autumn revelations

I walked today at lunchtime. I was stressed to the max and it was either take a long walk or say something stupid and get fired.  I chose the walk.

Dang I wish I had my camera with me. (Photo from Wikipedia.) College Hill was painted in brilliant shades of red. There isn't much prettier in Easton than Victorian mansions cloaked in bright red leaves.

Since the D&L marathon two weeks ago I've been thinking a lot about racing and what role it will play in my life moving forward. It started at the pre-race dinner. Person after person stood up and said how wonderful racing was, and how they break down in tears from joy when they finish. It was like a Hallmark card for walkers. I have never shed a tear or jumped for joy. Sure I was happy it was over. I was happy I finished. But that's it.

The day of the race I counted down the miles like I always do—7-6-5-4-3-2-1-thank goodness I'm done. They hand you a medal which is lovely for about 2 minutes. Then my mind switches gears to what shall I do with this? And I really don't need another t-shirt. Three-quarters of them go to Pat or Goodwill.

But I was signed up for another the next week. It actually would have qualified me for a group called Half Maniacs. After becoming a member the least you could do was one Half a month to keep up your membership. The highest —52 in one year. Yep. One a week. Clearly those people have no life outside of races. And an endless supply of money. Half marathons are not cheap. Plus you need to add in travel, hotels, tolls, eating out, ect.

My fitness friend Nora is a member. She rarely does a 5K or a 10K anymore. She loves the half, and I anticipate that she'll move towards full marathons soon. She check race results. She knows the race staffs. She does two every month. I think I'd rather shoot myself.

Last week I was bored to tears at the Deja Vu. Solitude was not one of my life skills. There was no joy at the finish. Just relief. The shirt went into the hand-me-down box.

The 10K on Sunday was great. But was it because it was half the length or was it because I was walking over a beautiful body of water? Again, no joy at the finish, just relief. And wanted to be sure I caught the right bus back.

Saturday is a 5K. Looks like I'll be going it alone. Again. Bonnie just had surgery, and Megan can't make it. It's at NCC and I designed the tee shirts. I got to go. The money benefits my kids. But I'm not sure I want to.

Bottom line: With the exception of NCC, races are expensive and getting more expensive. I have to buy health insurance next year so there goes my disposable income.  I need to get really picky.

I'm not sure if I've signed up for anything next year. I have to look. (Oh wait—The Yuengling Lager Jogger with Angel and Eryn, and the Hangover 5K on New Years Day....bet there's more.) I need to evaluate how much racing I will actually do. Will 2015 be more Volkssport? More state parks? More fitness challenges. Not sure.

In the meantime,  I found a plastic box for the medals. Not quite ready to recycle them to Medals4Mettle. Maybe when the box is full.

beat the bridge 10K

After finishing the Deja Vue half, I headed down to Annapolis for the Beat the Bridge 10K over the Chesapeake Bay. It was the little bridge in Annapolis, not the giant one further east and south.

I spent an hour in Wilmington with traffic on 95. the rest of the trip was kind-of uneventful. I drove the speed limit the whole time. Couldn't risk another ticket. The last one, two weeks ago, in the school zone cost $169.50 and earned me three points!

I arrived at the Navy Stadium for the expo and packet pickup in plenty of time.

I think it is the only football stadium that has it's own plane.

My hotel was 22 minutes north near the Baltimore Airport. It was weird being alone. Usually Bonnie or Lydia is with me. No restaurants in the area so I ended up eating there. I picked the hotel because it was a sponsor hotel. I really didn't check into their website because it was a sponsor hotel. Almost every hotel offers free wi-fi and breakfast, right? Wrong. I had to buy internet to do class. And I had to find breakfast in the morning.

My shuttle time from the Navy stadium was 8 am. I left the hotel for the 22 minute trip at 6:20. I'm a little obsessive about being early. Ask the others. I needed to get off exit 24.

I found a McDs and bought an Egg McMuffin, and hit the road. At exit 23 the world stopped. It took on hour to get the next mile and park. There were at least 20 buses. Maybe I'd be on time. The line went 3/4 the way around the stadium. It took 1/2 hour to reach the bus. And another twenty minutes to get to the start line.

I arrived just as they were calling my wave. And I was off. No time to think.

I have few pictures. We walked right into the sun. Hopefully the pros got a nice one.

There was about a 1/4 mile in the park, then about two miles up the bridge, on mile that was sort-of flat, and two miles down. There was port-o-potties on the bridge—twice. And an elaborate water station. It was a cup free event and you had to bring a water vessel.

The final mile was in a park-like area. But there was no clock. I didn't know what my time was until
I got home. Awaiting me in my email was this elaborate graph. And a link for my finish. I'm the walker, not Elvis.

The drive home was pretty uneventful. Though I wish I had someone to help drive. I was tired.

This is my ninth metal from an event. I'm not a medal person. I'm not even really excited when they hand me them. And I'm running out of space on the shelf above my desk. Guess I'm going to find a box for them. Maybe I have an envelope box somewhere. Or maybe I should put them in an envelope and send them off to Medals4Mettle. They repurpose them for kids fighting life threatening diseases. I'll think about that another day.

lake galena

Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of the Liberty Bell Wanderers. There was a 10K walk and picnic at Lake Galena in Peace Valley Park near Doylestown. It rained.

Thankfully when we arrived it stopped. And it stopped for the whole two hours we were walking. then it started again. Over 100 people were packed into the pavilion. Plus the food. Plus the pig. Let's just say space was limited. By the end of lunch it was pouring and everyone went home.

The lake loop is a 10K. More or less. Lydia's tracker had it at 7 miles. Bonnie's as 6.2 miles. Didn't ask Megan about hers. Lydia started whining about 4 miles in. I think it was because she ran out of things to take pictures of. We were in the woods.Think I'm kidding? Check her FB page. She post 85 of them!

The lake is man-made. But it's beautiful. A few hardy souls were out in boats and kayaks. But not many. The dam was covered with birds of all kinds. The fields fill of wildflowers. The trail is macadam so there is no gravel slippage under your feet.

Since we saw nobody after about the half way point, I think we were the only ones that did the 10K.

Some sights along the way—

 Orange fungus on a tree trunk. The tree still had leaves but was half-fallen and dying slowly.

 A telephone. You cannot see the cob webs on it. But it worked. Here I thought they were extinct.

 A woodpecker condo. And the tree is still trying to grow. I can't count how many holes are in it.

 Boats lined up waiting to be used.

The pig. Mostly consumed by the time we got back.

Comfort Station I-3.5, and they were plentiful.

Today I'm on my own. Bonnie and Megan are taking the baby for swim lessons, and Lydia (and maybe Dawn) are at Bushkill Falls. I think I'll be doing the south Bethlehem Volkssport walk.

ugly sock 10k

Today was the Saucon Rail Trail 10K. I call it the Ugly Sock 10K because you get these absolutely fantastic—best. socks. ever.—as part of the goodie bag.  These socks are so great that if I wasn't so cheap I would buy them.

But the free ones are, well, ugly. Every surface is covered with ads. This year were not so bad. There was four colors with four sponsors. (I borrowed the pix from the FB page.) Last year's socks had four sponsors, and the logo, and the date on them. Bonnie and I both got the green. They are made in the USA from recycled water bottles. I cannot wait to wear them. Last year's are starting to getting ratty.

The 10K starts at the rail trail entrance of The Living Memorial Park. It heads west toward Hellertown, turns around and comes back. Then it's down the hill to the park, around the ball fields, thru the woods and your done.

We were the only true walkers this year. There were a few run/walkers ahead of us. Michelle, the walking coach didn't even come. It was her birthday and she was out of town.

It was hot. But more importantly it was humid. You could cut the air with a chain saw. Though I did a good job of moving fast and keeping up with Bonnie, but we both finished in 1:47+. Last year it was also really humid and Bonnie finished in 1:38+ and me at 1:39! That's nearly 10 minutes different! In 2012 I was last at 1:44. What went wrong? Is it because we do less races.

Bonnie was kind of mad that the crossing guards left before we arrived. But the clock was still up, and I didn't have to wait for traffic, so I was okay.  She's thinking about not doing it next year beacuse it is always humid.

P-3, I-.5 or less. Can't give it a 0, it was open. And it did have running water.

walks I'm planning

People always ask what I'm signed up for. Even though I am mad, frustrated, discourage, and generally pissed off at myself right now these events are a go. I've already paid for the bulk of them.

2015, on the other hand, may be a very different story.

September
1-- Saucon Rail Trail 10K 8:30 am, the give you the best, most comfortable, and ugliest socks ever. Mine from last year are threadbare I wear them so much.

13 -- LBW 30th anniversary walk and picnic. It's a 10K around Lake Galenda.

19 -- Bacon 5k run/walk Challenge if you are crazy, you can eat a half pound of bacon at the half way point. No thank you. I could easily eat a half pound, hell a whole pound, of bacon. But not during a race.  Ordered a larger t-shirt. I'm giving it to Dave. He's a huge bacon, and Iron Pigs fan.

20--Tail on the trail event in Palmer (rt. 33 access point). These usually start around 9

27--Morning Star Rotary Celtic Classic Run/Walk, 8 am.

October 
5--Yuengling Octoberfest 5k run/walk, 10:30 am. Pricey but you get lots of stuff. Most of which I will give away.

11 (maybe)--Turn Bath Pink 5k, 9 am. The pink fire trucks will be there the weekend before.


17-19 -- we've been talking about doing the State College Volkssport weekend. Hard to get counties. But if we are going we'll need to make reservations soon. Even after their staff's fall from grace, Penn State is football.

November
2--D&L Half Marathon. Walker Friendly. 4.5 hour time limit

8--Deja Vue Half. Walker friendly. 5.5 hour time limit. You have to scroll to the bottom of the page for the half.

9-- Across the Bay 10K. I think I told them I'd finish in 1:45. So I'll be under the gun.

this tortoise didn't win the race.

Heck, she didn't place or show either, but she finished.

Today was the annual Memorial Day Tortoise and Hare 5K race in Wind Gap. It's a great race with lots of walkers as well as runners. In 2010 I finished in 53:49. In 2011, 53:00. In 2013 51:28. I thought I was getting better. But today I was 51: 40, I think. Backsliding. Maybe it's because I stopped to take a picture of the woodpecker. My first. That tree stump must have been an all-you-can-eat-buffet.

The course is exactly the same each year. Sneaky hills. You don't really realize how far you've gone up  unless you look backwards and see. It's a gentle and deceiving rise. Pretty much you go around the block. A three-mile long block. Then head back into the park.

We parked a 1/4 mile away. So I got an extra mile in walking to and from the car twice.

After the race we waited for the pokiest massage person. He was very thorough. The person ahead of us in line took full benefit of it. Treated it like an office visit.  He spent about 10 minutes working on my neck and shoulders. Interesting he told me why I get the headaches behind my right eye. (I just assumed I had brain cancer.) I don't remember the medical stuff, but I can show you where the muscle is! I even felt when it released.

Lydia didn't go today. She went walking with a friend. She'll probably skip the next couple races unless they are free. The budget troll has his dirty paws around her money and won't let go. Damn, I hate when that troll visits.

Since it's officially race season, I'm going to list my upcoming events. There isn't many. I want to sign up for two every weekend. But I don't want a visit from the budget troll. He's mean. (Volkssport walks are only $3 or free if you don't want credit.)

May 31 -- Volkssport walk to Lackawaxen
June 1 -- Kreidersville Challenge. 1.25 miles. Straight up. Heaven help me.
June 14 -- Volkksport walk, north Bethlehem. I'm the point of contact. I have to go.
June 28 -- Race Against Racism. I volunteer for the YW.
July 26 -- Moon Walk, NYC. Half Marathon at night wearing your bra on the outside. Breast cancer people are either insane or clever.
August 9 -- Alburtis 5k
Sept. 13 -- Volkssport walk at Lake Galena. 30th anniversary of the club. Special stamp and pin.
Nov. 2 -- D&L Half.
Nov. 8-- Deja Vu Half.  13 one mile loops.
Nov. 9 -- The Chesapeake Bay Bridge 10K. Nearly 5 miles are on the bridge. You rise to 185 feet. I'm guessing there will be a little uphill!

The first half of November will be a nightmare.

trykes for tots 10K

The Trykes for Tots 10K is one of the few races in the valley that offer a 10K option for walkers. We've done it several years.

It takes place on the Iron Rail Trail and the Whitehall Parkway and raises money for tricycles for differently-abled children. The cool part is they give out and fit the bikes after the adult race. Then the children have a 1 mile fun run / walk / ride. This year Pretzel City Sports left the clock on for the children. When they called for the children's race to begin, they were still fitting bikes. So they had two! The children could run both if they wanted too. While they were racing we waited for a free massage. Wonderbar.

No escort this year until about mile 6. He brought us water because the mile 4 water station closed early. We left him in our dust. However, w did not beat last year's times. Oh well. We still came in in 1:44

My camera was "exhausted" again, so Bonnie took pictures on her phone.It was my turn to have closed eyes.

I came home to a dead mouse in the downstairs bathroom. Anyone who knows me know that I have a low tolerance for dead animals. My brother Henry used to come by and clean them up. Sadly, I had to call Bonnie to come rescue me.

Friday I walked with Betsy in Bethlehem. She was setting up a Girl Scout event at the Luckenbach Mill. So we started at the mill, crossed Sand Island and walked the D&L to the Minsi Trail Bridge. Then we climbed the stairs and came back Market and Church street, with a detour into Nisky Hill Cemetary.

Thursday, I walked back and forth to the dentist. When did dentist start doing full oral exams? In addition to my teeth she checked my tongue, my pallet, my jaw, the whole works.

Wednesday was National Walking Day. I walked across campus and back. It's my 15 hour day and squeezing in a 15 minute walk is the best I could do.

Tuesday, Bonnie and I walked in her neighborhood. Just under three miles.

All in all, a good week. I think I was over 10K steps all but one day.

a couple of hills

Today Betsy, Bonnie and I moved out of Betsy's suburban neighborhood and went to Jim Thorpe to walk. The JT Volkssport walk is being discontinued after Sept. 30. And we needed Carbon county for our AVA Pennsylvania counties book.

I figured it would take an hour to get there. Except I figured from my house, not Betsy's. We arrived in JT about 1/2 hour before the train station opened. So we walked the D&L for 3 miles, then returned to the station.

After locating the box, we got all signed in, grabbed the instructions, and left. Quickly we realized the instructions were not the same. Some one had mixed up the pages in the folders. The trail we grabbed was for the D&L was 5-10-15K. We wanted the town+ one. A 6 or 10K.

After retrieving the correct directions, we were off, again. First stop, the Packer Mansions. Then up and up and up, and up some more, on Broadway. Final we turned and went up thru the woods and came out in a different section of town. And we went up more. We were all wondering when down would happen. I think it barely the last mile.

We walked about 2.5 hours and went 8 miles.

When we were in a neighborhood, Bonnie talked to a man. He asked why we were in the cemetery. She told him it was part of a route we were following. In our naivete we thought maybe they sent us there to find Jim.  But he wasn't there. The man gave Bonnie directions.

So heading out of town, we went the other way, and found Jim. Said hi, and came home.

my first volkssport trail tested today!

Today Pat, Dave Brown (the guy who walked to Kansas), Bonnie and I trail tested my Volkssport walk thru south Bethlehem. They liked it. A nice mix of history, industry, revitalization, mansions, and no scary neighborhoods.

I was thrilled. The 10K came in at 6 miles, rather than 6.2, but they said that was okay.

The walk starts at the Comfort Suites and heads up Brodhead to Memorial Drive.  It goes thru Lehigh's campus, and then thru Taylor Stadium to Zollner. Now for these walks you need to do a 5 K and a 10K. So after leaving Zollener, the group would head straight down to the Greenway. The 10K heads back out Packer to Vine, down Vine to Morton, and Back to New. This convoluted route circumvents the stars that go down to New.

Then we headed down New and picked up the Green way. The 10K takes the Greenway all the way to the the Casino. The 5K heads down Sands Boulevard. We cross Daly at the Skatepark and head onto casino property. You pretty much just follow the sidewalks around the casino, and then the outlet mall. As you pass the doors to the Outlet Mall, there is a crosswalk to head towards ArtsQuest. When the High Line is done, we'll walk there. Right now you just walk thru the ruins, then Arts Quest out First Street. Take Webster to Columbia and Columbia to 2nd Street.

When you reach the Steelworkers Memorial, the 5K people head back to the Comfort Suites. The 10K continues on 2nd, heads up the bridge ramp, double crosses the street and heads up Brighton to Uncas. Then down Third, down Wyandotte to 4th, down 4th to Brodhead and back to the Comfort Suites.

Afterwards Pat and Dave went into the Comfort Suites to talk about having a walk box there. They said yes. Now we just need to have it approved by the board and the AVA.

If it's approved, I'll need to rework the northside route and add something more interesting than crossing the Fahy Bridge. Maybe the Monocacy Creek trail to Burnside? Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers? the Armory? I'll think of something.

tile, tile, everywhere.

Today we were in Doylestown walking with the Liberty Bell Wanderers. I've never walked outside of the downtown area before. There is tile in every corner of the borough. Clearly the Mercer legacy continues. I choose to post this one from Freedom Park to post because it's Memorial Day weekend. The stairs say "walk to freedom".

There was only about ten walkers at the start—the YMCA of Bucks County. (A really nice Y.) One was Carol, who organizes the trips.  It turns out that this is the first walk we took since sending in our starter books at Christmas time. As the man was stamping, he said, where's your event book? I didn't have one. Must order one tonight. They will have them next week at the walk in Bala Cynwyd, but I doubt if we'll go that far. Though I bet that's a pretty walk.

We got our instructions and headed out. Lots of twists and turns. It took a lot of reading, and I managed to read AND stayed upright.

Finally we arrived at the Michener Art Museum. When I saw the mule from Miles of Mules, I realized I hadn't been there since 2000. Long time.  At the end of the road from the museum, we found and walked a community labyrinth. Well, I walked it. Lydia took pixs. She thought I was nuts. Then she took a pix of the entire group walking thru it. Quite a site. Eight people walking a labyrinth.

Then we wove thru downtown, including the farmers market. I had no money with me, so of course they had a lot of kale. Three different kinds. Lyd bought some dog cookies for the spoiled boy.

After that, we got a little lost, spied the rest of the group, and walked together to Fonthill Castle. Have you every been there? The castle consists of forty-four rooms: 10 bathrooms, 5 bedrooms, 18 fireplaces, an Otis elevator and 21 chimneys and air vents. And nearly every square inch is filled with Mercer tile. It's been a long time since I was inside.

We headed down to the Moravian Tile Works, and then came back past the castle, to the Doylestown Cemetery, and arround it. Grave of note—W. Atlee Burpee of the Burpee Seed Company.

While walking, I talked to Carol about have to make trails and what you need to do to get them sanctioned. I'd walk more often with the Wanderers (it's 3 bucks a walk, if you want credit) if most walks weren't Philly and it's 'burbs. (There is a Bethlehem, and two Allentown walks.)

After the cemetery, we left the other behind and finished the course, Then headed home. We had a spoiled dog to walk!

Tomorrow we'll be doing one of our challenge walks. Either the passport walk in Bangor or Jacobsburg. Or perhaps a leg of the D&L.

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.

northeast bethlehem

I'm looking for new routes to walk. I'm getting tired of the same old, same old. So I decided we'd walk in northeast Bethlehem.

We started at the CVS by Liberty High School and headed out Linden to Butztown, out Butztown to East Blvd, then back Easton avenue. It was a huge triangle.

When I was mapping routes I did a bunch. I could have sworn this one was 3.185. miles. About a 5K. Clearly I was wrong. Lydia's phone had it at about 4.125 and she went back to the car about 5 blocks before the end. I rempapped it on Google pedometer and it was 4.5 miles. Oops.

I can report that the sidewalks on the north side are almost as bad as the south side. But there are no garbage cans or other obstacles t walk around. It was a relatively flat walk, but pretty uneventful.

We all shared Lyd's bottle of water while walking. Bonnie and I both left ours at my house. So when we arrived back at CVS she went inside for some. She came out with BIG CHILL. She bought it because the bottle was cool. My typographic obsessions are rubbing off.

It turns out to be distilled, and the CVS brand. It was wet and did it's job. Nothing to write home about.

After the water break it was off to the butcher to pick up Bonnie's Easter ham, and home.

Of course, we took Adonis out for his walk.

Total mileage for today. 5 miles.

Next weekend we have a 10K on Saturday (6.2 miles) and a 10 mile race in Harrisburg on Sunday.

 A yard on our route. There was more against the house.

another long walk

Since Lydia is still a sick-o-gal, we canned the 3.5 planned walk and made it longer. What were we thinking?

After Lyd called I was still planning on doing the 3.5 thru fountain Hill and south Bethlehem. But remember the stop at the outlet mall yesterday? Bonnie walks in and says "we're going to the Sands!"  And holds up her credit card and coupons.

Now a normal person would have changed the route, but noooo, not me. I just tacked it on the end. Really Gayle. Do you have no common sense? A long walk is followed by a short one. Your body needs time to recoop. Right? Right.

So off we went. Out Itaska, then Cherry and Sioux. If Lyd would have been with use we would have gone down Lechauweki and out Stanley Ave. Probably with a stop at the swings. But no, macho girl needs to walk up the Dodson Street hill to Graham, and down Graham Street. Then it was out Jeter to Clewell, cross Delaware and out Seneca past the old house.

Once we reached Fourth, we headed down the hill, out Graham Place, to New and out Third Street to Sands Boulevard.

Then we shopped. Bonnie spent enough to get a free tote bag, so we had the clerk take it out of the plastic bag, and put her purchases in it. Then we took turns carrying home. Dig out your teal and peach. Those are the hot colors for spring.

We left the outlet mall, walked around the casino, and crossed Daly to the skateboard park. It had lots of boys using it. Bonnie took some pixs, but this one was the best. Getting moving pictures is hard.

We took the Greenway back to Fourth, then Broadway, then wove our way up the hill and home.

Total mileage = seven.

Lydia, I'm sure, is happy she didn't come along. I was whining a bit at the end. Than goodness I didn't have to take Adonis for a walk.

------

Update on Nome virtual walk:
Arrivals—Gayle, Lydia and Adonis, Sharon, and Megan. Bonnie, Dave and Barb are still on the trail. I heard something about a whiteout slowing them down. I know for sure Bonnie is playing with the dogs. Lydia only stayed in Nome one night, and returned to Anchorage. They are almost back.

Update on Jerusalem virtual walk: 
The last update from Father John had us making land in Morocco around Wednesday. It should be no problem getting to Jerusalem in time for Good Friday.

Update on Dave Brown's Cross Country Trip:
He's past Baltimore in Cooksville, Md. Wish I would have ordered a shirt. When the Liberty Bell Wanderers sent out the order there was no pix so I didn't order. Now I've seen them in photos and I'm sorry I didn't get one. Cute logo.

Logo decision:
With a whopping three votes, the winning logo is "Vitrual Walk Around The World."

prost!

Today Lyd and I did the Volkssport walk at Bear Creek Mountain. Volkssport is a German idea, and this was an Octoberfest celebration. So doesn't it figure that at the check-in point they'd have beer?  I've never drunk beer while walking or hiking, and I have to tell you, if you can't hold your booze, don't do it! I was a bit wobbly going down the hill.

One lady at the table said at the German Volkssport Octoberfest walks, there is beer at every checkpoint. By the finish you are quite tipsy!

I picked up fliers for walks in October and November. No flier for the one like last year in Hershey.

The course was similar to last year—difficult. The first 5K was uphill, rocky, muddy, and pretty rustic. Since we were at a ski resort, on cross country ski trails, it got me thinking about snowshoeing this winter. I know this place allows cross country skiing, but not sure if they rent snowshoes. Then, of course, we also need snow. I'm guessing they don't make snow for the trails.

The second 5K was downhill, sometimes steep.
More groomed paths, but still a nice section deep in the woods. We came out the same place as we did last year, then checked in and came home.

Of course, when we got to my place, we had to walk the dog. He was waiting patiently.

dead last, but finished

Today was the Saucon Valley 10K, on the SV Rail Trail. It was dark and gloomy at the beginning, so I took the pix in the lot and left my camera and phone in the car. I took the iPod and put it in a zipper bag and put it in my pocket.

While waiting at the start line the skies opened up and it poured. I never noticed the race started. I didn't hear a gun, or an announcement or anything. People just started moving.

Last night I downloaded the stop watch app for the iPod. It was hard to set squeezing one finger into the zipper bag. I set it as I walked, so I might have started a little slow.

It was a rail trail. Flat, gravel and crushed stone. Normally at streets there are gates so people don't drive on them. All the gates were open and there was volunteers crossing everyone.

This was a run, but walkers were allowed if you could finish in under two hours. No support services would be available after 2 hours. I thought, no problem, right? Wrong.

I was dead last the whole race, and the longer I went the further behind I was. They had removed the cones at the turn around, I almost missed it. The second last crossing wasn't manned, and I thought shit, how slow am I going? The last crossing was unmanned and the gates were closed. I was really worried.

I finished in 1:44:something. I was going to take a pix of the iPod screen, but apparently it resets in the time it takes to walk to the car. Officially I'll be listed as DNF (did not finish) because they were giving out the awards when I came in, and nobody was at the finish line to take my tag.

Dead last but finished. Guess I should be proud that I finished, but I'm not. That is a 17 minute mile. Not good enough for the marathon.

When I got back to the car, there was a message from Lyd on my phone. She was cheering me on. I felt like the girl in the car commercial.

snakes alive!

Sunday morning the bus pulled out at 9 am for St Mary's City. The first capital of Maryland. The 10K was taking place at the old city, now an interpretive park. I had been up since about 5:15 working in my class.

We arrived in St. Mary's and were greeted by the Freestate Happy Wanderers. The park was closed, but the FHW had permission to use it, and made arrangements for the bathrooms to be open. When they boarded, we were told to use the bathroom on the bus, because the park had no power from a storm the night before!

We got our instructions and did the "city" section of the 5K first. Why I am holding a roll of fat in my hand in the picture, I have no idea!

It was a cool place, and we spent more time being tourists and not enough being walkers. It took about and hour and a half to do the 5K. We got turned around a couple of times.

Highlights of the first section included "The Dove" a tall ship—and an ospry nest. We had seen several of them on the cruise last night also.

After coming up from the ship we headed thru an old cemetery on the campus of St Mary's College of Maryland.  Then back down the hill to find Cross Point Cove. There the instruction were a little vague, and we met up with Sue and Lou (last pix) from the FHW. We spend most of the rest of the hike together, getting lot and found.

Bonnie was in the lead for this hike, and found this birdhouse. She used my camera to take a picture. As she did, a snake slithered out. You can see the bulges in his body where his meal was sitting. Not sure if he got the eggs or the babies. But her got something. He also looked like he used that pole a lot!.

Sue and Lou moved on, as we explored the statehouse gallows. We continued to follow the instructions which took us into the woods. Again, Bonnie, the snake finder, was in the lead. Sh stopped dead in her tracks. Another snake. We waited for him to go back into the forest. (We heard at the start/finish there was another one in a birds nest in the barn.)

We had about an hour left, and didn't think we could finish the second 5K. So we decided to walk for 25 minutes, then turn around and come back. It probably wasn't necessary. We waited about fifteen minutes for walkers who were still in the woods.

Our final stop, before retuning home, was the AnnMarie Sculpture Garden. I could have spent much longer there.

10k in the parkway

Today we did our first Volkssport walk in a long time at the Parkway.

We met at the Comfort Suites across from Dorney and drove to the start point, the fish hatchery. At the Comfort Suites we met Carol, who is coordinating next weeks walking trip to St Mary's, Md. Her email handle is bobodancer, so she thought it was funny that that's what we called her. On of the ladies also remembered Lydia from a previous walk. I guess because Lyd is always the youngest one there!

Bonnie and I walked together, and Sharon and Lyd walked together.  This was Sharon's first Volkswalk. I'm not sure she understands that it's just a walking group. I kept annoying Lyd by calling her on the phone to give her directions.

The trail is gravel, my shoes were full of it by the end, and avoided most of the major hills. All of us cheated on the course to avoid the hill from h*ll under Rt. 78.

Lyd and Sharon turned back at the first pedestrian bridge. There total was about 4.25+ miles. Bonnie and I came in at about 5.5. There was one little jughandle that we didn't do.

When we arrived back at the Native American Cultural Center Sharon and Lyd were waiting for us under a tree, sitting at a picnic table. We headed back to the car together.

Bonnie is doing two separate on-calls tomorrow, including a nurse-on-call, so we'll walk in her neighborhood. She's got to stay close to the car.

10K success!

I did a competitive 10K in 1:43:58! Way under my 2 hour goal. I can't lie. I was pooped at the end.

I picked up Bonnie at 8, and Lydia before 8:30 and we were off. We pulled into the part of the trail I thought it started at and it was not there. We were running late and I was in full panic mode. I decided to head to Saylor park because they had a large lot. Nothing. But there was a woman with a number on her shirt, and she told us where to go. We left the car and walked the half-mile to the start. There was no parking left.

Lydia did the 5K. We did the 10K. We started at 9.

There was very few 10K walkers. Maybe 10. The first group passed quickly. The second group passed. Then the really big girl passed. That started a game of leap frog between the really big girl and us.

The sweep bike (Kevin) followed us for a while and her for a while. I told him about the 50K. He told me the first time he walked the route it took about 2.5 hours.

When we reached Saylor Park we called Lydia. She was waiting at the finish line for us. After the call Bonnie kicked it into high gear and breezed across the finish line about 30 seconds before me. I came in 2nd last. The really big girl finished last. But she finished. I haven't a clue what her name is but I'm proud of her. I took her picture, but forgot to get her email to send it to her!

Lydia did the 5K in about 58 minutes.Needless to say she waited for us. Scored us fruit, water, and soft pretzels before they ran out.

When we go home Bonnie emailed that she signed up for the President's physical fitness thing I mentioned yesterday.

another challenge

Tuesday night while watching the Biggest Loser (my guilty pleasure) Michele Obama mentioned the Presidents Active Lifestyle Challenge. Back in the 70s Pat and Mim, next door, did this challenge. But then it was called the President's Physical Fitness Award and all the logging was on paper!  Now of course, the Biggest Loser is tying it into the show to get people to do it. That's just smart marketing.

So I jotted down the name, and today I googled it. And signed up as an individual. I signed up for PALA (Presidential Active Lifestyle Award), then I think I might sign up for the Presidential Champions.  And just like Volkssporting you can buy patches and pins and things.  Shoot, when I was in the activity list I forget to check if pole dancing was listed.  It might fall under "dancing". I checked walking stairs, walking, hiking, bicycling, and children's games. I figured that covered scooters and swings. (Scooter Thursdays at NCC till the end of the year!) If I missed something I think I can go back and edit the page.

One day when Bonnie and Lyd and maybe Dave are here, we should try the adult fitness test. It might be scary!

I just want to get everything done by election day, just in case the president changes! Now I just need to remember to log in. Hopefully you can do a couple days at a time.

Speaking of exercise, tomorrow is my first competitive 10K. My goal is 2 hours. Wish me luck.

a beautiful weekend

I had the weather on my computer set for Nome, Alaska. It is -22 today as we "await" Bonnie's arrival.  Back at home it's 58. Home is better.

This weekend we concentrated on training for our upcoming 10K, 5K and the stair climb. We also wanted to get Bonnie closer to Nome. She's only 75 miles away after this weekend!

Today we left my house, headed out Cherokee to Brighton, over the Hill-to-Hill Bridge and I gave her these choices: Fahy or Mini Trail Bridges. She Took the Fahy. So we went up Second Ave. to Prospect, past West Side Moravian, up Third to Union Blvd, and back Conestoga.  Up spring, thru the "pee-pee" tunnel and the blacksmith's grounds. Then up the stairs thru Zinzendorf Plaza.  As we headed up Main, Bonnie noticed the Season's was open and we went in and tasted oils, vinegars and salts. Bonnie bought two and I carried them home. Weight training.  We then headed up Broad, down High and Church and finally over the bridge. When we started we were three or four blocks away!

Back on the south side we went down the ramp, out Adams and caught the Greenway. Went out Graham Place and picked up Broadway, headed way up Ontario, down Sioux and home. Total mileage 5.5+ and 120 minutes.

After passing so many markers today, we decided to do all of the history trails this summer. I hope I can get the audio files unzipped. Then I'll need to find an iPod to put them on.

Next weekend is the St. Patty's Day 5K, so I hopped into the car and went to the dollar store. I wanted the Dr. Suess type hats, but Pat told me I'd carry it. Ended up buying dilly boppers. Bonnie's say "Kiss Me I'm Irish." Also stopped at Piggie Park for my Diamond Diva gear. More pink!

Speaking of Divas, I need to get tank tops and start putting the edging on for the stair climb. I have to do five. I'm going to use fun fur yarn and crochet strings. Maybe two or three rows long. I need to also go to Party City and get tiaras to wear. Our team is Dicks Darling Diva's. We're named for Lydia's dad. I also need to dig out pictures of Dick, Henry and Dad to send in for the tribute walk.

Back to walking. Yesterday we did a disappointing 3.75 miles in 90 minutes. But it was almost all hills. Since I don't have time to do 30 miles practice walks, I add lots of hills. Think it might be good for my endurance. I have no science to back it up, but that 100K is in 6 weeks. Gotta try something.

It was a great weekend for walking and Bonnie's totals zoomed up this weekend 210 minutes!