campus tour

Today was a busy day. I took my sister to the doctor, shopped at the supermarket and the farm, went to the post office, went to Jersey for gas (still a buck ninety five)... lots of running around. We left at 8:30 and didn't get home till noon. And there was still a load of laundry to be done before I left for work.

I was driving to work when I realized that I didn't walk. Poop.

Plan B. I'd take a walking tour of campus. It's not nearly as fun as it is at Lehigh, or Lafayette, or Villanova. The campus is only 40 years old (it used to look like a prison) situated on an old corn field. It has young trees, lots of parking lots, and a blanket of snow. Every building is covered with the exact same brick and concrete. 

 War memorial

 I knew this was a garden, but I didn't know it was medicinal.

 Quad. It's brick.

I took pictures with my iPod. I think my new camera went from a want to a need. These iPod pixs aren't very good.

This blog post a day is difficult. Hopefully it's nice tomorrow so I can walk on college hill.

yikes! i opened an instagram account

I opened an Instagram account last night. Yeah, it scares me too.

It all ties into doing social media/web for the walking group. If I'm taking pixs with my iPod, then they can be uploaded to Instagram and right to their FB page, I think. Maybe. I'll have Lydia help me.

Anyway, if you want to search for me my name is thisismygymtoday. Yeah, it does look more like a hash tag. Right now everything is generic. But I added 2 test photos yesterday. And they showed up.

It looks like you really need to be sure you want to post it. I do not see an edit or delete button, at least on my desktop. Maybe there is one on the iPod. The mobile interface is much more robust.

The only part of this that truly excites me is writing hash tags. I find myself glancing at the pixs and then just reading the hashtags. My favorite from yesterday is"wishicouldblastmymusicbutsomeoneisnapping"‬. I just need to figure out how to do it. I think you just write using the pound sign.

We'll see how it goes.

Today I substituted, so no time for a long walk. I was going to take the walking path around campus, but there is no winter maintenance. Maybe I should take my snowshoes with me to school. So I walked around and thru buildings and up the stairs. Somehow I managed to get 9K steps in. So last night, after dinner with a former Girl Scout, and putting in my final grades, I walked back and forth thru my house for the remaining 1K steps.


Mission accomplished.

Now I just need to do that everyday.

50% walkers at the spartan spirit 5k

Today was the Spartan Spirit 5K at the college I work at. There was probably only about 100 people, and almost half of them were walkers. So cool.

Sam Spartan came (the mascot), and there were students helping. But what was nice was this is the first race that I can remember that was really diverse. Makes sense at a community college. It always puzzles me why the turn out at these things is overwhelmingly white. If you watch any track meet, that is not the case.

If I had to guess a lot of the walkers were faculty. Not many students. I had asked my students Thursday night if any of them were doing the race, and they said no, that 9 am is way too early in the morning. One pm would be nice—First thing in the morning. Clearly there is a generational gap.

I think the college didn't hire a race company. It was all volunteer. Another reason why it was so cheap. I think they used the timing equipment from the track team.

Runners were timed. Walkers were not. The trophies were made at the fab lab —my happy place on campus. The t-shirts featured my design. I offered them 4, they picked the one I liked least, but oh well.

We all gathered inside and out, and then walked over to what appeared to me as the finish line. One chute said runners, the other walkers. They did speeches and the girl was singing the Star Spangled Banner and mid-way through a air horn went off. We were at the wrong line! Everyone moves.

Finally it begins. We looped the parking lots and then headed out to Green Pond Road. The girl behind me says to her friends. "I have air." They ask her what she meant and she said it was the first race since giving up smoking and she could breather. Kind-of cool.

Near the end of Green Pond we turned into Moravian Academy and looped around their campus. At times the"air" girl passed me, and then I passed her again. At this point she was behind me. I hear, "I'm out of air." Her friend said something like you can't turn around years of smoking in a couple weeks. She never passed me again, but she did finish shortly after I did.

I have no idea what my time was. There wasn't a clock and I don't wear a fancy watch or use a smart phone.

Other Odds and Ends:
I didn't buy the bridge photos. They cost the kings ransom. 

My fitbit is still acting wonky. At 8 am, it said 5:09 pm. And was still counting my numbers from yesterday. I'm going to try and reboot it tonight. I think it started celebrating Lehigh-Lafayette a little early ....

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.

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.

thursday walk

It's that time of the year again. I have to gather up my statistics for the Volkssport group. That means going to the three sites, collecting data and sending the money in. It also means that we have to do those walks. When in Rome ....

Yesterday we did a variation on Bethlehem-South. Megan, Bonnie, the Wee One and I walked to the Comfort Suites, collected our data and then went down the Greenway to Northampton Community College Fowler Campus.  There, Bonnie and I had student massages scheduled. The kids are getting in their practical time before the licensing exam.  Well worth the $20 for the half hour. Bonnie wished she would have booked the hour.

When we walked in the teacher was excited to see the baby and asked Megan if she could borrow him to show the students something. She said yes. She was hoping for a baby massage, but alas, the demo was all about reflexes. She gathered up all the students, and they watched and tested. he was in hog-heaven.

Then we left NCC and headed thru the soccer madness at ArtsQuest to the casino, up the hill and back the Greenway to the Farmer's Market. The baby was getting less happy, but we got our groceries, and headed toward home. At Broughal, he was done. Screaming at the top of his lungs. Tired of the stroller, hungry and shockingly not wet. We decided salads at Wendy's was what was for lunch.

After lunch, with a happier baby, we headed home to visit the roomie.

In a minute were all heading to Betsy's for the 'burb walk. Then I need to stop at Comfort Suites to pick up those numbers.

daylight savings time is over!

Spring is in the air. Okay, maybe not today because it was really cold. But Daylight Savings Time is over. And not a minute too soon. Some people lost an hour of sleep—I finally returned to normal. It's light in the evening to walk when I'm not working.

It also means that I can park in the furthermost lot at school, (the lot isn't even on the map!) and take the longest way to class and back. Once the snow melts I can even do the walking path which will another half mile onto the route. The 5-minute walk to my car is now nearly 20. However, I need to figure out how to lighten the load I carry. By the time I arrived at the car my arm hurts.

staff retreat

Yesterday was our annual staff retreat. This year it was at NCC-Southside at the Center for Business and Industry. Clearly I wasn't taking the car.

Since the car needed minor repairs, I also thought it would be a good day to do that too. Kill two birds with one stone.

The garage is on Cherokee, as is one of my colleagues. Drop off the car, meet the colleague and take the scenic route to NCC-SS. Then I walked up (and down) the six flights of stairs to the meeting room. As far as I know, I was the only one walking up. A few others walked down. After the meeting, lunch was 2 blocks away at Looper's Pub. Then we walked home down the Greenway, with a pit stop at the home brew store.

At the five points, my colleague headed up the hill to Cherokee and I called the garage to see which way I was going. Car wasn't done yet, so I walked home via Pawnee. Because Broadway was being dug up.

At four, they called the that the car was finished. I walked the couple blocks to retrieve it.

Then I came home, ate leftovers from Memorial Day, and at 5:45 I walked to the American Legion for Zumba and home.

All in all I was at almost 17000 steps for the day. Not bad for a workday!

Let's see how today goes. It's supposed to get into the 90s, and the humidity is beginning to build. Oh goodie.

new signs

I teach at the local community college. It's 95% commuter students. And part of the campus is on the other side of the street.  Needless to say there are pedestrian accidents. At least one a term.

To curb them,  they have added the lime green flashing signs before crosswalks, and the white little bobble sign guy in the middle of the street. Still there are accidents.

Today I parked in the other side of the street lot. Before class I shopped for Easter basket stuff, and that lot is the most efficient from the shopping district. Normally I park in the far away remote parking lot and crossing the street isn't necessary.

I aprked my car, went around the solar panels and headed down the path to the street. I was about to cross the street when I noticed these new signs. When I started looking, they are everywhere. If you look carefully, you can see the sign on both sides of the street. All the signs are double sided! How cool is that?

Pedestrian warnings. Driver warnings. Will that curb the accidents? I doubt it.

the scenic route

I try my best to squeeze in walking where I can. I have no idea why, it's not helping me lose weight, but I do it anyway. (Just close your pie-hole Gayle!) Though someone I hadn't seen in a long time told me I looked great Sunday night. (Personally, I see no difference whatsoever.)

Maybe two years ago I started parking in the furthermost lot away from my class. I came down the path, went around the admissions building and arrived. Maybe a five minute walk. Now I've super-sized it. Hopefully when the weather clears I can make it even longer.

But why now?

Briefly I had signed up for myfitnesspal.com where it tracked my calories. I just found it totally frustrating as a food journal. When I went to log there was lots of restaurant food. There was lots of processed food, but little homemade food. I guess because everyone's is different. I'd have to spend a lot of time calculating the calories in my home made food—evey tablespoon of oil, herb, egg, noodle, whatever. What a pain. It lasted maybe two weeks.

But consistently on that site was an ad for a zipfit tracker. Was it yet another pedometer that didn't work? Gullible, I sent for it. The first two days it was amazing. Then it didn't work. It said 5K steps one minute and 89 the next. I spent the next week emailing customer service. When they said they'd send me a new one, the old one started working. Of course.

I love this thing. It's accurate, which is a first in a long time. You can wear it anywhere on your body. You can even hold it in your hand. (The one tiny thing I don't like is that if you're bored, standing at work and start walking in place, it doesn't count. You actually have to be moving forward.)

I've heard many times that you're supposed to walk 10K steps a day. I was sure I was doing that. WRONG. I always get over 5K but I usually settle in at around 8K. Except weekends when we walk 5 miles. (last weekend I only past 10K on Saturday w/the 2 hour walk. Sunday, I barely made 7K even with a walk with Sharon.) So I had to find ways to squeak in more steps. Hense the scenic route Tuesday/Thursday to class. By doing that crazy route I get 3/4 of a mile to and from class. In spring I can add the walking path and maybe get it closer to 1.5 miles each way. We'll see.

On this site there is also a food journal, and it does track calories burned. I fear I will run into the same problem as I did with the last one. If you get the better grade one, it also tracks your sleep and tells you how efficiently you are sleeping. Apparently sleep and weight loss is tied. I don't sleep well so it would be shocking to see those calculations. The only reason I'd think about that one is it also tracks stairs. I do a lot of stairs.

On this fitbit tracker you earn badges on you web page for milestones. I have 2-15K, 10-10K, and 23-5K. That needs to change. 10K needs to be the norm. 15K needs to be at least twice a week. And I will have my first 20K by the end of March.

it's about time!

I teach at the local community college. When I arrived today I thought the water fountain was busted. It wasn't. They added a bottle/cup filling adapter. I'm so happy I could dance.

The water fountain left you fill anything, maybe 1/3 of the way. The bathroom faucets are on timers and they give maybe 5 seconds of hot water.

Update to yesterday's post.

The day didn't get any worse. But I did eat ice cream when I got home at 9:30. After stress eating, instead of stress eating. Progress. Not good for my no sugar commitment, but I don't care. I think I'm doing well—I think I might be at 95% sugar free. In my classroom right now are donuts and I'm resisting them. Actually, no. I don't even care about them. They are just there.

Today I went to Wegman's and bought my fruit tart for Thanksgiving dinner. I'm sure there is sugar in there. And I plan to eat it. For me this is all about breaking bad habits.

When I was driving to Wegman's, my phone rang. When I called back it was Muhlenberg. My doppler test is scheduled for Monday at 7:30 am. They connected me to billing but they were useless. I didn't have the silly code. I have no idea how much this will cost. I'm assuming it will be 5K like the last one.

scooter!

Today, when I arrived at school Josh had a child's scooter. He received it as a gift today. Anyway, he played with it for about 2 hours before I got there. Then left me play. I started out looking like a drunk on the yellow line at a traffic stop. Quickly I got the hang of it. It's quite a workout. Alas, I had to give it back, and go to class. Drats.

Josh shot me on the scooter with his iPhone.

Note to self. Put that sweater in the hand me down bin.

windshields and walks

Friday driving to the YW a pebble hit my windshield on route 378. Ended up with a hole and spider crack. So I came home and made an appointment for today to have it replaced. Told them I needed my car for work at 12.

I took it up this morning, and walked home, did some work and waited. At 11 I called and asked the status. They were working on it, it would be done soon. About 11:45 or so they called it was done but i had to wait four hours to pick it up.

What?

The sealant must cure for four hours or the sealant won't cure.

Why the hell did you tell me that before. I told you I needed to use it by noon.

Shit, I was in big trouble. I get home from work after they close, and needed the car before they opened in the morning. So I walked up to get my keys, briefcase, pay and work out a plan. Plan A call friends who are retired. They aren't home. Plan B walk walk home and take the bus. And I forgot my briefcase.

The bus was an experience. About a year ago they totally revamped our bus system and it's awful. Less runs, more waits, but worse all new numbers and routes. Pat sat there and figured out the bus issues —101 goes to NCC—and I looked for change for the bus. The timing worked out better to walk over to the transportation center and take the 101 to NCC. I planned to leave the students out a hair early, and take the bus home.

I ended up eating in the cafeteria. It's the first time I ever wanted more food than a salad, and they had nothing I could eat on a blood work/doctor week. I'm shocked our students aren't enormous. Thick crust pizza, burgers, fries, fried everything, pasta smothered in sauces. No sandwich station. We all know, salad bars a mine field also. There were pre-packed veggies and fruit.

Ended up making a salad, then stopping at the vending machine and getting trial mix to add protein.

While I was grading waiting for class to start, my phone rang. It was my retired friend, offering me a ride home.

lighting the night

Today was different. Bonnie and Lyd did a Volkssport walk in the Parkway and I went to an art thing in Easton. It reminded me a whole lot of Touchstone, when they were still the People's Theatre Company, performing in parks.

My former colleague was thinking about doing the Light the Night walk tonight, depending on how her daughter felt today. She texted late this afternoon to say they weren't going. I decided to go anyway.

I stopped at the dollar store and got some glow sticks to wear. When I arrived I signed in and got my glowing balloon. The place was packed! Tents and people everywhere.

The walk started shortly after I arrived. It was short! Maybe a mile. Those of us at the front of the line nearly met the people at the end of the line. I crossed the finish line and headed back up to the tent area. They were tearing everything down...bizzare. Apparently the party was before the walk.

the kolam hike

It's Kolam week at my school. Kolam is an ancient Indian art practiced by Hindus. Bruce Wall, one of our professors had a Fulbright to study the art form and arranged this all-college public art project.

Wednesday was Kolam day. The idea was to surround the College with a giant Kolam. Every path, every building, every tree.

I arrived at school ready to Kolam. As I entered campus that area was done. I passed the early education (day care center) building and I saw Bruce coming out of the art building. Where are the students handing out chalk at? "At the far ends of campus". he replied. So I was off. I walked and walked and walked. I think I walked the entire campus.

I got to the area that wasn't done. Couldn't find anyone. Checked out the walking trail. No one. Went behind the gym. Past the new College-use only bus stop. No one. I was beginning to think this was a bring your own chalk event.

I decided to go to class. Then in the distance I saw a student drawing on the ground. I ran to catch up with her. "Where are the people with the chalk?" Over there, and she pointed to what used to be called the "smoking tree". (Campus is smoke free. They would smoke there. Then they took away the benches. Problem solved.)

The students handing out the chalk were on the other side of the early education building. Thirty, maybe 40 feet from where I started. Bruce was with them. I probably clocked close to a mile and a half.

So after a half hour of walking, I finally grabbed some chalk and drew.

looked good enough to eat

The last two days it rained. Another excuse to be lazy.

Today, however, I got my fat fanny up and walked...before class. I parked at the Oakland Road lot, and walked around the outer perimeter of the remote parking lots and out to Green Pond Road.  Then I headed out Green Pond to Moravian Academy. Didn't quite make it to Farmersville—the sidewalk ended.

That reminds me of a poem ....

Where the Sidewalk Ends
There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

Shel Silverstein

Then I walked back to campus—surprising about 2 miles round trip — and to class where I discovered I had sunglasses on. Then it was back out to Oakland Road and back. I know this is about 1000 steps each way because I counted them one day a year or so ago. Add in a flight of steps and it was a decent workout. I did it in about a half hour. This will be my new Tuesday/Thursday walk till the semester ends.

Northampton has a lot of property and in one section they are creating a garden. One part educational, one part growing food. It was soggy messy from the rain so I took the pix from a distance.

The other thing I noticed was the dandelion. I was getting hungry looking at it. Bacon dressing was calling my name. Maundy Thursday is next week. Mom always made dandelion on Maundy Thursday. Should I take a bag and knife next time? I wonder what they put on the lawns?

events for everyone!

Everyone knows how much I dislike wearing shoes, but I do know they have their place and I wear them. On Tuesday, I get to toss those shoes for the day. I can't wait.

One Day Without Shoes is April 5. They are doing it at NCC where I work, so that will be great. I can walk around campus barefoot legally! Except in the bathrooms. They are disgusting. I will also go to class early and participate in any of the activities they have.  It's sponsored by Tom's Shoes. For every pair you buy they give a pair to a child in a developing country. One Day Without Shoes brings awareness to the problems the children encounter not wearing shoes, like untreated infections.

On Wednesday, April 6, is National Start Walking Day. Allison and I will be walking at lunch time. But then we frequently walk at lunch time. The weather looks like the weather is going to be beautiful. 

I also posted both events on my every two feet FB page. I've pretty much decided to take the page down. I just need to get the courage to hit the delete button. I've already removed all the photos. every two feet was a huge failure. I'm not good at organizing. But I'm glad I tried.

I hope to go walking this afternoon. It's a beautiful day today. Then again with Bonnie tomorrow. Lydia can't make it again. I'm worried. She's been skipping too often. We need to get her moving again!

where do the bird tracks lead?

Yesterday I had to work at the College in the morning, delver a bean salad to a funeral reception and then head to class at the community college. In between I stopped at Panera and picked up the Napa chicken salad. Yeah, it's not the healthiest thing on the menu, but it's actually better than the veggie sandwich I love. Bizarre.

Anyway, I got to school early. All the benches were still filled with students. On Tuesday/Thursday there are no classes between 11 and 12:30. It's the student activity period. That's when clubs meet, they have lectures and whatnot. All the things resident schools do in the evening. Even faculty meetings are held then.

I finally found a place to sit in the sun on a wall. As I'm eating my sandwich I see giant bird tracks. They were multi-colored and fascinated me. I threw away the bag and the wrapper and took my remaining half-sandwich and searched for a giant bird.

The tracks took me all over campus, but I never found the giant bird. I was disappointed. Since I was near the walking trail I did that loop and headed back toward my building, when in struck me that I should follow the tracks the other direction. They ended at the early education center on campus. Apparently they had some sort of activity with the children. I'm really curious to know what it was.

Tuesday night I went to the new session of t'ai chi. In addition to training walks this weekend with Lydia, I'm going for my drive-by flu shot on Sunday at Piggie Park. I'm also calling and scheduling a meeting with the nutritionist.

rain delay

Mary Liz and I planned to walk this morning at 6:30, but it was pouring. So we had a rain delay. Maybe when I get out to the college it will be nice enough to walk the walking trail. Although part of it is grass. I might have to swim that section.

no, I haven't stopped walking.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Speaking of the weekend, the plan is this:

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