chaos reigns supreme

Today was the Beat Beethoven 5K. Everything that could go wrong did. But we survived. It was so crazy I forgot to call my sister after the race with the results!

Where shall I begin. I guess at the beginning. I got up at 3L30 to pick up friends at the airport. I left at 4:15. The plane was to arrive at 5:21 and they told me to come between 5:45-6. We normally get home around 8, even with stopping for breakfast. I told Lydia to let herself in at 8, and I'd be home no later than 8:30.

Wrong.

The plane was an hour late, so I was at the airport about an hour and a half. We didn't stop for breakfast. and I got home at 8:35. We ran out the door and headed to Reading. We decided if we missed the start we'd do it anyway, unofficially.

We headed out Susquehanna and under the 8th street bridge to MLK Blvd. Flashing lights. Oh crap. The St. Luke's Marathon was today. We did a U-turn and headed for Lehgih Street, hopped on 309 and got to Hamilton Blvd. The speeding gods were with me today. I made it with 10 minutes to spare. We had google directions, but Lydia turned the GPS in her phone on. No time to get lost!

When we got out of the car you could hear music. Lyd thought it was canned. It wasn't. It was the youth orchestra playing Beethoven. There was a lot of people. Not just runners/families but people with lawn chairs for a free concert. I could so see my brother Dave doing that.

Then we ran into Beethoven. He was busy so we made a mental note to check back with him.

This race is for the Reading Symphony Orchestra. The game, for runners anyway, is to beat Beethoven. Te kids play a portion of the 5th and they have to get back before it's done. If you "beat Beethoven" I think there is a special medal.

It was a hilly course, sometimes short, but very steep, but not as bad overall as Yuengling. I had planned on staying with Lyd again, but she was sore from yesterday and walking slower. I couldn't keep up. I finally went ahead. Mental note. (Speed training only one day during the weekend.)

I finished in 52:10 and Ly in 63.


Afterwards we joined the party. The kids were still playing. Beethoven gets on the mike as says that he's tired of his "hits". He wants to hear "his 6th". The director said no. How about "the 7th"? No again. I think the kids didn't know them. They played the 9th. A fine selection even if he couldn't "hear" what he wrote.

While we were listening they had snow cones for sale. It's probably been 20 years since I had one. I forgotten how sweet they are. Ice is good on a warm day after a race. I got us smalls. They were giant. The two of us could have ate one and still thrown some away.  And I have a sizable sweet tooth.

As the orchestra was wrapping up, we found Beethoven and had our pix taken. (He's in gold. The town crier is in red. Why am I holding my shoes? I took my Birks of course!) We got out of there before the awards started.

race against racism

Today was the annual Race Against Racism at the YWCA. I've done all of them but one. All have been poorly attended. This one was no exception.

I paid Lyds way so she'd come along. I also started her half marathon training by sticking with her for the whole race. She has a habit of slipping into a comfort zone and slowing down. That was not happening today. Not on my dime.

There was about 50 runners, and maybe 15 wallkers. Lydia's goal was not to have the little people couple pass her. They were twice her age and half her height. They also looked fairly physically fit. My motto, get your motivation were you can. I remember one time where I didn't want the wheel chairs to pass me. And one did. I was crushed.

We finished 5th and 6th of the walkers. Right above middle. Two sets of 30-something girls were in front of us, as well as Lyds old neighbor Mr. Gallagher. He was probably 70+.

I finished in 51:20, Lydia in 51:40. Once I left her—a half block from the finish—she slowed down and sauntered over the finish line. That's when I want to speed up.

Tomorrow it's the Beat Beethoven 5K at Alvernia Universty. It benefits the Reading Symphony. We get live Beethoven instead of canned pop or country. Can't wait.

Congrats to Megan and Jillian for kicking walker butt at the Derby Mini-Marathon. A new Personal Best for Jillian.

Weekend I of training for the Biggest Loser Half Marathon Done. Fifteen to go.

walking to work.

Something I wish I could do everyday is walk to work. But alas, my one job is 7 miles, and another 17. Clearly I'd spend most of my day walking.

But today is different. Today my class has a field trip to the Fab Lab, at the south side campus, aka Fowler Family Center. Last night my evening class went. Had I know only six people would show, and we'd be done an hour early, I would have walked. But walking alone, the 5-points, and past 8 pm is not a good combo. At 7 it was till quite light. Oh well. Hopefully a few more show up today. Who plays hookey from a field trip? (But I'm prepared. Taking lots to work on.)

The Fab Lab is cool. You can laser etch, 3D print, build guitars and all sorts of cool stuff.

Round trip it is about 3 miles. I'll be using the Greenway. Too many shopping and eating temptations on Third Street.

I have three 5Ks this weekend. My walk with Betsy in the 'burbs, and the international students picnic. It's gonna be a busy one. Hopefully the weather holds out.

I've bribed Lydia into walking with me in two of the 5Ks. I'm paying her entry fee.

casa 5k, zumbathon

Busy day today. I was actually going to can the Zumbathon. I even told Lydia that when I talked to her on the phone. But I wanted to procrastinate work, so exercise won.

First up, the Casa 5K. It's the first time in a long time that I've done a 5K alone. It was odd. I haven't forgotten how to take the solo pix. But I did leave my hat in the car.

This was clearly a mom and pop operation. Three or four tables, a couple of chairs and that is about it. The entire set up is in the pix. If you didn't know better, you'd think someone was having a breakfast picnic.

Not a huge turnout, but of the ones that did, about 40% walkers! Whooo hoo. Many had dogs and babies. One had a triple stroller and she still beat me.

It was at the Parkway in Allentown using the usual route. Starting at the iron bridge, thru the planet walk, over the covered bridge and back the other side. Then cross the open bridge, and come back the bridle path. Horses had used the path so you had to be careful not to step in any poop.

News flash. No more job johnny in the ''iron bridge" parking lot. The city has built a comfort station!

My time was 54:51. About my usual time in the Parkway. Gravel and hills, get me every time.

At 1:50 I decided I couldn't stand being home any longer and went to the Zumbaton at the old American Legion (Epic Center). It benefited Autusim awareness. I guess April is autism month. The last time I went to one was in fall for breast cancer. This was nothing like that one.
There was over 100 people packed like sausages into the room. Mostly women, some men. It was decorated, there was a DJ, and even raffles.

Because of the turnout, you couldn't move out of your spot, but it was okay, they planned for that. All the "dances" were fairly stationary. They had a DJ and maybe six instructors, including one very big one who could move better than me. Because of all the instructors, there was about 30 second breaks between the songs. It was rough. I was exhausted, out of water, and only doing maybe half the moves. Those doing 100% had water pouring off them. I left after 1.5 hours. They still had 9 songs left. Yep, I'm a weenie.

Suddenly sitting at a computer doing class and listening to my sisters bicker doesn't seem so bad.

i'm easily distracted, especially alone

Today I had to walk alone. I'm not really into solitude, so I have to make things interesting doing something else.

The basic walk: Go the the Eastern Pennsylvania Wellness Expo and return home. Requirement: Find the marker for the Passport to Health on the Greenway. That's a three mile walk if you stretch it. Somehow I made it nearly five.

Maybe it is because a lot is happening on the better side of town today. People who normally are terrified of the south side, will descend like a plague of locusts and then disappear when it's over. Especially before dark. (Okay, maybe that is a wee exaggeration.)

Things to do today on the better side of town in case you're looking for stuff to do:

• The Eastern Pennsylvania Wellness Expo—ArtsQuest 
• Kops 'N Kids book fair (near Loopers)—free books for kids!
• What's on Fourth, Who's on Third—street fair and chili cookoff
• Earth Day Fair—on the Greenway
• Ulysses Dreams—a play in the amphitheater (Oh that's what that is.) on the Greenway presented by Touchstone Theatre
• Dedication of the Chinese Harmony Pavilion—Greenway by ArtsLehigh

So here's my walk, as a photo essay.

Lehigh's campus is always beautiful. But I never realized until today that all the flowering trees and azaleas were pink. Interesting.

On campus I also found this display/art piece about water bottle waste.

Why are there purple ribbons around the old oak trees?

It's the Greenway, not a street. What's with the street sign. Clearly not made by public works.

For those of you looking for the Passport to Health markers, they are small! It only comes up to my butt. Maybe 2.5 feet. Maybe 3 inch wide. I did my rubbing. It's kind of hard with the screw right in the corner where you need to rub.

Location—If you a heading toward the casino, it's less than a block east of Hayes Street. Just past the PNC bank on the right.

Andy Warhol on a rusty trash can.

Road races past. I like how they are starting to add years. Wouldn't it be cool if it continues and the street is filled with race memories? Yeah, I know, I'm weird.

Eastern Pennsylvania Wellness Expo. Not many people in attendance. Nothing floated my boat. I didn't stop at a single stand. Still trying to figure out why Bath Fitters had a booth. Oh, maybe it's for converting the bathroom shower to handicap accessible?

The Smithonian National Museum of Industrial Heritage is almost done. So exciting. It is the project that began the revitalization of the Steel property. I'm guessing this project is 15 years in the making.

 Love the name. I'm guessing it will be part of one of the fairs today.

 No one seems to clean the poop on the Greenway. it's becoming poop-central. Really, if you're a dog owner, clean the poop!

 Chinese Harmony Pavilion and zen-like native plant garden. I've posted better pixs before. But the garden never looked like this before. I think the Greenway needs a labyrinth.

 Setting-up for Earth Day. Between New and Taylor.

This sign is on the door to a Hair Salon. Why would you take your animal to work if they are mean? Especially as mean as the one in the picture? Wouldn't that keep customers away?

The power company has been maiming trees all over the area. This agressive pruning is supposed to eliminate week long power outages during big storms. I could do a whole blog of their "pruning", but this is a great example.  They've eliminated 3/4 of the tree, leaving one branch section hanging over the street (That other little piece has grown around the wires). Next storm, this baby is falling down. Gravity is against it. I pray I am not driving or walking under it when it does. It's two blocks from my house.

Tomorrow is the CASA 5K and the Zumbathon. I think I'm doing both alone. Haven't heard from Lyd in days, and Bonnie is still on the DL.

walking classes in bethlehem!

Wow, the internet is filled with possibilities in our fair city this week.

First the new high line trail announcement and now Fitness in the Park! It's walking, boot camp and toning. I found out about it from my coach in the Walk Your Butt Off Program.

Michelle, the fitness director of WYBO has launched a website MyWalkingCoach.com. She'll be facilitating the walking portion. "This isn’t your ordinary stroll around the block. You’ll learn walking techniques that will help tone up your entire body—not just your legs. You’ll practice drills that will help you increase your speed and boost your metabolism so you can get a great workout in less time. You’ll also play walking games and explore new neighborhoods to keep walking fun and exciting." She has a link to the flier posted on the site. If you're interested you can download the flier here.

Clearly I can't sign up till the June sessions, since classes still run thru May. But I might even try one week of the boot camp. That will be hysterical. If nothing else the instructor is easy on the eyes.

Michele is also looking for testers for another walking program. If you want to apply, click here.

The other thing I stumbled into today, and I'm not really sure how, was Chi Walking. Everyone knows how much I had loved doing Tai Chi. I finally gave up since my schedule did not allow classes. "The Chi Walking technique emphasizes the proper biomechanics of walking including: good  posture, loose joints, engaging one's core muscles, and relaxing the peripheral muscles of the arms and legs." The closest instructor in around Philly. I might just buy the DVD. I'm intrigued.

Anything to keep me walking.

Finally, my niece Bonnie—the one that beats me in all the 5Ks and races—fell down her basement stairs and broke her wrist in seven places. Ouch. It will not keep her from walking. Or kicking my butt.

we're getting a high-line!

Imaging my delight when I opened the paper this morning. We're getting a "high line"! The High Line is a park/walking path from converted elevated railroad in New York City.

Ours will be the Hoover Mason Trestle at the Steel. I'm so happy I could dance. Even more exciting is they are starting it in May/June! And will only take a year. If you want to see the architectural drawings go here. There's a slide show on the architects page.

Also from their page:

In its heyday, the trestle was used to carry ore cars from the Ore Yard area - currently the site of the Sands Bethlehem Casino Resort - to the blast furnaces. It was part of an overhead material conveyance system that, for the most part, still exists. The project area includes the entire length of the Trestle – 2,000 feet – which currently extends from the recently completed Visitors Center at the Stock House to the entrance of the Sands Bethlehem hotel. ... The trestle, named for the New York engineering firm that designed it, was commissioned in 1905 under the leadership of Charles Schwab, the company's first chairman.

If you want to read the whole story I'm posting the link to the Bethlehem Patch. The major papers links don't last.

Redevelopment kicks butt.  Now, if he local kids could resist the urge to spray paint it, it will be a site to behold.

from facebook

Was trying to find something to write about the bombings. No words came. Today I saw this on Facebook. Perfect.

”If you are trying to
defeat human spirit,
marathoners are the
wrong group to target.’’

Enough said. Thanks "Mighty Brighties"

lehigh gap nature center hike

Today we walked with the Center Valley Outing Group at Lehigh Gap. That's the park that used to be the old zinc mines. They are trying to bring it back to life. It looks better than what I remember, but it's going to take a long time to return to being a forest.

The email said "This is an easy hike along the river. Lehigh Gap Nature Center is an awesome place to go and explore the outdoors. The AT intersects there, but we will be on a relatively flat plain along the Lehigh River. This hike is a little over 4 miles." It was actually a little over 5. I think that had to be a typo.

The beginning was tough. Hills and rocks. Typical Pennsylvania trail. But then it leveled out. and became gravel and stone. Along this trail there were stones painted with odd sayings...Werewolf of London or onion rings. I think we counted about 12.

We also went past members of the EPA who were set to do a controlled burn this afternoon. Apparently the grass and trees were planted. They want to see if the soil is toxic yet. And whether enough time has past that the area will reseed itself.

We moved on to the three pond trail and heard the spring peepers, peeping. From the joyous noise, mating season was going extremely well. Finally we picked up the D&L for the final 2 miles. While on the D&L Lyd go a walking lesson using poles. She worked up quite a sweat.

Nowhere did I see the markers for the Wegman's Passport to Health walk. The woman at the counter was clueless too. Looks like we'll be going back.

When I arrived home we walked Adonis. Another half mile. Lydia isn't coming back till 5:30 or so, so I'll have another half mile latter this afternoon. Maybe I can go over 20K steps today.

virtual races

One day in fall I received an email from one of the race companies—they come ever week—and it had a virtual run listed. I checked it out, and by the time I decided to do it it was sold out.

After New Years, another one was posted. This time was for this weekend in April. The Cherry Blossom Races and it would benefit women's cancer research. So I gave it a shot and signed up. You get a dandy medal (which I'm sure was paid for in your fee). An email came earlier in the week with a race bib and a link to the facebook page.

Apparently virtual races are a big thing. I signed up for the group and it has more action than a call girl at the five-points. On my facebook book groups list it always has a high number of posts listed after it.

Now this is quite different from the Idita Walk where you track your minutes, and they send you a congrats certificate. I'm guessing the bulk of the $10 fee goes directly to the scouts. If not the whole thing. Probably all the labor is done by the kids.

It's also different from the church walks to biblical places. They are not raising money, just your spirit and faith.

The one that I signed up for said that she was doing them to keep her motivated to train for marathons. That sounds like a plan. Motivation is always hard.

But I just read a post on the virtual run group page that says it's addictive. Because of the bling. I've gone deep in the page and people are modeling their medals. Really?

I have two thoughts. Bling. I really don't need it. Nor do I really crave it. And only you know if you really earned it. You could just sign up, get bling (some of it hiddeous), and a really large charity donation.

Second thought. How do you know this person running the race is legit? You don't know them from Adam.

I decided to do the Cherry Blossom one for a couple reasons. It used a legit racing site, and told us how much money she raised and sent in. However, by the time organizer pays the race fee, buys and mail the medals, only $3-$5 of your fee goes to charity. Is that case for regular races too? Would the money better be sent without the middle (wo)man?

I don't know. I'm thinking a lot about this. Do I want to take strangers on my walk around the world?  What kind of "reward" would they get? Certainly not a medal. Something more eco friendly that I could make. What would I charge them? Things to think about.

Image from the PlantBasedRunner.com via Facebook.

reached gold!

I reached the gold level today in the Presidential Challenge. One or two days short of the one year mark. I don't know what happens now. Does it just continue and allow me to move on to the platinum. Or does it start over at zero? I have no idea. I guess we'll see on Monday.

I have moved thru four ranks in the year.

• Lifestyle Achievement on May 25 (24,000 points, I think)
• Bronze on July 24 (40,000 points)
• Silver on Nov. 7 (90,000 points)
• Gold, finally on April 13 (160,000 points)

If the challenge continues with the old points, my next rank, platinum,  is 1 MILLION points. At my current rate it will take SIX YEARS to reach that goal. Will I do it? Hope so. But you'll have to check back in 2019. I still have 839,690 points to go!

arrived in email

light lager jogger, race day

Today was race day. It was a nice day for a race. Remind me never to do a race in Pottsville in July heat. It might kill me.

First off, I forgot my camera. I put it in my purse, not my backpack. Moron. Jillian, had her cell so we used that. But as a consequence, it died on the way home talking to her mom. We used my car, instead of her fancy talking car which I've named Kitt, after the car in Knight Rider. Though hers is a woman's voice. Not Williams Daniels. Clearly, it's not the 80s anymore. We have equal opportunity—at least in car voices.

I arrived at Jillian's at 5:35 am. She was in bed. Or maybe she just got up. Either way her husband was surprised to see me. I thought we were leaving at quarter of. Clearly I was wrong. I packed some Kind Bars and OJ for the trip since there would be no time for breakfast.

We arrived at about 7—no traffic— and parked at the train station. It was a short walk to the brewery. The church next store already had a bake sale up, and they were selling fruit cup. Yeah. Breakfast, part two. The block party was in full swing. People were eating crab fries at 7 am!

We went to Corral Four. The one labeled walkers. We were not lone. All in all about there were 200-250 walkers. Nice turnout. It took a good five minutes till we hit the start line.

Then it was up that long one mile hill. Jillian blazed out ahead. I always get left behind on hills. Yesterday when I walked it, I didn't do the little jug handle. That was a mistake. There was a surprise on that handle. At one mile there was water and we went down a hill for just one block. It wasn't horrible. Then it was level for about three blocks around a park. I caught up with Jillian for those three blocks. Then we turned and went to go up 22nd Street. OMG. It was a steep as Federick Street. Jillian plowed up it, not to be seen again till the finish line. I struggled up it and made it to the top without stopping. The rest was downhill. My goal was to catch up with my walking buddy. It never happened. The gap was two, maybe three blocks. But I did finish only about 10 or 15 seconds behind. What I lack in uphill, I more than make up for in downhill.

After the race we walked down Centre Street and took pixs. One was this groovy art at a hair salon.

I thought I was walking with Lyd this afternoon. But she hasn't shown. Guess this whole being in love nonsense is making a dent into her walking time. Oh well. I'm sure he's better company.

Tomorrow we're walking in Slatington. Four miles on a rail trail.

light lager jogger, day one

Tomorrow is the Light Lager Jogger 5k at the Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville. Today was packet pickup day. Glad we went today. Six thousand people are registered. The lines were long today. Can you image what they'd be like tomorrow?

Pickup started at 11, and it takes a generous hour to get there. We headed up to Pottsville around 11:15. I had a mini school crises, and we wanted to take the brewery tour at 3 and eat lunch.

Packet pickup was at a pub. It took about twenty minutes to get thru the line. Before heading up to the pick up, we put our name in at the pub for lunch. They were busy. Captive audience. With doing that, we still had to wait a few minutes when we were done.

After lunch, we headed to the brewery. All the streets were blocked already (there's a block party after the race.) and the meters closed. It proably took a good ten, maybe fifteen minutes, to find a parking space. (Let me assure you that Pottsville is a hill. It makes Bethlehem look flat.We discovered that quite quickly.)

I like when I can walk a route ahead of time. I think the race goes more quickly. I'm familiar with my surroundings, and I'm not stopping to take pixs of art. I'm so happy I did that this time because this race is all up hill for the first mile. But what goes up must come down, and the second half is downhill!

The walk took longer than anticipated, so we had to wait for the 3:30 tour. It took an hour. Lots of walking. Lots of stairs. Even a hill.

Who says being a tourist isn't exercise!

Tomorrow Jillian and I leave at 5:45 for the race. We need to be there at 7! Race kicks off at 8.

Ghost mural on the side of the pub. I took a lot of pixs of type. I will take even more tomorrow. Pottsville is a typofile's paradise. I need at least a week there to capture it all.

a funny thing happened on the way to the 10-miles.

This morning Jillian and I did the Capital City 10 mile race, in Harrisburg. We were to meet at her house at 6. Walkers started at 8:15.

I don't sleep well, but only woke up once during the night. When I looked at the clock it said 5:15. Holey Moley, I've got to get moving! I got ready and out the door I went.

It was dark and traffic was very light. I cruised down Susquehanna street. I looked down at the clock to see what time it was. Was I on time? It was 4:47. Say what? I pulled out my phone. 4:46? How is this possible. I cruised past the house and it was dark. Shit. Time changed again last night.

You see I have very old electronics, bought before they moved the time change days, so they change automatically on the wrong date. Each time we have a time change, I have to reset the clocks—twice. It's a PIA. But I'm too cheap to buy new ones.

What makes this even funnier is I drove past my neighborhood independent gas retailer, and his big LED sign declares the time. I totally missed it.

So I went for gas—no lines—and then home to chill (and set clocks) for 45 minutes.

Promptly at 6 I was back at her doorstep. And off we went. In her new car—it has GPS and satellite radio. Something my cars will never have. Again, too cheap. I buy cars that go forward, backward and stop.

We arrived on City Island by 7:40, with plenty of time to register. The race started promptly at 8. There was only about 15 walkers. I thought it would be fun to take our pix in front of the Harrisburg Senators sign wearing an Iron Pigs cap. Although the Senators are not in their league.

We walked around the island, then over the pedestrian bridge. Then headed down to the river way, and the Capital Greenway. Then turned around and came back past the start point to the next bridge. That bridge is about a mile long. When we crossed the Susquehanna, we turned around and came back the other side. It was beyond windy up there. Then we returned to the upper river walk, back over the pedestrian bridge, around the stadium and to the finish line.

The runners left at 9 and there was serious congestion at around the four-five mile mark. People coming. people going. Narrow path.

We stayed together for the first 7 miles or so, then Jillian took off. I was busy taking pixs of art.

She finished in 2:57:xx ahead of the 3-hour goal.

I finished in 3:01:28. A minute and a half over. But I'm not in it to win it. And I always walk slower alone. A few people finished after us.

 Make music not war.

Bulls, hydrants, garbage cans. You can see why I was so distracted. My favorite sign was a horse and buggy crossing sign. In the middle of the big city.

The walk today put me over the 25000 steps in one day on my fit-bit. I got a new badge! That and a buck fifty will get you coffee. Hopefully I'll reach gold status in the Presidential challenge this week. I'm at 98%. I'm running out of time. My anniversary date is very, very soon. Then I go back to zero and start again.

dead last but finished

It's my lot, what can I say. Did I mention that there was only four walkers?

This 10K was to buy tricycles for differently able children. I didn't know they came in so many varieties. Some even had a single handle on the back so a able-bodied person could hold on to them.What is really cool is that the bikes are there for the kids when the race is over. After each child is called up and claims the bikes, they get fitted, get helmets, and get to be part of the kids race. Really. That would bump my confidence up a zillion percent.

The 10K is on the Ironton Rail Trail loop, and part of the spur. Lydia couldn't make it, she had to work. But Jillian and I walked it with another pair from Hazleton's Seasons Change event. They were scouting out the organization of the race and maybe whether doing a 10K walk was possible. Right now they have a 10K run, 5K run/walk, and 3 bike routes of varying distances. But the really cool part is walkers are eligible for awards! We have to kick up our speed this summer. It says it's a flat and fast route. In Hazleton?

Near the beginning of the race we picked up the bike sweep-guy. He followed us the whole time. About half way, two more joined him. Really we didn't need three guys escorting us.

Last year I finished in 1:43:58.  I thought it was 1:42 plus change. This year I finished in 1:41:05. Jillian finished in 1:40:55, I think.

Speaking of Jillian, the real Jillian Michaels is doing a lecture/motivation tour. One of the stops is Philly. I checked out ticket prices. Way too steep for me. Clearly I haven't bought lecture tickets in a long time. Jimmy Carter, Tony Blair and Jane Goodall are free this month at Lafayette. (No tickets left, sorry.) Clearly more important people than Jill. No offense Jill.

I have not mad my 70000 steps for this week, so I have to go out and do another 2.5 miles. Oh, goodie. I think I'll go them at Giant and get my groceries at the same time.

Tomorrow is the 10 mile race in Harrisburg. My upper thigh and knee hurt a lot today since the race. I hope I can make the 10. I will finish. I'll just crawl. We leave at 6 am.

Walking was supposed to beat off arthritis at the door clearly, it isn't working.

the surgeon general wants us to walk

Me too. But does it need to be legislated? And how? And where would the warning label go?
This site will allow you to take the pledge to walk. It will also take you to the page to let the Surgeon General know your thoughts.

And as a side note, when did the Surgeon General change to a woman?

tomorrow is national walking day!

For me, that is nearly every day. But for people who have been dormant on their couches—or stuck at their computer at the office—this is a good day to start. On National Walking Day Americans are encouraged to lace up their sneakers and take at least 30 minutes out of their day to get up and walk. It's a great way to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity and to give your family, friends and co-workers a friendly push toward a healthier life.


If your out and about on College Hill around 11, you'll see me trudging around the hood.

It will get you in the groove for National Walk at Lunch Day on April 24th! That's sponsored by Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

All items from the National Walking Day website.

we found David!

Clearly Dave was hiding in Nome. Maybe avoiding me? Rechecking the finisher's roster, he arrived before his wife Barb! Easter sunrise services in "Nome" were lovely and now we're all headed home. The sensible people are flying. I've rented a car to drive home.  Sharon's coming with me. She's aching for a road trip.

After weeks of snowshoes in Alaska, I don't know how I will adjust to spring in Pennsylvania. But all good things must come to an end.

All the "scoobies" have been found and accounted for. Here's how we fared in the standings:

59 – me. I've spent my waiting time snowshoeing. Haven't lost an ounce.
102—Adonis (and Lydia). Clearly Adonis was walking with Carol (aka Bobodancer) from the Liberty Bell Wanderers. Carol came in 105. Does it count that they walked back to Anchorage?
429—Dave. He did a good job of hiding. Nome is not that big!
435—Sharon. She's still sleeping. Exhausted from the walk. "Never again" she says.
461—Barb H. Didn't see her much. Maybe she was hiding with Dave part of the time?
518—Megan. She "flew" right back to Louisville to train for a Half-Marathon and stopped logging miles. Why she didn't want to train in the snow and the cold is beyond me.
634—Bonnie came in 634.  She was not last.

The dog sleds have left. The walkers are leaving. Pretty soon Nome will return to a quiet sleepy town in Alaska. Hopefully the Boy Scouts raised a lot of money for their camp.