free beer, laziness, and swag

Another lazy week. I was hoping to hit my goals today but it's pouring. Maybe this afternoon.

Updates from last Sunday: There was quite a racquet on FB, Twitter and traditional media last week about the race.  Yesterday I received an email with a photo link (I'm looking down on them all) and an apology for the chaos last week. It also said I could use those free beer tickets this weekend at the festival. Problem is, I tossed them last week. Trash man comes on Tuesdays. Oh well.

Oh, it also gave us this little badge for our website.  That an a coupon won't get you a free beer.

Monday and Wednesday I was in Easton. So busy I could even take a little walk at lunch time. Lydia came over Wednesday night and we took the dog for a walk, then walked south Bethlehem. I were my slide sneakers without socks and paid for it. The tops of my toes were blistered by 2 miles. They were busted open by the time we got home.

Tuesday I walked to the north side and back. I tried to find every hill. Including up Wyandotte street. Good workout in an otherwise lackluster week.

Thursday I had planned on taking the scenic route to the dentist and back. Didn't work out that way. I was in one of my online classes working away when the voice from the yellow chair said "Don't you have a dentist appointment at 10?" It was 9:50. I took the car, then also drove to the farm market.

Thursday I also picked up my Walking Warriors swag at the college. A short sleeve tee shirt and a water bottle. I rinsed out the bottle and used it during class. I made the mistake of filling it ... twice. I was up all night. The tee is grey with walking warriors on the front and the logo on the back in orange. The water bottle is orange with the logo. This is the last week of the challenge. So far I haven't won anything.

Friday in the mail the first level prize arrived for the 165 challenge. Yep, another tee shirt. But this one is long sleeve and a really soft cotton. It will make a nice under shirt. The Tail On The Trail logo is on the back. They also sent a car magnet. I have one from last year. Neither will be on the car.



Yesterday I walked with Betsy in her surburban neighborhood.


Okay, maybe I'm not so lazy after all. But the reality is I'm at 72% of my weekly goal. 25% more is maybe 25K in steps. I might have done that walking the eight miles today. I see little chance of that happening.


Off to work while it's raining.

fitness friday

When I get up I grab my Fitbit and my glasses—they have an illicit relationship and sleep together.  Usually I clip the fitbit to my jammies and run around doing morning things. Then switch it to my clothes for the day. I didn't do that yesterday. It was a bout 12:20 when I realized it. It registered less than 500 steps.

Thankfully I discovered it before my walk with Betsy. We did our normal 3 miles in her neighborhood. I did a few errands than headed home.

At 5 I met up with Bonnie and Megan and we headed to Coca Cola Park for the Bacon Challenge. It's a 5K where half way thru you consume a 1/2 pound of bacon. We all opted out. Nothing makes me want to vomit more than the thought of chugging a half pound of cold bacon and then racing.

When we arrived, Megan sent a text to Lyd.  Lyd and Dawn were already there, and Dawns friend Cindy met us a bit later, We had a big group. Dawn wanted to know where the baby was. "He's part of the team now." Luckily he was home with daddy.

Cindy was nervous. Her first 5k. We did our best to assure her everything was okay. She'd finish and she wouldn't die. I took a before shot, and promised a finish shot. But of course that stupid camera died. Again. So I had Megs take it with her phone. Dawn and Lydia stayed with her and they finished in 61 minutes. And they were not last!

The course never left the ballpark. We started in front of the main gate, and went down the hill to the American Parkway and back up again. The head east and circled those lots, and entered the ball park and looped around the concourse.  We left the stadium by the lower gate then headed toward the west parking lots behind the Western Electric building. (I have no idea what the current name is. It changes yearly.) This is where people stopped to eat bacon. We heard little good about it. I'm guessing about 10% of the people went in the pass-by lane.  You could not leave the bacon lane till you finished. I did not see a vomit bucket.

After circling the west parking lots we headed down that hill to American Parkway, back up and followed the road at the rear of the stadium. I thought we'd enter then by the pork racer door, but no, they had us pork racer the lot first. Then we entered the field and looped of the dirt path.

I had managed to catch up to Bonnie several times, but when we entered the door, she went into finish line mode and kicked it into high gear. Bonnie is now a half block ahead and I hear running behind me. It's Megan. I yelled "Megan is running." Bonnie looked back and started running too. NOBODY, not even her baby, will beat Bonnie. She crossed 1.9 seconds before Megan. I finished in my typical spot 20 seconds behind.

Bonnie 49:02
Megan 49:03.9
Gayle 49:22.8
Dawn 61:35.5
Cindy 61.36.6
Lydia 61.37.5

My fitbit was at about 18K when I returned home. I would have made 20, or maybe even 25 had I remembered to put it on in the morning.

farmers market thursday

Since I went back to school August 25, my hours shifted for my many jobs. I am now off on Thursdays till about 4ish. I'm headed to work when everyone is headed home.

The south Bethlehem Farmers market is conveniently held on Thursdays at Campus Square. Megan, the baby and Bonnie and I usually take a 3-4 mile walk to get there. I have to get very creative with the routes. There is only so many ways to get tot he university.

Today I was smart and took two bags and balanced my groceries in them. Bonnie pushed the stroller home and Megan ended up carrying about 25 pounds. Next week Bonnie is taking an extra bag too.

Today we headed up the hill, out Sioux, down Clewell and out the alley to Bergen. We crossed Broadway and came back Seneca. Up the hill that I thought was huge as a kid, and past the old 'hood. Then we headed down fourth, to New and to the market. We zig-zagged our way back up the hill and home.

Last night I went to Zumba. It's back on. I'm worse at it now than I ever was. Oh well. After fighting with my sister I could blow off steam.

Tuesday I walked at the crack of dawn with Bonnie in her neighborhood. There was a fresh dead skunk on Emmaus Avenue and I couldn't walk out in the street to avoid it. Too much traffic. So I returned to the neighborhood and met up with Bonnie at the Daisy Hill.  I'm pretty certain she thought I was nuts.

Monday and Wednesday I walked at lunchtime. But maybe only a mile and a half. Not much. One day I only had 5,000 steps.


Speaking of steps. I received a message from Fit Bit today that I have reached 4000 flights of stairs (inclines) and have been awarded my 747 badge. It will probably be a year or two before I see the next one. I have to double—8000—the amount of stairs.

Tomorrow it's walking in south Whitehall with Betsy. Then Saturday it's the 30th anniversary celebration of the Liberty Bell Wanderers at Lake Galenda in Doylestown. That's a 10K walk.

a walk on the D&L

Thursday Bonnie, Megan, the Wee One, and I walked again to the south side farmers market. We took the scenic route through Fountain Hill to get there.  Again I bought heavy food. Will I ever learn. This time it was a giant head of cauliflower. I almost wished I would have had a knife with me. I could have cored it and left all the leaves there. It probably would have weighed half as much.

I had mail to take to the post office. I put it in my grocery sack to carry it for the first part of the walk. At the farm stand, I took it out, but needed to set it down to get money out. I was nearly to Broughal when I realized I left my mail (and Bonnie's mail) at the farm stand. I ran walked back and it was still there.

Next stop, the post office. I needed to mail the letters, and buy 100 stamps. They have no machine at that branch. There were two people in line and the person in front of me looked aggravated. I can see why. The person in front of him had 50 letters and each one needed to be weighed individually. Because it was lunch time there was only one clerk on. Bonnie and Megan though I got lost.

We finally reconnected and walked home. We were about 2 blocks away when the Wee One decided he no longer wanted to be in his stroller.

Friday I walked with Betsy early in the morning. then Pat and I headed up to the Monroe campus to see the faculty art show.

Yesterday, we all did the D&L tow path from Bethlehem to Freemansburg.  It was advertised as 6 miles. It was a little longer. An no, I didn't get the uniform memo.

We started at the ice house and headed east thru Sand Island to the D&L. The weeds on the side of the trail are giant. You can see that in the group picture. The narrow portion of the trail is very narrow. We arrived at the first Freemansburg bridge in about an hour. We only had one stop with the baby. He was not a happy hiker and cried a lot. By Freemansburg he was asleep.

Megs, Bonnie and I wanted to climb the stairs to the bridge. Lydia didn't. So she took the baby and walked ahead. We'd catch up.

Back when mama was alive if we gave her a grocery cart, she forgot all about her arthristis and flew thru the store like she had wings. Apparently Lydia is the same with a stroller. I had to run to pass her to take the picture. She stopped so Bonnie and Megs were able to catch up.

Megan took over the stroller until we reached the Minsi Trail bridge and the same thing happened. We climbed, she took the baby and flew away.

By the time Lydia gave him back at Sand Island he was awake and unhappy.  Megan took the stroller and kept moving. But he was over the stroller.

When we returned to the road I took him out and I gave him my piggies hat. And we walked back to meet Lydia. She had climbed down some stairs to get a picture of the Steel.  We took selfies. He didn't understand. But he was quiet. In the distance I could see Megs and Bonnie coming down the Fahy bridge stairs. I gave them back the baby and I climbed them. All in all it was about 7 miles.

Bathrooms, according to Lyd were an I-3.5.

When we arrived home, we took Adonis out for another 1/2 mile.

Later in the afternoon, I went out for another mile or so. My total for the day was 20K steps, and 25 stairs.

i've lost my camera.

How can I walk without one? I take pictures every walk. Today I was reduced to using my phone!

I noticed it was missing yesterday. We walked with Betsy and Chip, a chocolate labradoodle. I didn't have my camera, or my phone. No pics of chips.

It was hotter than Hades yesterday and more humid, and Chip did the full 3.5 miles.

After walking I had some errands to do. One was the recycle center. I parked, grabbed all my stuff and headed to the bins. I tripped over a speed hump and did a face plant on the macadam. Thankfully, no bleeding this time! But it hurt. And not a sole came over to ask if I was okay. That hurt even more. Thankfully I was able to get up and out of the way before the next car came. Not sure they would have stopped.

Today was the Firecracker 4-miler in Palmer. It benefits the Easton Y. It was just Bonnie and I. And this year we were not late. The race takes place on the Palmer rail-trail. There were a lot less walkers than last year. One was training for something. He was carrying a flag and a backpack with 30 pounds on his back. Tonight he was doing a marathon. He left us in his dust. And when he was done, he went back and joined the sweep team. Class act.

I finished in 63 minutes on the nose. Bonnie in 62:38.

Tomorrow we are walking on the D&L in Walnutport. Fireworks have started. Gotta go.

fridays in the 'burbs

Every Friday I walk with my friend Betsy in the 'burbs of Allentown. Since Bonnie has been off, she frequently joins us. Today she brought the Wee One also.

Let's just say the Wee One did not like his walk today. He cried thru the first half. Slept thru most of the second half. We went a slightly different route that was a little longer. Maybe 3.5 miles. We even took the gravel woods path and thru grass. It worked great.

Then he cried on the way home. So I moved to the back to entertain him. It worked...mostly. Silly stories and songs and being goofy works on a 4-month-old.

I'm kind-of-over crying babies.

Tomorrow's Race Against Racism 5K was cancelled due to lack of entries. Frankly it's a hard concept to advertise. So instead we will be walking the Palmer bike trail. Probably the lower half that connects with the D&L in Bethlehem Township. I'd like to do the new part that connect the River Trail with the D&L in  Hugh Moore Park. I've never have been on that section before.

 

water review

I've been thinking that I hadn't done a water review in a long time. But if I buy water, it usually after an event at a convenience store or gas station. They just haven't had anything.

The other day my brother Dave sent me an email asking if I had seen Wat-aah. "Available locally, Barb had a bottle yesterday. Sounds up your alley." You betcha. (My brother knows me well.) I went to the site and it said it was available at Giant so I went there yesterday after walking with Betsy and Logan (a dog) in her neighborhood. (Also redeemed my 60 cents off gas bonus points—$3.02/gallon!) It was hot yesterday and my water was gone. i was thirsty. A perfect day to do it.

No Wat-aah.

It's been a long time since I've looked at the water at the supermarket. My are there a lot of them.

 The first one I noticed was NY20. It's spring water from the Catskills. The bottle is cool with this indent in the handle. It's the one I bought. It tasted wet.  But it was easy to hold. I didn't drink it till I returned home. I couldn't get the cap off.

 The next one I saw was Blk. It's black water. It's gross. It looks like watered down prune juice. Fulvic Acid makes it black. The description in my computer dictionary make sit sound like compost tea. Gross.  This contains 60 different kinds of minerals.

Next to it was 84. This is mineral enhanced spring water from the Catskills. Probably the same source as the NY20 water for twice the price.

I laughed my tush off at the name Skinny water. "Skinny Water’s® goal is to provide consumers with a great tasting functional water containing key electrolytes, antioxidants, vitamins with ZERO calories, ZERO sugar, ZERO sodium, ZERO carbohydrates and containing no preservatives, with all natural colors and flavors." Is that not the definition of plain old water? Water has no calories until you put crap in it. All water is skinny!

I have to admit I love the Ávitae Water  bottle. It had me at hello. This is water with caffeine. Finally there was Karma water. "Karma Wellness Water is a truly enlightened product, born out of the idea that what goes around comes around. A product based on the simple belief that if you do something positive—for others, or for yourself—you’ll get something positive back in return." Basically the flavor/vitiamns are in the cap and you release them into the water.

I should go down the water aisle more often. This was fun.

catty

Yesterday we walked in Betsy's neighborhood like always. But first we had to stop in Catty to pick up the Heritage Patrol flower order. What I didn't realize was that we'd have to pick it. I probably did 3000 steps in the greehouse alone.

When we stopped for gas, this mural was on the building next door. As you know, I get easily distracted. So as Bonnie pumped gas, I took pictures. Enjoy.

not quite the plan

 An un-funny thing happened on the way to my walk on Friday. Meet Aretha. She was my car. Now she's going to the junk yard.

I picked up Bonnie as usual and we headed up to Betsy's. It was warm, bright and sunny. It was going to be a fun walk. The dogs were coming. We are headed out MLK drive an in an instant there was a dark car blocking the road. I didn't have enough time to stop.

I don't remember what happened between slamming on the breaks and the airbag exploding in my face. Boy did it stink. There was smoke everywhere.

Bonnie was the responsible one and got right on the telephone. Did you know you could dial 9-1-1 without unlocking it? It took a few minutes but I got my whits about me and called Betsy and the roomie.

Police arrive. Ambulances arrived. Stories were told. Tow trucks arrived. (Storage for my car is $50 day!)

I've been told that my car will be totaled. And I'll get less than 5K for it. Alan thinks about 2.5K Kelly Blue Book says a fair purchase prices is $6K. Bottom line a new Focus is about $17K. Used are about $12K. I'm pretty much screwed.

Plus I didn't get to walk.

Today we walked the Wegman's loop and then went shopping.  Lydia was interested in ways to make it longer, so I told her a couple. There were no animals out at the stables. Very odd indeed.

It was probably well over 10K steps. But I won't know. I forgot to put my FitBit on.

Afterwards I went for a rental car. The first place wasn't open. Then we went to the airport. I think the rates are higher there anyway. In hindsight the clerk gave me no prices up front. That wasn't right. But I was too stressed to think about it. I was not thinking clear and said yes to their insurance. I never do that. The insurance gives me $20 a day. My bill for 5 days was nearly $600. 

Tomorrow I'm taking the car back, and re-renting w/o insurance. The car rental is $208 for 5 days. The rest is the insurance. (That's an entire quarters payment for my regular insurance, plus some.) If they won't rent to me I'll go to the next place. I'm also going to look for a coupon. Then Lydia and I are walking the Walnutport canal path. Maybe I can also get to Bed Bath and Beyond for a CO2 canister for my soda stream.

Bubbles might help make up for a crappy weekend.

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.

idita-walk starts today!

The 30/30 challenge started yesterday. The Iditawalk starts today. Clearly we as lazy humans are being encouraged to be fit year round.

I think I've done the Iditawalk for three years. It's a virtual walk thru Alaska that follows the path of the Iditarod. That start of that race is nearly a month away. The minimal $10 entry fee supports the Boy Scout camp in Alaska. Bonnie, Adonis (Lydia), Barb H., Sharon and I are all registered. As we arrive, we will all meet at the Nome Nugget Inn.  It's right on the finish line so it is a great place to watch the mushers finish the race.  It is a balmy 22 degrees there today.

The 30/30 challenge is sponsored by the D&L. The goal is to walk/hike/snowshoe/ski/whatever 30 miles in 30 days. If the weather cooperates, that's pretty easy. Even if it doesn't it's doable. The second challenge is 90/30. Yep, that's the one I'm doing. They didn't tell us what the prizes are this time.

Yesterday I walked with Betsy in her suburban neighborhood. Mostly the roads were clear, as were the sidewalks.

Today, Bonnie and Lydia walked with me around Fountain Hill and South Bethlehem. We headed out Itaska and Sioux, then around the playground, up Russell to Jeter and thru the hospital. Then we headed out Ostrum, down the ramp of the bridge, and back Broadway. We did about 3.5 miles or 75 minutes.

Then we walked the dog for another 15 minutes.

snowy, cold week

It's hard getting in walks when the weather is this bad. It's bitter cold and has been snowing frequently. The weather is warming up, but again a walk was cancelled because of snow.

Tuesday it was bitter cold. My campus center walk did not generate nearly as many steps as I thought it would. Bummer. So while watching The Biggest Loser, I spent the better part of the hour power walking the living room. Small steps, really fast, into the office, out the hall, into the downstairs bathroom, around the kitchen table .... then repeat over and over. Sometimes I just went back and forth. Sometimes I did a couple loops around the table. I just kept moving

Wednesday I worked. I should have gone to Zumba, but it was the only time I'll be able to go till summer, so I coped out. Sadly, I did not make my minimum 10K steps. And I'd really like to change that to minimum to 15K.

Thursday Bonnie and I did the south Bethlehem Volkssport walk. We modified a bit because we walked too and from my house. We also stopped at the store on the way home. We managed to to a 10K plus. With the Monclair and Carlton hills on the way home. Carrying groceries.

Today I was to walk with Betsy, but it was cancelled due to weather. Instead I shoveled snow. I am not complaining. They were calling for freezing rain and/or wintery mix.  I will take snow over ice any day. So I walked to the grocery store shortly. (I go to the store once, twice a day. It's a long story.) I came back with frozen, wet feet. Sadly the sidewalks on Delaware were worse than the ones on Broadway. I thought for sure with all the doctors offices they would be good. Wrong.

Tomorrow they are calling for heavy rain. Looks like another wash out.

Today I went to log into my Tail On The Trail tracker. Even though the event ended in November, Bonnie discovered you could still track on the site. About a month ago they announced they would be doing a winter mini-challenge. Thirty miles in 30 days. Or, for over achievers like me, 90 miles in 30 days. I routinely do 100 miles a month, plus, so that will be easy—weather cooperating. But I do have snow shoes. And walk at home tapes. An a route thru the living room. I should be okay.

I need to be okay. There is the final weigh in for the Sugar Crushers (now called Sugar Smart) test panel. They claim this is the final one. I've heard that twice before. I gained about 5 pounds over Christmas. I need to get back on the program so at least I weigh the same when they weigh me in. Eating clean and healthy in winter is tougher. I heart comfort food.

not my best week.

It's the 4th day of Christmas. I should call it the 6th day of laziness.

A changed worked schedule, holiday activities, you name it, all got in the way of walking. It's Saturday at nearly 3:00 and I haven't hit 70,000 steps this week. I usually reach that by Thursday.

Let's see, when did I walk.

Thursday I walked with Bonnie in South Bethlehem. I have no idea how far. We took the scenic route to the Portuguese tailor on Fourth by Buchanan. Hemming her old long coat short and adding a button hole was only $18. It looks like a new coat. I love repurposing. As we left the tailor shop, the snow began to fall. By the time we arrived at my place, there was almost a half inch on the ground. It stopped in about an hour, but I did have to sweep my sidewalks. (Wait, I burned 3 more calories....yeah!)

Friday I walked with Besty in her 'hood. The tin soldiers and happy reindeer were out keeping watch over the neighborhood again. Although this year, it looked like someone was lawn bowling with the tin soldiers. (The pixs are from last year.)

Today I went to Easton. But not much walking happened.

I parked at a lot on Third, near Ferry, and walked to the ATM, and then up to the old Weller Center for the Winter Mart. As I suspected not much in the way of veggies. Mostly root crops that store well for the winter. Bakers, soap makers, jars of honey and preserves filled the joint. Also a large local meat stand. Oh and coffee. Smelled really good.

From there I walked up to the Nurture Nature Center. I've heard about it, not sure what was there. On the third floor is a giant sphere that they do a "science on the sphere" Today it was planets.

These two little stops took much longer than anticipated, so the walk was short. Now I'm headed—on foot—to the grocery store. I have to make at least 10K today. There is no way I'm going to make up the 16K deficit for the week.

I wonder if I can pace back and forth in the living room tonight and read my novel. It works on a treadmill....

extreme weather, bethlehem edition

I have walked very little this week. The beginning of the week was fraught with ice and snow and arctic temperatures. Mid week was the end of the term. The end of the week was cluttered with Christmas activities and unseasonably warm temperatures.

I walked Thursday with Bonnie, and Friday with Bonnie and Betsy. On Thursday we walked in Bonnie's neighborhood. We encountered these two snow people. I'm sure they are gone today. It was nearly 70 degrees. Almost all the snow is gone.

Saturday instead of walking we baked cookies at Bonnie's. Even split 4-ways there was a lot of cookies. We make six different kinds—kiffles, choco chip, ginger, a cookie that reminded me of the Tunesian ones I've seen, peanut butter, and press cookies. But they were rolled out, and cut out. Two cookie presses and neither would work. All in all, I think my student from Tunisa had fun. At lunch time we planed a tubing adventure for winter break.

When we arrived back at my house, I walked Adonis. Does that count as exercise? Just as I returned home with the dog, all heck broke lose—a cop car, two fire engines, and a volunteer blue light car. Was there a fire? No. It was Santa and Mrs. Claus delivering Christmas gifts to the grandchildren across the street.

Today, in the fog we tried to get a tree. I picked up one student at Lafayette, and the other at NCC. All the other host students went home for winter break. (I think I have 6. Or is it 7?)

I have to tell you finding a tree is an easy task in November, but not the Sunday before Christmas. Why, I have no idea. It defies logic. (Sadly, fake ones are probably not easy to get either.) Both farms we tried were closed. Hopefully for the fog that laid over the valley like a scene from Brigadoon. Then we went to the little league lot on Easton Avenue, and all that was left was the port-o-potty. WTH? We finally got one five blocks from home—at the fire department sale at the Ft. Hill pool.

I think the girls looked at nearly every tree.

The firefighter tied it on top of the car, and home we headed. The girls carried it into the house, and Lydia was waiting for us. Getting it to stand up straight was tough. Clearly I cut the end crooked. Plus the floor is not straight. There are three magazines under the one leg of the stand.

The girls put on the lights and ornaments. They kept asking for instructions. I kept telling them to do it how they wanted it. I think they had fun.

This week, it's back to eating well and walking more.

color me disappointed

Yesterday was the Color Run in Allentown. I signed up again because we had so much fun doing it in Philly. Color me disappointed.  I came home fairly clean.

The race took place in and around Cedar Creek Parkway and Muhlenberg College.  We all met at Betsy's and Ranger Bob drove us to the start and picked us up. We arrived about 8:30 and the line to start was huge. It took maybe a half hour for the 13th wave, that was ours, to go thru.

First stop, Ott Street and blue. The lack of volunteers was immediately apparent. They had maybe four people throwing color.  It didn't get much better. Mostly you had to stop to get color, and then they really didn't hit you with much.  There was no blue cloud to walk thru. No disorientation.

I can't remember what street we turned up, maybe 31st, but it was a hill. Followed by four more hills. We were hit with orange on one of the hills. It landed in my ear and on my face. Again, maybe 6 color throwers. At Muhlenberg we were hit by yellow.  And finally near the end by pink. They had tons of people at the pink station they were mostly cheering the runners/walkers on. Excuse me stop cheering and go throw color! This was the only station where there was a small cloud of dust.

You can see by the finish line pix how clean we all were.

As people come in they have a color throw in front of the stage. Maybe every five minutes or so. Finally, we got a little color on!

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.

evening, then morning walking

Last night I went to the walking clinic at the Steel. They will be continuing thru the month and maybe into October if, and only if, we have 6 people. Right now we have 5. LYDIA WE NEED YOU. I will feed you, Pat will watch A, and I'll pay the fee. With the half coming up it will be a win win. Pleassssse.

Last night we walked up to the Greenway then headed towards the Skate Park for intervals. We came back and headed toward New Street.  Then we practiced form—heel / toe. First you walkedon our heels (tough!) and then our toes (easy), over and over. Then we worked on posture.

We left the Greenway and headed down to First Street to the parking lots, and worked on intervals again. Finally we stretched and went home. Nice night. I had to walk back up to the Greenway for my water bottle.

This morning Bonnie arrived bright and early and we headed up towards St. Luke's, out Seneca and Brighton, and crossed the Hill to Hill Bridge. We came off the Second Avenue ramp, out Spring, around the park and into Sand Island. We did the one mile loop that includes the D&L, and then went past Fritch Fuel to check out the other side of Sand Island. At no point in that park is a D&L trail head sign. WTF?

On our way back to Lehigh Street Bonnie found this turtle. I thought he was a rock. We rescued him from the street and placed him on the grass facing the river. Hope he makes it home.

Then it was over the Fahy Bridge, down the steps and into the Banana Factory. Walkers (an mothers of toddlers) know where all the bathrooms are. I looked at art. Some was good. Some was dreadful. Then we headed home. Total, about 5 miles.

Tomorrow is the photoshoot for the Sugar Crushers program. I'm supposed to bring this list of clothes that fits. I haven't had clothes that fit in years. I have two sizes, too big and too small. The list includes jeans. Guess I need to go shopping. I have one pair of hand-me-downs left and they have serious baggy butt.

After the dreaded photoshoot, I'll be walking with Betsy and Bonnie in Betsy's hood.

Saturday is the Volkssport 10K in Tamaqua.

It will be a busy weekend!

the week that was

This week I started my new work schedule. Tues/Thrs I have off during the day. My sole class begins at 6 those days. Since my mornings are free, Bonnie and I are walking together.

Tuesday we walked in her Salisbury neighborhood. When we arranged it the night before she said no hills. We did hills.

Wednesday I barely walked. Work all day and then a faculty meeting from 4-7. By the time I got home it was dark. No energy to do a Leslie tape.

Thursday we walked here. Again, Bonnie says no hills. Again, we did a lot of them.

Today we walked with Betsy in her suburban neighborhood.

All works were just over three miles.

Tomorrow we are doing the D&L in Bethlehem. It's a Tail on the Trail event.

this week

I thought this week was pretty non-eventful until I saw this truck today. (More on that later.) But then I started to type.

Monday Bonnie and I walked in her neighborhood. I'm not sure how far. About three miles I guess. We wove in an out until we reached the Daisy Hill store, then came back Emmaus Avenue a bit before returning into the residential neighborhood. It was still hot, but the heat wave broke.

Tuesday was a work day. But Lydia came over after work for supper, and we walked thru the Lehigh campus and did a little grocery shopping. It was fairly cool that day, but a downpour blew thru and the humidity returned. It was hot walking. Lydia went thru one of the fountain sculptures to cool off.

Wednesday, another work day. Didn't walk much and went to what might be my final Zumba class, at least for a while. I get more exercise at the walking clinics. If it rains or snows I'll go to Zumba.


Thursday I was in Emmaus at 7 am, for the "Starve Off Sugar" test panel for Prevention magazine. What have I gotten myself into? It said there would be a diet. Duh. No Hershey bars But what I didn't expect was a list of recipes and eat this only. Yikes! They don't have to live with Pat. Though some looks yummy.

I guess I was expecting a diet plan that said "NO x-y-z". And then "eat more x-y-z". Eat so many calories of which x% has to be protein/fat/ect. I never dreamed that there would be pre-determined meals. (Kind of reminds me of a healthier version of Jenny Craig. By that, I mean all the decisions are already made.  When you stop doing it, you go back to eating the way you were. [And no, I never did any kind of program like that.] )

This very much reminds me of the Paleo diet. (No, I haven't done that either. But everyone around me is on some sort of weird diet.)  Lots of eggs. The farm will get sick of seeing me. Lots of meat—mostly fish and poultry. I think I'll hate all by the end. Meal planning will be essential to making this work. Steak is one of the meals, but I can't cook steak. So that's off the plan.

Then there is also a poop-load of exercise with weights, and yoga. Plus training for a half-marathon. Eating the four days I'm away will be a challenge. Eating during Musikfest will be more of a challenge.

On the up side all my blood work was normal.

I got to work late and didn't get a walk in. I barely crossed 5000 steps on my pedometer.

Today, Bonnie, Betsy and I were out at 8 am walking. The weather has cooled off dramatically. It's lovely. Hopefully it holds for the weekend. We have a 10 mile and 6 mile walk planned. We walked thru her development, which, at 8 am is a lot shadier than at 1 pm. Bonnie's watch said four miles.

On the way home we stopped at Wegman's for some gluten free groceries. When we got back to the car I saw the truck. This is an official City of Allentown vehicle with municipal plates. It's covered with veggies and the back says "Fruits and veggies on the move". They must be doing rolling nutrition workshops. Check out the speakers in the cab.

Oh, I decided to go to the chiropractor regularly. Right now when I come home I feel like I went a couple rounds with Ali. Apparently that takes about a month to go away. Not sure if I will feel any different in a year. But if my leg stops hurting, it will be a good thing. I guess. Now it's just finding time to go.

Tuesday is the dreaded trip to the doctor. If she gives me the "you need to lose weight" lecture. I'm walking out.

this week so far

Not much has happened walking wise. And a lot has happened otherwise. Since this is a walking blog, we'll start with walking.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I walked little. It's still too humid to go very far at lunch time. Showering is not an option.

Today I walked the typical three miles with Besty in her neighborhood.

Thursday I walked a little with Sharon and my sister-in-law Dawn. She met us after the Musikfest meeting and we walked to a pub for dinner. Next Wednesday they'll be taking the 30th anniversary volunteer picture at SteelStacks at 6. So I guess I'll go to Michelle's walking clinic instead of Zumba.  Since Zumba starts at 6.

I went to Zumba this Wednesday. I was a lost as ever. And am still considering not going back. I feel like I'm wasting my time. Can't decide. Mostly because it was fun to walk home with the neighbor from the 500 block.

Tomorrow is the off road challenge. I'm as ready as I'll ever be. I'm looking forward to it, as well as dreading it.

Now the otherwise.

I went for my followup appointment at the chiropractor. He had to take more xrays. I guess I moved on the old ones. So I really didn't find out totally what was happening . It was confirmed that I am a Carl girl. I have deterioration in my disks in my lower back. Shocking, huh? I think he was surprised I didn't react. I told him that my family has a lot of replacement parts. What surprised me, and then again it didn't, is that I have a mild case of scolosis, curvature of the spine.  Oh well. The bridge to fix that problem burned down a half century ago. It is what it is. I was only there about 20 minutes w/x-rays. Is that typical? He only adjusted me for about 5 minutes. It didn't hurt then, but now my back feels like I had a workout and it isn't happy. At this point, I'm not thinking this is a good fit for me. But I'll give it a little time. We'll see.

Finally, Michelle the walking coach, had posted on her webpage and her FB page that she was looking for a test panel for an article she was writing for Prevention. I told Lydia, and I thought I told Bonnie. The article is for the "Beat Your Sugar Cravings" feature. Sugar is an issue for me. Well food is an issue, I'm an addict, but sugar is a real problem. I applied. Today I got picked. It's only a month. Should be over by the time school starts. It will be happening during the Erie trip and Musikfest. No funnel cake and beer for me this year! And I get to keep a food journal again. Actually I eat much better if I write it down.

Well that's it. See ya after the race tomorrow.