Workouts Lately May 2026
May has been a great month for getting outside, and I want to start documenting that! I’ve been thinking about doing a monthly workout recap for a while now, somewhere to look back on what I’ve been up to, celebrate the small wins, and stay accountable. It won’t always be intense or impressive, and that’s kind of the point. This week was mostly walks, some good company, and some really great smelling trees. Here’s how it went.
Monday 5K Walk
Monday was Victoria Day here in Canada, so I took full advantage of the long weekend and got in a 5K walk. I’m doing a 5K walk with my dad in a few weeks. It’s more of a fun walk than a race, but I still wanted to make sure I had a couple of them under my belt beforehand. I’d hate to show up unprepared and end up struggling halfway through!
The weather was absolutely perfect. It was sunny, not too warm, with just enough of a breeze to keep things comfortable. I felt good the entire time, and honestly it made me even more excited for the event. There’s something about ticking off a planned walk that makes the real thing feel a lot more real. I can’t wait to do it with him.
Tuesday Evening Walk
After dinner on Tuesday I laced up again and headed out for a quick 25 minute walk. Nothing structured, just a chance to get some fresh air and move my body after sitting most of the day. I covered nearly 2 km, short by any measure, but it counts. These little evening walks have become one of my favourite parts of the day. There’s no pressure, no pace to hit, just a chance to decompress and wind down.
Wednesday — Rest Day
Rest days are part of the plan too. I didn’t feel guilty about this one at all.
Thursday 4K Loop with a Friend (and a Dog)
Thursday’s walk was my favourite of the week. A friend and I met up to walk a route I really love. There are two parks on either side of the Bow River, with bridges at each end, so you can do a nice loop without retracing your steps. It ends up being around 4 km and feels very different depending on the direction you go.
She brought her dog along, which meant our pace was… relaxed. Lots of stopping, lots of sniffing (on the dog’s part), and lots of petting (on my part). Zero complaints. Some walks aren’t about the distance or the time, they’re about the company, and this was one of those.
I’m so genuinely grateful to live where I do in Calgary. The greenspace along the Bow River is stunning, with trees, pathways, open sky, and the sound of the river running alongside you. Every time I’m out there I catch myself thinking: how does a city of over 1.5 million people have something this beautiful right in the middle of it? I’m seriously spoiled, and I try not to take it for granted.
Friday Evening Walk
Friday’s after dinner walk turned into more than I expected. I stepped out just to stretch my legs and ended up going much further than planned, nearly 3.5 km in just under 45 minutes. I wasn’t trying to push the pace at all, just enjoying the evening.
The trees right now are doing something magical. They’re blooming with these clusters of tiny white flowers, and the smell is incredible, sweet and fresh and a little heady. I kept slowing down just to breathe it in. It’s one of those small, fleeting things that makes you glad you got outside instead of staying on the couch. A few weeks from now the blossoms will be gone, so I’m soaking them up while I can.
Saturday — Rest Day
Saturday was a proper rest day. I got out for a couple of short walks with Winston, but nothing fitness-focused beyond that. Sometimes my body just needs to slow down, and I’m getting better at listening to that.
Totals for the week: roughly 15 km across four walks, plus two rest days. Not a high-intensity week by any stretch, but that’s not what this is about. I’m building consistency, enjoying the outdoors, and getting ready for that 5K with my dad. That feels like plenty.
