shelter from the rain

It was pretty gloomy looking this morning, but we went for a training walk anyway. The plan was 3 loops of approx 3 miles each for a total of about 10.

Yeah, right.

We we're a little more than a mile into the first loop when the rain started. We decided the mist felt good, until it rained harder. We turned around and went back. When we arrived back at the car, it stopped. What to do?

We decided to go out again. This time on the loop with many outs that would return us to the car quickly. We were about half way when it started to mist,, then it stopped, and started and stopped. You get the idea.

We parked at the city center and you can clearly see South Mountain. The clouds over it were black. It was going to pour any second. We decided we had tested fate once too often and got in the car. It started to pour.

We went around the block and went to McCartney's Irish Tea Room for Irish breakfast. First time I was ever given a tea menu. Sharon had French press coffee. The waitress had barely left our table and we looked out the window. It was raining even harder. By two the sun was out

Tea room was a great choice.

last weeks race results

Bonnie found the official results online. They shaved 20 seconds or so off our times! Our goal is 4-miles per hour. As you can see by these results, some people were doing an 11 minute miles. That's nearly 6 miles a hour! How do you do that without running?

Bonnie also found photos, but I can't find them. I'll have to ask her tomorrow.

were they criminals?

Bonnie and I went for a training walk in Fountain Hill and Salisbury today. The operative word was hill. We passed Dodson Street and were heading out Graham when we spotted these poor flamingos hanging from a tree. Did they commit a crime? We're they lynched? Maybe they ticked off the metal bear behind them. Whatever it was, the punishment didn't fit the crime. Poor flamingos.

After we got back I made scrambled eggs for breakfast. Since I buy my eggs at the farmers market, right from the farmer, I have no fear of the egg recall.

Then I went to T'ai Chi. I was actually early for a change. I checked on that class at the Bethlehem Township Community Center again, and the website hasn't changed. Guess I'll need to call. I really want to get better at this and once a week isn't enough.

This afternoon Sharon and I picked up Bonnie and we went to the butterfly walk at the Rodale Fitness Park in Trexlertown. It's short so we went around again, but we walked against traffic, totally ignoring the one way signs. Call us rebels.

The event is sponsored by the Compas-sionate Friends of the Lehigh Valley; a grief support group. We discovered this event when Bonnie lost her son three years ago. After the walk, and service to remember your loved ones, you release monarch butterflies. It's so beautiful. Bonus: Bonnie actually got a black swallow tail in her batch.

We released butterflies for my siblings that died in March, Bonnie's son and father-in-law and my parents.

Butterflies were raised at the Folks Butterfly Farm.

happy birthday mary liz and dick

Wow, a couple posts in one week. This doesn't often happen. Usually I post a whole weeks worth in one shot.

This morning I walked with ML, about 2-1/4 miles. It's her birthday and in my sleepy haze I forgot. This is Dick's first b'day since my sister Elin died. Bet it will be a hard day. His daughter is taking him out for steak, so things will get better.

Then about 10 I met Betsy and we did an hour in her development in south Whitehall. Betsy and I go out every Friday until the weather gets horrible and she does not get her due in this column. Betsy, you rock. Thanks for walking with me in all kinds of crazy weather.

Tomorrow Bonnie and I will do 3 miles of hills and then the butterfly walk. More on that next time.

college hill

Today I walked college hill twice.  From my office to centre square it's .8 miles, one way.

There are some pretty scary holes in the sidewalks. You could loose a small child, or trap a leg in them. This is the rich neighborhood, you''d think the sidewalks would reflect that.

My first trip was to WGraphics at 4th and Northampton, with a stop at the Williams Visual Arts Building. I didn't come straight back, I went up the Lafayette Stairs and thru campu. Then over to Markle, GIlberts and back to the office. I bet that trip exceeded two miles.

The second trip was down to Connexions Gallery off the square and back. i 'm waiting for the carpool and needed to pick up a petrie dish for an art installation project I'm participating in. THought it was a good use of my time.

So I've gotten about four miles in today. Pretty good for a long workday. Faculty meeting tonight. It's not over yet!

dateline: august 9

Somehow I missed posting my very exciting story. I only discovered it today because I wanted to add the picture.

Last Monday I was walking with Mary Liz on our normal route. We were on Moravia Street I heard water running. She said it's someone's A/C. I didn't think so. It sounded like running water, not dripping, and it sound like it was coming from the grade school.

It took a while to zero in on the noise but I found it, water rushing thru the bricks on the third floor. Bonnie's husband works for the school district and I went to call him. No phone. So when I got home I went to call. No number. So I called her and she called him and he called plumbing.... sounds like whisper down the alley, doesn't it?

Bottom line, a pipe burst and three classrooms were ruined. Bonnie's honey was not happy to work OT fixing the damage.

The guy who discovered the damage is a hero in the department, not the concerned citizen. Oh well. I did my girl scout good deed for the day and it made me happy. Who knows how long that could have run. School doesn't start for another two weeks.

a quick walk

Only did about 2.5 miles today but it included three steep hills and the playground. My love of swings continues.

Good news, I got my new blood work back and everything is fine with my liver and blood. But I'm still going to go to the nutritionist. I want to get the sugar and cholesterol down to the center of normal and away from the high end.

swinging is aerobic?

Today we were to walk 10 miles. Instead we did 6 or 7 and played on the swings.

It was overcast and cool, but really humid. We planned on four loops of about 2.5-2.75 miles each. Bonnie's house was going to be walk central.

The first route crossed Susquehanna and headed up skyline drive. That hill was much steeper than I remember. We did a big square. The second route also crossed Susquehanna Street and went past her old house and around Roosevelt park/playground. The swings are right at the sidewalks. I just wanted to be silly dropped my stuff and headed to the swings. Bonnie picked up the camera and shot a couple of pixs of me. Then she got on and we both agreed were were working pretty hard.

We didn't remember it being that hard when we were kids. We'd walk to the park in the morning swing and slide the morning away, then walk home for lunch. Return to the park and swim all afternoon, then walk home.

Anyway, I suggested she should check with her personal trainer to see what we were exercising. I felt it in my legs, back, arms, abs, and shoulders.

That gave her another idea. Lets do it for a half hour! (Weightlossforall.com lists it as one of 20 "enjoyable ways to exercise". Of course you have to do it a whole hour to burn 200 calories.) We settled on 15 minutes. I barely made it. My inner thighs were cramping. We both had to stretch when we got off!

Bonnie was lagging behind me by the time we got close to her house. First time that's every happened. So I made her an offer, twwo more loops, one more loop, or no loops.

She picked no loops. It was a good thing. Shortly after we got back to her place it started to rain. We we're not only dry but eating omelets for brunch.

Later in the afternoon I walked to MF and got caught in the rain. It was fun.

51.32 personal best

Bonnie and I did the Alburtis 5K today in 51.32. A personal best.

The hills were not steep but relentless. The weather was beautiful. Our split times were 16.08/32.38 and Bonnie stopped to take pictures of the lockridge furnace and the guy planning the trombone.

We arrived at the pool in time to see the childrens 1K fun run. Some were tiny, maybe 2 or 3. Others were maybe 10-12. They were so cute. Ferrous, the giraffe neck pig mascot from the Iron Pigs greeted them at the finish line and gave them high fives.

Then it was our turn.

Ferrous lead the race, but he dropped off in 20 steps. He would have been trampled! Then we headed into Alburtis. From what I saw it's a cute town. We then headed into Lock Ridge park. The race always goes thru the park, but the bridge was out, so we had to do the park twice. At the park we were greeted by a man playing a trumpet and little boy scouts handed out water. Later there was another man, on the opposite side of the park playing a trumpet. Why? I have no idea, but it was fun.

Bonnie took the pictures with her phone. They aren't half bad. Don't know how well they will print. There was someone taking pixs at the 2 mile mark. Hopefully they will be available for download or purchase. I saw the camera guy and said to Bonnie heads up, boobs out, shoulders back. If they are taking pix I want to look my best.

We got back too late to go to T'ai Chi.  ):

Last night I signed up for the kidney walk, and started to beg for donations for the Avon walk on my FB page. Deana, a fellow, raised half her money doing that in a week. Beth raised all of hers last year doing that. We'll see what develops.

Oh, I'll be walking over to Musikfest shortly

musikfest

Well, I didn't walk to Musikfest this year. I think it's the first time ever. My sister work the same shift as I do and she can't walk 50 feet without becoming exhausted. So we drove.

Saturday night we were supposed to walk to the Norah Jones concert, but my friend decided she didn't want to walk on the southside after dark, so we took the car.

Today I was at the Banana Factory and saw an associate who has been fighting the breast cancer battle for two years now. It reminded me why I do these multi-day breast cancer walks. But I have to tell you, it's harder this year. I think my families "March madness" is affecting me. I am just not as motivated. If Bonnie wasn't walking also, I wonder if I would train at all?

Tonight I signed up for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk in December. Sadly, I can't remember if I signed up for the Kidney Walk in October. I don't think so. I'm also signed up for the heart walk in September.  Pick a disease. My family has it. They all have a fund raising minimum. I have links on my FB page, but generally I just pay them.

Tomorrow is a 5K. Bonnie, aka Jillian wants to get done in 51 minutes or less. I haven't really walked since Monday. Here's hoping....At least the weather will be nice.

it's going around

My friend angel posted a rant about carbs today on her cooking blog. If you're interested it's http://tinyurl.com/2vpedmf

My niece who is a nurse tells me she thinks the nutritionist is a wise idea. She said if I ate the right balance I won't be craving carbs. I found one relatively inexpensive on the Bethlehem township Community Center site. If I could do Tai Chi and nutrition on the same night, I think I might.

two parks, eight miles

me climbing the stairs at the forks trail

Typical day at the office. Find new park on the internet and then go explore it. Both trails were four miles round trip.

The Forks Township Recreation trail has no parking lot or services. Its meant to walk/run/bike and go home. It was paved for about a half mile, in the residential neighborhood. As we headed into the woods the path was grass and the bugs ate us alive. Thank goodness for the bug wipes I bought at the dollar store. About a half-mile in the trail turned to gravel which was much better. It ended at the ruins of an old railroad bridge, with stairs than went down to some parking.

Yes I took them. So did Bonnie. If there are stairs, I will climb them.

After returning to the car we must have taken a wrong turn. The two mile trip to the next trail turned into about 10 miles. We came very close to Klien's Farm Creamery and Dairy. They make wonderful cheeses and you can buy raw milk there. Also their beef. As much as we wanted to  we did not stop because there was no cooler in the car and it would all spoil. ):

We arrived at Penn Pump Park and it was a traditional park. Children's area, picnic area (people were grilling at 9:30 am!), comfort station, nice lot. We headed out the trail an arrived quickly at a dam on the Bushkill Creek. Someone had their shorts on the danger sign. I thought about hiding them!

We did the four miles there quickly. About an hour. It was 98% paved. But Bonnie nearly stepped on this little fellow. He would not turn around for a picture.

Both of these paths are great for locals. If I lived closer I would use them regularly.

Maybe, someday, The South Bethlehem Greenway will be finished and I'll be able to walk easily to Hellertown....or further.

about 5 miles, about 1300 stairs

bonnie poses at a breast cancer rock outside a sorority

The weather is beautiful today. At this moment it's only 82 with 34% humidity. At 7 this morning it was gorgeous.

We did 2 miles out Broadway, back Delaware, down 4th to New to Campus Square. We figured the stair climb on campus would be about a mile, and then by the time we got back to my place another mile.

Wrong.

We did about half the campus and covered at least two miles up and down the stairs. Bonnie was doing a rough count and came in at about 1268. About 80% we figured were up.

We climbed up and up and up and up and then down and back up again. I found new dorms that I didn't know existed.

On our travels we passed the media center for the Eagles training camp. We could not do the old "there's the action news van again" because it wasn't there. Must have been at Musikfest. Everyone was loading up for the day.

We also pasted huge amounts of fungus that looked like brains. Appropriate, I guess for a university. I refrained from doing the girl scout fungus amon'gus cheer.

This little moth was on the
stairs at Zoellner. The 1001st step.

So we decide to head for home and I apparently made a wrong turn. We got to Montclair avenue but there was no exit from campus. We would have had to bush whack. I had Birks on (no sneakers with my infected toe) so it wasn't practical either. Turns out the woods aren't at street level. We would have had to jump off a retaining wall.

After walking, I raced over to T'ai Chi. I was late again. This week it wasn't as hot, and I think I did better.

the doctor shall be mad at me.

I didn't get my blood test by Friday like he said to. Yeah, well. One reason is I really hate blood work. The more important one is my toe is infected. What a conversation that would start.

After hemming and hawing for a few days I started a food journal. I'm trying to watch even more carefully what I eat. Some days are better than others. It is enlightening. To be valid, I guess I should weigh and measure. That's not happening yet. Maybe next week. Or the one after.

So far I learned that I eat too many carbs and sugar. It doesn't surprise me. What surprises me is how high the too much is. But without carbs I don't feel full. I sent a email to a friend that the subject line read: "Only 12 hours till Breakfast" I finished dinner 15 minutes before.

Tonight I am walking to Musikfest. Yes, I will have a beer. Yeah, more carbs. And as I'm typing this I'm drinking a free 12 oz. McD's smoothie. All carbs. I love the line in Eat, Pray, Love when Julia Roberts says that "no carb left behind."

I need a 12-step program. I can see it now. I'm in a room full of people, stand up and announce "Hi, my name is Gayle and I am powerless over carbs."

dog tales

I live in a small city, on what some might call the wrong side of town. I love it, most of the time. What I don't love is the dogs.

I'm not much of a dog person. I had a really bad experiences in my teens and then my 20s with dogs. And with the exception of Logan, Izzy and Harry I could live without them.

Living in an urban environment, everyone has dogs. Not cute furry dogs, but big dogs like retrievers, mean guard dogs or those yappy little Taco Bell dogs. Each spring I re-learn where the rottweilers, pitbulls, and dobermans live. And then avoid them.

There's one house I cannot avoid. I have to pass it to go home. They have some sort of small furry matted brown dust mop things that bark from the minute they see you coming to well after you've left. But they don't just bark. They spin in circles and jump much higher than the rickety fence. They snarl. They nash. They terrify me. And the owners make no attempt to shut them up or discipline them. I am certain one day I will come home with one attached to me as it flies to attack me. They are insane.

Today Sharon and I walked. They were already in full psycho mode when we got there. A man was across the street walking his very well-behaved dog.  So I said to Sharon, "lets cross the street, those dogs scare the heck out of me". A voice replies "Me too. That's why we're on this side of the street."

He was 6'4" and walking a pitbull.

ironton rail trail

sign on the trail. laughed my butt off.

Today we tried the Ironton Rail Trail (IRT). I'm wondering if it is totally a rail trail or if someone was fudging the course. Railroads don't run in circles.

We parked in the Whitehall Parkway. It was very overgrown and had I not know there were rail trails, I probably would have left. To our left was the handicap accessible trail. It was now a foot wide. Clearly brush cutting needs to be done.

So we went the other direction on what looked like a trail but it got narrower and narrower. It did, however, lead us to the IRT. This portion was gravel. It was nice and wide and easy to walk on. It had lots and lots of distractions. Go to my Webshots album to see more. (Today's adventure starts at the bottom of pg 9.) The first half of the IRT loop, which is paved, took awhile. I must have drove Bonnie crazy stopping so often to take pictures.

stop. look listen. following orders. (map between my legs.)

But I digress. We left the Whitehall Parkway and went under MacArthur Road where we soon met the IRT loop. The loop is 5.5 miles and travels thru Copley and Hokey.  In Coplay there were about eight 19th century-limestone kilns. Beautiful but I fear they might be crumbling—there was fencing around them. I actually read something about that earlier in the week in the Morning Call. The county has no money for preservation, so they'll let them crumble. It's sad.

We left Sharon in Hokey. She couldn't go any further and went on. The last mile was tough. We had gone nearly 8 miles.

The biggest adventure was when we had to go find Sharon. Let's just say the streets on trail map were not accurate. Oops.