Skutz Falls, Horseshoe Bend, December 14, 2019

 This section of the Cowichan Valley Trail and The Great Trail is a go-to for me and Ann.  It's a good distance with interesting terrain and it's along the river. This was my first trip out there and I fell in love.

Holt Creek, December 7, 2019

 Ann and I had been swimming regularly and really enjoying it.  Then I had to have some periodontal work done and swimming was off the list for a month.  So I suggested to Ann that we could do a few hikes.  A year later, it is our passion to be out in the woods and finding new and beautiful locations.

Located in Glenora in the Cowichan Valley, the Holt Creek Loop is a favourite.  This was my first time on this path with my wonderful hiking buddy, Ann.  5.6km

This bridge washed out over the winter. This photo is the only time we were able to cross it.

A favourite landmark, the tree roots.  

Rowing St. Petersburg 2019

In 2019, I had a long summer in front of me and no real plans, so I made a snap decision to sign up for a rowing tour to St. Petersburg, Russia.  Arranging passports and travel was a whirlwind - I was sure my visa wouldn't get to me in time. Everything worked out just fine, and I took off for Amsterdam at the beginning of August.  After three days solo in Amsterdam, I met up with my crew in Russia. Each day we rowed on a different section of the canals of St. Petersburg and the Neva River.  Our final day was spent in the country on the Volkov River - a real contrast to the big city.

Long days of rowing 20+km a day and then site seeing by foot in the afternoon led to really great nights of sleep and wonderful memories.  My new friends from Britain, Australia, Sweden, and Russia jumped into coastal quads and rowed through what may be the most scenic city I've been to.  Amazing.

I highly recommend Rowing the World.  Ruth is a fantastic organizer and offers well-researched trips with expert guides.

On the Fontanka with St. Isaac's cupola in the background.

On the Volkov.

Just Fit Enough

I raced in a regatta yesterday.  I struggled in making the decision whether to race or not.  You see, I'm quite used to racing in peak condition.  And I'm not right now.  I haven't trained nearly enough to win a race.  But, in the end, I love racing so much that I decided I would.

And I'm glad I did.

It turns out that I'm "just fit enough".  Just fit enough for 4 minutes - give or take a few seconds - of gut wrenching, lung bursting, heart galloping exertion.  Just fit enough to maintain a decent stroke rate.  Just fit enough to even have a kick at the finish.  Just fit enough to help both boats to a third place finish.

Then I got home and Adam Kreek, 2008 Canadian Olympic gold medal rower, was on my Facebook feed.  Watch and enjoy.

And stay fit enough!

Sitting is Bad For You

I came across this TED lesson while I was sitting at my computer this morning.  I posted it and got out of my chair.

Stay on your feet.  Move.  Your body wants to!  Needs to!

Life is NOT a Battle

People are taking up the fitness craze in droves.  But, as it turns out, the mentality of working out to exhaustion every day is super UNhealthy.  To live with the military attitude that life is a battle is not good for your body or your mental well being.  It's all about balance.

So next time you get off your chair, be kind to yourself.  A gentle walk will take you further into a healthy old age than an overkill workout will.

Read here about the militarization of exercise!  Yikes!!!  Bad trend, I say.

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

Social science has been exploring how our perception and vision affects our approach to exercise.  The results of their experiments are fascinating!  There are a few things that predict how we "see" exercise as easy or hard.  One is our own fitness.  Fit people tend to "see" exercise as easier.  Another is motivation.  People who are highly motivated "see" exercise as easier.  But the most fascinating part is what they found about how people "see" the world around them and the effect on how they "see" exercise.  As it turns out, people who are focussed and not attending to everything in their line of vision "see" exercise as easier.  That's great news!  It suggests there may be ways for us to adjust our perception of exercise and "see" how easy it is to stay fit and finish strong.

Kale Loses Its Crown

Kale has been dubbed the superfood of the year in 2014.  People are eating it up like crazy.  And it's great for you!  But, as it turns out, it only ranks 15th on the list of good-for-you foods in terms of nutrient density.

Salad is a good bet any day - especially if you include the "top ten" in your salad mix.

Read about it here.

Never Leave the Playground

Stephen Jepson is 77 years old and plays all day as if he were 7.  He supports play and movement at all ages to improve your life.  He wants all of us to have better balance - to avoid falls.  And he believes his approach builds brain cells and memory.  He is a marvelous inventor of toys and activities and an inspiration for us all.

Stay active.  Never leave the playground.

Watch the Growing Bolder video here.

Stephen's Never Leave the Playground website is here.

Hole in One at 103

Gus Andreone recently became the oldest PGA member to score a hole in one.  It's only been 75 years since he last scored one!

Gus golfs three times a week at a par 90.  His personal formula for longevity is not complex. “It’s all about just being yourself, keeping your old regular pace,” he says. ”You just have habits you do every day. You don’t live outside of what you do every day.”

“I take a spoon of honey every morning in my coffee. Every morning,” says Andreone. “Before I get out of bed, I do a certain set of exercises that help my knees, back and hips. It works for me.”

Gus is more evidence that we just have to KEEP MOVING!

Read about Gus' hole in one here!