Keladris goes forth

[Keladris]

In many ways, this  winter had lasted years. Keladris had needed time to heal, time to hide away from the world. It was against her nature, but her spirit and her body demanded it, and so she had reigned in her thirst for adventure in search of rest. But, as the new year dawned, she found herself ready. Regaining her strength, it was time for her feet to find the road once more.

----------------------------------

 

For a while I was pondering a whole host of goals and figuring out a theme for it/and RPG system but, in the end I think "keep it simple stupid" is the way to go.

My first two challenges have been really successful, all in all. But the thing I haven't been able to get to stick is walking. So I'm making that my one and only goal for this challenge! Of course, I plan to maintain all the good stuff I've already built up (dancing 2-3/week, strength training 1-2/week, getting my veggies and doing my stretches so that ONE DAY I will get the splits).

 

But for the challenge, I'm going to make it my mission to go for a walk Monday-Friday. Every morning as soon as I'm awake. Doesn't have to be far, although I find once I'm out I do tend to do at least 30 mins. 

 

For tracking, Imma post a picture each day! I like the added challenge of finding something different to photograph, will help me to explore. I'll also be posting over in the Walk to Mordor PVP. And I'll be listening to the LOTR audiobook as I go

 

My whys: I work from home and because of COVID, my daily steps tend to be very low unless I make walks a priority. My weight loss has also stalled slightly, and I think it's time to get some extra daily movement to support the dancing and strength training. PLUS the sun is making an appearance after the Canadian winter, and I want to be ready to go on a hike as soon as we're allowed to travel out of the city.  Besides, what's a bard without a little adventure and exploration?

 

[Artemis Prime]

Woohoo! Walk to Mordor! Destroy the Ring! Photograph cool stuff!

[Alanna]

Here for the walking and photos! I'm also trying to spend more time walking outside this challenge - since I also work from home, I can go days without stepping outside if I don't make it a priority. I like your photography goal/tracking technique - it's a great way to be present and focus on your surroundings, too. 

 

[Keladris]

I know it is 0 week, but figured I'd start as best I can. Might not be superrr strict on the every day thing for this week, but use it to warm up to my new habits.

 

Day 1

 

~4km walk (I've realised my step tracker isn't very accurate...) around my neighbourhood. Picture is of the new development for the university here, which is a beautiful big glass building. But currently surrounded by empty space cos it's still a work in progress. I LOVE the big blue skies we get in Montreal.

 

[Epsilonte]

Such a pretty sky!! Love that the university looks almost invisible.  

 

Hope you have a great time on your way to mordor. With lots of elves and talking trees and not so many orcs, snow storms and such. ^^ 

[Xena]

Good idea to keep it simple! Do you think you'll pop into the mini-challenge too?

[Keladris]

Just a quick 3km today. Beautiful sunshine again. My body seems to be feeling the extra exercise already, especially my feet since I'm wearing my barefoot sandals. Here's a mural from a nearby park:

 

 

 

On 3/22/2021 at 4:23 PM, Epsilonte said:

With lots of elves and talking trees and not so many orcs, snow storms and such. ^^ 

Bonus pic! Snow is almost all melted, but knowing Montreal we'll have another storm before summer truly arrives haha. Actually my feet got kinda wet in my sandals...



 

 

On 3/22/2021 at 10:41 PM, Xena said:

Good idea to keep it simple! Do you think you'll pop into the mini-challenge too?

Ooooh *shuffles off to check mini-challenge*.

[Epsilonte]

17 hours ago, Keladris said:

Bonus pic! Snow is almost all melted, but knowing Montreal we'll have another storm before summer truly arrives haha. Actually my feet got kinda wet in my sandals...

 

Ooooh pretty!!

Aren't you gettig cold in the barefood sandals? I mean it looks very nice and sunny, but I'm always thinking "Montreal = Canada = cold". xD 

[juliebarkley]

On 3/21/2021 at 10:55 PM, Keladris said:

PLUS the sun is making an appearance after the Canadian winter, and I want to be ready to go on a hike as soon as we're allowed to travel out of the city.  Besides, what's a bard without a little adventure and exploration?

I walked across my city (the short way) a couple of years ago; hoping to do the long way this year. You can have some good adventures without leaving the city. Ever thought about walking the length (or width) of Montreal Island? Or the circumference of one of the smaller ones?

[Keladris]

4 hours ago, Epsilonte said:

but I'm always thinking "Montreal = Canada = cold".

You're not wrong for like 7 months of the year... This false spring we're having is giving us temps of 16-20 Celsius so for now I'm alright, although looks like snow is inbound again next week! In the summer it actually gets super hot, up to the 40s even.

 

48 minutes ago, juliebarkley said:

I walked across my city (the short way) a couple of years ago; hoping to do the long way this year. You can have some good adventures without leaving the city. Ever thought about walking the length (or width) of Montreal Island? Or the circumference of one of the smaller ones?

Ooh this is an interesting idea. We do have a few good walking spots in the city, some nature parks and of course, Mont Royal. I'm planning a 2 hour walk at some point around there. But it'd be cool to go north to south and see the river on both sides of the island, I think it'd take 4ish hours depending where I'd do it. North East/South West (I guess you'd call that the length?) is 55km!

[juliebarkley]

Do it! It's fun!

 

North-South from my front door to Quebec was a little over 40km, and we overnighted once (this doubled as a together activity for me and my teenage son). I am not a speedy walker, lol. East-West across Ottawa is over 70km. It will involve at least one overnight stay, probably two - that's the only thing holding me back from saying that it will for sure happen this year.

[Rookie]

I can't help but notice your profile pic has you on a horse? And that might be the reason I ended up over here.

 

Loving the pictures! I am also a Canadian! Over 1 province in Ontario. I have also switched over to my flippy floppies. 

 

I was thinking of trying to get back into the Walking to Mordor as well

[Rebel Pilot Gar]

I love how focused your goal is! 
 

Looking forward to seeing the daily pictures.

[starpuck]

Oh oh oh, love the plan here Kel.

And giiiiiiiirl, if you are gonna be walking some distance... are they GOOD sandals?  Supportive and all that?   Don't be asking your feet to do extra work in bad shoes.  You need them feet for your dance!

 

I really love the pics.  I love getting little glimpses into other places and cultures and ways of life.

 

[Epsilonte]

20 hours ago, Keladris said:

You're not wrong for like 7 months of the year... This false spring we're having is giving us temps of 16-20 Celsius so for now I'm alright, although looks like snow is inbound again next week! In the summer it actually gets super hot, up to the 40s even.

 

[Keladris]

On 3/24/2021 at 9:29 PM, juliebarkley said:

Do it! It's fun!

 

North-South from my front door to Quebec was a little over 40km, and we overnighted once (this doubled as a together activity for me and my teenage son). I am not a speedy walker, lol. East-West across Ottawa is over 70km. It will involve at least one overnight stay, probably two - that's the only thing holding me back from saying that it will for sure happen this year.

Deffo love this idea for something to work towards, that would be a lot more ambitious walking-wise than I thought I could be!
 

13 hours ago, Rookie said:

I can't help but notice your profile pic has you on a horse? And that might be the reason I ended up over here.

Yas! That's my boy Sprite. He's retired now and living back home in the UK. I haven't ridden for a few years but desperate to get back to it. Hopefully this year!

 

12 hours ago, Starpuck said:

And giiiiiiiirl, if you are gonna be walking some distance... are they GOOD sandals?  Supportive and all that?  

Cos they are barefoot sandals, they actually offer basically no support. The whole point is they are supposed to flex with your foot and allow your feet to move naturally.  You're right though, feets are important for the dancing!  Will make sure to take care of em.

@Epsilonte omg that meme is everything!

Here is today's pic! It's a ihll used to sledging in winter, but in summer looks like the barrow downs.


My butt is starting to hurt... Does walking do that?
 

[Rurik Harrgath]

On 3/23/2021 at 8:05 PM, Keladris said:

Here's a mural from a nearby park:

 

This has inspired me to go photograph a mural I'm particularly fond of.  It's on a historic building I know will be torn down any day now for a new double-bridge development the city is preparing for, and the mural always perks me up when I drive by it.

 

So that'll be a weekend goal now! 💪

[Keladris]

Oooh I wanna see! I love street art, it really brightens up the city

[Keladris]

Zero week wrap up

 

Did 3/5 days of walking. I'm not really counting zero week, was more seeing it as a warm up. It taught me that I could use some new equipment for my journey (like a waterproof jacket!) and I also learnt that the trick really is not to think about 'will I won't I?', but just wake up, throw clothes on and get out there. The generally good weather aside from one rain day deffo helped draw me out.

 

Determined to smash every week of the challenge proper! Mostly posting this to hype myself up for tomorrow

[Alanna]

10 hours ago, Keladris said:

Zero week wrap up

 

Did 3/5 days of walking. I'm not really counting zero week, was more seeing it as a warm up. It taught me that I could use some new equipment for my journey (like a waterproof jacket!) and I also learnt that the trick really is not to think about 'will I won't I?', but just wake up, throw clothes on and get out there. The generally good weather aside from one rain day deffo helped draw me out.

 

Determined to smash every week of the challenge proper! Mostly posting this to hype myself up for tomorrow

 

It's so much easier to get outside when the weather is nice (and when it's light out!). Great job reflecting on what worked this week and what you need moving forward, too.

 

Here's to a great walking challenge!

 

[starpuck]

Ooooh haha.  I forgot that not all people have stupid feet!  LOL  I have bad feet, with bio-mechanics that never worked right and I super need like arch support, stiff bottoms etc.  LOL Woops.

 

Nice work on the work though girl, get it!

 

[Keladris]

Ouch Puck, sorry to hear about the feets. To be fair, it makes sense you forget we might have different feet since we are basically the same person.

Pic from today! Giant plant pots, though the plants still waking up from winter.
 

 

[starpuck]

Omg, does the community realize it has such a pot problem?????

 

Sorry I couldn't resist.

 

[Keladris]

A few pics to choose from today! We had a bunch of rain so now basically all the snow is cleared and suddenly new paths are open to me, very exciting. So I went off road and it felt like a true adventure. An hour's walked turned into 2.5 hours and 6km (I stopped for a snack ). 

 

It also meant my barefoot shoes got their first outing on uneven terrain. They really came into their own when going over rocks and branches, trying to navigate the mini rivers created by the melting snow. 

 

The excitement continued when my tupper ware box lid  got picked up by the wind and rolled down a very steep slop. I gingerly picked my way down to retrieve it, but holy moly, coming back up was a challenge! The mud was slippery and I'm a bit of a wuss so ended up crouching low to the floor and practicing my climbing skills. Thrilling stuff haha!

[Rebel Pilot Gar]

Sounds like a good adventure for the day!