barefoot?

I'm always being teased about walking in my Birks. The young women in the photo did the Tortoise and Hare 5K today in Wind Gap, barefoot! It was hot and humid, with minimal shade. I can't even imagine how hot the macadam was.

But that's the race, I guess we should start at the beginning.

I forgot my camera. The washer broke before I left the house and Bonnie called she was on her way and I just ran out without it. Eeek. Good thing I had my phone. Pictures are low resolution, but better than nothing.

We arrive in Wind Gap about 8:30. The race started at 9. I rarely take the event tee shirt because frankly they are ugly. Enormous logo on the front, and what seems like 400 sponsors on the back. I regretted that today. The tees were black, and made from performance material. Since I didn't take a tee, I also didn't get a goodie bag. Again, which is normally fine. It's generally plastic, and filled with ads, a sample chapstick, sunscreen and a box of Mike and Ikes. Today's was a cloth string type backpack. Might actually be useful.

Sharon waited in the park while Bonnie went searching for the comfort station and I hiked the stuff back to the car. When I got back I took the second pix. Looks like they don't like each other. Lots of room in between! Then I had Sharon snap one of us.

They had people taking pictures at the 2-mile line and the finish line, so I'll come back and post links for them.

The course was hilly, not steep, but hilly anyway. And Sunny. Bonnie and I were hoping to do 50 minutes, but she came in at 53:49 I think, and I came in at 54:10. The last stretch was tough. I was spent. I think I was a little dehydrated. I told Bonnie to go on ahead. I was very puffy at the end. When I took off my socks and sneakers at home even my ankles were swollen.

We told Sharon at the beginning that she was on her own. We'd go back for her. She's a bit pokey. She actually didn't walk to the starting line, but joined us when we got to the park. She bailed at the 2-mile mark. I'm not sure if they even got her picture walking. We were on the home stretch when she called. We were a bit surprised when the sweep van, an ambulance, didn't bring her in. She told them that we'd get upset if she wasn't waiting there for us. She had a phone. All she needed to do was call for Pete's sake.

Bonnie and I had hoped she'd say no more 5Ks but she's joining us on the Monster Mash in October. Swell.

Our next 5K is the Highmark on June 12. Then a 4-mile on July 4th.

4-mile walk

Today's training walk was four miles. I opened it up to the every two feet people, but no-one outside family came—Sharon, Beth, Bonnie, me and Megan (photog) because she's in town. Beth, Megan and I all wore out new every two feet tees. (Bonnie's Boobies, and a limited amount of every two feet tees are available for sale as a fundraiser for my Avon 2-day breast cancer walk. Leave a comment and I'll get one to you. $15.)













I wanted to do the across-two-bridges hike, but it wasn't four miles, it was five. That's pushing it. So instead we started at the ice house, went up Connostoga, up Union to New, up New to Market, and then walked a nice flat, cool mile down Market street. As we were going out Market Sharon bailed. The hills had gotten to her, and she went on her own back to Sand Island. When we arrived at the Minsi Trail Bridge we hit the "no pedestrian" barricades. (orange) I knew they are doing work on the south-side end by the casino. But I also knew the bridge was open to the stairs. We ignored the signs and kept going to the stairs. We had planned to go down them to the tow path, but the barricades became serious, you had no choice. (white) I certainly won't walk on the road of that bridge! Especially the last few feet which no longer exist, and there is no lane to walk in. But I've seen people do it.

During our training walk I almost ran into an old man. After that I started practicing walking with my head out, and picking out focal points. It was tough. My whole posture changes, for the better I'm sure.

Everyone met back at the cars where Sharon was waiting on a wall. Then we went to Perkins for brunch. Any calories burnt, were reapplied!

Tomorrow is the Tortoise and Hare 5K in Wind Gap. Bonnie, Sharon and I will be doing it. I looked the route up online and it appears that the largest hill is a 2% grade. I don't think that's very steep. I was kind of worried. Wind Gap is not the flattest borough in the state. Where we are walking must be the top of a mountain.

Right now I'm heading out for a hike up Wyandotte Street.

the last few days

I need to get a new pedometer. I really want to know what my step count is at the new office. The stairs are one thing. But it's a three or so block walk to campus now, and frequently you have to go across campus to get to the building you need. So my step count has zoomed.

I did well walking this week. Tuesday Sharon and I walked down to CVS and took the scenic route home. Wednesday, I walked with Bonnie. It was hot and humid, and it's still May. Thursday it was dark and gloomy. When I left Easton there was a hail storm. We decided not to walk. Murphy's law of walking: It will rain....no make that storm...when there is no shelter and you are the far away from home. (who is Murphy?) Friday morning I went out at the crack of dawn with Mary Liz and Sharon, then walked in the afternoon with Betsy. This morning, I also walked with Mary Liz and and Sharon.

Today I also emailed my walking group from the 3-Day about every two feet. Maybe I can get them to join the group. Tomorrow is our second walk. And the t-shirts came, so it's really cool. The regulars have theirs so it will be cool if someone other than me wears them tomorrow.

I'm hiking up the mountain tonight. The Indian on the mountain is dressed for Memorial Day. I of course, need to take her picture. Beside, it's two more steep hills. Every little bit helps.

makeover?

Well, what do you think of the makeover of the banner? I redid my doodling blog, and my friend Angel's cooking blog about two weeks ago and have been thinking about redoing this one a lot.

The biggest stumbling block was the "self-portrait".

I have some body image issues. But then, you could have guessed that. There was a show on television called How to Look Good Naked or something like that. It was on cable, so I only saw it once. It was all about body image and loving yourself.  In one of the exercises they had about eight women the same height and bone structure as you, from skinny to really fat.  So you had to put yourself in the line.  I would have put myself in the next room.

Today, I saw a woman who I thought represented "me". I said to my carpool, is that how fat I am? They said no. I was much thinner. Really? I can't believe that.  I made my portrait a little thinner. Not much. For those who know me, is she really too fat?

She's wearing her trademarked Birks and all dressed in pink, to represent the breast cancer walks without using ribbons. And her Kentucky Oaks "Ladies First" cap. Even though this year I'm trying to wear the dreaded sneakers.

Too fat or not, she's sassy and has attitude. Now I just need to find some of that also.

a different kind of stairclimb

Today was moving day. My new office is on the third floor. After about the fifth trip, my knees were killing me. They are wide shallow stairs, with many landings. I bet there are no more than 30 all together. But there is something about them that got to me. Give me a month and I'll be taking them 2 at a time. I also walked across campus at least four times.

Check out that woodwork. They don't do that anymore. The place is filled with it.

Tomorrow, when the light is coming in perfect from the stained glass windows on the landings, I'll try and get a picture.

the traditional 8-hour day

I discovered this week that the traditional 8-hour day is no longer for  me. It wrecks havoc on my schedule, and I felt like I was running backwards to get thru it. I don't think it's an excuse for not exercising, but rather learning to adapt to new things.

My typical academic year schedule is crazy. I teach at a community college, work at a different college, and teach online. My schedule is different every day. The community college has ended till fall, and I agreed to work for three weeks, Monday to Thursday, 7:30-3 to supervise a HS student that's job shadowing. Then from June to August work three days a week, with another intern. Still less than a 40-hour week, but not what I'm used it.

Usually I walk first thing in the morning, and in the summer, again after upper because it's light out. It takes, on a good morning with limited traffic, a half hour to get to the college, so I leave at 6:50 am. That eliminates the morning walk—my walking buddy Mary Liz won't go before 6:30. I guess a could go alone, but there might be safety issues.

Typically, Allison and I walk at lunch time while I'm at the college, but that kind of fell by the wayside also this week because of the HS student and the big move. Maybe next week we'll do better.

We spent the better part of the week packing and moving boxes. I am all black and blue from running into cartons.

Needless to say my training is all messed up until Friday. I walked Friday morning with Mary Liz, in the afternoon with Betsy and to CVS with Sharon in the evening. Sharon and I walked Saturday morning, and Sunday we went to the gym. And if it continues to clear up, maybe Bonnie and I will get a walk in today.

I do know my life in the new building, Feather House, will include a lot of stairs.  My office is on the third floor. My Creative Director is on the second floor, and the copiers on the first floor. The moving people will be doing most of the work, but  I still have several cartons to carry up to my office. (Okay, that might be too strong of a word. Remember in Harry Potter he lived in the cupboard under the stairs. I will be in the cupboard above the stairs. Kind of a turid off the third floor.) We are also now off campus by about 3 blocks, so every errand to campus will involve a little walk. And crossing the dreaded Cattell street.

So things will work out. Our lunchtime walk will include lots more hills. They don't call it College Hill for nothing.

yoga day

Over 1000 people showed up for yoga on the steps of the Philly art museum today. It was great. I could do maybe half. Certainly no downward dogs. Plus lots of money was raised for Living with Breast Cancer. My friend Karen's charity. (Karen died in 2008.)

The class was about an hour and a half.

So my challenge for June will be to do a downward dog. Sounds simple, right. But I am not agile. Bonnie is. Replacement knee and all. It must be all the gym time she logs.

I used to be. Back in the 80s when I was young, Bonnie and I did the Jane Fonda workout in her living room, two three times a week.  (OMG it still exists online!) That combined yoga and other exercise. I was agile. Heck, I could even do the plow. Not anymore.

So I'm checking into some yoga studios. I guess I could buy a tape, but I know me. It will sit there sealed. I'm much better if I have to hand out cold hard cash.

The closest one is The Yoga Loft above Cantelmi's hardware store. I could get a 3-3.5 mile walk in round trip if I pick there. They offer Kundalini Yoga and plain yoga. I have no idea what the difference is. Plus Belly dancing and Pilates.You can sign up for a free Friday, and then pay for a 2-day Saturday Sunday class before making a serious commitment. They have a drop-in rate of $7, and then plans starting with 5 classes at $60. Not horrible. If I could get someone to go with me it would be even better.

Easton yoga has a free community class the first Sunday of every month. That might also be an option. They offer a variety of activities. It's on Northampton street which is quite a hill, and would make a great walk if you also hiked up the hill to the cemetery.

Back in my 20s when Bonnie and I tried different exercise programs, we'd go to eat afterwards undoing all the good we did that day. Today was no exception.

We parked in front of Eastern Penitentiary, a really scary gothic prison in Philly. We discovered walking back that there was lots of restaurants. We ended up eating at Jacks Firehouse Grill. Bonnie kept thinking the name sounded familiar. We finally put our finger on it. Remember when the Food Network was Food TV and Bobby Flay was young and grilled outside with a hick in overalls? Grilling and Chilling was the show. That was Jack. We ended up at his place. I think he has another one at the Reading Terminal market.

The food was great. A good portion of it raised in Pennsylvania. They even had fresh apple butter and right from the churn butter.

and we're off!

Today was the first posted walk for "two feet walking", my walking club. I formed the group on Facebook. Sadly no strangers came. But I'll keep trying.

Bonnie and Megan picked up Sharon and I at 8:30 and we were waiting for arrivals at Wegman's 512 at 8:50. By nine no one had arrived so we set off.

Sharon had hurt her knee getting off the bus yesterday so she was pokier than usual. By the time we hit the mile mark she was at least two blocks behind. I told her when we started that we could shave a mil off doing the Hanover Township trail. She requested we do that. But she was struggling. By the time we reached the community center I suggested that she just wait there, and we'd drive back and pick her up.

Free of Sharon, Megan took off like a bat out of hell. Leaving Bonnie and I in her dust. She even walked backwards for a while. Then she saw a cute jogger and started power walking! She goes at least 4 MPH. But then she's 20 years younger.

I walked with Betsy yesterday. We did one of our normal routes and did it the opposite way. It was tougher. Then we added a section to it. Betsy has been walking with her husband "Ranger Bob" and he walks fast. So Betsy is walking faster, and I'm trying to keep up. My goal is to keep up with her and Bob by the end of the summer.

My office will be moving within the next week. My office will be on the third floor, with no elevators. Let the step training begin.

another one bites the dust

I decided I have to start wearing my pedometer again. Every day. I also need to work on my speed to keep up with Bonnie and make the 15-minute mile. So yesterday I strapped it on. At noon I had 129 steps. At 11:09 pm when I took it off I had 170 steps. I'm either very lazy or it's busted. Again. I wonder if there is one that is fat-girl proof?

another saturday, another 5k

Today Bonnie and I did "Joan's 5K Run/Walk". It was at the Hanover Township Community Center.

It was raining at the start, I had on my raincoat, but it got so hot I took it off. The rain felt good. This photo was taken after the race. (more) I'm the one in pink that looks mad at the world. I look that way in every picture. I have no idea why.

Bonnie is in much better shape than I am. All that time at a gym really does pay off. She can walk circles around me.

So the race begins and we are going a a pretty decent clip. I was wondering if I could sustain it, and then Bonnie says Lets powerwalk from here to here. I think we did it 6 times. I started saying "yes, Jillian". She laughed. Jillian is the personal trainer from the Biggest Loser. Bonnie has a PT, so it's how he pushes her. (Sadly I got sucked into the Biggest Loser and I'm hooked. However it doesn't inspire me, it makes me eat. So does Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. But yet I watch anyway.)

I finished in 51:38. Bonnie came in at 51:35. My best time, in Birks, is 51:04. Today I had those hot sneakers on.

Our next 5K is Memorial Day in Wind Gap. If that doesn't have a few hills I'll be shocked. Then there is a 4-miler on the 4th of July that we're signing up for. "Jillian" want to improve our time each time. I'm in deep doo-doo. But 4MP is recommended to do the Philly Marathon in November and Bonnie said she'd do it with me.

I also posted the inaugural Every Two Feet walk for next Saturday. Rt 512 Wegman's. Meet at the pharmacy window lot. 9 am. Easy three miles.


My friend Betsy, whom I walk with on Fridays, walks fast. I can keep up with her. She is now power walking with her husband during the week. I guess we are going to have to add some powerwalking into our mix if I'm ever going to keep up with Bonnie.

76%!

My sister Sharon cleans at the senior high rise. Her clients get food boxes to fill their pantry and what they can't or won't eat they send home with her. Most of it goes to the foodbank.

Yesterday I was getting the foodbank bag together. The postal carriers are having their food collection Saturday. As I was packing the bag I noticed these cup a soups. I used to eat a lot of these back in the dark ages when I started working. Just add hot water from the water cooler, stir, steep and eat at your desk. Then I discovered take-out.

 So we were talking about the "old days" like old people do and I decided to flip it over to see the salt content. I'm not normally speechless, But I was ... 76%! But it is "enriched with vitamins." I guess that makes it okay. The girl on the package looks about 14. The type on the package is geared to teens, especially the La Moderna across the bottom.  I toyed with the idea off tossing them because I didn't want to give the foodbank crap. But then my mama voice started haunting me. You don't waste food. It's better than having nothing. It's still in the bag.

This week I pulled my crap together enough to order the t-shirts for Bonnie's Boobies and Every Two Feet. Proceeds from sales will go to my Avon fundraiser. We'll have 48 Bonnie's Boobies to sell from Child medium to 3XXL. (Sizes for everybooby ... itty bitty titties to jumbo titties). I still have yet to post an Every To Feet walk. Shirts are made in the USA and printed in beautiful downtown Tatamy.

I also dropped the ball on the fundraiser. I thought I emailed the church to request a date. I didn't. No wonder they didn't respond.

Oh wait. This is a walking blog. I've walked this week also. I keep it around three miles. Twice today. Once June comes I start either up the difficulty or the mileage. Since the Avon is only 40 miles, training won't be as hard or as time consuming.

Maybe I'll even get to weed my garden. Cool.

blood pressure day

I ran out of blood pressure meds so I had to darken the doc-in-a-boxes doorstep yesterday.  I'm sure they were thrilled.

I did a couple of things hoping to tip the odds in my favor. First I went with Sharon to Planet Fitness and worked out an hour.  It was Sunday; I would have done that anyway. I also had a huge glass of water before I left.

Then I took a 32 ounce water with me. I finished that by the time I got home. Then I had another. I didn't eat at all. I literally fasted for about 15 hours.

When I took my BP at home it was 137/70. Terrific for me. At the doc-in-a-box it was 114/83. Say what? It usually goes up, not down. Personally I don't think the nurse did it right. But who am I to argue. She didn't weigh me either, which was odd.

The doctor was delighted with my numbers. No lectures at all. Since my BP is now "under control" he gave me a script to have blood work done so he could see where my other numbers are. He would have done it yesterday but he was sure I had eaten. (I didn't tell him otherwise.) That's fine. With diabetes and high cholesterol in the family, I need to be careful. Having two sibling die of heart disease in a month is also another good reason. But it's what he said next that pissed me off. After we get the numbers back we can see "if you need more medication."

Excuse me. Haven't I told him enough times that more medication is not an option? Apparently not. The goal is no medication. I really believe that this is a situation that can be controlled with diet and exercise.

I don't go back for three months. I'll have the blood work done about two weeks ahead of time. Last night when we we walking, Bonnie said she'd draw it, that way she'll get the results before me. No surprises.

Now that school is almost over, I can go back to cooking. I've already turned into the salt police.  Whole grains are next. If the roomies don't like it, they can dine somewhere else.

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image from sxc.hu; Bill Davenport

a 5K in sneakers

Today was the Race Against Racism 5K. Bonnie (r) and I did it together. It was so much fun having someone to hang with before, and during the walk. This was Bonnie's first 5K. I'm sure she could have walked faster without me. (more pixs)

I wore my pink sneakers. How do people wear them so long? My feet were hot and felt like they had 10 pound weights on them.

We played around with power walking a couple of times to boost our speed. We finished in 54:37. Next time we're going to do the power walk intervals from the get go. Goal, 4 MPH.

We'll see how it goes. Next week we have another 5K. Maybe I'm finally finding some motivation to keep moving. Dr. tomorrow. No doubt I'll flunk my BP test again.

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The trees noted in my April 18 post are now all gone. The landscape is totally different. It now looks old, worn out, without charm. Makes me sad.