GrannyJ that could be me!!
I love walkng on my own.
My walking for health group is about 3 miles each week, this week it’s going to be 5 + but I’m determined to give it a go!
Soon I’m intending to resume swimming again.
Five miles is five miles no matter how you manage it when your feet are touching the ground, so I have to add my admiration, Granny J.
Norm Al…AKA OGF, AKA Bob, etc. 
, the everyday days are the ones we count on, with the outliers - long and even failed ones… are the ones that really don’t define how we picture ourselves overall. There is nothing more satisfying than a normal, solid run in terms of pace and distance. It has to feel great to start stringing these runs like beads on a string!
That’s quite a running/cycling friend you have there, OGF. I wonder whether or not I could have managed it a couple of decades ago? I have all the respect in the world for long distance runners because of the mind/body war that has to be won to accomplish such an event. It’s wonderful that your friend is still out there, and I do know how you feel ;-).
While I am hoping that cycling will also be my “Sport of Last Resort” when my joints will no longer cooperate, but today I squeezed in another five miles slathered in suntan lotion and running the trails with the air thick with the aroma of pine sap and jasmine. This is the quiet before the storm of summer, so I was happy to see many creatures out there including one I will post about here in a while…but the phone has just rung and I am off on an important errand…
Any guesses on what creature I might see that would be worthy of posting?
Back soon and good things to everyone in the movement department :-D.
Don’t you find that when walking solo you take in more of the sights and sounds of your surroundings Ruthio…Sometimes when I’ve walked with a group I can’t even remember where I’ve been…
And walking with Mrs Fox, she just reminds me of all the jobs waiting to be done…
Alligator?
Ha ha ha… That just reminded me about a game of Scrabble I was playing with Mrs Fox while on holiday last year…I’d just picked up enough points to win the game by placing ‘Aligator’ across a triple word square, when some sharp eyed hotel guest reminded me that there were two l’s in ‘Alligator’…
Why don’t people mind their own business?..
Now let me see, back to the homework…I know…Flamingo?
I almost forgot to mention the outcome of my ‘brush’ with the dentist today…
After poking a very sore gum with a sharp stick I was prescribed a week’s worth of antibiotics…Job done…
There is a God, and today he was doing dental work in Doncaster…
Ruthio, I think you posted at the same time I did so I missed your note somehow. How wonderful that you are giving five miles a go. The big question is whether or not you will find enough to chat about for that long :-D. Given your descriptions of your other outings, it sounds like great fun. Let us know how you do!
OGF may not have won Scrabble, but he did win this little riddle! Here is the al(l)igator* that crossed my path today. Luckily, one of the other trail regulars rode up behind me (nearly scaring me to death), and took a photo that he was kind enough to let me share. This mother gator has three babies that are all about a foot long. We were a lot farther away than this photo indicates; I respect her and she graciously lets me run her neighborhood ;-).
https://thumb.ibb.co/gRtnz7/Gator.jpg
- But what of this truth! OGF cheats at Scrabble. Tsk, tsk, tsk…
I would imagine that there are a lot of one legged cyclists where you live Surfermom. Runners who have taken to cycling after falling foul of the local Gator population…Although those scary dogs at that farm I run past could give me a serious gnawing…:shock:
As for the cheating at scrabble; The several gin and tonics I supplied didn’t do the trick so I had to resort to other means…
Haha, yes there may be one or two peg-leg-former-runners here and there, a risk worth taking for these trails…
But because I am happy having both feet firmly attached, I opted for a late day beach run today, especially because the tide was low leaving a wide, firm surface to put 2.5 miles behind me before turning back to watch the sun slowly set to the west.
A neighbor noted something that I hadn’t ever thought about, and that is that tend to run as closely to the water as possible, without ever getting my running shoes wet. I suppose that after a decade or more running beaches, I have learned to automatically sense, hear, or catch in my periphery those waves that are more inclined to push ashore farther than others. While that means I do a fair amount of quick turns and dashes, it allows me to avoid the especially soft sand - lazy, I am - and still keep my feet dry:lol:.
The downside to shore running is that there is almost always a slope which puts angular pressure one one knee more than the other. While it isn’t damaging to run the beach a couple of days per week, done daily through a few seasons it can wreak havoc on my knees. Besides enjoying as many different places as I can, as there is always something new to see, those slopes prevent me from the singular best running experience there is.
This irritable joint business that comes with age is for the birds. 
Fortunately, knees, hips, and ankles are all in good moods lately…
Sounds like an idyllic run Surfermom, but didn’t I read somewhere that running on soft surfaces, especially sand, tends to cause Achilles problems? Something to do with pushing off and overstretching it. I suppose it’s not so bad when running on the firm stuff close to the sea… Do you ever find unusual things washed up on the beach?
So today was my third run in the ‘Hope to run for the rest of my life’ series…
The weather was amazing, warm (16 C) and no wind, other than the draft I made while I swiftly moved along the canal towpath with the speed of a Cheetah…:surprised:
With my body bathed in warm spring sunshine, I pondered on two things: The first was that this weather would not be all that unusual in Florida (minus the alligators and beach of course) and the second was…I’m terribly overdressed… (The smilie is not crying but sweating)…Use your imagination!
It was still like running the last three miles of a marathon…
But most of the stiffness has subsided and I felt marginally better than Tuesdays stagger. In fact it was thirty seconds faster… But I’d still have been a long way behind the ‘Floridian Flash’…
On with the show now because in just one months time some blokes are coming to put in a new kitchen. I stupidly volunteered to remove the old one and take care of any electrical wiring that needed doing (changing from a gas hob to an Induction hob) there are tiles to remove and walls to plaster. Although I found out years ago that among my many skills, plastering is not one of them, so I’ll get someone in… I only mention this because while under the scrutiny of Mrs Fox (The Project Manager) I might not be able to post with the frequency I’ve become accustomed…Although Running will continue as normal, I can assure you of that…
Anyway…[SIZE=“4”]Where’s Floydy? [/SIZE]
I checked in right away to see if you had pulled off a third in the series, OGF. Please to hear of your success!
The day is calling, and I will report later once I’ve made another go at it, but please take pictures, OGF for the DIY section, and good luck with the boss. When it comes to kitchens, we females tend to have…
opinions.
Floydy is back!
But it’s trying to fit everything in isn’t it?
The weather is gorgeous, so I’ve managed a quick half hour the past couple of days in the sun. meanwhile I have to pick up the girl from school, do a million things around the house (like fixing a bloody shower leak at 6.30am this morning!), adding albums to my big thread and so on. I HATE nights with a vengeance now as my life is running out rapidly. Driving me mad trying to do everything and I can’t wait until I’m able to get off them.
So yes folks, wish I was retired and had all the time in the world, but it just isn’t possible of course. I have to make do with what time I have without any pressure to be honest. I don’t even have time at work to pop in here like I used to.
End of a rant I didn’t need.
But I have been popping in here and reading. I wish I could keep up with it but I can’t, so I’m sitting here now rushing this post as it’s the only time I can get it done. Please ignore my inarticulate bombardment of words as I quickly get on with it:
That alligator looks a fearsome beast, Surfermom, you were lucky there but I guess you see them all the time in your neck of the woods. Florida is a zillion miles away from my gloom and doom over here.
Bob, you’re doing fantastically well with your jogging again. keep that up mate.
I managed a mid-week session, I had to because it was playing on my mind, despite rather being in the lovely sunshine. I haven’t got time for the intricate details at times like this, but I’ll say that it went well and I completed all my exercises I needed to do in 45 minutes flat.
Again, I am sorry to rush through things.
Tomorrow we have the granddaughter overnight, so my proposed second big new session will not happen for a week. We will be going out for tea.
Food shopping all Saturday morning and as you know, my Saturday afternoons out with my mates is absolutely essential. My only time of relaxation and it keeps me more or less sane and of sound mind to chill out with a few drinks, so my social life will always be a huge necessity.
I have to get a legs session in Sunday at all costs as it keeps my knees moving, so that will have to be fitted in.
Time to get tea ready now, then my pre-work sleep and work itself yet again. Hell, I’m fed up with life right now.
Take care folks, and sorry for my outburst - it’s not directed at you, it’s my sheer frustration of not having any sodding time anymore
Well I did it!
It was the usual three and a bit miles across the Common and over a couple of roads and into and around he new venue, then coffee (some had beer!!) and a nice rest and cool down in the shade (me) for half an hour, then back the way we came, so in the end it worked out at over six miles.
Woo! Hoo!! :-D:-D
But…I couldn’t have done it all in one go, and the last few hundred yards I really had to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other!!
Floydy don’t worry about the rant!!
This place is an escape and fun, don’t let it become a pressure to post.
Good on you, Ruthio. Well done
Really nice day too, so an enjoyable walk I reckon.
I’ll be fine btw, I just get fed up with work. Catch 22 situation.
Last night tonight then it’s the weekend!! :):)
getting in and out of bed for regular exercise
Hate to say this, realspeed, but I think very soon that’s all I’ll have time for myself!
Realspeed, glad to see you sticking with your program. It’s how we do what do, that matters. The only real competition is in the mirror ;-).
Ruthio, I knew you would do it! Congratulations! A nice day out, a well-earned rest midway, and then a respectable u-turn to burn off the treats sounds like a good workout to me! The way your group incorporates a social element to exercise must bring people back again and again.
Floydy, it’s the weekend! You sound like you are trying to do it all, and there is nothing wrong with cutting back here and there, especially the forum where your presence should always be for pleasure, not for obligation. Nice job on getting that workout in, and have a great time with your friends tomorrow night. Work to live, Floydy! ;-).
After catching up with a friend for lunch down the coast, I squeezed in the first summer-like run of the season that left me drenched and drained afterwards. Here comes the conditioning!
OGF, when will the fourth outing be? I always run in motion control shoes with orthotics good form and to avoid both achilles and plantars fascitis with all this beach running. It’s so tempting to run in bare feet, and sometimes I cheat and run a mile or so bare-footed, but what you have read is true about surfaces too soft.
Today’s run will enable me to will sleep like a rock tonight, but not before tackling some late-night editing. Pass the coffee please.
Nice work Ruthio, and remember, the greatest expedition started with the first step, or in your case the first six miles…:-D…Let this be the beginning of something wonderful, while at the same time keeping you in good shape…
I agree with Ruthio and Surfermom Floydy, you should write on here as an escape from reality, not as a chore that must be done. I’m sorry for perhaps putting you under a bit of pressure by wondering where you were. The pressures of employment, and indeed life in general can drive a man to drink, but remember, these pressures are only temporary and tomorrow you might approach things in a completely different frame of mind…
You would think that being retired gave you all the time in the world (it has been mentioned) but when you have been married to the ‘Project Manager’ for over forty years it’s like being at work twenty four seven!..
My next outing will be Sunday Surfermom, when skipping round an interesting five mile route in the country will have to be completed early, in time to take my seat on the sofa to watch the ‘London Marathon’ it’s become a bit of a habit these days since running it in 1989…Blimey! was it that long ago?..:surprised:
Come on Realspeed! get out into the country for a walk and post us some good photos of the wildlife or even joggers. I’ve seen your photography, and it’s pretty good, it would certainly brighten this place up…:-p
OGF is spot on about retirement, Floydy, or at least a hiatus, in which I find myself. I miss my colleagues, the challenges, job satisfaction, and organized me in which I never procrastinated anything. Try to find little slices of happiness where you can. Your time with your little granddaughter, for example, is a diamond right under your nose. How many people would envy that kind of relationship! Your wife had a close call and, now healthy, will be holding your hand as you sail into full or partial retirement. From my vantage point, your ship is sailing steady. Keep the course and enjoy the sunrises~
I am sitting here waiting for some friends who talked me into going to a downtown event in which they close the streets and open all the shops late. Each shop has an artist displaying their work, so people wind in and out of the shops and wine bars enjoying the music and evening. It’s aptly named Gallery Night.
After all the advice I pitch around here, all I want to do is light some candles, put on some beach music, (no jazz - 
), and enjoy a good book, but my good sense is telling me it’s time to get out and about, and that I will have an enjoyable time… sigh, ok, I guess I’ll go…;-).
Running today was strange because I was preoccupied with my To Do list and a few nagging things, and though my time was not so hot, my distance was, and I managed to run six. I am starting to notice a little inflammation…is is arthritis…that is lingering. Hmmm. More stretching? More yoga? An occasional ibuprofen? It’s not bad, just there.
It seems that I have driven you all down a dead end lane that is full of boring details, so give me a second to turn this car around and send you down a sunny, green lane.
You sleep and I’ll go be social.
Bob, Suzie and others –
Can’t sleep as usual, but that’s normal for me these days…
I must refrain from banging on with all my whingeing and moaning about work all the time and the stress it puts upon me; it’s not right to share this hassle with you all, and I apologise for my constant whining. Life WILL certainly get much better when my horrendous loan is settled in a couple of years’ time and I can get back to normality after soooo many years of debt. That’s what credit cards do for you!
I am extremely grateful for your support though with all this, it’s just life. Some people have it all sewn up, others it’s more difficult. There are far more people worse off and I must get myself sorted out to put things into perspective. I have a great family – my wife, her two daughters, two grandkids and a bunch of fantastic friends. I am not driven to drink as you may think though – that is my social life. Three hours once a week to retain some kind of balance and sanity with a bunch of lifelong mates having a chat a few sociable drinks is not a bad thing when you work nights all week. It’s essential to have this time to unwind and I do not go over the top. It’s a time to wind down and is essential.
I think that other thread of mine was too much to take on in the end, but we’re on the home run with it now and I have to stick it out for the members who post in there. They want to see where their favourite albums are, and besides all the time it takes me to assemble those posts, I do enjoy it myself. But it’s all about perspective and priorities and I’ve never been that good with either!
When I get time, I will be back training again, Sunday will definitely be a legs session anyway. Wish I could train today and do my big weekend workout, but as I said earlier I have a month’s shopping to do, spend some time with my granddaughter and this afternoon I’ll be in Beverley, which is not far from me, for a few drinks and conversation with a friend (just the one this week as everyone else is busy or not well enough to go out).
Suzie, hope the evening went well at the Gallery Night out (as I’ve mentioned elsewhere on here), treasure your time out, whatever that may be. It’s all time to relax and chill so it’s worth cherishing. Please keep us informed about your perhaps worrying niggles setting in with your training issues - get it checked out. Hopefully it’s nothing much but you should get it checked out.
Oh and Bob – Don’t worry bud, I have my very own Project Manager – though I refer to my taskmaster as “Head Office”. She is awesome with her talent for sticking Post-It notes everywhere, but she is amazing and I couldn’t live without her, whatever the chores she has lined up for me are.
I am really grateful for this thread, it’s more than a basic workout plan for an ageing bodybuilder, as I thought it might be when I began it nearly two years ago now. It’s a little community we have going on and it’s great that we can all discuss our lives which extend beyond our fitness tales.
Thanks again all
Good post Floydy, and it’s always good to hear from you whatever you have to say. If you want to moan and get it off your chest that’s fine, I’ve done my share, and I’ll be the first to say that it has helped me to see a problem in a different light after reading replies and comments from other members, including yourself. We’ve all been there and being an over fifties forum we have such a wealth of experience and wisdom, even if it’s just a sympathetic ear…Keep posting when you can mate…
I was foraging around in the loft the other day and came across a dumbell I made when I worked as an engineer, I used to do a few curls? to strengthen up my arms. So Guess what? I thought I’ll knock out twenty with each arm and get to look like Floydy after a few weeks… Problem is, I couldn’t straighten my arm later on in the day…:shock:
What have I done wrong Floydy? …Signed…Nobhead from Doncaster…
So because the thread is ‘Post your daily exercise routine’ and not ‘buggering about in the loft thinking I was thirty again’ It’s back to the O/P…
Well done to the girl who came second on the ‘Boston Marathon’ yesterday, only her second ever marathon…Wow something to ponder on while hurtling round a five mile route in the morning…Then sit on my arse eating a fry up (courtesy of McDonalds) watching the ‘London Marathon’…
Question…How do you know you’re getting old???
Because you sit watching marathons and talking about them and don’t run them anymore!