51:07 alone!

Today was the 20th annual Morning Star 5K. It started at first and Polk streets at the skating rink. (Near the blast furnaces.) Since it's Celtic Classic weekend, there was runners in kilts. Dogs too!


I was alone. Bonnie is on her way home form Dizzyland.

The plan was to walk from home, do the walk, T'ai Chi, then walk home. But T'ai Chi was canceled and I overslept.

I wasn't sure if I'd have enough time to walk down there, and relax a bit before the 5K. I had planned to leave at 7, figuring it would take a half hour, with enough time for construction / traffic issues. But didn't get out of the house till 7:20. Would that be pushing it?

So I decided to take the car part way. I parked it at the CVS and put 2 hours on the meter. I could have walked from home. I was there in about 11 minutes. And the construction was pretty cleaned up for the "special event" weekend.

The race began promptly at 8. The man standing next to me was wearing those shoeless shoes. (right) Did I mention them here or just on the every two feet FB page? They are called Vibram Five Fingers. They are part of a movement for barefoot sports. Beth and I are going to check them out after the Avon. They are very expensive, and I'm buying a new computer, so I doubt if I'll purchase them. But you never know.

It was a tough course. We left the rink, headed out second, over the Fahy, and down Lehigh Street. Then we went thru the festival grounds and up the Main street hill to the bridge, up Main to Broad, up Broad to New, and down New to the Fahy, and back to the rink.

There were  a lot of hills. I kept pace on the hills and didn't stop. Bonnie usually loses me on hills.

There was a lady in front of me the whole time, who stopped an used the port-o-potties at the festival. She past me again, by Market street flying up the hill. WTF? I think she didn't do the loop thru the festival, I think she skipped it. Or else she was one of the cheaters who run part of the time. They drive Bonnie and I nuts. (If you want to run, sign up as a runner for Pete's sake.)

After the hills were over, I decided I was going to pass "potty lady". It took me until half-way over the Fahy bridge, but I left her in my dust! "Jillian" would have been proud. The only reason I could power walk that fast and far was we were going downhill!

I finished in 51:07. I think this was a personal best.. It surely was a PB alone! It was exciting. There was plenty of people behind me. Including one woman who was really, really large. (Lyd before WLS large.) She was pushing a stroller, and finished about 30 seconds behind me.

The course seemed long. When I measured it on google pedometer it was about 3.3 miles. It seemed like 3.5!

Yesterday I walked with ML in the morning 2.25 miles, and then Betsy and I walked to Wegman's. It's about 2 miles each way. If I lived that close to a Wegman's, I'd never walk to Ahart's again!

walking, swinging and t'ai chi

Late yesterday I went back to the podiatrist for the final check on my toe. (They are getting painted today!). I had an hour before T'ai Chi in the same neighborhood so I decided to walk at the Bethlehem Township Community Center on the paved trail. It's 1.3 miles.

When I walked there with the 3-day group the first year I didn't notice it was one of those fitness trails. This apparatus, near the end, looks downright dangerous. Your feet are on top and you head on the bottom.

This one is a bit insane, but the others look quite doable. I've made a mental note to do them during one loop the next time.

I also noticed that the three subdivisions around the park have paved trails also. A reliable pedometer could mark the distance.  I bet I could do four or five miles in a very small area.

When I finished walking I did a few minutes on the swings, and then off to T'ai Chi.

It was a very busy day—two doctors appointments, work, a going away party, walking, swinging, and T'ai Chi. I was feeling good until I looked at the phone. Three missed calls from home. And a voice mail. It was Pat. It was a ugly snarl "CALL ME NOW!"

Good day, gone.

the new doctor

Yesterday I bit the bullet and went to a real doctor, not the doc-in-a-box. Hopefully this will work out well. We seemed to be on the same page yesterday, but it was an initial visit so things can change.

I've been doing research for awhile on doctors. I didn't want a pill-pusher. The pharmaceutical industry is rich enough without my money, thank you.

I discovered this doctor during a conversation at a bar. Who knew? I did some research on the net and found this on her LV hospital page: "Medicine is not an exact science, I am open to learning from my patients. I want to know everything about my patients, and I let them know where I'm coming from. All of our decisions are a negotiation. I want my patients to feel like they are also in charge." Amen.

I have to tell you my first impression wasn't good. Sunday I got a robot-call to confirm my appointment. Maybe that's how all doctors are now, but it took me by surprise. I arrived 15 minutes early to fill out all the paper work. Fun. I was surprised not only at some of the questions, but by what questions weren't there.

My BP was sky-high when the nurse took it. 156/88. But I was two pounds lighter, after lunch.

The doctor is very nice. She appears to listen. I was probably in there 45 minutes.

One question on the form was a history of mental illness, and I wrote none. One of her questions was about my living arrangements and I told her briefly about Pat. She flipped back over and said "you wrote there was no mental illness." I said I guess I should have wrote, "none diagnosed". She laughed. She said to dump the roomie and get a pet. I told her the roomie was my pet and she came with the house. I'm stuck with her.

Under heart disease I wrote "uncles, brother, father, maternal and paternal grandfathers". I totally forgot about Elin. On the page she was writing on she circled heart disease and put stars on it. Bad tickers are a Hendricks hallmark.

I told her my goal was to be off the BP meds. Like some of my siblings, she told me that might not be possible. Genetics. (See previous paragraph.) She told me about a patient who lost 125 pounds and exercises, and she is still on some because of genetics. It was disheartening.

We talked a lot about food and diet and exercise.  She seemed impressed about the amount of research I've done. My problem is putting it all together that it works. She encouraged me to see the nutritionist. She asked me if I ate "diet" food. I said no. If I can't have the real thing, I don't eat it. I try to eat low on the food chain. She seemed please by that.

She also understands the money thing. She knows and will write for the $4 Rx when possible. She wants me to have a baseline EKG so that she has a reference point when I'm "young" and healthy. That whole "heart disease" thing. She even wrote the Rx. But it isn't mandatory. She kept my prescriptions the same, but switched when I take them. She's going to get my blood work from Health Network, so that doesn't need to be redone. Bonnie, I had lipids done, right? Didn't I ask you what they were?

She is not happy that I haven't had a gyn checkup, pap, or mammagram in at least 10 years. Nor have I had that colon test you're supposed to have at 50.

She encouraged me to take the following supplements to bring down my cholesterol from the high end of normal—fish oil or flax seed, red rice yeast, and 25 mg of fiber. Hmmm. Instead of supporting the pharmaceutical industry I'll be supporting the supplement industry. And that's not controlled by anybody.

All that talk about money brought up the subject of the health care bill. She asked me my feeling about it. I told her I don't know. Everything I've seen is hard to read or slanted to one side or another.  I do know the current system doesn't work.

So that's it. I guess it went well. I didn't go running out screaming. I have another appointment in six months.

you get what you pay for

My new pedometer is not a great deal after all. I can't get it to count accurately.

The instructions say place it on your hip. I do that, count 100 paces and it seems fine. But then it stops counting. Yesterday I walked a minimum of three miles with Sharon, plus all my other walking and it read 404 steps at the end of the day. Even my chair-based lazy roomie does more than 404 steps in a day.

I changed the position of the pedometer, and tried again today. This morning, I did the 2.25 miles with Mary Liz. I know this is accurate, it's been measured both with the car and google pedometer. When I got home it was at 3200 steps.  Approx 2000 is a mile. Better, but still not accurate.

I've moved it again. At NCC there is a one mile walking path. I'll try it there and see if it works. If not, I'll move it again and try tomorrow.

But that's it. Three strikes and it's gone.

palmer bike trail

Today we walked part of the Palmer bike trail. I told Sharon if she came along, she had to go all the way to the Rt 33 bridge. She choose to come.

We parked at the post office and I wondered if I should. Even though the trail runs right by the property would they think it was an abandoned car? Would I return to the bomb squad and a SWAT team. I decided to take my chances and off we went.

Sharon drank coffee before we left, and a whole bottle of water (which I thought was excessive it wasn't that hot) before we got to the bridge. Needless to say, she was looking for a bathroom. We stopped at a park, and filled her water bottle at the fountain, but no comfort station. So we went to Redner's. There, outside, were little Boy Scouts, selling popcorn. I'm guessing last year they were Cubs.

I cannot resist a child in a uniform. I bought their delicious caramel corn. (Now in a foil pouch instead of a pouch in a plastic bucket!) I know when I open it I'll eat the whole thing, so I'm going to resist as long as possible. Or at least until after my doctors appointment tomorrow.

When we returned to the car, no SWAT team. No bomb squad. I was a little disappointed. I guess I watch to many thrillers.

ask and ye shall receive

I've been talking about getting a new pedometer and this one was in my bag from the Camelot 5K. Fate?

It's on my waist right now. It seems pretty accurate. Let the step counting begin!

----

I've heard a lot about the 50 million pound challenge. I've even gone to the website a couple of times. Today I signed up. Will I use the site? Not sure. It told me my BMI was 33. Obese is 30. It's one thing to know it intellectually. Totally another to see it in read and white.

I put in my goal weight as 199 pounds. So that means I need to lose 37. That should be doable. Sounds a whole lot better than 80 or 90 that I really need to lose!

she did it!

shoulders back, boobs out, does make
you look thinner!

Today was the Camelot for Children 5K on the Ironton Rail Trail. Bonnie is at Disney World, so I decided I was going to walk WITH Sharon, and help her finish. She hasn't finished the last two she tried. Her goal: Not to come in last. Okay, that's not true. Her goal was to finish. My goal was for her not to come in last. She's only finished one 5K before at 1:03:10. Yep, I looked it up.

So we arrived and parking is far away. So I dropped her off and she registered us in. Then I parked, hiked to the site, then hiked back to the car with our participation bags.

It was a nice setup. The runners lined-up and went right. The walkers (strollers and wheelchairs too), lined-up and went left. Never the two would meet. And we all went at the same time. Excellent. I bet there was as many walkers as runners.  So we start. It's a bit of a traffic jam at the beginning, and I start to pass people. Then I realize I've lost Sharon. We're not even a block from the start. So I slow down, but I needed to get around the man with one leg. Even walking slow, we should be able to beat a one-legged veteran in an Army shirt, right?

So we're together again, and I tell her flat out she needs to walk fast enough that we are not passed by people in wheelchairs, and people with only one leg. We are able-bodied for Pete's sake. I think she was unhappy with me. A minute later we were passed by a young girl in a wheel chair. But it was motorized so that doesn't count.

We're about a mile into it, not quite at the limestone kilns, and the EMT on a bike catches us. Asks if we're okay. Sharon is panting pretty hard, I had her moving. (Since Bonnie is "Jillian", I got to be "Bob".) I think she was offended by the EMT and kicked it up a notch. She even power walked, twice!

At the water stop she wanted to stop and rest. No resting during a 5K. I left her drink the water but that's it. We kept to the slower pace, but she seemed to be slowing down. At the half-way point we were 28 minutes.

We were within the last mile when some ladies stopped and asked if she was okay. She told them she was tired, but kept going on. They zoomed ahead. More people passed us including someone in a wheel chair. She said she was fine, but thirsty, the girl pushing her reaches into her bag and pulls out Vitamin Water and hands it to her.

it looks like she power walked it in!

Then the EMT comes back and follows her for a while. That really annoyed her. I tried to explain he was just doing his job, but you know Sharon. We were within 2 or 3 blocks of the finish line when she wanted to rest. I said no. The finish line was close. She could rest when she was done. When we were about a block away, I power walked it in, and she followed. There at the finish line waiting for her were the two ladies that pasted her. When she crossed the yelled and screamed and cheered like they knew her their whole lives. I didn't even get their names.

She asked why they did that. I explained people are nice. Of course, she thought it was weird.

My finish 58:07. Hers 59:28.

After snacks and a long rest, I walked up and got the car, picked her up and we headed for breakfast.

twenty things that make me happy today

Wow that's a really tough sentence for me. It was the name of a post in Jonquils & Ladybugs today. She listed twenty things that made her happy today. Knowing Sephanie. I'm guessing she could have listed twenty more.

Since I read it I've been trying to make my list. Here goes ...

1. breathing. It's always a good way to start the day. Especially after the year this family has had.

2. walking. It helps me keep my sanity, most days. And even though I complain I'm not losing weight, I really feel much better when I do it.

3. biking and swinging. Childhood pleasures rediscovered.

4. t'ai chi. It makes me feel good. I'd probably feel even better if I made the spiritual connection. That's not likely to happen.

5. my inner circle. a select group of friends, family and "daughters" who keep me grounded and make me feel loved, especially on most days when I don't love myself.

6. teaching. I come alive when I teach.

7. doodling, drawing. It makes me remember why I fell in love with art

Are 2, 3, and 4 the same thing? Perhaps. I have a long way to go before I hit twenty. But conversely, I got seven. When I started the list I thought I'd have two.

a new t'ai chi class

I went to a different T'ai Chi class last night. I think I like it.

It's at the Bethlehem Township Community Center and runs 8-weeks. It's about half way between what we do for free on Saturday mornings and the intensity of the Yoga Loft class I went to.

The instructor is Romey. She spends maybe a little too much time talking, but maybe it was just the first night. We spent 40 minutes warming up, only to run out of time for the T'ai Chi poses. Oops. She tells us the names of all the moves and how to do them and you do them about a dozen times. She's much more structured than the class on Saturday, but not anal about structure.  The room has large mirrors so she can face the same way as we do.

She's giving us a little bit each week and adding on. She expects us to practice every day. That's pretty much impossible with my schedule, but maybe every other day might be doable. She also recommends a video by Terry Dunn, T'ai Chi For Health, Yang Short Form. Allison and I had been looking for a good step-by-step video, so I might actually get it. Maybe it will help. One of the other students had bought it and highly recommended it.

There are only four people so far in the class. Two who have been doing it a while, me and a very large woman named Dolores. Dolores reminds me of me. It's kind-of scary. A big girl searching for some sort of exercise that will make her fit and healthy but not necessarily skinny. After I get to know her a bit, I'll invite her to join every two feet. There's even a 1-mile walking track at the park. I could meet her before class and we could walk.

Yeah, I know. I'm getting ahead of myself. I have a habit of doing that.

another reason to walk

Life is short.

I was reminded that again while reading Jonquils & Ladybugs  the blog of one of my former Girl Scouts who is now about 30. She's a quilter and a mom. She said something in her blog that her mom" rocks the bald look". I literally stopped dead in my tracks. Darlene has cancer? I had no idea. I am sitting here stunned.

I'm sure that Stephanie posted it on her FB page, or maybe on the blog, but I recently started reading it regularly. Somehow I missed it.

Another person to walk for. Will it ever stop?

just do it

Will I get sued by Nike for using that? Will a little copyright symbol help?

Today I woke and and was determined I would not repeat Friday. I came downstairs and Pat started jammering about something and I picked up the paper. No, I told myself. Walk damnit. Get your butt out the door.

So i'm house sitting for a friend and decided to grab the key and check the house. Then continue my walk. I did. Once I had crossed Broadway I was in the grove. I walked up Bishopthorpe, Out Seneca, crossed Delaware at rush hour, and headed down Cherokee (there's a reason they call this section of town "Indian Hills"). I came down Brighton and headed out Ostrum, reminding myself once again that this street was no place to be walking when shifts change. But I never remember until I get there. And finally worked my way home.

It was a good walk, not a particularly long one. Maybe 2 miles. But it had a few good hills.

And I did it.

a sunday in new york city

this needle and thread in the fashion district must
be the world's largest. Look how small
the worker sewing is.

 

Yesterday was the crew meeting for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. Sharon signed up for crew, so we went. The original plan was for Bonnie and I to go along and we'd walk, while she met. Beth had also signed up for crew, so Sharon would have company also.

Earlier in the week the plan fell apart. Bonnie decided not to go since she's leaving for vacation Friday. Beth dropped out of crew for personal reasons. It ended up Sharon and I on a Bieber bus in the rain.

We arrived about 9:45 and walked up to GSUSA headquarters on 5th Avenue. That's where the meeting was. Sharon checked in and we realized that the meeting was 11:45, not 11, so I made Sharon walk more. It wasn't hard walking. We looked in stores, but we kept moving.

Did mention it was raining? As the day progressed the rain got worse.

I dropped Sharon off safely at GSUSA and started to walk. I looked in store windows. I was easily distracted. I went down one street to 9th Avenue went across and came back up the next street to Lex or Madison. At one point it rained hard and I went into the NY Public Library. Okay, that was a mistake. Should have went into a department store. Someplace less tempting.

Then I went down 5th to Macy's and rode the wooden escaladors, and came back Broadway.

I made a couple calls from Bryant Park, but no one was home. I was getting really bored walking alone. Even in NYC.

So I headed to the GS office and waited in the lobby for Sharon. She came out at 4 pm. Sharp.

I have no idea how far I walked. But I slept well last night.

pooped

Bonnie and I didn't walk today. She had other plans. So I figured I'd go to T'ai Chi for a change.

When Betsy canceled yesterday and we decided to go for a long walk today after T'ai Chi. So today we did seven miles at what I think was a quick pace. I'm sure it was her slow pace. I was panting for at least 4 miles.

Basically we made a serpentine thru her development out to Springhouse Road. Up one street and back the other. Back and forth, back and forth. That was the first loop. Nearly five miles.

Then we headed out again toward Target on Cedar Crest Boulevard, and came all the way back Winchester.

By the time I got home I wanted a nap! But alas there is no time. Grading tonight, NYC tomorrow. Never got a pedometer so I'll have no idea how far I'm going to walk. Sharon's meeting is five hours.

We're considering next year to bike on Fridays instead of walk. Something different. It will also take less time!

zero, nada, nothing

I have done a lick of formal exercise since Monday. Nothing. Nada. Zip.

That's not good. Exercise helps decreases my stress and not gain weight. It's been an extremely stressful week. I've been sick. I'm having hot flashes. I can't sleep more than an hour at a time. I'm miserable and a little depressed. This week of all weeks I should have walked. But I didn't.

I was lazy.

Even today. I normally walk in the morning with ML, and then later with Betsy. It was beautiful today. mid-70s. I work up knowing neither of my Friday options were available. I looked out the window and said I'll walk up to Lehigh and climb stairs for an hour or so and come home. And then I didn't. As the day wore on, I kept procrastinating.

I really need  to get a working pedometer. Logging that number everyday in my exercise journal kept me motivated and pushing harder. The food journal is downright depressing to read. I've now developed little icons for my mood. I am an emotional eater. The icons don't lie. Yesterday at work I was imploding emotionally and my student worker came back with a huge chocolate chip cookie for me. She also wisely told me to step away from the project and go for a walk. Of course I didn't listen.

So back on the wagon I go. Tomorrow is T'ai Chi and 8-10 miles with Betsy. Sunday is NYC.

pink fire trucks and bicycle trails

take the pix before I fall!

Yesterday the Pink Heals tour landed in Bethlehem again. This year they were at NCC. The event was a fundraiser for the Nancy Run Fire Company. Sharon, Pat, and I went. Yes, Pat left the house. We met my niece and her dad there. And Wendy from the three-day Philly. This year she's doing San Diego. We trained together for my first three day and we're going to try and train together again.

So as part of the event they had a 5K run and a 1-mile fun walk. I don't generally do fun walks, but Lyd is new to exercising. She had gastric bypasses 60 pounds ago. Now she is really close to the 200s.

After we got there I found out that you could walk the 5K. Oh well, it was more important for my niece to make her mile. And she did.

We finished near the end of the pack but there were at least 20 people behind me. Sharon zoomed ahead so that she "won". I was teasing her she couldn't walk slower than Lyd.

About 3/4 of the way around Lyd started complaining. The eternal Are we there yet? I pointed out the college dead ahead, and she says, it seems far. I assured her it was only 3 or 4 blocks. She kept plugging away and walked slower, but crossed the finish line at 24:08. Adjust that by three minutes for the later walk start, and she was almost going 3MPH. She did excellent. Her mom would have been cheering her on at the finish line.

Then after the walk she was warmed up enough that she could climb the fire engine! She was disappointed earlier when she couldn't get up on it.

After the walk, we went to Perkins for breakfast, where Lyd shared 1/4 of my omelet. Then a quick stop at Wally's World for Pat's RX, and I drove them home. Then off to work, again.

me and the used bike

I told my family that I was working till 6. I even told that to my sister Barb when she called. But it wasn't true. I was going biking with Angel and Bug at 3:30. Yeah, I know, liar, liar, pants on fire. But a girl needs to do what a girl needs to do. Pat doesn't even know about the bike yet. And I'm planning on keeping it that way.

splat!

We rode from Angels to the Palmer Pike trail and then rode out to about Stones Crossing. There's a huge park there and the wee one played. So did I. Swings! Then we rode back and I fell while dismounting to cross the street. Bug took the pix.

I hid my bike in her garage and drove home.

the 'burbs

Sunday was a 10-mile day. We parked at Wegmans, 512, and did a nearly 4-mile loop while Sharon waited in the coffee shop. Then she joined us for the 3.2-mile loop.

One great thing about meeting at Wegmans is there are clean restrooms and an endless supply of food. We bought a fruit salad, and a dark chocolate bar. Then we sat in the cart-coral (the only shade in the parking lot) and feasted on squares of chocolate, fresh fruit and trail mix. The break was probably close to 20 minutes. It felt good.

Then we left Sharon on the bench under the "welcome to Wagmans sign (that's what Sharon calls it) and did the last 3.4 miles.
On the middle loop we tried a path that went thru a subdivision. We got a bit turned around, but made it back. We might have shaved a block or so off of our route. Sharon was only about a half-block behind. Until the end…that was quite impressive. Usually she's at least a block behind and get further behind as we get behind. She usually bails at mile two.

We made a point of telling her how well she did.

The photo was taken near Wegmans. We were joking about whether we walked fast enough to register on the sign. At that we heard a car zooming down the street. It's all about timing. Bonnie walks 20 MPH, and we have the proof

Since Bonnie drove, I went home, grabbed the car and went to work in my stinky clothes… until 8:30. Good thing I was alone.

54:34 disappointing

That was our final time today. We were devastated. We were shooting for 51! What happened?

I thought that we were moving the fastest we ever moved and there was many people behind us. The only thing I can think of is gravel paths and hills.

The 5K Race for Freedom was held in the Parkway. A patriotic race, it opened with the Marine color guard (which I found odd, since the fallen soldier it honored was Army) and the Star Spangled Banner. Lots of speeches and patriotic songs. The 9 am race didn't start till 9:15.

We started in the back of the pack, as not to get run over by the runners. After crossing the covered bridge, we headed back and ran into a friend, Pam Lott. She's back to running which made me happy. Then as we rounded the turn by the comfort station, I ran into one of my bosses, Kris. She seemed surprised to see this fat girl walking, and pretty much said so. Told me to keep it up. Kind of funny because at the staff retreat I announced that I was doing the 39.3 mile Avon Breast Cancer walk. Apparently she wasn't listening.

Bonnie confessed on the way to the Parkway, that although she was having a "blast" doing this, and she wants to continue walking next year, she has no desire to do another cancer walk. Training eats up all he free time. Yeah, I know how that feels.

This afternoon I went and picked up my bike at the Broken Spoke. Sharon rode along to Wilson. I parked at Angels and walk up to the bike shoppe, then rode back to Angels (sans helmet) and parked it in the garage. We're going on the Palmer bike trail on Monday afternoon. when she's done with class. Then I'll bring it home. Guess I'll need to get a rack too. Sharon took the pix as I flew down Ferry street. Really can't see the bike.

Now I have my eyes on the lookout for one for Bonnie. Maybe I can give it to her for Christmas. Can you give a used bike for Christmas?

the start of a busy weekend

My Hollywood doo.

Last night I worked late. I car pool, and didn't want the driver hanging around till 6 for me, so I told her to leave. I could get home. My friend Angel lives in Wilson, so the plan was to walk there, and then she'd bring me home.

I left the office, crossed the street and headed down College Hill. And then the sidewalk ended. Crap. It's nearly impossible to cross College Hill at that hour (okay, any hour) and live to tell the tale. So I decided to walk on the grass and in the street when I couldn't. At the bottom of the hill I was going to head out 248 to Northampton, then up to the Mary Meuser Library to Angels.

Logan (aka Duncan)

As luck would happen I was picked up by a colleague and given a ride. Secretly I was happy. I had on really bad shoes to walk, and I was not looking forward to that hill.

Today I walked early this morning with ML and Sharon, the typical pokey 2.25 or so route. When I got home there was a message from Betsy about our Friday speed walk. Even better news, she has the dogs for the weekend! It's been a while since we've walked with the dogs.

Betsy and Izzy

But before walking I had to go to the salon for my hair cut. Normally I would head to the farmers market afterwards but it is closed for the Allentown Fair. Brian knows this. So he says to me, I guess you're going home today. when I told him I was walking her put my hair up in a fancy messy Hollywood doo.

As I'm heading to Betsy's it starts to drizzle. We head out with Logan anyway. It rains a little harder, and then a little harder still. Felt good. When we got back to switch dogs, we thought about not going out again. It was begining to rain. Glad we continue on. It stopped.

Tomorrow is the 5K, and I'm going to go pick up my bike...and a lock.

Can't wait till the pink firetrucks on Monday.

working thru the "to do" list

I did some housekeeping today. Trying to get my life back on track.

First thing I did was filled out my medical form for the Avon. It's much easier of a form than the one for the 3-Day, and medical insurance is strongly suggested but not mandatory. That saves me about $250 for temporary insurance. As long as I don't hurt myself. I will risk have to risk it.

My sister Elin has been my #1 emergency contact. She lived 5 minutes from me, and drove. However with her death in March I was left with just my #2 contact, Bonnie. She's walking the Avon with me, so she's kind of useless as ICE number.

I am reminded of that every time I see my Road ID. Elin is still listed on there. I was reminded again when Elin came up on the Avon Medical form automatically. It was a little freaky, actually. So who to use? Two of my other sisters don't drive and are useless in these situations. My oldest sister Barb lives in Kentucky.  I'd trust her with my life anytime, but frankly 800 miles is far, so for this she is also useless. That left my brother Dave. I emailed him and he said "yeah, no problem". So he went down on the form and I also ordered a replacement disk.

I also found out that the new session of T'ai Chi at the community center starts the 14th. I'll try and make my appointment with the nutritionist the same night. Can't get to the free class right now, long walk training is Saturday and Sundays until the walk.

My fund-raising is about half way, with maybe 45 days to go. I guess it's time I mail out the dreaded "beg for money" letters.

Thank you:
Barb
Dave and Barb
Debsy and Marlin
Country Hills Block Party
Nancy and family

Thank you for for your donations.

After class I went and bought a bike helmet at Target. Disappointed with the choices. The kids helmets are fun and funky. The adult ones are black, navy and gray.  Yawn. I guess adults aren't supposed to be fun and funky. I dug around and found one that was a maroon. Closest I could get to pink. Forgot to buy a lock.

no, I haven't stopped walking.

Half-way thru the yard sale. We already
look tired! even Bug earned some money!

It's been a long time since I posted. Life is finally getting back to normal.

My on-ground classes started on the 23rd. The third job-juggling ball was in the air while the other two jobs were still on summer schedule.  Add to that a trip to Gettysburg, getting ready/cleaning up/hosting a yard sale and I was exhausted. Couldn't even keep my eyes open in the evening. Laid on couch, drifted off to sleep. One night I even fell asleep at my computer, grading.

Monday, Sharon and I walked up thru Lehigh. I even made her climb some of the stairs. Hey, she didn't want to go up the hill. Her choice. That was about 2.5 miles.

Wednesday and Friday I walked with ML. About 2.5 each time.

Thursday was yard sale prep day. I don't know how far I walked but I carried,, hauled, and climbed a lot. I also got a bike. It had a flat tire, so Bug and I walked it to the Broken Spoke Bike Shop for  a new tire. I also had a tune up done, and had them inspect it.  I got a call yesterday that it's ready for pick up. Now I need to get a helmet. Think I'll take it out on Labor Day. Maybe the Palmer Bike path.

I didn't walk Saturday because of the Pink Tag Yard Sale, but we did raise about $115 for our team, and got rid of lots of junk.

Sunday Bonnie and I did about 10-miles. At about six miles we took a break at the Wawa on Broad Street. Bought some water, cheese and trail mix. Bonnie tended to her first "hot spot" ever. We did avoid a blister, and that's all that really counts.

Our route took us up the Sassafrass Alley, Wyandotte, down Fredericks, around FH, past the hospital (potty stop) over the Hill to Hill, Out Spring, up 6th, and on to Broad. After the Wawa we came back Market and Church over the Fahy (the Minsi is still closed to pedestrians), out 3rd, Broadway and home.

It's the first time Bonnie did a whole long walk without "outs". The car was at home. We couldn't cheat and take a shortcut. This weekend we'll do it again, but someplace flatter. It was nice to get home. After lunch, we worked on Bonnie's fund-raising letter. She emailed them Monday, and the donations are rolling in.

Today and Monday, I did the 2.5 with ML. But I'm getting at least 2,000 steps round trip walking from the most remote parking lots at school to my classroom.  That really adds up. 2,000 steps is about a mile.

On-line check in has begun. Hopefully I'll get to it over the weekend.

Speaking of the weekend, the plan is this:

• Friday, morning walk with ML, afternoon with Betsy. About 5.5 miles total
• Saturday, 5K Race for Freedom at Lehigh Parkway.
• Sunday, 10 miles of suburbs. Less hills.
• Monday, Labor Day "Run for the Ribbons" 1-mile fun walk. I'll take Sharon. The 5K is only a run. Bummer. Remember the pink firetrucks from last year? They'll be there. Then they are off to Pen Argyl for a fireman's parade. That's the big reason I signed up for such a short walk. While I'm at NCC I'll probably do a couple more miles, then head to Easton to ride my "new" bike.