looks like I'm walking nyc in my bra!

Today registration opened for the July 26th moonwalk in NYC. I wanted to do this event last year. But I found out too late.

From the website:

The Girls are back in town … and the boys, so sign up now for Walk the Walk’s famous Power Walking challenge. Thousands of women and men will be choosing from a Half Marathon (The Half Moon) or go all the way… a full 26.2 miles the Full Moon Marathon distance, and you can be sure that every step that you take is not only going to help you become more honed and  toned…. your fundraising will help to give New Yorkers the best care for breast cancer,  for the best outcome, regardless of their circumstances!

Plus…what make this challenge really exciting and unique, is that everybody will be wearing the charities trademark, decorated bra!  Not what you would expect to do on a Saturday night and  if that takes you slightly out of your comfort zone then think ‘Rockettes’, think magical jewels and feathers to sparkle your way around Manhattan.

I mailed the others in every two feet, and my friend Gail from the 3-Day. Hopefully someone wants to come along. If not, I'll go alone. I signed up for the half, and the 4-5 hour time slot so I can have fun along the way. It went to 7 hours. The times started at 2. Really, 2? Who can walk 13.1 miles in 2 hours? Not even super-walker-Michele can do that! Mostly, it's so they have enough shuttle buses to take you back to the start point.

The walk starts on Randall's Island, the campsite for the Avon. You meet at 8 pm and eat. The food is vegetarian and organic. You had a choice between pasta and rice. (Bonnie, rice...no gluten...just saying.) At 10 pm you hit the streets.

And I only have to raise $150. That's probably already in my spare change jar. But if you want to donate to this insanity, click the half-marathon link above.

If you want to participate in the insanity and join Bonnie's Boobies, than click on this link. The more the merrier! Oh, and the pink footed boobie birds will get a makeover for this race.

bank opens

Not often we have a "grand opening" on the southside. Generally things just close. So the TD Bank building a bank in a poor neighborhood is exciting to me. I belong to a credit union and would never leave it, but it's nice to have a coin counting machine that I can walk to.

So I emptied my jar of coins into a plastic bag, strapped on the plastic backpack bag I got at the Apple store, and Sharon and I headed to the new bank. We took the scenic route. The pixs of of me and my coins. Turns out it was $112 worth! The first mile wasn't so bad. The second mile reminded me of the Avon, carrying my laptop. It got heavy.

We arrived at the bank and it was packed with workers, and some customers. They had a band in the parking lot, popcorn, beverages, games, and their mascot. People in suits were waving down customers. When we walked in everyone clapped and said welcome. It was a bit bizarre.

The customer service person helped remove the backpack and carefully showed me how the Penny Arcade worked. He gave me a bank and a coin purse. I bought (?) a CD, at a grand opening rate that was only a bit higher than the credit union. Something is better than nothing.

Back outside we got some popcorn, Sharon got coffee and we played plinko and won a really nice baseball cap and a key chain with the mascot on.

As we went to leave, Sharon said she felt like walking UP Wyandotte street to go home. So we did.

Welcome to the neighborhood TD Bank. Hope this is a sign that our poor, but wonderful neighborhood is coming back from the brink of H*ll. I hope the nice white walls and stone retaining wall remain graffiti free and that you are never robbed.

50 miles in one day?

This morning I received an email from Africa. It was from my friend Angel who is traveling with her friend Michel to Africa and France.

The email said "He also wants to know if you'd be interested in a one day 50-mile hike from DC to Harper's Ferry that he does in May. He says it's lovely."

Fifty miles one day?

I did the math. At 3 mph it's about 16 hours. I think that I could do. But for 16 hours? At 4 mph it's 13 hours. That would be a lot harder. It's in the Blue Ridge mountains. Would we cross or follow the mountains. Crossing mountains will certainly make me slower. And no time for distractions like photographs.

An additional consideration. Those times are without bathroom or food stops. I never used the bathrooms much at the 3-day or Avon walks. What I drank I sweated off. I guess you carry granola or power bars and maybe fruit?

And blisters? My feet were so sore after the 3-Day. And I could barely walk over the finish line after the second Avon.

I don't think I can do it, which, I guess is the reason why I want to do it. I'm becoming obsessed with the idea. I want to write back "hell yes".

Am I crazy?

Crazy enough to write the trainers from my program to see how to train.

I borrowed the photo from http://kayedacus.com/2009/07/31/fun-friday-places-id-like-to-revisit/

nor-bath trail

This afternoon Bonnie and I did the Nor-Bath trail. We did the 5-mile section when we were training for the Avon walk. Today's section was about a mile.

This is a really nice trail small gravel or macadam. The small gravel was a little squishy today, but it is January, after all. The section we went thru today went thru an old cement plant.

When we did the other section last year, we noticed that many of the historic markers were missing or vandalized. The same holds true for this section. It's very disappoint. I'm sure some Boy or Girl Scout worked their butts off making those sign just to have someone destroy them. But that is life today, isn't it. No respect for people or property.

We chose this trail because Lydia was having a Tomboy Tool party. Normally that wouldn't interest me. But they are a corporate sponsor of the Avon Breast Cancer Walk.  They give lots of money to breast cancer research and they were very nice at the Wellness Village when I did the Avon walks.

It was a good walk, we kept a nice speed and the return trip was pretty much up-hill.

Today I registered for my first competitive 10, and a 5K on St Patty's Day. Tomorrow begins the last week of my program, and weigh in is January 19. I'm looking for a last chance workout!

i'm new to 5ks ....

I'm just a fat girl who likes to walk with people. That's why I started every two feet. The idea remains, but I took down the FB page because only "family" posted and it was kind of silly. I could talk to them one-on-one.

A week or two ago my niece Lydia, asked me to "friend" someone on FB. Michelle wanted to try 5ks. So I did. And she signed up for the one in Nazareth on the 24th.

Then I got a message from her. "Since you do so many of these, what is an approximate time for finishing?"

That's a really good question. 

For a newbee? 55-65 minutes. To get Lydia moving, I had her try a 1-mile fun walk.  Her first 5k with us and her friend Kathy, the Jingle Bell Run/Walk last December, was about 62 minutes. (I hate saying hour and two minutes. Sounds so long.) Kathy was about 64 minutes. Both have been doing them about a year now and are down to the low 50s. I come in now (after 3 years) at about 49-51 minutes. But I don't walk nearly as much as I used to. I could be closer to 45 minutes I bet.

The more you walk the better and faster you get. Especially if you do intervals. (1 minute quick, 3 minutes slow. Slowly it turns upside down that you're doing 1 minute slow, 3 minutes quick.)

But it's not really about time, is it? It's about starting and finishing even if you're the last one over the line. Don't compete, just complete. I was that person a long time. It wasn't until I started walking with Bonnie, who has a quicker pace because of all the gym time, that I sped up. She's also very competitive. It was good for me. Even if I do call her "Jillian".

I suggested to Michelle that she keep a  little notepad in the car so she can write down the time and date (and race name of course) so you can see your progression. I'm sure a phone has an app for that. Or you could write it on your bib if you save them.  Also write down challenging terrain or severe weather so if your times are way off you know why. I know when I see a gravel trail it will slow me down. (53 minutes!) The Parkway kills me.

I forgot to tell her to take pictures.  Drats.

I am not a trainer or exercise coach. Any advice I give is based on a mere three years experience. A little of that came from being a training walk leader for the 3-day and the Avon and a 12-week First Strides class. It could be totally off the mark. It could be right. If you're serious about starting an exercise program "talk with your doctor". I know nobody does. But I don't want anybody suing me for bad advice.

But the fact remains that Lydia is now moving, and I'd like to think that it's because I helped her. Sharon is also moving much better. When I started with her we stopped 3 times every walk.  So I have a tiny track record with family.

I'd love if there was a half-marathon just for walkers. Or a 10K or a 15K. I need challenges to keep me motivated.

I'd love for every two feet to be a viable walking group. I'd love to have a competitive 5K for walkers only. Or even better a noncompetitive 5k-10K-15K. You pick how far you want to challenge yourself.  It would be a clover leaf so that each circle finished and started at the same spot. That would be so cool.

sunday

Sunday we were up at five packing and getting ready for the walk. The wind had calmed down a bit, and it was supposed to get warmer. Bonnie called the front desk to see if we could get the bags to the car or if there was a holding area. They told us the bellman would take care of it. We came off the elevator and found the bellmen. He said "follow the pink people"! There was a large group of people waiting to check their bags.

We didn't get a really big bus this time. We got the mini bus with a lovely driver who didn't drive like a crazy person. And actually didn't hang on the phone. I {heart} responsible drivers.

We had breakfast and hit the line for the port-o-potties. By the time Bonnie came out,  the walk started, so we didn't go to the start line we went straight out and saved ourselves fifty whole feet! The section in Randall's Island is about three miles of park ending with a pedestrian bridge. One layer of clothes was off before we even reached the first rest stop.

We came out of the park at about 90th street and headed back uptown to about 120th. We went around central park and down Columbus Avenue again. While circling the park we got the call from Beth that she and Alan had arrived. They walked up to Columbus circle and the west side of the park and waited for us at 70th. We met them after our lunch stop (10:45ish) and they walked with us back to 45th. While they headed to lunch and the pier, we continued down 5th past Hearld Square and all the way down to about 15th. We walked thru Madison Square park and headed east to Riverside Drive. I took off my sneakers at the final rest stop. Again, it was wonderful. But I should not have sat down. It totally took the wind out of my sails. That last half mile was tough. I hit a wall. the lady in the wheelchair past me! (She rolled the entire walk, self-propelled!)

Bonnie had quite a cheering section at the end. Sharon, Beth, Alan and her neice Emily and her husband Christian who came in via subway from Brooklyn. Bonnie finished about two blocks ahead of me. While she talked to her family, Beth and I searched for beer and coca cola. It never tasted so good.

We decided not to stay for closing and meet at the Clinton dinner for Dinner.

For more photos see: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/578827986UUDAHj

avon walk wrap up.

Yes, I know you've been waiting to hear all about it. It is embarrassing that it has taken me a whole week to write about a great weekend. Yet alone everything that has happened since. But it has been crazy. Too much work and not enough time. Plus catching up on home stuff. I have about an hour to write and a iPad on probation. The time is now.

I am in the laundromat, drying towels. My dryer broke about a month ago, maybe more and the expense to repair it is greater than the cost of a new one. I will get a new one, but am waiting till at least November when I can not hang anything out. So I grabbed the iPad and here I am. Typing and eating fried rice from the Chinese restaurant next door. (not recommended activity.)

Where to start? I guess at the beginning.

Friday, Sharon and I met Bonnie at her office about 12:30. She had to work in the morning. I packed at eleven. Why? My online class monopolized my morning. I posted that I was doing the walk and I would check in as I could. That I had not abandoned them. I did it Tuesday. Wednesday they started posting like it w the end of the world. The work was piling up. it was crazy.

We piled all the stuff in Bonnie's car, and headed to Saladworks for lunch. Then we hit the road. I read out loud the "Let's walk" eight page instructions for the weekend. I was the only one to download it.

it was the first time Bonnie has driven into the city and it went remarkable smooth. Ring around the Lincoln Tunnel hadn't even started yet!

The host hotel was the Sheraton Times Square. Upon arrival we asked where to park and were directed to the deck with the tightest corner to maneuver. The man took Bonnie's keys and the car and directed to the hotel. We checked in and found our tiny room. It was the size of a NYC apartment There was just enough room for the dresser, two full size beds and a desk. if anyone remembers my bedroom on Seneca Street it gives you a sense of the type of space we had.

The room was on the 22nd floor. I wanted to walk the steps, but never did.

We changed and went to register and go to the expo. When we arrived at the conference suite,  we met Bonnie's walker buddy Tara, and grabbed a flyer for a lecture on nutrition and cancer. The speak was Leslie Bonci, the dietician from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The expo room was long and skinny and packed with people. Last year it was spacious. You registered in the middle, and shopped along the sides and the two ends. Avon had a store on one end, Reebok on the other. We walked, shopped and talked and met lots of nice people. Sharon had a crew meeting at five, so Bonnie and I took our purchases up to our room and then went down to the lecture. Appetizers at 5:30, lecture at 6. The crew meeting was supposed to end at six, so we got food, and put our stuff down at three seats and I went up to get Sharon. She wasn't ready—she had a meeting after the meeting. I told her where to come and there would be Starbucks coffee and good cheese waiting. She never found us. She waited in the hotel lobby for us.

The nutritionist from the Steelers was great. Lots of good practical advice, and funny as heck. Then of course came the oncologist sponsor, and a happy patient. Boring. But we got a cookbook and some great food. Not a bad way to spend the evening.

We found Sharon and headed off into the streets looking for food. We found an Irish Pub and looking at the menu Bonnie found some gluten free items. The staff was wearing Avon breast cancer ribbons and the special of the night was the breast cancer awareness cosmo. Five bucks for a mixed drink in NYC. And the glass was full. Bonnie and I got one, Sharon had ice tea and we toasted the walk. Everyone came by and wished us well. It was pretty obvious what were doing. The owner of the bar had a thick accent.

Food was delicious and Bonnie even found food she could eat.

We finished the night by walking in Times Square and shopping at a tacky tourist store. It had been so long since I did either. I was surprised that it is actually fun. We went to bed about 10. We needed to be on the bus at 5:15 am.

So the iPad is down to 26% battery. I guess I need to wrap this up and continue it later. I have to run ML and Bob to Newark in an hour, so it might not be until tonight.

nyc here we come!

Tomorrow is the big day. Our Avon Breast Cancer Walk adventure begins. We'll be leaving Bonnie's office at 12:30. (She has to work in the morning.)

I've taken a few short walks this week, and went to Tai Chi, but other than that, I've been getting ready for the big walk weekend. I'll walk with Sharon in the morning, then get packed.

She's driving. Her first time driving in NYC. Maybe I'll end up driving her car. We'll see.

We're staying in the host hotel in Times Square. Big money, but we're splitting it in three, so it will be better. The Expo will be in the hotel. Saturday and Sunday we walk. Then we cross the finish line and come home.


Then it's over. But I'll still be walking and climbing stairs. The Wilkes Barre stair climb is March 19!

Before I have about $250 to put in my fund-raising account, and then I'll self donate the other $250. Not bad considering I didn't have a fundraiser. Just too much crap this year. I'd walk accross the country if I didn't have to raise money. I love to walk.

I'll try to blog from the event. I have my iPad. All I need is wifi.  If nothing else, I can do the write ups in notepad and copy/paste them when I get home.

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Good luck to all my friends walking tomorrow in the Philly 3-Day. There really will be a pink army out there this weekend.

Nor-bath trail

Yesterday Bonnie and I did five miles in her neigh-borhood.

Today, we did the Nor-Bath Rail Trail. About 10 miles. We started in Northampton and walked to Bath and back. It was a fairly flat walk, pretty uninteresting. Except for a cute little cottage with a fence made from bicycles. It was gravel the whole way and I got to tell you that's hard on the feet.

Today I carried my backpack and my iPad. I tried to bring everything that I carry at the Avon. I needed to make sure I could still carry it all. I could.

In the process we did some research for my niece who had WLS.  She lives in "North-
ampton". Yeah, right. So this trail is fairly close to her. As well as the walking path in Bicentennial park.

It was a beautiful day and we didn't meet many other people until late in the morning. I found that odd. The D&L is a traffic jam by 7:30 am. Guess they like to sleep in on Sunday's.

I'll be doing short walks this week. We leave for the Avon Friday, about noon. Bonnie is driving into NYC for the first time.

working thru the "to do" list

I did some housekeeping today. Trying to get my life back on track.

First thing I did was filled out my medical form for the Avon. It's much easier of a form than the one for the 3-Day, and medical insurance is strongly suggested but not mandatory. That saves me about $250 for temporary insurance. As long as I don't hurt myself. I will risk have to risk it.

My sister Elin has been my #1 emergency contact. She lived 5 minutes from me, and drove. However with her death in March I was left with just my #2 contact, Bonnie. She's walking the Avon with me, so she's kind of useless as ICE number.

I am reminded of that every time I see my Road ID. Elin is still listed on there. I was reminded again when Elin came up on the Avon Medical form automatically. It was a little freaky, actually. So who to use? Two of my other sisters don't drive and are useless in these situations. My oldest sister Barb lives in Kentucky.  I'd trust her with my life anytime, but frankly 800 miles is far, so for this she is also useless. That left my brother Dave. I emailed him and he said "yeah, no problem". So he went down on the form and I also ordered a replacement disk.

I also found out that the new session of T'ai Chi at the community center starts the 14th. I'll try and make my appointment with the nutritionist the same night. Can't get to the free class right now, long walk training is Saturday and Sundays until the walk.

My fund-raising is about half way, with maybe 45 days to go. I guess it's time I mail out the dreaded "beg for money" letters.

Thank you:
Barb
Dave and Barb
Debsy and Marlin
Country Hills Block Party
Nancy and family

Thank you for for your donations.

After class I went and bought a bike helmet at Target. Disappointed with the choices. The kids helmets are fun and funky. The adult ones are black, navy and gray.  Yawn. I guess adults aren't supposed to be fun and funky. I dug around and found one that was a maroon. Closest I could get to pink. Forgot to buy a lock.

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.

51.32 personal best

Bonnie and I did the Alburtis 5K today in 51.32. A personal best.

The hills were not steep but relentless. The weather was beautiful. Our split times were 16.08/32.38 and Bonnie stopped to take pictures of the lockridge furnace and the guy planning the trombone.

We arrived at the pool in time to see the childrens 1K fun run. Some were tiny, maybe 2 or 3. Others were maybe 10-12. They were so cute. Ferrous, the giraffe neck pig mascot from the Iron Pigs greeted them at the finish line and gave them high fives.

Then it was our turn.

Ferrous lead the race, but he dropped off in 20 steps. He would have been trampled! Then we headed into Alburtis. From what I saw it's a cute town. We then headed into Lock Ridge park. The race always goes thru the park, but the bridge was out, so we had to do the park twice. At the park we were greeted by a man playing a trumpet and little boy scouts handed out water. Later there was another man, on the opposite side of the park playing a trumpet. Why? I have no idea, but it was fun.

Bonnie took the pictures with her phone. They aren't half bad. Don't know how well they will print. There was someone taking pixs at the 2 mile mark. Hopefully they will be available for download or purchase. I saw the camera guy and said to Bonnie heads up, boobs out, shoulders back. If they are taking pix I want to look my best.

We got back too late to go to T'ai Chi.  ):

Last night I signed up for the kidney walk, and started to beg for donations for the Avon walk on my FB page. Deana, a fellow, raised half her money doing that in a week. Beth raised all of hers last year doing that. We'll see what develops.

Oh, I'll be walking over to Musikfest shortly

76%!

My sister Sharon cleans at the senior high rise. Her clients get food boxes to fill their pantry and what they can't or won't eat they send home with her. Most of it goes to the foodbank.

Yesterday I was getting the foodbank bag together. The postal carriers are having their food collection Saturday. As I was packing the bag I noticed these cup a soups. I used to eat a lot of these back in the dark ages when I started working. Just add hot water from the water cooler, stir, steep and eat at your desk. Then I discovered take-out.

 So we were talking about the "old days" like old people do and I decided to flip it over to see the salt content. I'm not normally speechless, But I was ... 76%! But it is "enriched with vitamins." I guess that makes it okay. The girl on the package looks about 14. The type on the package is geared to teens, especially the La Moderna across the bottom.  I toyed with the idea off tossing them because I didn't want to give the foodbank crap. But then my mama voice started haunting me. You don't waste food. It's better than having nothing. It's still in the bag.

This week I pulled my crap together enough to order the t-shirts for Bonnie's Boobies and Every Two Feet. Proceeds from sales will go to my Avon fundraiser. We'll have 48 Bonnie's Boobies to sell from Child medium to 3XXL. (Sizes for everybooby ... itty bitty titties to jumbo titties). I still have yet to post an Every To Feet walk. Shirts are made in the USA and printed in beautiful downtown Tatamy.

I also dropped the ball on the fundraiser. I thought I emailed the church to request a date. I didn't. No wonder they didn't respond.

Oh wait. This is a walking blog. I've walked this week also. I keep it around three miles. Twice today. Once June comes I start either up the difficulty or the mileage. Since the Avon is only 40 miles, training won't be as hard or as time consuming.

Maybe I'll even get to weed my garden. Cool.

making progress

Today I set up the Every Two Feet walking group on Facebook. (Search every two feet) As soon as I pick a date for the first walk, I'll email my training group from last year. We'll see if this happens.

I also talked with my friend Betsy and starting Friday, we'll be walking again. This time without the dogs. They've moved to suburban Philly with Beth. ):

Then I emailed Mary Liz about morning walks.

Tonight, I'll talk to Bonnie about training walks for the Avon.

Looks like this fat girl is returning to walking. And not a minute too soon.

march challenge, incomplete

For my March challenge I decided to form a walking club. I got the logo done, but that's about it. The chaos of the previous month left little time for much else.

The walking club will be called "Every Two Feet". Every two feet could mean progression from couch to fit; gender, race and/or age; or it could mean barefoot,  Birkinstocks, or sneakers. You can be walking for pleasure or training for a charity walk. My friend Angel came up with it. It's so inclusive.

I'm going to schedule April 24 as the first date for the walking club. I also need to set up a Facebook page for it. And check on prices for t-shirts. While I'm at it I need to check on prices for shirts for Bonnies Boobies. We are officially now a team.

Training begins this month, I think tomorrow for the Avon walk. Bonnie and I will go out together on Saturdays. She'll be doing more training on the treadmill. I'm contacting my friend and neighbor Mary Liz today to see if she wants to resume the morning walks.

It's bright and sunny and warm today. The rains are finally over. After class I'm going to do the walking trail at NCC. Monday I did the stairs at Acopian. If I can get a walk in for the next three days, without excuses, I think I'll be back on track. And not a minute too soon.

If you have a physical challenge for me for April, let me know. I've done stairs and I've done marathon walks. I thought about running a 5K, but my knees would not like that.

oops, I did it again

Last year I swore I wouldn't do any more multi-day charity walks. Everybody around me said sure, right, like that will happen. Especially since Bonnie was diagnosed with breast cancer last fall. I could have gotten free registration for the 3-day. I ignored it. I received a letter from the Avon walk with discount registration and ignored it.

Bonnie called yesterday. "Since I don't need chemo I'm in for the Avon walk". Bethy, who walked with me last year is signing up for crew. So yesterday I signed up for the Avon. Good thing I didn't throw out the letter. Team Bonnie's Boobies were born. Our logo is a pair of pink-footed boobie birds.

So if anybody is in a giving mood, my link is http://www.avonwalk.org/goto/gayleh. I won't keep the blog there this time. I'll just stick with this one. That one disappears after the walk.

Didn't walk much this week. there's snow everywhere. 

My brother in law is in the hospital, and my sister isn't handling it well. So I decided I'd go cheer her up. There's not much I can do for her husband. I took a chance and walked up to the hospital and found a stairway. You start at two. I walked up to five (apparently this was a short stairway) then down to the ground and back up to four. I exited and started to look for his room. In the process I found another stairway and made a mental note to check it out going home. When I left I found it again, it went to nine. I came back down to four and went back to my sister to tell her I found a tall stairway. She was surprised I was back so soon. On the way out I found another across the hall from his room. I entered and it was a triangle. Decided to leave that way. I got to 2 and the door was locked. I had to go back up to four, and exit thru another set of stairs. That's when I decided not to do the parking deck stairs. I just headed up the hill and went home.

There's two weeks left to the first stair climb. Still not sure I'll make it. But I'm gonna try. I'm thinking of chewing gum during the climb. It will keep my mouth moist and more importantly it will keep it shut! I tend to breath out of my mouth instead of my nose.

Avon Walk--With a laptop on my back

Originally posted on my Avon Blog the day after the walk. This is a bit more permanent.

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October 9-11...with a laptop on my back

Event weekend. We left P'burg about noon, by the we gassed up, banked, and picked up everyone. We hit Brooklyn at about 2. Surprising, but traffic was heavy. The event eve party had already started.
We got settled in our room and went in search of lunch, and found Trader Joe's, came back and went to event eve. It was sort-of like Expo at the 3-Day but tons more fun. There were people begging for money so that they could walk. Some were as little as $100 short, others much farther. One lady was $1100. I wouldn't have went. We have till about Dec. 1 to get all the $ in but I guess they weren't willing to give over their credit card number to assure the donations. For $100 I would have. For $1100, no way.

We met Beth and Pat's walker buddy Tara several times thru the weekend bu the first was at Event Eve.
At event eve we collected lots of stuff. Pedometer, water bottles, blister block, hand sanitizer, lip balm (of course they were Avon), pink ribbon pins, etc.

In the hall people were hawking their wares to make their money. I bought a big button that says "blisters don't need chemo." Also bought one that says "walking chick" and one for both Beth and I that said "I'm a street walker".

I took my laptop to do my online classes. The hotel internet was $14.95. I took my lap top to all the usual wi-fi places and nobody was free. (Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, McDs, Dunkin Donuts....) I guess they don't want people hanging out all day using the Wi-Fi. When I came back to the hotel, angry, I was riding up the escalator when the light bulb went on. I'm an idiot. (but then you knew that.) Avon is in there checking people in, and registering people for next year. They had to either bring an internet connection or are using the hotels. So I sat outside the ballroom and turned on the laptop. Opened "airport" and there it was on the list. AVON1, AVON2. Now I pray they didn't ask me for a password. The 1st one did. The second one didn't. I shoot, I score, I get into class. However my cell phone died the minute I reached Brooklyn.

We went to a pub for dinner and hit the hay early. We needed to be up at 3:30 am to make the 5 am shuttle. With three people in the room it would be a challenge. It went well and we got downstairs by 4:45.

The shuttle took us to Pier 84 where bagels and orange juice awaited us. The opening ceremonies started at 6:15 and we hit the streets by 6:45. I had my laptop in my backpack. No way I was letting the gear guys have it.

This is the route for Saturday. We started at Pier 84 (about 42 street) and walked up the riverfront to about 149th street. Then we walked all the way back down to city hall, across the Brooklyn Bridge, back the Manhattan Bridge and back uptown to about 110th and then over to Randall's Island near the Tri-Boro bridge for the night.

We met up with both Pat and Diane that had done training walks with us. We walk part of Saturday with Pat.

Along the route was also the Youth Crew. Girls from 10-14 who sang familiar songs with much different words and cheered and were very perky. They had yellow shirts like ours with Youth Crew on. At camp a few had t-s on that said the "Itty Bitty Titty Committee" I didn't get a pix.
We stopped in Brooklyn, about 18 miles, and bussed it to Randall's Island. The route closed at 6:15 and we heard Diane was still out there. She refused to come in. Sounds like me if I was alone. (Although I think if they said get in the van I would have. At Koman you get disqualified for not following the rules.) They had a van follower her and eventually a police escort. She did all 26 miles and finished at 7:30. Last I heard she had feet full of blisters and started walking on again Sunday. She was finishing come hell or high water. Fool.

I loved camp! podiatrist, PT, chiropractors, yoga, massages and 5 SHOWER TRAILERS (filled with Avon products. The pink shower gel was nice. I wonder if the boys got pink too?). No lines!. So I showered, and had my first chiropractors visit (fun!), a massage (1st time, fun!), and then I did the machine-foot massage in their tent (2nd time-fun!). A couple of Boy Scout offered to set up my tent. I resisted the urge to say scram, and said sure. Why not. Took three tents before we got one that wasn't wet and had poles. Didn't get to take a yoga class.

FYI Avon's blister block is great. Might have to order some. So is their vanilla hand sanitizer available at every rest stop 2.5 miles apart. Food was so-so.

Sunday we got up about 5:30 showered again, took down the tent and found what looked like litter. It wasn't. It was a ribbon to wear, that pixies delivered to certian tents during the night. It represented that every 3 minutes someone is diagnoised. We decided to share wearing the ribbon, but I wore it the whole time. Apparently they were also given out on the room. By closing there was lots of them.
We ate breakfast and hit the streets. We left the island and were going around Central park. All of it. We had to deal with lots more traffic and a lot more stop start. At one point a woman (not a walker) fell down the steps of a store and was in the middle of the sidewalk, face down. Our little medical car radioed for help (good thing he was there...karma, it's a good thing) and stayed with her until the ambulance came. The walkers had already covered her with mylar blankets. Someone said she looked like she was having a seizure coming out of the store.

We stopped walking at lunch time. Beth's feet really hurt, so when the bus drove us to the finish line we cross the line, took our victory pix, and she headed for the medical tent.

So for me it was a good training walk. For Beth it was a personal best.

Koman, here I come.

Another pair of sneakers

Last night Beth and I went to the Promenade Shoppes. She wanted to get another pair of sneakers before Saturdays walk. Hopefully she can break them in. New Balance is a 3-Day sponsor (for 20 years!) and they give a discount to walkers. So off we went.

When we arrived they had outdone themselves with pink for October. There was pink everywhere. There on the shelf was pink sneakers, made in the USA. I was tempted. But resisted. We got Beth's sneaks and  left.

After walking around the "lifestyle center" I said  those pink sneakers are cute enough to make me want to try them on. I had worn my Finn Casuals on Sunday for 6 miles with no problems, but they really didn't offer any cushion. They felt like my Birks. That's not good for long-distance walking. This is one thing I know.

So we went back and tried them on. They fit. I think. I have to wear them a couple times to know for sure. And as a bonus I got a little box of stuff. A workout video (ha ha) and a sneaker shaped USB drive. Loaded on it is the Koman video. But I can erase that. I was hoping to use it for school, but there's not way to hang or attach it.

So there it is. I've bought two pairs of shoes for walking. Now will I wear either one? Not for the Avon or the 3-Day. No time to break them in. But the Philly marathon has potential. Stay tuned.

If looks could kill, I'd be in jail

I needed to get a doctors note to walk in the 3-Day. I anticipate I'll need one for the Avon also. So today I bit the bullet and went to the doc-in-a-box.

Now the doctor I liked there, Dr. Jones, left about a year ago. I've had this other guy I really didn't like. Last time, there was a young doctor, cute in a "Grey's Anatomy" kind-of way. He was nice, and mostly he listened. Which I find a rare trait in the medical profession.

So I called the doc-in-a-box this morning to see what his schedule was. I wanted to get him. He's on vacation all week. Crap. I need that excuse in the 3-Days hands by the 17th. So I took my chances and went today. Of course I got the guy I don't like.

My blood pressure was sky high, again. I have no idea why. I'm eating much better most of the time, and I'm exercising. My weight held at 238. But for some reason my BP continues to climb. So I waited in the room to be yelled at. I was not disappointed.

We walks in wearing a bowling shirt, pants and crocs. The ultimate in professional attire. He looks at the chart and then at me and says "Why did you stop taking your meds?"

Pardon me, doesn't a conversation start with hello?

"I take them faithfully."

"Then why is you BP so high?"

Excuse me, your the guy with the fancy degree, you tell me.

He decides to raise all my medication. This is totally the wrong direction. The whole reason I started walking, the whole reason I cut my Coke intake by 90%, the whole reason I started eating better was to lower my blood pressure. I'm not perfect, I know that, but I am working hard to get off the crap and it just keeps increasing.

But then the morning got worse. He asks me if there was another reason I came in today. Yeah, read the chart, the intake nurse wrote it down in detail. "Yeah, I'm doing the 3-Day and the Avon 2-Day and I need a doctors permit to walk."

With these numbers I don't think I can do that.

"Daggers" flew out of my eyes and across the room. If looks could kill, his crocs would be floating down the hall in a river of blood. I calmly explained how I've been training, blah, blah, blah. What I really wanted to say was I'll race you to the Wawa and if I win, I get the permission slip. It would have been a risk, he might be in better shape than I am. Though I don't think so.

Bottom line, I got my slips. I'll copy them and send them in tomorrow.

I had parked at BJs and walked to the doctors office. Then left there and crossed Airport Road to walk to AC Moore. The walk signal gets you almost halfway. The flashing hand about 85% across, then you run like heck before someone hits you. I timed it. Twenty seconds to get across a six-lane highway. Amazing.

Then I walked back to BJs, did my shopping, hiked back to the car and came home.

cheated on my Birks this morning

I bit the bullet and cheated on my Birks this morning. I decided to try on sneakers.

I swore off sneakers about 10 years ago.

I have always had a love-hate relationship with sneakers, but my last pair just drove me to the edge. I'd walk a mile and have sore feet for a week. I bought them at a very reputable athletic shoe store in my town and spent a lot of money on them. Hopefully the person who bought them at the thrift shop go a lot of wear out of them.

Every time I have a training walk for the three-day or the Avon, people ask me why am I wearing Birks. I tell them the story. They tell me I shouldn't hold a grudge and try again. I've fallen twice training, it might be the Birks but I think it was my blood pressure because I was trying keep up with the fast walkers. I live in fear of breaking something and I have no health insurance. I need to do a consistent 3.5 miles an hour to do the Philly (half) marathon in November.

So this mornings walk was a wash out. We only got about two miles in before the downpour. (I will walk in any weather during an event, but I won't train in it. Can't risk getting ill. The insurance thing again.)

So instead of walking Beth and I went to the Finish Line. It's a local running store with a great reputation. Our original plan was to go to Foot Solutions in Easton where Beth got her sneaks, but they aren't open on Sundays.

Sunday's must be a slow day at the Finish Line. The sale crew was young. Very young. But they seemed to know what they were doing. He measured my feet, twice (10.5) and watched me walk. Declared I was flat footed and walk inward. When I heard that I giggled to myself. As a kid I sort-of walked on the sides of my feet. Always wore the sides out before the bottoms of my shoes. I had to wear these horrible red three strapped shoes to correct my feet. They mostly worked.

The young man came out with four pairs. The first were Asic, white with a purple/pink color accent. (Aside: Why are sneaker so ugly? With all this technology at their fingertips they should be able to make them functional and not hideous.) They fit well in the front, and were sloppy in the back. I had a feeling of deja vu. Same problems as before. I told him, and he said I can fix that. He did this neat trick with the laces and they became much tighter across my foot. But it didn't help. Now they were tighter on top of my foot that it was almost uncomfortable, and the back was tighter, but still moved around. The other three shoes were worse. Two were tight in the front and the last I might have been able to wiggle right out.

Like the walk in the morning, sneaker shopping was a washout.

But there was a rainbow. I discovered some really great socks. If they work well I'll buy more.