David Barker (@nouspique) — Bluesky Profile

2 weeks ago

A view looking northwest across Toronto’s Don Valley. In the foreground positioned on the diagonal is the Don Valley Parkway and an on ramp curving to join it. Passing through the middle of the image is a train trestle, also on the diagonal. Beyond the trestle are buildings and grounds that comprise the Evergreen Brick Works. Because the image comes from the poster’s Strava account, it is overlaid with running stats and the words, “Tempo 16 with a pause @ Chester Hill Lookout.”

Brisk #TempoRun thru the city with a pause at Toronto’s Chester Hill Lookout for a view across the Don Valley. Although there’s still snow on the ground, at least most of the pathways & sidewalks are clear now. Can wear normal trainers for a change. #Toronto #Run #Running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky

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3 weeks ago

The dark asphalt curving from the lower right side of the image and disappearing in the distance stands in stark contrast to the white snow that covers the sidewalk to the left of the road. Because the image comes from the poster’s Strava account, it’s overlaid with running stats and the words, “Tough Slog in the Snow.”

Went for a #LongRun in the snow this morning. Apparently I was 1 of about 3 people in the country who wasn’t watching the hockey game. Freezing my ass off outside helped numb me to the disappointment. #Run #Running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky

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3 weeks ago

The Elton John Greatest Hits album cover overlaid with Strava running stats and the words, “Rocket Man! (on a treadmill)”

Ran like a Rocket Man on the #treadmill today. When I was 11, I had a crush on a girl who had a crush on Elton John & she sent in to a mail order house selling EJ’s chest hairs. I thought there was something fishy about the deal and told her so. She wouldn’t talk to me after that. Alas! #Run #RunSky

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3 weeks ago

A pair of calves in silver trainers stands on a cushy gym floor. Everything above the knees is out of frame. The calves sport colourful compression socks that depict a forest scene at sunrise. The image comes from the poster’s Strava account and so is overlaid with running stats and the words, “Treadmill in an Ice Storm.”

The one great advantage of #treadmill running is that it gives me a chance to show off my fancy compression socks. I may be on the brink of collapse but at least my legs look cheerful. #running #run #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky

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3 weeks ago

A Liberty Taxes mascot - basically a person inside a giant red inflatable maple leaf decorated with googly eyes and a corny smile - stands on the sidewalk in Toronto’s Danforth neighbourhood and tries to drum up business. Because this image comes from the poster’s Strava account, it’s overlaid with running stats and the words, “Spring is in the air!”

What glorious day for a #run! Signs of spring were everywhere, including a reminder that it won’t be long before we have to file our income tax returns. #running #RunnersOfBlueSky #RunSky #Spring

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1 month ago

Pedestrian path up Toronto’s Rosedale Valley Road. The snow has melted to reveal the black asphalt underneath. The remaining snow to either side of the path has turned dirty and gritty. This image comes from the poster’s Strava account and so is overlaid with running stats and the words, “Sunday morning jaunt.”

The problem with snow in the city is that it doesn’t take long to turn dirty and disgusting. It reveals how much grit our lungs suck in. I love #Toronto but there are times I need to get the hell out. #Running #Run #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky #CityLife #CityLiving #WinterRunning

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1 month ago

Exactly!

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1 month ago

Tombstones lined up in a snowy cemetery. The image comes from the poster’s Strava account and so is overlaid with running stats and a Game Of Thrones quote, “What do we say to Death?”

A glorious if chilly 16 km in the sun! Whenever I pass a cemetery it reminds me why I do this. Though I do worry that one day the grim reaper may discover supershoes and then start gaining on me. #run #running #WinterRunning #RunSky ##RunnersOfBlueSky

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1 month ago

Black trail shoes with bright red soles on a bed of snow. The image comes from the poster’s Strava account and so is overlaid with running stats and the words, “Breaking in a new pair of Altras.”

I have Hobbit feet, not just hairy, but flappy wide too. If you look closely at LOTR, you’ll notice that many of the Hobbits wear Altras, especially when they go #TrailRunning through Mordor. The wide toe box makes all the difference. #Run #Running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky

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1 month ago

Thanks

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1 month ago

Thanks!

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1 month ago

A big clump of ice has formed on a breakwater extending into Lake Ontario. The image comes from the poster’s Strava account and so is overlaid with running stats and the words, “Long run to see the sights in Scarborough.”

Had my heart set on a 30 km #LongRun this morning come hell or high water. Or in this case, frozen water. I thought electrolytes in my hydration vest would keep the water from freezing. Tube froze in the first 15 minutes! #Run #Running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky #WinterRunning

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1 month ago

Beige coloured Victorian facade of the former Toronto Jail affectionately remembered as the Don Jail. In this image, a walkway leads to the front door with snow banks to either side. Because the image comes from the poster’s Strava account, it is overlaid with running stats and the words, “Hello East York!”

Ran past the former #Toronto Jail this morning. I was called to the bar 15 yrs too late to have dealings in the original bldg, tho I did interview clients in the now demolished east wing. Ah memories! #Run #Running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky #DonJail

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1 month ago

Older white man standing on a treadmill, wearing a dark blue technical T shirt and holding a white towel in place on his head. The image comes from his Strava account and so is overlaid with running stats and the words, “Treadmill long run listening to Chris Hedges.”

People kept asking Alex Honnold why he was climbing Taipei 101. A: Because. Closer to home, my spouse asks why I want to #run on a #treadmill for 2.5 hrs. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Don’t really have answer. Sets my mind at ease?Shuts out the social media caterwauling? #Running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky

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1 month ago

Capture of the screen from a Precor treadmill displaying pointless running stats.

Another #treadmill #run in the bag while listening to a Backlisted podcast discussing Iris Murdoch’s The Sacred and Profane Love Machine. I first encountered Murdoch when I had to read The Sandcastle for an undergrad course, ahem, more than 40 years ago. #Books #BookSky #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky

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1 month ago

It’s not something I plan to make a habit of, but given the weather, a treadmill is better than sitting on my duff and staring out the window. We ended up with 60 cm of snow.

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1 month ago

Winter scene through the gym window with accumulated snow up the window and, behind that, snow on evergreen bushes, a fence, and trees in the background. This image comes from the poster’s Strava account and so is overlaid with running stats and the words, “My First Treadmill Long Run Because Weather.”

Selfie in a snowstorm, dressed in a dark grey coat & hat with snow breezing past.

With a forecast 50 cm of #snow coming today, I thought I’d try a #LongRun on the #treadmill for a change. Gave me a chance to practice fuelling on the fly, which is awkward outside in the winter. #WinterWeather #Running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky

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1 month ago

A green tractor equipped with a snow blower attachment gobbles up snow along the side of the road and shoots it into the back of a red dump truck. Because this image comes from the poster’s Strava account, it is overlaid with running stats and the words, “Polar Vortex is on its way.”

I had an uncle who lost 3 fingers to a snow blower. If there was a Darwin Award for fingers, he would’ve won hands down. So, from my uncle to you, a #winter weather tip: don’t stick your hand in a snow blower while it’s still running. #Running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky #WinterRunning

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1 month ago

A plain white door mounted in a rough wooden frame and covered in black hand writing that doesn’t necessarily indicate anything that means anything. Because this image comes from the poster’s Strava account, it is overlaid with running stats and the words, “Taking the long way to pick up a prescription.”

You know the old saying: when God closes a door, angry people scrawl graffiti all over it. Saw this door at Gerrard & Parliament while out for my morning jaunt. Formerly Jenny’s Convenience store. #Toronto #Run #Running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky

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1 month ago

A giant pink-skinned nose is affixed to a sheet of plywood which in turn has been fastened to a wall above a metal framed shop door. Because the image comes from the poster’s Strava account, it is overlaid with running stats and the words, “I Found Gogol’s Nose!”

I found Gogol’s nose! It was hanging out above a shop entrance on Queen St E and, like me, I think it was running. After all, it was -12C with a wind chill of -21C, ideal conditions for a brisk #LongRun. Not so much for a nose that was barely moving. Brrr. #Running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky #Toronto

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1 month ago

It was a delight!

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1 month ago

Tolu Oloruntoba Podcast Episode · What Happened Next: a podcast about newish books · 2026-01-19 · 27m

Today’s workout podcast was an interview with @tolu.ca who talks about his latest poetry book, Unravel, and the inspiration for his upcoming work: action flicks, esp. John Wick. I’m delighted to have a copy of Unravel sitting on my night table. #Books #Poetry #Poets #CanLit

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1 month ago

A life sized snow covered triceratops skull sits in the front yard of a single family dwelling. In the foreground are garbage bins. Because the image comes from the poster’s Strava account, it is overlaid with running stats and the words, “Sun At Last!”

On this morning’s #run I passed a triceratops #sculpture on someone’s front lawn which they had obviously placed there to cheer on fossil runners like me 🦖 #running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky #dinosaur

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1 month ago

Baroque Car Wash! - like singing in the shower, but with cars. #Music #ClassicalMusic #CarWash

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2 months ago

Black and white winter photo overlooking Toronto’s Rosedale Valley. The photo comes from the poster’s Strava account and so is overlaid with running stats and the words, “Snow Day Means Treadmill Run.”

Given a snowstorm & -13C temperature not to mention brass monkey windchill, it seemed like a good day for a #treadmill run. Listened to Ziggy Stardust & Heathen for motivation. #Bowie #DavidBowie #SnowDay #Run #Running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky #Toronto #WinterRunning

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2 months ago

Photo of a wire mesh basket sitting in a pile of brown dried up leaves. The image comes from the poster’s Strava account and so is overlaid with running stats and the words “No Running = Basket Case.”

No Running = Basket Case

Fortunately recent conditions have ensured that I not become a basket case, much to the relief of my family and the enrichment of my PT 😄 #Running #Run #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky

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2 months ago

Two purple padlocks are locked to a vertical metal fence post. The image comes from the poster’s Strava account and so is overlaid with running stats and the words, “Love Locks on Chester Hill.”

During this morning’s easy 10k #run I paused at Chester Hill Lookout & noticed love locks on the fence there. Reminds me that #running & love have a lot in common: they’re both good for the heart. #Toronto #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky #LoveLocks #Cheese

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2 months ago

There was ice in patches off the trail but the trail itself was clear.

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2 months ago

Photo of a large puddle. In the foreground is a thick tree trunk standing reflected in the water while behind it and to the left is another tree, including a mess of branches, also reflected in the water. Because this image comes from the poster’s Strava app, it is overlaid with running stats and the words, “Long Run to the Edge of the Earth (aka Scarborough).”

This morning’s long run took me on a tour of Toronto’s east end then down to The Beaches where I found more puddles than sand.
#Toronto #LongRun #Run #Running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky #Reflection #Puddles

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2 months ago

A map displays an orange line demarking a running route through Toronto’s East York neighborhood. Because the map comes from the poster’s Strava account, it is overlaid with running stats and the words, “Vivace ma non troppo.”

An interior shot of the Guff used furniture store located near Broadview and Queen East in Toronto. In the foreground is a wooden framed sofa with grey cushions. Beyond it is a round glass-topped coffee table and a dark grey sofa. To the left of this arrangement is a teak dining room table and chairs and more articles of furniture.

Went out for a pleasant tempo #run thru East York with a brief stop to look at used teak furniture. Anteaks? #Running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky #Toronto #TempoRun

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