Walking the dogs became more fun when I downloaded the Runkeeper app for my Samsung mobile phone. It is a combination GPS mapping and timer with a few odds and ends built in. So I have been experimenting with different versions of routes that I take the two dogs.
A friend from Saskatoon uses this app and posts her distance and time on Facebook. I liked that idea because if you post it once, you have made your brag and are stuck with putting your money where your mouth is every day or lose face. If you don't walk, you better have an excuse. My friend is today attending her family's fall calf sale at their local auction market. Mostly to see her grandkids but she doesn't have to walk today.
In my case the dogs need the outing and so do I. My knees and hips are not getting any less sore but at least I don't sound too much like the Little Engine That Could going up a rise.
The Runkeeper app makes a map of every trip so today I tried to illustrate it with photos at most corners. You can follow along with the map below. All the photos are numbered and the numbers on the map correspond to where they were taken. They are shot facing the direction of travel.
Now you know what my neighbourhood looks like.
A friend from Saskatoon uses this app and posts her distance and time on Facebook. I liked that idea because if you post it once, you have made your brag and are stuck with putting your money where your mouth is every day or lose face. If you don't walk, you better have an excuse. My friend is today attending her family's fall calf sale at their local auction market. Mostly to see her grandkids but she doesn't have to walk today.
In my case the dogs need the outing and so do I. My knees and hips are not getting any less sore but at least I don't sound too much like the Little Engine That Could going up a rise.
The Runkeeper app makes a map of every trip so today I tried to illustrate it with photos at most corners. You can follow along with the map below. All the photos are numbered and the numbers on the map correspond to where they were taken. They are shot facing the direction of travel.
Now you know what my neighbourhood looks like.
Good on ya Allen!
ReplyDeleteHoping someday to see my feet again
DeleteThat's a neat way to show us where you and the dogs go for walks. Very flat land around there isn't it. Number 7 looks no more than a cart track.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Yes, 1 km of this route is a dirt road across an abandoned something. Dusty or muddy; take your pick.
DeleteYou have me beat. I try and walk a mile to mile-and-a-half every other day - I don't have a dog to walk with. Deer season starts next week and I feel uncomfortable walking even wearing international orange. I will probably continue to walk until hunters become too plentiful.
ReplyDeletethe Ol'Buzzard
Walking by yourself is boring I find. It just seems useless to do something "for exercise", with no reason or destination. If you wear orange, the hunters can see you. Too dangerous. Wear camouflage. Just do NOT put a white handkerchief in your back pocket and bend over to drink from a stream. True story.
DeleteI would have thought you would look for a less urban locale to walk.
ReplyDeleteNo really, I hear you regarding the walking to just walk for "exercise" seems silly. Have a purpose, i.e. walking the dogs, or stay home.
But, I am finding that my purpose for riding a bike is just to make sure I still can. My right hip is threatening to quit, with my left ankle indicating it wants to walk off the job also.
I try to avoid residential areas as much as possible because every yard has at least one dog and usually two or three. Strange person with strange dogs sets off a barking storm up and down the street. Also Volk is a cat killer so one more reason. I do NOT want to put him on a leash.
DeleteI keep hoping walking will help my knees which are wrecked from carrying 100 extra pounds for 30 years and from a lifetime of flat arches.
We will keep riding and walking until we no longer can, I expect.
I love your back road walking paths - that's my kind of country. Despite thirty years of living in hilly Calgary, flat prairies are still my favourite places. Good job with the walking - getting started on it is the hardest part, but it will soon become an enjoyable habit, especially with happy dogs accompanying you!
ReplyDeleteIt is coming. . . slowly. After three weeks, my wind is getting better but I'm still puffing like a steam engine. Today I pushed myself and did the first km (all up hill from the river) in 11 minutes. Also walked 7.5 km for first time. Before 5 was the most. The dogs and I will sleep tonight. They have more fun than I do, that I can tell you.
Deletebecause of my damaged nerve and loss of feeling in my right foot and leg if I don't walk on a even surface I'll fall flat on my face...which could be interesting..oh wait..last time I fell flat on my face I got a concussion...eek.
ReplyDeleteThis route would kill you then. Pavement, pavement with holes, dirt trail, rocky trail. There is little or no real gravel in Ukraine, at least around here. In Soviet times, everything was paved. Badly. Nothing has been properly repaired since it was built.
Delete