first competitive race since august!

Year 58. Day 2. Completed my first 5k since the Biggest Loser Half in August. I thought it would be tougher, but it was about usual.

It was the first time I went to a race where they had a "competitive walker" category. We started 10 minutes after the runners. The course changed slightly this year—we only went partially on Sand Island, and we made a loop around the "fairgrounds" instead coming straight down Main. The major problem was there was no cop at Broad and Main to cross us. I got stuck. That made me angry. Also, initially anyway, they were stopping the walkers to let the runners thru! Another big NO!

This year Bonnie and I met Michele, the walking coach, and her colleague at the event. We all started together but Michele walks faster than some people run. She finished in 35. But she always waits at the finish line for everyone she knows.

I finished in a little over 48 minutes. Bonnie came in about 47. We don't know the exact number because the clock was about 10 minutes fast. Last year I was closer to 53.

Walking back to the car with Michele, I was telling her about my virtual trip around the world. As you know, in addition to being a walking coach, she's a writer. I met her through the Walk Your Butt Off and Sugar Crushers test panels. She's working on a walking article for Dr. Oz's new magazine. She was interested in the project for the article. We'll see what happens.

UPDATE 12/3:
Official scores posted. Bonnie was  46.44 and I was 48.40. We were two minutes apart. Soon we will be 5, then 10. She goes faster and faster and I get slower and slower. I don't know why.

a 10k for my birthday

Fifty eight. How the hell did that happen? Soon I shall be old. Golly I don't like that. I will be beating off old age as long as I can, and walking is one of those sticks.

Yesterday we went to the walking festival in Hershey. It's an annual Volkssport thing where you get to pick from several races and several distances. We chose the Candy Cane 10K. It goes all around Hershey and thru the park.

We were only about 1.5 miles into the walk when we found Santa hiding behind a tree. He see's the trolley and makes a run for it. They left him on. It was hysterical.

Lydia didn't feel good from the get-go. It was around this point she became sick. She took the car keys and headed back. Bonnie and I went on alone. The route was different this year. Much better actually. And we made some decent time.

We got Lyd at the car and went to sign in. It was then when I discovered I had 30 walks completed and could send my book in to HQ. While I was there I purchased my new book. Exciting. I also met the lady who sent me money back when I paid too much for a walk. And I met the lady from the postal nightmare back in early October.

Lydia, being an overgrown child, wanted to go to Chocolate World. On black Friday. We went. We stood in the long line and took the ride with the silly singing cows. The line went fast—10-15 minutes. And we found out that Bonnie had never done it before.

 At one point the cow tells you to smile for the camera. Above is the result. Bonnie purchased the digital version from the photo booth. Clearly someone had just pinched me.

 When we came out the lights were on in the amusement park. One nice thing about Hershey is they give you plenty of space to play and take pix and shop before you even get to the entrance. We checked out the lights we could see and then found the Reese's man for Lydia. We took her picture for her Christmas card then headed to dinner.

It was 5:00 when we arrived at the restaurant. The line was going out the door. It was a half-hour wait. I cannot imagine what it's like at 6:30.  While we were waiting, the TV advertised a Reese's martini. Lyd ordered it. (Yes, I know she was sick earlier.  I certainly wouldn't have done it. )

Finally, it was time to end the day at Sweet Lights. Hershey's version of Lights in the Parkway. It is so much better than ours. It's too miles of sensory overload. Bonnie even put on one of the Sirus Christmas stations. Lydia was hanging out the window trying to take pixs, but most were fuzzy.

Speaking of Lights in the Parkway. We'll be doing a 5K there Wednesday night. Yeah, no Zumba.

the good. the bad. and the roomie.

This has been a week of ups and downs.

The ups. Last night at Zumba one of my classmates asked if I've lost weight. Yes! I said. Also a colleague asked. I was on a high.

Yesterday was chrio day. Jury still out on that one, but I'm paid for a year, so I go. Afterwards was the benefits fair at work. Being part-time I have no benefits, but I go anyway. Free food. And it turns out, chair massages. For the first time in weeks there wasn't a knot at the base of my neck. I think I need to do this more regularly. First I have to see what the affordable care act is going to cost me. Dread that process.

The bad. About two weeks ago I received an email from Michelle. A surprise weigh in for the Sugar Crushers book. Oops. I 've not really followed that diet in weeks. It was a test panel, not a lifestyle. And it's very difficult to follow with the roomie. She won't eat but three things on it.  I lost another five pound and a couple inches. I was okay with that. It probably would have been better had I not toally fallen off the wagon the two weeks around Halloween. On the up side, Michelle gave me shirts to promote her new walking business—mywalkingcoach.com. Lydia is going to have to wait for hers. Something was wrong with the 2xs. She needed to have them re-done.

The horrible. A couple weeks ago I was shopping with Bonnie and bought a size 16 pants. I was delighted. When I started this adventure about 4 years ago I was in a 24 headed quickly to a 26. I felt good. One day I was shopping with my sisters and found this cute black and white knit a-line skirt. I tried it on the other day, and it fit. But it was first thing in the morning, with no control top hosiery.  It didn't look it's best. I showed the roomie. She told me I looked like a "sausage". Thanks. I explained the hosiery. She didn't buy it. I thought about taking it back and it just sat there in the bag.

Yesterday my other sister was over. Apparently she snooped in the bag and said "OMG it's a 16". The roomie told me today she knew the reason my skirt didn't fit. "It was only a 16." "I know". You don't wear a f**ing 16. "Yes, I do. All my new-to-me pants are a 16." "They were cut big" she snarled. "You are at least a 20. You are fatter than me." GULP.

I had already decided to take it back today before work before this conversation. I don't really like stores during the Christmas selling season. Okay, let me rephrase that. I don't like the parking lots and traffic. I was getting dressed and decided to try on the skirt again. This time with the proper items underneath. Damn it looked good. The roomie waddles in. "That skirt is too small." "No it's not. I think it looks good". Dang I wish Bonnie was there to back me up. "You look like a sausage. It needs to be at least one size bigger. Probably two." Then it would be 9 inches too big in the waist and I am not going to a tailor.

I took it back. I looked at nothing on my way in. I've pretty much decided not to buy any new clothes. I don't care how big ... or small ... they are.

After leaving Lane Bryant I pulled in Arbys and got onion rings and a soda. Now where the hell did I put that wagon?

if i had a hammer

Today we did something a little different. All in all we only walked about two miles. But we climbed a lot of rocks.

Bonnie and Lydia met me and then we went to NCC to pick up my international student. We headed out 78 for Rt. 611. Got off the Easton and decided to go straight, and take the back road. But the back road was on the OTHER side of the fireworks store. We ended up getting back on the highway!

So our trip down 611 took a side trip to Jersey. (Gas is only $3.05 there!)

After getting back on-course we headed down 611, then 32 to Ringing Rocks Park. I probably haven't been there in 30 years. Lydia has been asking to go for at least two years. I thought it would be fun for W. It was. I'm sure when she Skypes her parents tonight, she'll tell them about the crazy Americans hitting rocks.

Bonnie stayed on the edge taking pictures.

After finding many musical rocks, we continued on the trail to the waterfall. After climbing over some more rocks, we headed into the woods, across a field and ended up on a road. Bonnie decided the road would take us back to the park, no need to climb again, so out the road we went. Thankfully, she was correct.

When we got back to the car a boy scout troop was using the picnic table. I thought we just move to the Delaware Canal Park a few miles down the road. Lot's of place to park, a clean port-o-potty, but no picnic table. We ended up tailgating out of Bonnie's car. W tried ring bologna (I checked that it was all beef.) and apple cider for the first time. She liked both. Maybe next time we'll feed her Lebanon bologna. I have to make sure it's all beef first.

When we returned to Bethlehem, we went for frozen yogurt near the school.

When we returned home, we took a very anxious Adonis for a walk. Initially he was so bad I told him if I scolded him one more time we were going home. Clearly my tone was right, he behaved the rest of the time. He even did well with all the fire engines heading to Bergen street.

I need to toss out a HUGE THANK YOU to Lydia. She swapped out the broken tv for the newer tv. Lifting both those huge models alone. These are 27 inch analog with tubes. Clearly she took her Wonder Woman vitamins this morning. Then, with my help, we carried the air conditioner upstairs for the winter. All that crap is out of my living room for Thanksgiving. Of course the kitchen still looks like a war zone, but there's nothing i can do about that.

extreme contrasts

I don't often write about daily walks. Walks are walks and they are often in the same places. It's hard enough to come up with something new to say for the weekend walks.

Today we had extreme contrasts. We walked mostly in Fountain Hill. 

 On Pawnee street they went full speed ahead and are ready for Christmas.

 On Graham street they did not skip Thanksgiving.

And On Moravia, we saw this poor mutilated tree. Clearly, this tree is much safer than the full one they shore off. Obsene.

center city allentown

Today I picked up Bonnie and we headed to downtown Allentown. It's been awhile since we've done that walk.

We parked at the Parkettes, and followed the walking trail along the Little Lehigh River, on MLK Blvd. At about 9th Street, we went up the WPA steps. This time we took the branch toward the Alburtis Meyers Bridge. (Happy Birthday A.M. Bridge! You look every bit your 100 years.) The steps are still in need of some love. Whole stairs are missing, and chunks are missing form others. The WPA did a fine job 70  years ago, but maintenance is sorely needed. Sadly, it probably will not happen. Ultimately, they will crumble, and closed. Penny wise and dollar foolish. Sadly, Allentown is not the only one practicing this philosophy.

I digress.

He went up 9th to Hamilton to check out the PPL Center Hockey Arena progress. They've made a lot. I saw this sign and had to walk against the fence. Call me a rebel. (I wouldn't have done that during the week with traffic!)

This is the Arena from the square. I'm guessing this is the front entrance, with the lovely curved facade. They are restoring the Dime Savings Bank on the right. They actually had to re-lay the bricks, one by one. Across the square, where the 1st National Bank was, a new, huge building is going up. Lots of changes in A'town.

When we reached 5th, we checked out the new courthouse (nice) and the addition to the art museum (still free Sundays, but doesn't open till noon. Boo.) Then headed down Linden to the waterfront. There we checked out America On Wheels museum. Bonnie's daughter and pseudo son-in-law are coming at Christmas, and he's a bit of a gear head. The perfect place to entertain him!

The it was under the Hamilton Street Bridge, past the orange car, and back to the car.

When I returned home, we went to Coca Cola Park for drive-by flu shots. Fun, healthy and free. My kind of event.

today sponsored by the color red

Today we walked downtown. We started at the library, headed out Church and Market to the Mini Trail Bridge, and came back Broad and Market. Our final loop went thru Moravian's south campus, past the new dorms and thru the sculpture garden.

What we noticed was red. Lots and lots of red. It was spectacular. (Sorry. The sun makes some of the pix look orange.)

We talked about going to Ringing Rocks park next weekend. Haven't been there in a zillion years. Hope it's as cool as I remember.

haunted gettysburg

Yesterday we treked to Gettysburg for the "Haunted Gettysburg" volkssport walk. There were walks all weekend. We just did one day. We chose the ghost walk. The ghost stories—except one—were pretty lame. You'd think they could do better with so much death in one place. There has to be a few thousand spirits hanging out. Maybe they don't like tourists?

We checked in at the Day's Inn and drove to the battlefield. After parking near the ampitheater, we headed out toward the Peach Orchard. It was cold and windy.

After the orchard we took the loop to Devils Den. Other than that I can't tell you where we walked.

We saw little roundtop, and round top, and a lot of monuments to Irish regiments. I climbed up the monument to get this guys face. Isn't it great?

The ghost stories in the narrative were okay. Lot's dealing with picture taking. Yawn. Old stories. These people were having film developed. One was very good, we read it at Devils Den. It had to do with a dulcimer, a car and a song. Yeah, if it was dark it could have been creepy.

At the end of the walk, Bonnie and I climbed a tower with 125 steps, one-way. Great view of the battlefields, but it was twice as cold as on the ground. And the wind was piercing. It felt good to go down.

We returned to the car and drove around looking at more monuments and places. Stopping occasionally, walking more, and taking pixs.

Then we headed back downtown in the car for lunch. We ate at The Pub, like usual. Bonnie and Lydia both had Rubens. Bonnie's w/o bread, of course. I had a veggie wrap. It was good. Since we were parked at a meter we popped into a couple stores. One had all the inventory made in the USA. COol, but really expensive. The one next door was about 50/50. Prices not quite so high. And to everyones amazement I actually shopped!

We headed back to the Days Inn to check in, then hit the road home. Just in time for rush hour. It took two hours to get there, and a little more than three to come home.

jordan creek park

Time changed today. For me, it's always a chaotic day. The whole rhythm of life is off. I spent the afternoon laying on the couch watching PBS (The Tower of London and Queen Elizabeth's coronation. It must have been BBC day on PBS) doing nothing. No knitting. No grading. No puzzles. Nothing. Then I talked on the phone with my sister for a half-hour plus. I was a total couch potato. Now my hip hurts. Clearly my body is telling me something.

We walked at 9:30. It was still fairly windy and cold. Ly came her then we went and picked up Bonnie, and drove to the park. The last time I did this route was at 6:30 am, on a 90+ degree day. It was much more pleasant today.

We parked and picked up the walking path thru the park. Then headed out 8th street (I think) to Dixon. Out Dixon, thru the apartment complex and shopping center. Then out South 4th and back the Susquehanna Street bridge. Then we entered the park and took the path a half mile in the other direction. We came in right at 3 miles.

Then it was home to walk Adonis.

A lazy day to be sure, but better than nothing.

a little different walk

Today we took my host-student from Tunsia to a corn maze. We walked over four miles, in a couple acres.

We completed the children's area, and then the next level. After 2.5 hours, we decided not to do the final area. That alone was larger than what we had completed already.

In the children's area we did rubbings of the clues. In the second area, we used a whole punch to play a game of clue. The chickens did it with rat poison in the haystack.

 After walking, we showed her how the corn gets into the silo. Sadly, they were done for the day. Guess they are waiting to harvest the corn maze. Tomorrow is the last day.

Then we went and checked out the goats, and the farm stand. Since I got apples yesterday, the only thing I bought was homemade black raspberry jelly. I also got us each a caramel apple. I told W to slice it before she tries to eat it. Especially with her braces!

Then we drove to 248 to look for someplace to eat. We ended up at a place called Wild Buffalo Wings.