More on the despicable slaughter in Quebec on Sunday ...

here ... think about it. They need to be held responsibile for their words. Words matter. (Just ask Joseph Goebbels.)

http://kersplebedeb.com/posts/those-who-have-no-blood-on-their-hands

Oh (no!) ... Canada

Another massacre in Canada - this time at a Mosque in Quebec.

Thank you so very much Donald Trump and Dr. Kellie Leitch. I am sure this couldn't have happened without your help.

All my thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this horendous event.

Canada is better than this!

In October of last year I decided I should "formalise" my running by joining a run group. As we were approaching Fall and Winter, and the changing weather, I thought it would be a good idea to get hands-on advice and direction.

I joined a local "Learn to Run" group. And, while I was well ahead of the pace they would be running at, it has been a helpful and enjoyable experience.

(If I had joined when I first decided to start running, I probably would not have been able to keep up!)

There were about 12 of us in the group. All very friendly and supportive. It was a great experience that culminated in the Resolution Run on Dec.31st that I previously mentioned.

Many from the original group (including myself) wanted to continue and signed-up for the 5K run group that started in early January (2017). And, we insisted that our coaches - a great wife and husband team - continue on with us.

Okay, so today I really went outside my abilities and ran a total of 14k. Not what I had originally intended.

I will explain more tomorrow. But, I joined a running group. We ran about 4k. Then, I decided I needed to run further - later. So, I ran an additional 10k. I have a feeling I will regret this tomorrow. We'll see.

Happy running!

On Dec.31/16 - New Year's Eve, I ran in an informal 5k. I did it in 27:30. All I could think at the time was "holy $%^#"!

Okay, folks. Let's get this blog restarted.

See you tomorrow.

Lest We Forget

It's been 3 months since I last posted. I will get back to posting soon. My running, on the other hand, has continued uninterrupted.

However, today I am going off topic to post something for this special day - November 11 - Remembrance Day in Canada.

There seems to be a bit of a focus on World War I (aka The Great War) in the media this year. I lost a great uncle in that horrible conflagration.

There was an excellent 8-part series on PBS 20 years ago called "The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century". I am so glad I taped it back then as it does not appear to have ever come out on DVD. One of the individuals covered in that series was Wilfred Owen - a noted poet that would not survive the war. He was killed in action 1 week before the end of the war. Below is one of his more famous pieces.

Anthem for Doomed Youth

by Wilfred Owen

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?

      — Only the monstrous anger of the guns.

      Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle

Can patter out their hasty orisons.

No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells; 

      Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—

The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;

      And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?

      Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes

Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.

      The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;

Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,

And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

War is hell. Will we never learn?

On Monday I conducted some client meetings with a colleague who also runs - not marathons, but runs - and, I think, she is probably about 20 years or more younger than me. I was asking her how her daughter's running was going and we talked a bit about my progress.

I mentioned how I have this habit of counting my steps during my run intervals to keep myself motivated in that I only have so many steps left in a run interval and I can then look forward to a rest (walk) for a minute or so. It has always been my intention to let go of this habit once I get running more and further. She suggested I just stop now and focus on listening to my music.

So, Tuesday being my next Run I did that. HOLY CRAP! I cut a full 2 minutes off my time! That said, I was getting exhausted towards the end of my last couple of run intervals. (I have been careful to avoid having that happen - up until now.) My next Run is tomorrow morning. I will need to somehow adjust my pace without the benefit of "counting" and see how I do. I want a full 45 minutes of activity (minimum) including my warm-up walk. But, I do not believe I am ready to extend my distance based on my Run yesterday. Not just yet, anyway.

 BTW - Does the colour of your home's front door match your car? After my wife's recent house painting, ours does! Or, at least it matches my wife's car. I guess my car matches our roof!


Today's Walk - 5:55am; 5.3kms; 53mins; 18c; clear

Yesterday's Run - 6:05am; 6.0kms; 43.5mins (wow!); 17c; clear

Monday's Walk - 6:05am; 5.3kms; 52.5mins; 12c (birr!); partly cloudy