The Walking Thread

[citruscurtis]

Oh my...
.... should have done my homework... Myrtle the turtle is the fictional racer in the Aseop fable and has a statue in Joshua Tree... but hey....they both raced in sand

 

[WLWildlife]

Happy Monday!!!

My tummy is still recovering and really did not want to do anything today. I told it "too bad!" No regrets with that either. I can usually tell when those early morning body protests are cause to stay in. Today wasn't one of them.

The word for today's walk: FARTLEK! It's a fun little word and it always gets giggles. It's a Swedish word meaning "Speed Play." A lot of runners use fartleks to improve their speed so I'm starting to incorporate it into my walks. Unlike a tempo day, where you're pushing yourself hard the entire time, fartleks are essentially interval work. So, once I felt sufficiently warmed up this morning, I started doing some speed play. Unlike true measured intervals, I decided when I felt like pushing faster vs. staying at an easier yet still speedy pace. It had an interesting result. The two miles before I started them, I was averaging low 14s. When I shifted into fartleks, my pace was as fast as mid 12s at times. When shifted to a "casual" pace in these speed intervals, my casual pace had shifted faster and I was mid to upper 13s. Just like tempo sessions, you don't do this every day, but it's interesting to see the preliminary effects. If all goes well, I should have some new shoes arriving this coming weekend to help boost my speed. I tested them at a run shop before dinner on Saturday. Unfortunately, they didn't have the colorway I wanted, but I found them online. Just a crazy feeling with all of this. On one hand, I don't want to go too crazy with this and lose sight of walking for therapeutic purposes. I can easily get carried away with this kind of stuff and reminded myself this morning that I need to keep it about being the best me vs. how stressed I got in 2019 when trying to hit speed goals for race proof of time. On the other, I've never been fast at anything and it's kind of funny to be challenging myself for speed at this point in life. I even ordered some shorts with a turtle print to match this "speediest turtle" mindset that's got me going of late.

I also got a bit of sunrise today...
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That is a gorgeous sunrise!!!!
I'd say as long as you are listening to your body then whatever you do will be okay- it should still be therapeutic, but if you are pushing and hurting every day and only concerning your self with speed and time, then there is no therapeutic benefit.

 

[WLWildlife]

I managed another walk today! The temps made it into the 60s, but I was dodging rain, which they are calling for every day the rest of the week. I had to do laps and got a little wet. Not sure how much ground I covered in 40 minutes. The tree frogs were singing - which I love hearing- and the wild flowers are starting to open.

 

[citruscurtis]

I managed another walk today! The temps made it into the 60s, but I was dodging rain, which they are calling for every day the rest of the week. I had to do laps and got a little wet. Not sure how much ground I covered in 40 minutes. The tree frogs were singing - which I love hearing- and the wild flowers are starting to open.

Wow are these wild or domestic pioneer planted...in Oregon when we saw daffodils in the middle of nowhere that was the indication of old homestead

 

[citruscurtis]

CBS News just did a feature NYC Marathon...240,000 lottery entry.. only 1% are drawn... I know this is walking... but there could be company down the road

 

[WLWildlife]

Wow are these wild or domestic pioneer planted...in Oregon when we saw daffodils in the middle of nowhere that was the indication of old homestead

I say wild, but anything is possible. They grow along the edge of the road on the bank that slopes into a hay field. If I remember I will try to get a larger picture of the area. The road is cut through a small hill, so the other side of the road is higher. there is a small hay field and a flood plain at the bottom of the bank.

 

[WLWildlife]

CBS News just did a feature NYC Marathon...240,000 lottery entry.. only 1% are drawn... I know this is walking... but there could be company down the road

1% is still WAY too many people.

 

[cayennews]

Happy Monday!!!

My tummy is still recovering and really did not want to do anything today. I told it "too bad!" No regrets with that either. I can usually tell when those early morning body protests are cause to stay in. Today wasn't one of them.

The word for today's walk: FARTLEK! It's a fun little word and it always gets giggles. It's a Swedish word meaning "Speed Play." A lot of runners use fartleks to improve their speed so I'm starting to incorporate it into my walks. Unlike a tempo day, where you're pushing yourself hard the entire time, fartleks are essentially interval work. So, once I felt sufficiently warmed up this morning, I started doing some speed play. Unlike true measured intervals, I decided when I felt like pushing faster vs. staying at an easier yet still speedy pace. It had an interesting result. The two miles before I started them, I was averaging low 14s. When I shifted into fartleks, my pace was as fast as mid 12s at times. When shifted to a "casual" pace in these speed intervals, my casual pace had shifted faster and I was mid to upper 13s. Just like tempo sessions, you don't do this every day, but it's interesting to see the preliminary effects. If all goes well, I should have some new shoes arriving this coming weekend to help boost my speed. I tested them at a run shop before dinner on Saturday. Unfortunately, they didn't have the colorway I wanted, but I found them online. Just a crazy feeling with all of this. On one hand, I don't want to go too crazy with this and lose sight of walking for therapeutic purposes. I can easily get carried away with this kind of stuff and reminded myself this morning that I need to keep it about being the best me vs. how stressed I got in 2019 when trying to hit speed goals for race proof of time. On the other, I've never been fast at anything and it's kind of funny to be challenging myself for speed at this point in life. I even ordered some shorts with a turtle print to match this "speediest turtle" mindset that's got me going of late.

I also got a bit of sunrise today...
View attachment 1060448View attachment 1060449View attachment 1060450View attachment 1060451View attachment 1060452View attachment 1060453View attachment 1060454

What beautiful photos.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I managed another walk today! The temps made it into the 60s, but I was dodging rain, which they are calling for every day the rest of the week. I had to do laps and got a little wet. Not sure how much ground I covered in 40 minutes. The tree frogs were singing - which I love hearing- and the wild flowers are starting to open.

I love hearing the frogs after rain. The flowers are also beautiful. I too was thinking daffodils but they're gorgeous, whatever they are!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

CBS News just did a feature NYC Marathon...240,000 lottery entry.. only 1% are drawn... I know this is walking... but there could be company down the road

Yes, I am in several run groups and there were a lot of disappointed people. Of course, many will still get to participate. If they don't make the lottery, they often run for a charity...which is a great option. I know people that have walked NY as well as some of the other majors. The NYC Marathon has a 10 hour course limit, so it is completely doable at a decent walking pace. London is also pretty generous with an 8 hour limit. I will admit that NYC and London are on my list of goals if I can get 26.2 under my belt and my body and mind are good with the time and physical nature of the distance. Races are also very different experiences for slower participants. Still, if you can make it in the specified time limits, you will have at least some support. Certainly not the fanfare and such that faster people experience, but it's really about doing it...if it's something that interests you.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Happy Tuesday!!!

The pollen is officially getting to me. I got it done today but I feel like I've been sitting in a smoke filled bar, my eyes are itchy and there's that lovely sinus headache setting in. I hope we get the rain they're forecasting so it washes some of this away. I put in 6.81 miles this morning...which was unexpected. I think the mapping site I use is undercutting the distance on certain routes/areas. I was expecting this to come in around 6.65 and I did not deviate. I wasn't even looking at my watch but I would have taken the cul de sac to round things out if I knew I was this close to 7.

I am excited that my new shoes arrive today. I originally put in an order through Amazon that was having the item fulfilled by a run shop in Maryland. I started to get worried when there was no movement on the order by midday yesterday. I also looked at the shop's reviews and while they were 100% positive, it was a fake positive. Half of the reviews were negative but had strikethroughs and a note saying it was Amazon's fault. So, I canceled that (thankfully, never charged) and found one of the last pairs out there in my size through a reputable TX run shop. They are out for delivery right now.

Today's pics should be pretty familiar spots even though the colors and clouds vary each day. Too bad I wasn't fast enough to snap pics of any wildlife. I had multiple possums in the mix, including one that startled the heck out of me.

 

[citruscurtis]

Sorry... but that red cloud looks like a turtle

 

[WLWildlife]

Happy Tuesday!!!

The pollen is officially getting to me. I got it done today but I feel like I've been sitting in a smoke filled bar, my eyes are itchy and there's that lovely sinus headache setting in. I hope we get the rain they're forecasting so it washes some of this away. I put in 6.81 miles this morning...which was unexpected. I think the mapping site I use is undercutting the distance on certain routes/areas. I was expecting this to come in around 6.65 and I did not deviate. I wasn't even looking at my watch but I would have taken the cul de sac to round things out if I knew I was this close to 7.

I am excited that my new shoes arrive today. I originally put in an order through Amazon that was having the item fulfilled by a run shop in Maryland. I started to get worried when there was no movement on the order by midday yesterday. I also looked at the shop's reviews and while they were 100% positive, it was a fake positive. Half of the reviews were negative but had strikethroughs and a note saying it was Amazon's fault. So, I canceled that (thankfully, never charged) and found one of the last pairs out there in my size through a reputable TX run shop. They are out for delivery right now.

Today's pics should be pretty familiar spots even though the colors and clouds vary each day. Too bad I wasn't fast enough to snap pics of any wildlife. I had multiple possums in the mix, including one that startled the heck out of me.

View attachment 1060721View attachment 1060722View attachment 1060723

Another beautiful sunrise!

 

[WLWildlife]

I managed to get somewhere between a mile and a mile and a half before my DS came to pick me up and shuttle me home before the storms hit. They were about 90 minutes early. I really needed to walk today. It was a long day with the kids. The impending holiday and being cooped up for so long has them bouncing off the walls. Rain for the next 5 days so I don't know if I can walk. Here's today's scenery. It will be much prettier when the trees have their leaves.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Sorry... but that red cloud looks like a turtle

I can see it!!!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I managed to get somewhere between a mile and a mile and a half before my DS came to pick me up and shuttle me home before the storms hit. They were about 90 minutes early. I really needed to walk today. It was a long day with the kids. The impending holiday and being cooped up for so long has them bouncing off the walls. Rain for the next 5 days so I don't know if I can walk. Here's today's scenery. It will be much prettier when the trees have their leaves.

I hate unexpected weather timed up with my walk. It makes me feel a bit like a caged animal if I have to stay in. If I get stuck out in bad weather on a weekday, it's pretty much on me to get home as nobody else is up...and I've had those days where I forgot to check the radar and gone into a panic to get home. I will walk in rain, but not severe weather. My water resistant hiking pants aren't very water resistant, but the cycling rain jacket I got makes rainy walks a lot more tolerable. I remember those days of my kids being super energetic before holidays. I still think it's very pretty scenery with the cattle and the bright green grass contrasting against the bare trees.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Happy Wednesday!!!

So, my new shoes arrived last night. It was their maiden voyage so I didn't want to do anything too crazy. I picked a flatter route that was a bit shorter with a few options to extend at the end. These ASICS shoes look massive compared to my Brooks (both the 22s and 23s) but they are significantly lighter and bouncier. I always laugh a bit when I see reviews of my Brooks and people compare them to walking on clouds. They are by no means stiff or thin to the point that you can feel the ground, but they never felt like I was bouncing on clouds...well, except for maybe my current peach pair in the early days. Those had some nice squish. I remember people having the same review comments about Hoka Bondi's and while it was the intense rocker that I disliked, I never felt they were as cushy as they looked. The new ASICS do have some rocker tech in them, but it's not the same. Like I barely feel it moving around casually, but when I started power walking, I could feel a push forward coming from the midsole and moving through my toes. It was bizarre and cool at the same time...and maybe also effective in the goal purpose for me buying these.

I went 6.22 miles today. My effort felt about the same as yesterday but my overall avg pace was 16 seconds faster than yesterday. Who knows what that number could be if I push towards tempo or race effort. I also felt a little bit of slippage in the heel as I got to mile 4 so I think I am going to have to relace the top into a runner's loop to create more of a heel lock. Feeling more stable will also speed me up a bit. Speaking of stability, I was warned that the higher stack makes some feel unstable but the only thing I really noticed was some instances of scraping the ground a bit more because you have to pick your legs up just a smidge more to account for the height of the shoe. I nearly face planted in the dark a few times, but thankfully was OK.

Side note- I had to have this color. HAD TO! I've been eyeing it since the preorder period and official launch (the beginning of March) but it wasn't until after those mid month races that I started to give them serious thought. Apparently, I am not the only one that loves insanely colorful shoes. Finding these in my size in the color several weeks after release was a challenge. I got them for retail on a last ditch search on Monday (after my run shop being sold out, the manufacturer being sold out, and the run shop I was using on Amazon not updating their inventory). I checked yesterday and Amazon's cheapest seller for this shoe now wants $120+ over retail! OK...I'm sorry to bore you about my shoes! LOL I did also order a replacement race tiara that should arrive tomorrow! That's fun too!

Starting out with typical morning pics...including some blurry angry ducks.



Next up...while I didn't walk here, the moon was pretty spectacular last night. I knew I wasn't going to see it this morning, so I took a few extra. Too bad I only had my phone. This would have been good with the real camera.



And finally...the shoes!!! I love shoes (in general). Today's outfit normally makes me feel like a Toy Story alien but the shoes push me more towards Rainbow Brite.



*Also wanted to add...99% humidity this morning. I needed a towel when I got home. I can feel summer approaching!

 

[cayennews]

Happy Wednesday!!!

So, my new shoes arrived last night. It was their maiden voyage so I didn't want to do anything too crazy. I picked a flatter route that was a bit shorter with a few options to extend at the end. These ASICS shoes look massive compared to my Brooks (both the 22s and 23s) but they are significantly lighter and bouncier. I always laugh a bit when I see reviews of my Brooks and people compare them to walking on clouds. They are by no means stiff or thin to the point that you can feel the ground, but they never felt like I was bouncing on clouds...well, except for maybe my current peach pair in the early days. Those had some nice squish. I remember people having the same review comments about Hoka Bondi's and while it was the intense rocker that I disliked, I never felt they were as cushy as they looked. The new ASICS do have some rocker tech in them, but it's not the same. Like I barely feel it moving around casually, but when I started power walking, I could feel a push forward coming from the midsole and moving through my toes. It was bizarre and cool at the same time...and maybe also effective in the goal purpose for me buying these.

I went 6.22 miles today. My effort felt about the same as yesterday but my overall avg pace was 16 seconds faster than yesterday. Who knows what that number could be if I push towards tempo or race effort. I also felt a little bit of slippage in the heel as I got to mile 4 so I think I am going to have to relace the top into a runner's loop to create more of a heel lock. Feeling more stable will also speed me up a bit. Speaking of stability, I was warned that the higher stack makes some feel unstable but the only thing I really noticed was some instances of scraping the ground a bit more because you have to pick your legs up just a smidge more to account for the height of the shoe. I nearly face planted in the dark a few times, but thankfully was OK.

Side note- I had to have this color. HAD TO! I've been eyeing it since the preorder period and official launch (the beginning of March) but it wasn't until after those mid month races that I started to give them serious thought. Apparently, I am not the only one that loves insanely colorful shoes. Finding these in my size in the color several weeks after release was a challenge. I got them for retail on a last ditch search on Monday (after my run shop being sold out, the manufacturer being sold out, and the run shop I was using on Amazon not updating their inventory). I checked yesterday and Amazon's cheapest seller for this shoe now wants $120+ over retail! OK...I'm sorry to bore you about my shoes! LOL I did also order a replacement race tiara that should arrive tomorrow! That's fun too!

Starting out with typical morning pics...including some blurry angry ducks.

View attachment 1061066View attachment 1061067View attachment 1061068View attachment 1061075

Next up...while I didn't walk here, the moon was pretty spectacular last night. I knew I wasn't going to see it this morning, so I took a few extra. Too bad I only had my phone. This would have been good with the real camera.

View attachment 1061071View attachment 1061073View attachment 1061072View attachment 1061074

And finally...the shoes!!! I love shoes (in general). Today's outfit normally makes me feel like a Toy Story alien but the shoes push me more towards Rainbow Brite.

View attachment 1061070View attachment 1061069

*Also wanted to add...99% humidity this morning. I needed a towel when I got home. I can feel summer approaching!

Those shoes are very colorful! I see the Toy Story resemblance.

Today was the first day it was warm enough to walk in the morning like I did last fall. I took advantage and got 2.2 miles in before having to log in for work. Hopefully I'll get another 2 miles in this afternoon. Tomorrow is only supposed to be in the low 40s and raining, so I don't think I'll get out again. Happy Wednesday!

 

[citruscurtis]

So you didn't sign up for the phone plan where your camera AI automatically gives you a photo of the moon that requires a lens the size of a loaf of bread... the number of folks who believe their slice of bread phone can actually...in clear contrast... the crater marks of the astroids.... every single person could not capture the house address down the street when confronted them about AI

 

[TiggerTrigger]

So you didn't sign up for the phone plan where your camera AI automatically gives you a photo of the moon that requires a lens the size of a loaf of bread... the number of folks who believe their slice of bread phone can actually...in clear contrast... the crater marks of the astroids.... every single person could not capture the house address down the street when confronted them about AI

I laugh because I own some very large lenses. No, I don't own the massive Canon 600mm (one of our sports photogs does), but they're not insignificant in size either. I haven't done it in a while, but I have taken moon pics in the past. The darker of the two is with a much cheaper zoom and the second is with my 300 L series during the day with the 1/4x extender on it. I haven't tried anything with the faster 70-200mm, but not sure it's worth it since this is more about reach and stability (tripod) vs. speed. Not amazing, but still so much better than my phone.





I also really like Milky Way pics when we travel west. Some of my cheapest and smallest lenses have been best for that...



*also frustrating- photo files tend to be sized a bit when uploading (Facebook and Insta do it too), so you can't see the originals which are much more crisp and have better color.