David Barker
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nouspique.bsky.social
David Barker
@nouspique.bsky.social
480 followers 450 following 420 posts
Toronto based writer / photographer. Took up distance running at 60. Every decade deserves a new challenge. 🇨🇦
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nouspique.bsky.social
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
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?”
February 13, 2026 at 10:11 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
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.”
February 12, 2026 at 6:06 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
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.”
February 9, 2026 at 7:14 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
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!”
February 4, 2026 at 6:52 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
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.”
January 30, 2026 at 7:58 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
Capture of the screen from a Precor treadmill displaying pointless running stats.
January 27, 2026 at 9:50 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
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.
January 25, 2026 at 10:43 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
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.”
January 23, 2026 at 5:41 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
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.”
January 22, 2026 at 6:09 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
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!”
January 20, 2026 at 7:48 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
Tolu Oloruntoba
Podcast Episode · What Happened Next: a podcast about newish books · 2026-01-19 · 27m
podcasts.apple.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:59 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
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!”
January 18, 2026 at 7:31 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
Baroque Car Wash! - like singing in the shower, but with cars. #Music #ClassicalMusic #CarWash
January 16, 2026 at 2:54 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
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.”
January 15, 2026 at 7:44 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
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.”
January 13, 2026 at 6:16 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
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.”
January 12, 2026 at 7:09 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
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).”
January 10, 2026 at 9:02 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
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
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.
January 8, 2026 at 7:02 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
Plus ça change! 2800 years ago, Homer described the situation now in the US. See The Odyssey, bk II, 235 ff:
Now it is not so much the proud suitors I resent for doing their violent acts by their minds' evil devising; for they lay their heads on the line when violently they eat up the house of Odysseus, who, they say to themselves, will not come back; but now I hold it against you other people, how you all sit there in silence, and never with an assault of words try to check the suitors, though they are so few, and you so many.
January 8, 2026 at 2:51 AM
nouspique.bsky.social
Didn’t plan a #TrailRun but I had spikes strapped to my trail shoes and extra gels in my pack and so, when my legs started to veer off the paved path, I let them go where they wanted and I followed. #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky #Winter #WinterRunning #Running
Two legs in black tights, wearing running shoes with strap-on spikes and standing on snow-covered ground. Because the image comes from the poster’s Strava account, it’s overlaid with running stats and the words, “Trail Run With Strap-On Spikes.” This is a bend in Toronto’s Don River which is a murky grey/green colour. Snow-covered trees lean across the water from snow-covered banks and are reflected in the water.
January 5, 2026 at 6:12 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
Hello Bluesky Neighbours! Out for my first #LongRun of 2026. Comfortably cool and everything felt light and loose. Bodes well for a fun year of #running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky #NeverNotRunning #WinterRunning
Image of a mirror set up on a snowy sidewalk with the words “Hello Neighbour” etched in the glass. The poster stands reflected in the mirror, all except his head. He’s wearing white trainers, black tights underneath black shorts, and a shell jacket. Because this image comes from the poster’s Strava account, it’s overlaid with running stats and the words, “First Long Run of 2026!”
January 3, 2026 at 8:24 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
First #run of the new year felt good - chilly but good. I wore trail shoes for extra traction on the snowy sidewalks and fleece-lined tights to keep things toasty. All the best for 2026! #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky #Running #NeverNotRunning #WinterRunning #Winter #CanadianWinter
Faded orange ribbon tied to a chain link fence with snow-covered ground in the background. Because the image comes from the poster’s Strava account, it’s overlaid with running stats and the words, “Happy New Year!”
January 2, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Reposted by David Barker
levostregc.bsky.social
A daye wythout anachronism ys lyke Emily Dickinson wythout her lightsaber.
December 27, 2025 at 2:16 AM
nouspique.bsky.social
I step out my front door into a crowd—Sikhs protesting Modi & the BJP—and it fills me with hope. At least here (🇨🇦) people still have the freedom to protest without fear of reprisal. We must jealously protect that freedom.
A shirtless man in shorts (but wearing gloves and a toque) runs past on Toronto’s Bloor Street while across the road a crowd gathers holding red and white Canadian flags and yellow Khalistan flags.
December 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
nouspique.bsky.social
On this morning’s #LongRun I passed a street that shares my name. I have to be careful about photos like this. I get all excited and say, Hey look at this. But how do I know this person wasn’t a sociopathic monster? Wouldn’t be the first time. #Running #RunSky #RunnersOfBlueSky #NeverNotRunning
Selfie of me, an older white man wearing a multicoloured shell jacket, neck warmer, grey toque, and sunglasses propped on top of the toque. I’m posing in front of a glass bus shelter and on the side of the shelter is a sign declaring that this is Barker Ave. Because this image comes from my Strava account, it’s overlaid with running stats and the words, “Burning holiday calories.”
December 21, 2025 at 7:21 PM