Sunday, 8/23/2020 to Saturday, 8/29/2020

This blog post is saved as I write it to avoid the Blogger "Auto Save" feature. I have found (as have others) that if you accidentally delete your entire blog post before you publish it that "Auto Save" will kick in within seconds to take you to a blank page. I have done this more than once! This feature is turned off once you publish the blog post. Then if you accidentally delete your entire post it is not final until you click Update (so you have a chance to realize that you are about to do something stupid).

I walked 4 times for 9.8 miles this week (at least according to Garmin).

I didn't run at all this week. I tested my left knee out before most of the walks but I couldn't run.
I biked 3 times for 40.06 miles this week.
I took 31.417 steps this week according to my Garmin Vivoactive HR (VA-HR) smartwatch.
My VA-HR gives me steps, heart rate, hours slept and floors climbed (take those last 2 data points with a grain of salt). My Withings WS-50 Smart Body Analyzer scale gives my weight.

RUNNING: My left knee has issues with running. I can walk, bike ... and run (sometimes but not this week).

Sunday, 8/23/2020

6101 steps, 40/97 resting/peak HR, (no sleep data, the VA-HR was on charge), 178.9 lbs, 4 floors, climbed

walk: 2.45 miles, 38:14, 15:37 pace, 52 feet elevation gain, 82 avg HR, 99 max HR, 63F, 93% RH, 6 mph SW wind, mostly sunny

The latest from Instagram's chalk.mom

I didn't test my knee since it still felt wonky. So .. I got out for a nice walk to greet the sunrise. 

Christine's daughter, Beth and her husband of 4 years, Nick Glaude, were out for a wedding of one of her friends from Niagara University. So we went out to lunch at the Pelican's Nest. 

Nick and Beth Glaude (Christine's daughter) - 2020-08-22

Her and I are still a bit nervous about eating out but we eat outside, wear our masks where mandated and get it done before we hurry back home. We also met up with another of Beth's friends (who was at our wedding almost 8 years ago) who had just eloped at Niagara Falls. They had met on eHarmony and just decided to do it in 48 hours!

Monday, 8/24/2020

930 steps, 53/134 resting/peak HR, 5:29 hr sleep, 178.1 lbs, 2 floors climbed

bike: 13.36 miles, 56:41, 14.1 avg mph, 18.9 max mph, 69 feet elevation gain, 113 avg HR, 138 max HR, 80F, 50% RH, 8 mph WNW wind gusting to 12 mph, mostly sunny

I got out a bit later in the morning for a nice bike on my usual route. I do like biking with Lake Ontario on one side and various ponds Buck, Long and Cranberry) on the other! Day 1 of a 3 day vacation from Ricoh.

My darling wife, Christine, and I used a bit of vacation time to cuddle and canoodle (3/14) ... so sweet is the time spent in hugs!

Tuesday, 8/24/2020

5498 steps, 46/93 resting/peak HR, 8:22 hr sleep, 177.0 lbs, 6 floors climbed

walk: 2.45 miles, 36:23, 14:51 pace, 59 feet elevation gain, 84 avg HR, 97 max HR,  73F, 88% RH, 2 mph WSW wind, partly cloudy

I got out for my usual walk. I tested out my left knee but it wasn't up to a run ... sad. Day 2 of a 3 day vacation from Ricoh.

Wednesday, 8/26/2020

1899 steps, 46/121 resting/peak HR, 7:31 hr sleep, 177.4 lbs, 0 (!) floors climbed

bike: 13.35 miles, 57:37, 13.9 avg mph, 19.9 max mph, 62 feet elevation gain, 110 avg HR, 129 max HR, 62F, 66& RH, 7 mph NNE wind, partly cloudy.

I got out for my usual bike ride on the usual route. Nothing unusual. Day 3 of a 3 day vacation from Ricoh.

Thursday, 7/27/2020

10072 steps, 51/104 resting/peak HR, 8:48 hr sleep, 177.3 lbs, 8 floors climbed

walk: 2.45 miles, 37:20, 15:43 pace, 72 feet elevation gain, 80 avg HR, 101 max HR, 67F, 100% RH, 5 mph S wind gusting to 10 mph, overcast

The usual walk. I tested out my left knee but it didn't want to run ... sad again.

Friday, 8/28/2020

1686 steps, 51/133 resting/peak HR, 4:30 hr sleep, 177.7 lbs, 4 floors climbed

bike: 13.35 miles, 1:00:54, 13.2 avg mph, 19.6 max mph, 66 feet elevation gain, 106 avg HR, 144 max HR, 66F, 84% RH, 5 mph WNW wind gusting to 11 mph, overcast

The usual bike ride. The west wind hindered me on the way out (and sucked) but pushed me home on the way back. My knees ached a bit during the ride.

Saturday, 9/29/2020

5231 steps, 53/88 resting/peak HR, 6:33 hr sleep, 178.4 lbs, 5 floors climbed

walk: 2.45 miles, 38:38, 15:46 pace, 72 feet elevation gain, 81 avg HR, 101 max HR, 73F, 83% RH, 5 mph SSW wind gusting to 15 mph, cloudy

I got out early for a walk. I tested my left knee but I couldn't run more 10 feet without pain. I looked left when I crossed the road that led into the Spanish Gardens Apartments and saw a skinny fox about 100 feet away crossing the road too. It's been a long time since I saw a fox.

Sunday, 8/16/2020 to Saturday, 8/22/2020

This blog post is saved as I write it to avoid the Blogger "Auto Save" feature. I have found (as have others) that if you accidentally delete your entire blog post before you publish it that "Auto Save" will kick in within seconds to take you to a blank page. I have done this more than once! This feature is turned off once you publish the blog post. Then if you accidentally delete your entire post it is not final until you click Update (so you have a chance to realize that you are about to do something stupid).

I walked once for 2.05 miles this week (at least according to Garmin).

I ran 3 times for 10.75 miles this week.
I biked 3 times for 40.16 miles this week.
I took 35.393 steps this week according to my Garmin Vivoactive HR (VA-HR) smartwatch.
My VA-HR gives me steps, heart rate, hours slept and floors climbed (take those last 2 data points with a grain of salt). My Withings WS-50 Smart Body Analyzer scale gives my weight.

RUNNING: My left knee has issues with running. I can walk, bike ... and run (sometimes). I think there will be a lot of virtual and very few running races during the rest of 2020, link here. Yellow Jacket Racing has had some socially distant races.

Sunday, 8/16/2020

5538 steps, 46/147 resting/peak HR, 7:46 hr sleep, 179.4 lbs, 4 floors climbed

run: 3.15 miles, 28:02, 7:54 pace, 39 feet elevation gain, 133 avg HR, 153 max HR, 156 avg cadence, 74F, 78% RH, 5 mph NNE wind, overcast

I got out for a run! I selected RUN on my Garmin and set out gently ... no pain! One hundred yards ... no pain! So ... I kept going! I didn't push ... and just headed out to Dewey Ave and back for a 5K!! My splits were: 9:22, 8:53, 8:36 and 7:49 over the last 0.15 mile for a negative split!! Wonders may never cease! 

Monday, 8/17/2020

5343 steps, 46/115 resting/peak HR, 177 lbs, 1 floors climbed

bike: 13.41 miles, 57:20, 14.0 avg mph, 17.9 max mph, 62 feet elevation gain, 105 avg HR, 134 max HR, 67F, 100% RH, 1 mph W wind gusting to 7 mph, partly cloudy

A slight drizzle had fallen overnight and I thought about bagging the bike. But I have a streak going so I headed out. I went out on my usual route. There were some big clouds over Lake Ontario that looked awesome!

Tuesday, 8/18/2020

8503 steps, 51/150 resting/peak HR, 7:26 hr sleep, 177.5 lbs, 4 floors climbed

run: 3.85 miles, 32:58, 8:33 pace, 92 feet elevation gain, 139 avg HR, 155 max HR, 161 avg cadence, 65F, 90% RH, 3 mph SSW wind gusting to 10 mph, partly cloudy

My left knee felt OK so I kept on running again. I took it a bit farther. I was just glad to run. My splits were: 8:53, 8:29, 8:32 and 8:18 over the last 0.85 miles.

Wednesday, 8/19/2020

994 steps, 51/129 resting/peak HR, 7:28 hr sleep, 177.3 lbs, 3 floors climbed

bike: 13.40 miles, 56:48, 14.2 avg mph, 19.8 max mph, 4 feet elevation gain, 111 avg HR, 134 max HR, 60F, 88% RH, 7 mph WSW wind, partly cloudy

I got out for a nice early morning bike. It was a bit cooler for shorts and long sleeve tech but I got used to it and continued onward. I got a bit faster on the way back with the wind at my back. I took Edgemere Drive all the way back. I pedaled as fast as I could through the part that had almost no shoulder.

Thursday, 8/20/2020

6727 steps, 48/140 resting/peak, 7:51 hr sleep, 2 floors climbed

run: 3.75 miles, 36:25, 9:42 pace, 95 feet elevation gain, 125 avg HR, 165 max HR, 149 avg cadence, 58F, 78% RH, 2 mph S wind gusting to 11 mph, partly cloudy

A sunrise selfie before the left knee pain

This run started fine ... then not so fine. Mile 1 was 8:48 and mile 2 was 8:18. Then ... my left knee twinged with pain at mile 2.7. I tried to go down to a run/walk ... then a walk/run. But I mostly walked home. Oh well ... ok ... I may said some stronger words.

Exercise - It makes you look better and so does wine - your choice

I ran out of coffee today. Wine seemed a reasonable replacement. Everyone is so pretty today!

I took some pictures of the funny signs outside the Drawbridge Liquor store.

Friday, 8/21/2020

7447 steps, 50/110 resting/peak HR, 7:16 hr sleep, 177.4 lbs, 2 floors climbed

walk: 2.05 miles, 34:29, 16:51 pace, 43 feet elevation gain, 87 avg HR, 116 max HR, 105 avg cadence, 68F, 69% RH, 4 mph SSW wind gusting to 13 mph, sunny

A sunrise selfie from the Stutson St Overlook

I thought about a bike this morning at 6 AM but thought better of it and for good reason. My left knee twinged if I placed it wrong or carelessly when I went for a walk. I headed out to see the sunrise at the Stutson St overlook and got another sunrise selfie.

Saturday, 8/22/2020

841 steps, 51/127 resting/peak HR, 8:09 hr sleep, 178.3 lbs, 0 (!) floors climbed

bike: 13.35 miles, 56:18, 14.2 avg mph, 22.0 max mph, 62 feet elevation gain, 112 avg HR, 132 max HR, 70F, 68% RH, 7 mph SW wind, mostly sunny

I got out a bit later but still on the same route. I was passed by 2 faster bicyclists just as I turned left onto Edgemere Drive. I tried to keep up with them. They kept on Edgemere Drive all the way out to East Manitou Rd so I followed them as they slowly pulled away. Edgemere Drive has a narrow shoulder between Lowden Point Rd and Long Pond Rd on the way back but no cars passed me (there was 

Sunday, 8/9/2020 to Saturday, 8/15/2020

This blog post is saved as I write it to avoid the Blogger "Auto Save" feature. I have found (as have others) that if you accidentally delete your entire blog post before you publish it that "Auto Save" will kick in within seconds to take you to a blank page. I have done this more than once! This feature is turned off once you publish the blog post. Then if you accidentally delete your entire post it is not final until you click Update (so you have a chance to realize that you are about to do something stupid).

I walked 3 times for 5.75 miles this week (at least according to Garmin).

I didn't run this week ... sad.
I biked 4 times for 55.24 miles this week.
I took 23,003 steps this week according to my Garmin Vivoactive HR (VA-HR) smartwatch.
My VA-HR gives me steps, heart rate, hours slept and floors climbed (take those last 2 data points with a grain of salt). My Withings WS-50 Smart Body Analyzer scale gives my weight.

Sunday, 8/9/2020

873 steps, 48/127 resting/peak HR, 9:58 hr sleep, 2 floors climbed

bike: 13.42 miles, 58:38, 13.7 avg mph, 20.1 max mph, 89 feet elevation gain, 107 avg HR, 133 max HR, 67F, 71% RH, 9 mph SW wind, partly cloudy

I was up at a bit before 5 AM and knew I wouldn't get back to sleep. So ... I just read email and Facebook while it got light. I got out on the bike a bit late ... but I got out. It was a bit windier but I did my usual "Out to East Manitou Rd" route ... like usual. I am a creature of habit.

Monday, 8/10/2020

4078 steps, 50/93 resting/peak HR, 7:35 hr sleep, 178.5 lbs, 6 floors climbed

walk: 1.05 miles, 17:36, 16:48 pace, 13 feet elevation gain, 81 avg HR, 109 max HR, 78F, 66% RH, 3 mph WSW wind, partly cloudy

Instagram's chalk.mom - her latest creation

I have walked, ran, biked and drove past this tree for more than 5 years ... it's still leaning!

I wanted to run ... but my left knee told me to walk instead. So ... I walked. I stopped on took a couple of picture. The chalk sidewalk is from a townhouse in the next parking lot. The artist is on Instragram as chalk.mom, link here.

Tuesday, 8/11/2020

5093 steps, 47/120 resting/peak HR, 7:09 hr sleep, 175.5 lbs, 4 floors climbed

bike: 13.42 miles, 1:00:19, 13.4 avg mph, 20.0 max mph, 72 feet elevation gain, 105 avg HR, 124 max HR, 77F, 65% RH, 7 mph SSW wind gusting to 15 mph, partly cloudy

I got out for my usual "Out to East Manitou Rd" route. It was a bit windy but I made good time. I have noticed that I see mostly the same people every morning.

Wednesday, 8/12/2020

7804 steps, 46/105 resting/peak HR, 8:25 hr sleep, 177.7 lbs, 11 floors climbed

walk: 2.05 miles, 29:41, 14:30 pace, 56 feet elevation gain, 84 avg HR, 115 max HR, 68F, 75% RH, calm, mostly cloudy

I tried to run again ... and ... my left knee told me to walk. It took me about 10 steps to pull the plug and change my Garmin to walk. I did walk twice as far though. I can walk pretty fast but I can't run. It's a bit discouraging. 

Thursday, 8/13/2020

1656 steps, 48/124 resting/peak HR, 7:40 hr sleep, 177.5 lbs, 5 floors climbed

bike: 12.97 miles, 57:43, 13.5 avg mph, 20.5 max mph, 72 feet elevation gain, 108 avg HR, 134 max HR, 66F, 85% RH, 2 mph SSW wind gusting to 7 mph, cloudy

Friday, 8/14/2020

2429 steps, 47/112 resting/peak HR, 7:28 hr sleep, 177.2 lbs, 7 floors climbed

walk: 2.65 miles, 40:56, 15:28 pace, 85 feet elevation gain, 87 avg HR, 116 max HR, 70F, 88% RH, calm, partly cloudy

Instagram's chalk.mom - her latest creation

A somewhat obligatory sunrise selfie

I got out for a sunrise walk to Bill Gray's. I get up before 6 AM so I might as well exercise before 8 AM ... walk, run, or bike.

Saturday, 8/15/2020

1070 steps, 53/105 resting/peak HR, 7:23 hr sleep, 177.4 lbs, 2 floors climbed

bike: 15.43 miles, 1:08:05, 13.6 avg mph, 22.0 max mph, 98 feet elevation gain, 103 avg HR, 126 max HR, 74F, 75% RH, 5 mph SSW wind, partly cloudy

I got out for an early morning bike. I took it a bit farther. My left knee ached during the ride.

Sunday, 8/2/2020 to Saturday, 8/8/2020

This blog post is saved as I write it to avoid the Blogger "Auto Save" feature. I have found (as have others) that if you accidentally delete your entire blog post before you publish it that "Auto Save" will kick in within seconds to take you to a blank page. I have done this more than once! This feature is turned off once you publish the blog post. Then if you accidentally delete your entire post it is not final until you click Update (so you have a chance to realize that you are about to do something stupid).

I walked once for 1.05 miles this week (at least according to Garmin).
I ran 4 times for 13.7 miles this week.
I biked 4 times for 53.69 miles this week.
I took 33,451 steps this week according to my Garmin Vivoactive HR (VA-HR) smartwatch.
My VA-HR gives me steps, heart rate, hours slept and floors climbed (take those last 2 data points with a grain of salt). My Withings WS-50 Smart Body Analyzer scale gives my weight.

RUNNING: I am starting to  run again and keeping it under 5 miles per run.  My left knee has issues with running. I can walk, bike ... and now run. I think there will be a lot of virtual and very few running races during the rest of 2020, link here. Yellow Jacket Racing had a socially distant "Battle at Bristol Mountain" on the last weekend of July and will hold a limited Shoreline Half in August.

Sunday, 8/2/2020

8866 steps, 49/144 resting/peak HR, 6:06 hr sleep, 174.8 lbs, 8 floors climbed

run: 4.75 miles, 41:54, 8:49 pace, 89 feet elevation gain, 133 avg HR, 149 max HR, 69F, 90% RH, 7 mph SE wind, mostly cloudy

I got out for an early morning run. I headed out onto the pier when I got there to add another 0.9 mile. My splits were: 8:54:8:38, 8:51, 8:58 and 8:41 over the last 0.75 mile.

Monday, 8/3/2020

2566 steps, 50/111 resting/peak HR, 7:36 hr sleep, 175.3 lbs, 3 floors climbed

ride: 13.41 miles, 1:06:39, 12.1 avg mph, 18.1 max mph, 62 feet elevation gain, 99 avg HR, 118 max HR, 66F, 87% RH, 7 mph W wind, mostly cloudy

I got out for an early morning bike ride on my usual "Out to East Manitou Rd" route. It was windy as usual but not as windy as it was in the middle of the night. I saw the usual flowers, walkers, runners and bicyclists. A nice way to start the week.

Tuesday, 8/4/2020

1225 steps, 39/143 resting/peak HR, (no sleep data because my VA-HR was charging), 177.4 lbs, 5 floors climbed

run: 4.75 miles, 42:15, 8:53 pace, 95 feet elevation gain, 135 avg HR, 148 max HR, 161 avg cadence, 69F. 100% RH, 1 mph SW wind gusting to 7 mph, overcast

I got for an early morning run. I took it slow and steady like usual. I am just happy to be able to run. Sure I wish my pace was a bit faster but I really think it is my running shoes. My Brook Adrenaline GTS19 shoes have 556 miles on them. I really want to get to 600 miles but we will see. Anyway ... my splits were: 9:00, 8:45, 9:01, 9:02 and 8:45 over the last 0.75 mile.

Wednesday, 8/5/2020

1140 steps, 53/121 resting/peak HR, 8:30 hr sleep, 177.9 lbs, 1 floor climbed

bike: 13.43 miles, 1:15:13, 10.7 avg mph, 16.3 max mph, 62 feet elevation gain, 94 avg HR, 119 max HR, 65F, 85% RH, SW wind gusting to 17 mph, partly cloudy

I woke up crazy early ... 4:46 AM and knew I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. So I just puttered around until it got light enough to head out for a bike. It was windy and I knew I would be slow heading west. I was and just a bit faster on the way back. 

A sign of the times I saw on Edgemere Drive

I ride past this on Old Edgemere Drive. Edgemere Drive is less than 100 yards away. I bet he has a good short game!

Someone called out to me when I was passing the Charbroil Restaurant at the corner of Edgemere Drive and Island Cottage. It was Bob Dyjak and his friend Joe (aka Joey da V according to Bob's Facebook posts). I curled into the parking lot as they unloaded their bikes. They were heading out for a bike. We talked for a few minutes. We all chuckled when Bob discovered that he had put his bicycle shoes on the wrong feet ... lol!

Thursday, 8/6/2020

13405 steps, 50/130 resting/peak HR, 8:18 hr sleep, 178.0 lbs, 11 floors climbed

run: 3.15 miles, 39:36, 12:34 pace, 830 (???)  feet elevation gain, 103 avg HR, 141 max HR, 129 avg cadence, 60F, 83% RH, 6 mph SSW wind, partly cloudy

This was not my best run. I try to as many miles as I can get out of my running shoes. The shoe manufacturers say change them after 300 mile. Well ... I try to double that. But ... my current Brooks Adrenaline GTS19 shoes with 559 miles have felt like concrete for the past 100 miles. Today ... well I had a nagging pain in my left knee that I couldn't ignore anymore after about 2 miles. 

I did get a decent sunrise selfie ...

I was pissed since I took a sunrise selfie at mile 1 and then forgot to turn my Garmin back on for another 0.7 mile. So ... I just walked back. My splits: 9:25, 13:04, 14:47 and 15:39 over the last 0.15 mile. Aarrgghh! 

I found out on Facebook that Mike Bray (I don't know him) was doing a full Ironman in Greece during the day ... 2.4 mile, 116 mile bike and a full marathon.

An awesome thing to do on a Thursday! I thought about heading out to cheer him in at Braddock Bay Park but I was really tired.

Friday, 8/7/2020

1508 steps, 53/123 resting/peak HR, 7:34 hr sleep, 178.6 lbs, 2 floors climbed

bike: 13.39 miles, 54:04, 14.9 avg mph, 21.8 max mph, 56 feet elevation gain, 113 avg HR, 130 max mph, 67F, 75% RH, calm, mostly cloudy

A picture perfect bike! It was nice and fast with no wind! I had the fastest "Out to East Manitou Rd" route ever ... 14.9 avg mph! I also had pumped up my bike tires last night ... maybe that had something to do it with the speed too!

Saturday, 8/8/2020

4831 steps, 51/124 resting/peak HR, 6:11 hr sleep, 178.5 lbs, 3 floors climbed

run: 1.05 miles, 10:45, 10:12 pace, 13 feet elevation gain, 118 avg HR, 128 max HR

bike: 13.46 miles, 55:23, 14.6 avg mph, 20.3 max mph, 62 feet elevation gain, 113 avg HR, 138 max mph

walk, 1.05 miles, 17:18, 16:30 pace, 20 feet elevation gain, 85 avg HR, 111 max HR

weather: 70F, 75% RH, 3 mph NNE wind, partly cloudy 

Well ... I broke out my new Brooks Adrenaline GTS19 shoes. They are exactly the same color so I will have to careful not to put on the old ones. I think I will mark the old ones with marker somehow. Anyway ... my plan was to run 5 miles on a longer version of the "Out on the pier" route. Well .. my left knee had other plans. Those plans included pain. I gathered into a painful run/limp and that's all I could manage. It didn't get much better so I cut it short to 1 mile. I made lemonade out of lemons by adding a bike and a walk to make a run-bike-walk (RBW). Another Aarrgghh! But it did fell good to be out there ... so that is something!