Cooling Off and Catching Up

Walk to the Fire Hall

This morning’s walk with Vince and Dixie was a perfect blend of fresh air, good company, and quiet reflection. We wandered through the neighborhood, passing the fire hall, chatting about how well Dixie has matured—staying close even off leash, a far cry from her puppy days at the Coaldale dog park when she’d bolt and ignore every call. 

The weather cooperated beautifully: a brisk 14°C for our first stretch, climbing to 25°C later, but I managed to beat the heat by heading out early. After 5.7 km and about 75 minutes of walking, Dixie is now sprawled by the air register, soaking up the cool air, and I’m left feeling grateful for the time spent with Vince and my father-in-law—simple moments that mean the most.

This week’s walk was a bit more intense than usual — I strapped on a 14 kg weight (about 30 lbs) and took it with me for the entire route. It added a satisfying challenge to the pace, and I could feel the difference in my stride and breathing. Carrying that kind of load turns a casual walk into a full-body workout, and I’m here for it. Lunch afterward was hearty: 500 grams of cottage cheese, a frozen lasagna, and a kombucha to round it out. It cost me $17, which isn’t bad considering the volume — I’m a big guy and I eat accordingly.

Vince joined me later, already fed and ready to stroll. We had a great time catching up and sketching out plans for next week. If the weather holds, we’re aiming for another walk on Tuesday, September 30. It’s always good to have something on the calendar — a little motivation to keep moving and stay connected.

Carrying weight while walking is a great way to build strength and endurance without needing a gym. Just make sure your joints are happy with the extra load — and maybe don’t follow it up with lasagna every time.

That sounds like a perfect start to the day, Nigel. Cool mornings have a way of easing the body into motion—almost like nature’s own warm-up. Staying in that easy heart rate zone is such a sweet spot for aerobic conditioning: low stress on the joints, steady cardiovascular benefit, and just enough exertion to feel energized without being drained.

It’s great that you’re tuned into how your body responds to the environment. That kind of awareness makes your walks not just exercise, but a mindful experience.