After all my complaining about the Heart Rate monitor app for my iPhone, it was only a temporary measure anyway. I was waiting for the (delayed release in Canada) Garmin vivoactive HR. All my research directed me to this particular "fitness activity monitor watch". Similar to many other activity monitors, this wrist-based monitor covers numerous different activities/sports and has a wrist-based Heart Rate Monitor, a GPS and is fully water-proof (you can wear it to track your swimming, if you want to). The only complaint that many have seems to be the brightness of the backlit face. I also felt that way initially. However, I have either got used to it, or a recent automatic upgrade changed that. I actually don't see any difference whether I have the brightness set to 1 - lowest - or 5 (now 9) - brightest. Overall, I am quite pleased with this tracker. Then again, it's only been a week.

Today I decided to start including some running in with my walking - 5 minute walking warm-up, then 1 minute running along with 4 minutes walking. I went my 4.5km/45 minutes "walking" route. I figured that, although I was now including running, my walking part would be at a slower pace and I would end up with basically the same time over the 4.5km distance.

I was wrong! My overall pace ended up being faster than I had anticipated. I covered the 4.5kms in 41 minutes. I haven't decided yet whether to extend my next "run" to add time. Or, just keep with this for the week and then extend it. Tomorrow is an official "no run" day so I will only be walking - other cross-training/strength-training activities to come.

Today - 4.5kms; 41 mins. (including 7 mins. running); temp 13c. Overall, felt good. But, I certainly haven't jarred my bones like that in quite a while!

Another day, another walk. Nothing too exciting to report - except that apparently my daughter can see my "playlist" and "pace" on Runkeeper! I had no idea that I can look at my pace for each song on my playlist. Now she knows what I listen to as I "train" - from Great Big Sea to the soundtrack from The Karate Kid (yep. I just admitted it. And, I don't care! After all, I'm sixty now!)

Went out @ 5:55am; 6.1kms; 60 1/2 mins; temp 16c; clear

I was speaking with a friend recently about work and my "personal improvement program" (we speak regularly about such things) and he mentioned a book "Younger Next Year" by Chris Crowley (the "patient") and Henry S. Lodge, M.D. (The "Doctor").

The two take turns, each with their own chapters, Chris on his experiences and thoughts on improving his physical and mental well-being later in life, and Harry (Henry) providing information on the medical stuff going on. Overall, a good book. However, Chris gets a bit carried away about the benefits of red wine that have been "proven" by numerous studies - studies, which I believe are now being questioned because reformed alcoholics were included (ie. - they're now non-consumers of alcohol but their health has already been compromised) and have likely skewed the results. A better conclusion on red wine, or any alcohol in moderation, is that it does not make any difference to overall health.

Harry uses concepts of the brain that I found quite interesting. He contends that only physical input can provide information to our "physical" (primitive, reptilian) brain and it adapts accordingly. So, exercise basically tells the brain how to act, based on our evolution - like when humans were still hunter gatherers - not how we have lived for the past 200 years. Consequently, he links our current lifestyles to our current issues such as obesity, because of how our primitive brain reacts to our type and levels of activity.

Today's walk - 5.9kms; 59 mins; temp 19c (at 6:10am!)

A book I picked up about getting started on my whole running thing was "Running Until You're 100 - for runners in their 40s, 50s, 60s & 70s; for beginners and advanced runners" by Jeff Galloway. A decent read, it helped me to see that I could start running at any age. (Don't bother buying this book, however - borrow it from a library. Use it as a starting point, if you like.)

A better book to get going with is "Running - Getting Started", also by Jeff Galloway (he has about a million different books out there. Lots of crossover.)

I had to get an early start today as we have many things happening, so I left for my walk at 5:45am (I hate getting up early - this could be turning into a habit! 😱) I decided to stretch a bit further today and went 6kms, 60 mins., clear sky, temp 18c (again!)

Nothing terribly exciting to report - other than it's been quite warm around here lately. I have been trying to figure out when to start incorporating running into my routine - walk, run,walk - for a start, Maybe next week. But, more likely the week after.

Also, I'm going to start strength training on my "off" days.

Today's walk - 5.3kms; 52 mins; temp 18c and humid.

So, what got me started on this? As I mentioned earlier, my youngest daughter gave me a Jawbone UP MOVE last year for my birthday/Father's Day. That probably was the catalyst.

Also, I have been involved in a business "coaching" program for a couple of years. Last year a book was mentioned. It sounded interesting so I picked up copy. And, like so many other things in life, it sat on the self until a year later when it was once again mentioned during a business coaching session. So, I dusted it off and started reading.

That was 2 months ago and I still haven't finished the book. However, it's not that I have been lazy about it. Not at all. Instead, it has spurred me to action. Finished 14 chapters. Only 4 more to go but they can wait - for now. Instead I am putting into action what I have read so far.

The book? "The ONE Thing" by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan. (There are a few other books that are helping me with this "I am 60!" journey that I will mention as we progress.)

Today's walk - It had been lightly raining. But, it looked like it would likely stop soon (no, I didn't give it "the look" this time) so I went out at 6:10am. It was kind to me and did not continue to rain and was clearing somewhat by the time a got home. 5.3kms; 52 mins; 18c - it's getting warm. (Better than later in the day when it's 30c and humid!)

I believe I previously mentioned how "disappointed" I was in the Heart Rate Monitor App I was using on my iPhone. Full-screen ads would pop-up before the final reading was even available - with no way to close the ad without shutting down the app (at least as far as I could tell). So, deleted that app ("Instant Heart Rate - Heart Rate Monitor" by Azumio) and downloaded the Heart Rate Monitor app by Cardiio. It's much cleaner and can detect your heart rate with either your finger or via your eye. Since I wear glasses and am far-sighted taking off my glasses would mean I would not likely be able to read the result. My finger will do fine, thank you. (But, isn't technology wonderful - most of the time. To have access to such tech - for free, with a smart phone - is really quite amazing.)

Another side note on tech - I have been wearing the Jawbone UP MOVE my daughter gave me but using the optional wrist band. Unfortunately, it will detect some additional, non-walking/running movement. I went out on my motorcycle for a ride on Monday (4.5 hours, about 250 kms with stops - more than I rode all last year!) and my UP, by the end of the day, calculated nearly 28,000 steps! I'll take it! However, my actual steps was probably closer to 10,000 - 11,000. I gave my daughter a heads-up as we share such info between us. (Maybe I should not have said anything - hmmm.🙄)

Did another 5.2kms in about 51 mins; partly cloudy; 13c - no more long sleeves!

Went out again this morning @ 6:20am. Nice day, clear, cool, 8c, did 5.2kms in under 52 minutes.

Decided on a change of pace. Walked today as well as yesterday. I'm now going to walk 6 days a week - 3 days serious and 3 days basic aerobic/cardio. It would appear my muscles are up to it. Breathing is not an issue. I figure I am walking at a pace that's about 60% of my maximum heart rate. However, today I walked yestderday's route in reverse. It's amazing how everything looks so different from the opposite direction.

And, I measured off a course of about 6.5kms for when I start incorporating running into my 3 serious days. I hope to eventually run for 5kms with 5 minute warm-up and 5 minute cool-down walks. Maybe this new route will work. We'll see sometime in the non-too-distant future.

Holiday here in Ontario today - Victoria Day, which, in the local lexicon, is the May two-four weekend. Not really sure just when we started calling it that. Also, not sure what it says about us 🤔
After a few chores this morning went for a ride on my motorcycle for 4.5 hours and covered about 250kms. That's more than I rode all last year!

Today's walk: started @ 6:45am; 5.4kms; less than 53mins; temp 6c (an hour later it was 14c!)

Turned the big "six-oh" today.

Up early (6:05am) for my walk. I figure maybe I'll go futher today. When I got up it was raining. But, after that incident on Tuesday I guess it knew better than to mess with me. No rain when I left for my walk. Funny, 5 minutes after I got home it started raining again! :-)

New walking record - 5.3km; just under 52 mins (my times all include 5 minute "warm-up walking"); temp 11c

Sometimes it is just so damn hard to get up in the morning. I try to be out the door for my "walk" before 6:30am on Tues., Thurs. and Sunday. I managed it again today (by 6:25am) but, man, I didn't want to.

Colder, AGAIN! Temp 5c. However, I did 4.6km in less than 45 mins. I guess I was trying to keep warm! ;-)

Another Tuesday, another "walk". Well, it was warmer. But, it tried to rain on me this morning. One stern look at the sky and it decided to back off! ;-)

Same distance and time as Sunday - 4.6 kms, 46 minutes, temp 8c.

I have to say my "Heart Rate Monitor app" for my iPhone is pissing me off! Ads appear before my reading is done. I will be getting rid of this soon.

Today cold out there. Spring is having difficulty arriving, 4.6km; 46 mins; temp 2c; cold wind - I would appreciate a slightly warmer morning!

Slightly different route on Thursday. 4.6km; 46 mins., temp 11c

Found out that there is apparently a heart rate monitor app for my iPhone. Of course there is! Resting heart rate before getting out of bed this morning was 66bpm.

Today I adjusted my "walk" route to go a bit further. 4.5km, 45 mins., sunny, temp 5C, ending heart rate 96bpm.

Sun., May 8th - Mother's Day. Decided to stretch my walk a bit further, Ended up 4.4km, 44minutes. Sunny, temp 3C

I have an iPhone 5s and have installed the Runkeeper app (free version) to help me track my timing and distance - via GPS. I find it fairly helpful - with verbal updates set to every 5 minutes (for now).

This morning's walk was much of the same - tried to ensure I don't start out too fast. Ended up 4km, 40 mins., temp 8C. Another "good walk".

What sparked my desire to "get active"? Not sure. Probably began when my daughter gave me a Jawbone UP MOVE for my birthday/Father's Day last year. I think using it, in friendly competition with her, got me going. Realizing my 60th is coming soon solidified it.

Walked the usual yesterday morning- 4kms, 41 minutes, temp 6C, good walk.

After my walk on Thursday morning everything was fine all day. Then I woke up Friday morning with a sore big toe. I thought I'd research a bit about feet and was amazed (even at my age) to learn that our toes aren't limited to the tiny portions that stick out like little growths at the end of our feet. A large part of the toe is "inside".

Anyway, by Saturday it was fine and I went for my scheduled walk. However, I think I started a bit fast and was concerned I was developing a cramp in my left calf muscle. So, I slowed my pace a bit and was fine. 4km, 42 minutes, 14C, cloudy, slight breeze, same route; next "walk" Tues morning