Photos"

Photos From Along the Long Way

Please link to Carry On Gang "Walkn Photos"

Carry On Gang 55 "Put a Bow on It"

Closing Out the Set

"Another 6-miler on Wednesday"

When two weekday walks are 6 miles in length, instead of the usual four, I record an 'extra' walk on the month's tally sheet. Looks like I've been alternating fours and sixes this week, and I suggest it will continue for a while because I do like collecting 'extras' in order to finish the 'Carry On Gang Set' (of 60 walks) with a BANG, as well as build up my already gigantic, bulging leg muskles. (The kilt hides this growth, unfortunately).

I faced "plenty of drizzle" yesterday but my plaid umbrella (almost matched my kilt and toque) kept all parts dry - 'cept me shoes and matching, woollen socks. (Remember, walkers. Colour co-ordination is important).

 "Yup. I had the place to myself all the way to there and back"

'Twas not an exciting day at the ol' dog park yesterday

Please link to Carry On Gang 51 "About 32 Miles Per Week"

Photos GH

Carry On Gang "Pickn Up Supplies and More"

The Supper of Champions

"A drizzly day but all seems well and warm after 10 minutes"

Yesterday was not the nicest of days for a long walk but - being of sound and generally positive mind - I can easily count three great outcomes of getting out the door in spite of puddles and drizzle.

One. I covered four miles with friend Don, good laughs included.

Two. Cool temps and wet feet inspired visions of my next "slow cooker stew", and unknown to Don, I planned my secret gravy while walkn through Wortley Village. (The secret to stew is a good hearty gravy, eh!)

Three. After dropping Don at his door I continued to a grocery store for supplies. (Total - six-mile walk. Bonus).

"I soften up spuds n carrots while beef n sausage brown in a pan" 

Last night I prepped spuds and carrots before bed and I woke up fresh, thinkn about stew. By 10 AM this morning they were on the boil, for 5 - 10 minutes only, while I chopped lots of onions and peppers.

"Ingredients for gravy appear from the fridge. Some land in the slow cooker"

Within 90 minutes the pot is full of raw veg, and gently cooked beef and sausage. This stew will be like the last one, excellent, with an Irish theme that I've run off the rails - in a very good way. Nothing left to do by 11:25 but assemble ingredients for gravy. Some of this and some of that, as long as it suits my taste, I say.

 "All will be well by 5 PM"

"Not a bad day for walkn. Powered by visions of 'Off the Rails Stew'"

Please link to Carry On Gang "Walkn Photos"