I started this blog just after finishing a 40/25 hike...fun. Amazingly my shin splints never acted up once, but why would they...after spending money on wraps to combat the evil shin splints and packing them in my rucksack and carrying them for 65 k's ...why would they act up! I shouldn't complain. But...my blisters are back with a vengeance! I have blisters inside blisters...they're building a condominium! I wasn't sure how the 25 k was going to work on Saturday...it was very painful. I had to break the blisters, patch them up with band aids and duct tape and hope for the best. Once I started walking I couldn't stop...the constant walking was helping to numb the pain...bizarre I know. As soon as I had to stop for a few minutes to change water bottles then the pain would really get going. I can't wait to get this 100 k hike over with!!

My brother-in-law, Jim Maguire, joined us on our 40 k hike. It was his first hike in several years and he decided to stop at the 27 k mark...he had to work the next day...smart move. He got to experience the hill that we affectionately call Big Bad Bertha...thanks Kristen. This hill is so steep you feel like you just summited and should be planting a flag! Jim felt the pain on that one. We usually stop about 1 k down the road from Bertha for lunch. It's great a little spot and even has a stream running by. Jim took the opportunity to soak his feet in the cold water...man oh man...I didn't know he was part Hobbit. I think he must be related to Bilbo Baggins...he's Jimbo Baggins from the Shire. Not sure if anything is living downstream anymore?

Jimbo also did his best Dr. Doolittle and saved a snapper turtle that sitting on the road. We were one with nature...and all that crap.

A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand. That also works for beers by the way.

Monday morning and still in pain. I did very little at the gym this morning.

People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, but People will never forget how you made them feel.
This is my 100th blog...who would have thought!

Big Dave out

One heckler down...just a few more to go! A soft bunch these hecklers...

One day before another exciting adventure, pounding the pavement over the hills of Northumberland. I'm getting my gear all ready and laid out so I don't forget anything. Let's see...I have my state of the art wraps that go around my shins (shin splints), I have my knee braces in case my knees go out, I have blister band aids, Easy Glide stuff to put on my feet to help prevent blisters, double layered socks, extra cushion in my shoes to protect the deep bruise on the ball of my foot, sun screen, sun glasses, hat, change of socks, and change of shoes. If I wear any more protective equipment I'll look like a hockey player that can't find a rink to play in! I've got so many injuries right now...but dammit I'm healthy! At least that's what I keep mumbling to myself.

Ooops...I almost forgot, I'll have my shorts and orange shirt on as well. Can't very well go on this hike naked even though that's the motto of Bodilogix. The colour of my shirt, coat etc. has now come a thing of tradition on these hikes. The Sarge is very insistent I have to wear something orange...I'm guessing so the cars don't hit us.

Reminder...the Hike for Health is only a few short weeks away...please register and enjoy the day with your family and get healthy at the same time.

I just found out from the Sarge that there is a new style happening in the world for men. Apparently the "Metro sexual" stage is out and a new "Manaissance" is taking place. So....men who like beer, have hair on their chest and don't watch Oprah are in....I'm back in style!

I don't exercise at all.
If God had wanted me to touch my toes,
He would have put them higher up on my body.

to me that just doesn't make sense...then we would have to have extra holes in our belts!
Big Dave out!

"Well- timed silence hath more eloquence than speech"...Martin Fraquhuar Tupper.


Are you paying attention Andrea Johnson, Cindy Adams, Sandra Legacy, Tanya Earle, Rhonda Cunningham and especially Dave Hughes! Just a shout out to the heckle crew...I am sensitive you know, in fact a tear just hit the keyboard...ooops, that was just me not being able to drink from a bottle properly, false alarm! To think, I, who treats everyone with respect and dignity, doesn't get the same in return...what is the world coming to!

I visited the Breeze and Star radio studio's last Thursday and did interviews with Joel Scott and Mike Cutting...great guys. Joel put me in the hot room...I thought I was under interrogation! I almost admitted to having a beer the other day...but he couldn't break me! Just name, rank and serial number...I guess I just admitted it, didn't I?! The interviews were about the HIKE FOR HEALTH event...remember to sign up folks.
Did you know that a chameleon can move it's eyes in two directions at the same time?! It sounds like the Sarge at boot camp...can't get away with anything.

As per normal I was at the gym on Sunday...made sure I did my stretching for my shin splints. I did 45 minutes on the treadmill and even did a little jogging. Got off the treadmill, got ice from the freezer to put on my shins. My left leg had swollen in the area just above the ankle to below the calf...a very distinctive swelling. It appears it might be a tendon but frankly what do I know! Will have to show the Sarge on Monday and figure out game plan...did I happen to mention this getting healthy is killing me already?!?

On the topic of pain...we have another back to back hike coming up this Friday and Saturday. It will be a 40/25 this time. That will be our last back to back training session before the Hike for Health event on June 18 and 19th.

In the words of that fine comedian Lily Tomlin..."I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific!"
Big Dave out!

Somebody pretending to be Michael Jackson was seen at Bodilogix the other day...Trevor. He gave me a shout so he could demonstrate his spin move on the treadmill...show off. All I know if he starts to spin, grab his crotch and make a squeal sound I'm leaving!


The Sarge is away for a week...it's a time of fun and relaxation at good old Bodilogix. Let the good times roll! Imagine, a whole week of not getting the "evil eye"! She should really get that fixed anyways...that's all I'm saying.

Been doing some stretching to help with the shin splints. I also ice them down after each work out. My shoulder is still screwed up so i haven't done any weights for about five days or so...just been doing cardio. I'm falling apart! This getting healthy is killing me!I just hope everything will be healed up by the time the Hike for Health event happens...that will be one heck of a hike.

Talking about the Hike for Health...please register early so you can order your shirt size! Just go to http://www.hikeforhealth.ca/ and get the process started. The money raised is used to purchase equipment, not just for the hospital but for you, me and our family members! Let's get the state of the art equipment for our hospital...none of us our getting out of life's journey alive so we might as well be comfortable along the way! Thinking of that...do they serve beer and pizza at the hospital???
"Always hold your head up, but be careful to keep your nose at a friendly level"...truly words to live by in the animal kingdom!
Big Dave out!

Hello folks...what a walk that was! We did 40 k on the Friday and then 20 k on the Saturday. It actually turned out a little shorter then 20 so since we are uber athletes, are next back to back will be a 40/25...really looking forward to that one!! As it was I had shin splints in both legs for the last 10 k's of Saturdays walk. Did that ever hurt! Cindy Adams felt so much pity for me she went out and got me two bags of frozen peas so I can put on my shins when I was back at the gym! Isn't that a nice thing to do?! Only one thing bothered me though...I asked for Green Giant and she got me No Name stuff...the healing process will be slower.

Learned something new on Saturday's walk...the Sarge had an "activating ass" going on! I have no idea what she was talking about...possibly a cramp...I think?! Of course the "ass" jokes came out, all from Cindy mind you....she's going to "asspire to something greater" or she's working on her "assterpiece"! I ask...how can I truly realize and channel all my efforts with such foolishness going around!

I've been riding my bike into the gym over the last week and I almost had a close encounter with a squirrel. I didn't realize the bike was so stealthy...I was riding along and I noticed a black squirrel in front of me. He on the other hand hasn't seen me yet. So...I'm thinking to myself...what a cute little creature...now shoo little fuzzy creature of the forest. Nope...he just sits there...so I think, it's time to run away little bushy tail climber of all trees and bird feeders! Nope...he's now staring me down! So...all right you little ugly, plague infested, tree rat your time has come!! He moved. Ahhhh...nothing like getting back to nature.

Talking about nature...during our numerous hikes I have learned that Rhonda Cunningham has a phobia about dogs. Any time a dog would start barking or come close to the road she would panic and push me in front of her...I'm so happy she doesn't have a phobia about Mack Trucks!!

One of the worst asked questions of all time..."Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"

Read in the news...suicidal twin kills sister by mistake.
Back to the hikes again...Angel joined the Sarge and i for the 40 K. She's a strong walker just like Kristen, Rhonda, Tanya...they get on my nerves...they are mere specs on the horizon.
On the 20 k we were joined by Sandra Stothart, J.R,his step son, and Cindy Adams...she gets on my nerves too.
Big Dave out!

OUCH!!
I wrecked my left shoulder on Tuesday...now I have a matching set...lucky me! I should have known better, a few days a go I was doing a shoulder exercise that I've never tried before, not even in my youth. I felt I had wrecked something then, but it was just tender...so I decided to just work through the pain. What a mistake! While doing a upper body exercise, not the same one either, my shoulder had severe pain...I almost released the F bomb. I think I might have to cut back on the weights for awhile to get healed up and concentrate more on the cardio for the next few weeks. Spoke to the Sarge...upper body weights are off the training routine until next week and then we will re-evaluate.

Speaking of upper body work outs; I saw Cindy and the Sarge talking for about thirty minutes instead of getting their work out in. I asked if this was their upper body workout...you know just moving the lips! Cindy laughed...the Sarge simply stared at me. Cindy actually called it a "yapper body workout"...how true.


I was discussing with some of the ladies at the gym about gel seats for my bike. It's amazing what I learn at that place, but apparently they have gel pants now! Thanks Irene! I was picturing the whole gel pant situation and I couldn't stop laughing...why not just wrap me up in bubble wrap and send me out the door!


Speaking of bikes and heading out the door...I still don't know how to run the gears and for the life of me, I can't find the heater on the bike?? The mornings have been freezing! I had an old timers moment on the bike this morning...came up to the stop sign and tried to brake with my foot on the peddle! Needless to say i wasn't stopping very quickly, so I looked like I was mule kicking in a panic to stop! I finally clued in...stopped successfully. I have to celebrate these little victories.

Dietary update...I love cooking with wine, sometimes I even put it in the food. Yee Haw!



"You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him"...

Big Dave out

By the look of the latest comments it would appear I'm a hit in China! Just goes to show spam is everywhere.

i completed the whole 40 k on Friday. The layered socks and the cushioned soles really helped. The bruise was still sore but not enough that I would have to stop. I changed my routine after the hike which also really helped. I use to get into a hot bath with Epsom salts and take some Tylenol to ease the pain; I would be sore and generally feeling like crap the next day. This time I went into the shower and turned it on as cold as I could handle it, took Advil, had a Gatorade and also a banana. By doing this I was reintroducing the lost potassium, electrolytes and salts back into my body. It worked! On Saturday morning I hit the gym and was feeling great! Went on the treadmill and the elliptical. That will be my new routine.

Joining me on the hike were the Sarge, Kristen and Rhonda Cunningham. Everybody did a great job. Needless to say by the time we were nearing the 30 k mark I was solidly in last place. I'm going to put that down to the age difference!

After the hike one of the ladies had to show off her leg muscles...telling people to feel this one! I won't name that person, but it wasn't the Sarge or Kristen.

Starting Monday I'll be riding my bike to the gym and work everyday...ten months ago you would have never heard me say that!
Monday morning...rode bike to gym which is a distance of 5 k's. It was freezing this morning and I didn't have any gloves on...man that was cold. Learned two lesson's today while on the bike...always give right of way to big trucks and get someone to show me how to use the gears! It's been years since I've been on a bike so I had the same gear in place whether going up hill or down.
Changed routine at the gym. I was on the treadmill and I tried something different...I walked backwards. I got this idea from watching Trevor and Kim...they made the transition look so graceful. Well...from my lips to God's ears, nobody told me i was supposed to slow the machine down first before trying to walk backwards!! The belt on the machine was trying to shoot me off into the wall and at the same time i was holding on to the arm rails with all my strength! I was almost horizontal on the damn thing. Once I recovered my footing I looked around the gym to see if anyone witnessed the event....nope! I look back on the last ten months and I'm really surprised I'm still in one piece!
Big Dave out

This gem is from a guest contributor..."Thank you for calling the Weight Loss Hotline. If you'd like to lose a half pound right now, press "1" 18,000 times!" Oh the laughter...

I put this in the blog because I like to encourage the amateurs, the little people...I'm giving back to my peeps.

Several times after shaving my head for Cops for Cancer I've almost scarred myself. After working out I have a shower (that's good news all around) and then fifty years of training kicks in...I get my comb out to style the do and run the teeth of the comb across my scalp! Ouch! You would think after the first event I would have learned...nope, did it twice. After examining said scalp, I look like I slept on a corduroy pillow case! At least the lines are nice and even.

Another 40 k hike coming up on Friday. Hopefully my feet won't be in too much pain from the blisters and the deep bruise i have on the ball of my right foot. My intention is to walk the whole distance but if it gets too painful then I'll have to stop and let the bruise heal properly. I really don't need this aggravation this close to the 100 k Hike for Health event in June.

In preparation for the hike on Friday I've purchased what they call double layer socks...specifically meant for long distance hikes and runs. Apparently this will help with the blister situation, I hope so. I'm going to put a small gel cushion at the balls of my feet to try and cushion them for the walk...again I hope this helps.

Not sure how many folks will be walking this Friday, could be a small group. Chris Littlechild is going away this weekend hence he'll be a no show. Kristen the gazelle won't walk if it's raining! What a wimp! Doris Biron can't make it as she has a hair appointment. I said she should cancel it...nope. She's trying for the "Golden Comb Award" for best hair style at Bodilogix...another wimp. It's lonely at the top.
I am nobody.
Nobody is perfect.
Therefore I am perfect.
Yesterday I was at the gym doing my normal routine...chatted with Cindy for a second. All of a sudden we both heard this scream/yell! It was terrifying! We looked over to see if someone needed 911...nope...it was just the Sarge training a newbie! Welcome to Bodilogix...the House of Pain!
Big Dave out!

thanks for all the prayers for Jen! On a good news story, one of my other nieces, Katie Maguire, came in second in public speaking for the whole Province last Saturday! She had attend various locations throughout the Province to compete and it all wrapped up last weekend...great job Katie!

Did a 40 k hike last Friday...I still have the blisters to prove it! I was doing great right up to the 27 k mark, I could actually feel the one blister start...pain.

Kristen (the gazelle) and Tanya Earle rocked the last part of the hike. They were mere specs on the horizon...

This was Tanya's first hike, she only did the last 20 on this one but since she is the boot camp queen; i knew she wouldn't have a problem with this. When we were in the van on our way back to the gym she said..."i thought it would have been harder"...I used to like her.

Did you know that a brisk walk burns about the same amount of calories in an hour as a run or jog? So...just get out and start walking. Speaking of walking, don't forget about the Hike for Health this June 19th...come out for a hike in the woods. As long as your not the slowest you'll be fine...the bears and wolves always go after the weakest link!
In just two days from now, tomorrow will be yesterday...interesting hey?!

I was in the Cops for Cancer Event two weeks ago...I still have the shaved head. Very little upkeep with the new style. I think I should get the Mr. T starter kit, get some gold chains and stuff. Maybe I should grow a goatee, look like a biker that has his Harley days far behind him and really should get the Moped out!
Big Dave out!