fitness challenge 6 -- water exercise

Today I went with Bonnie to her deep water exercise class. This activity isn't really new to me. I tried it 30 years ago at the YMCA on Broad Street. I enjoyed it then. I enjoyed it now.

(Yes I am wearing bike shorts and an exercise top. Bonnie did offer me a suit. That won't happen. Ever. Unless it has legs.)

Modern Aqua exerciseis much more sophisticated. We used empty milk and juice bottles with the caps glued on for resistance. They have actually aqua dumbbells now! No trash can with milk bottles in different sizes. They come in different sizes ( like the pix I borrowed from the net). Actually I think the milk bottles were harder to use and provided more resistance.


It was okay. Lots more water running and leg work that I anticipated. The pool had four classes going on and I really just wanted to sneak into the 4 foot pool and do that one. It looked much more difficult and more like what I remembered. But there was a substitute teacher. So that changed things a lot.

The pool is on the Cedar Crest campus. It might be something I try again, but I'm lazy and that is way to far to travel. Guess I should check out the Y!

It's nearly 3:00 and I've only got about 3000 steps on my pedometer. I'm going to Musikfest later to pick up Bug and see some Polynesian dance troop. Hopefully, I can bring that total up to 10K.

walking south bethlehem

Today Lydia and I did a variation of the South Bethlehem Volkssport walk. I say a variation, because we started at my house and trimmed other spots off.

We headed up to Sioux and out Summit to the Admin building at Lehigh and played in their sculpture fountain.

Then it as thru Lehigh and time to take selfies with the sculptures. This bronze lad looks like he's hitting on Lydia! After Zollner we headed down to the green way to the casino and outlet mall then back under the Hoover Mason Trestle.

We stared at it awhile trying to figure out if progress was being made. Couldn't. then continued on our way. They ripped down another building on this route, and the fencing said HMT gate 3? What is that?

It became abundantly clear when we hit the Steel Stacks. They've put up a sign—"HMT Hoover Mason Trestle take a walk through history. Under construction." They are also putting up Musikfest.

All in all it was about 5.5 miles. A good walk at about an 18 minute mile pace. Even better since this is about 5th day in a row I've worn my Birks to walk in.

Before Lydia we't home, we took the dog for a walk.

you don't do much walking making balls.

In my town there is a huge music festival every August. It has a fairly large art component to it. This year the local knitting store is planning to yarn bomb it.

It takes a lot of hands and a lot of yarn to do this. So they have started three months early. When I took my sisters panels in the other day they already had garbage bags filled with panels.  They will also hang pom poms from the tree and maybe a foot bridge, to make it even more festive.

I love public art. I love to participate in it. I had to do this. What I didn't realize is how much time it takes.

Or maybe, I didn't realize how much time I spend walking ever day. Last night when I removed my FitBit I wasn't even to 5000 steps. On a Wednesday! Why, Because I was making pom poms from all my leftover yarn. To the point where there is nothing left in the yarn bins. I've even used up the roomies scraps. (I'm fairly sure she is close to being a hoarder. A foot long piece of yarn shouldn't be saved.) I am down to my last basket of yarn. That should be gone tonight.

Bonnie is still sick, or sick of walking, so I was left to my own devices again today. At noon I walked to the south Bethlehem Farmer's Market. I got some organic snow peas, beans, and kale. I also got the tallest asparagus in the world.

Walking home I came straight out Broadway. When I reach Aunt Dorthy's alley the skies opened up. I was drenched when I returned home.

two bridges walk

Lydia and I went walking this morning the Hill to Hill bridge to the Minsi Trail bridge. It was nice to walk in the city, after so many training walks on the area rail and canal trails.

We started at my place, headed out Itaska, Broadway and up Wyandotte and headed up and crossed the Hill to Hill. From the bridge we could see the quiet, empty, and unopened Musikfest. That's the closest Lydia will get to MF! Her favorite place at MF is Take A Taco. We headed up Main to find T-A-T, and then out Broad Street to 1st St. Down 1st, past the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, back into Musikfest (under the bridge) and back up to Central Church. 

We headed out Church past the  Moravian settlement, City Hall with a tour of the Japanese Tea House, and sculpture garden, and on to Niski Hill Cemetery. (I must find out when it changed names. All the gates say Union Cemetery) Out Market to the Minsi Trail Bridge, and walk back the  Greenway to Task my house. A quick break and then we were off again to take Adonis for his walk. 

In total we did 6.6 miles in 2 hours and 25 minutes. 

Since the fence was finished yesterday, I had a patio full of yard waste. Lydia and I spent about an hour picking-up the weeds and chopping the bushes, and packing them into compost bags. then we packed the car and took it all to the compost center.

We finished the day with a trip to Illick's Mill to have Lydia's Passport to Fitness recorded.

Tomorrow, more yard work—all the plants need to be replanted and mulch laid. But not before we do 10-11 miles on the Saucon rail trail. There's a half marathon next weekend!

musikfest

Yesterday the morning walk was cancelled. It was pouring like an SOB. By 11 it started to clear up so I took my umbrella and walked to Musifest and back.

I took the scenic route over, even in the rain, because I knew that I wouldn't want to do it on the way back.

I had a bag with a book, sketchpad, and my lunch. It was difficult finding something to pack that was on this stupid diet plan. I ended up with a tomato and mozz with some basil. I also took celery and hummus to snack on.

I was stationed at the Luckenbach Mill, on potty duty. So I backed up to Volksplatz. The first show was Opera. Opera, at Musikfest. I was so stunned I text Lydia and Bonnie.

 These signs were in Handwerkplatz near the hulu hoop maker. I love these signs.  He said to come early for my shift and his wife would show me how to use my hoop Maria made. I can only get it around, maybe, once.

 Coming home, I ran into Dave Murphy at the ABC6 booth. Other than that the trip was uneventful until I reached Nativity church. I heard music. I thought it was a car. It got louder and louder as I approached the five points. As I headed down Broadway it got really loud. I thought maybe it was the Pentacostal church. Maybe it was, but it was across the street in a yard. Looked like a revival meeting. (It's the house were we bought Christmas trees as kids.) But there was only maybe 20 people. And hardly anybody had a chair. But they had a band. I could still hear it a block from my house. Dios de la alabanza.

the week so far

Monday kicked off with a walk with Bonnie. Since the heat wave broke, we did about 3.5 miles around her neighborhood. Lots of hills to burn and extra calorie or two. When we got back to her place she made smoothies for breakfast—sweeten coconut milk, strawberries, bananas, protein power and something else. They were thick like milkshakes and delicious. Alas, I can't have another until September. Today I started the diet for Preventions sugar cravings diet test panel.I also bought dumbbells for the program.

Tuesday, was doctor day. It was totally uneventful. She didn't complain about my weight, blood pressure, numbers, nothing. It was oddly refreshing. My weight was 228.5. Last Wednesday it was 225.5. Three pounds in one week? I doubt it.

Lydia came after work for supper, then we walked Big A. After giving him to Pat, we hopped in her car and went to Emmaus. We did her Passport To Fitness rubbings at South Mountain Park and the Wildlands Conservancy. The path on South Mountain was about 1.5 miles round trip. I'm thinking the Flood Plain Trail at the Wildlands was just over a mile. Half mile with the dog. We probably got in 3 miles. We probably would have walked longer at the Wildlands, but it was getting dark.

I decided to try the exercises for the program at 10 pm at night. Not a wise idea.  I woke up Wednesday with aching shoulders, neck and knee. My knee still hurts, but it is better.

Wednesday, my colleague and I walked downtown for lunch. It's restaurant week. My last supper, so to speak before this wacky diet. I had a 1/2 fried artichoke sandwich and a salad. Have you ever had fried artichokes? OMG. Good thing I had to walk back up that hill.

After dinner I headed down to ArtsQuest for the Musikfest 30th Anniversary volunteer photo. There are 24 original volunteers left. They gave us the blue shirts there for the photo. Then we had to give them back. They forgot to embroider 30th anniversary on them. Oops. Sitting on the right is Mary Pongraz. She was my teacher at Broughal back in the 60s. I was the only one there that called her Miss Pongraz. Mary just doesn't sound right.

 

I remember when this skirt had one tshirt on it. What is amazing is thirty years later it still fits. As a graphic designer I see the evolution of the logo.

I left The Steel and headed over to the D&L for the Wednesday Walking Workshop. 

Over the weekend they were trimming the trees on the canal path. To me, it looked like a tornado blew thru and destroyed everything. Glad to see the PPL tree trimmers prune just as badly in the forest. One of the workers was killed when he cut the line and they closed the path for a couple days. My hope is that is why nothing is cleaned up. The canal is dammed with fallen branches. I could have cried. There is no shade on the path, but the power lines are free. I don't like the trade off.

We walked from The Wooden Match to the Minsi Trail Bridge and back. When we got to the Minsi we climbed the stairs and came back down. On the way back, we used resistant bands. I was drenched by the time I got back.

Michele, the walking coach, is the workout coach  for the Sugar Cravings Program. After the workout, she went over the exercises with me, and showed me adaptions. Hope I remember them all. Maybe I'll try them tonight. Should have had someone videotape it.

The rain is back, so I'll be doing a Leslie walk tonight.

Tomorrow Bonnie, Pat from the Liberty Bell Wanderers, and I are going to test the new South Bethlehem 10k walk. It will be my first official trail design. If it goes well, and the board approves, paperwork will be submitted to have it sanctioned by the AVA.

Remember the weights from above? Wednesday 225.5, Tuesday 228.5, tonight 224.5. WTF?

Oh, if that isn't enough, sometimes this week I earned my 1000 mile badge on FitBit! 

musikfest two

Today was another volunteer day at Musikfest. Again, I did tickets. I hate doing tickets. At one part my brain just shut off and I couldn't count 72 tickets. 4 sheets minus 6. Really is it that difficult? But I couldn't do it.

I need a mindless job. Like potty attendant.

I had planned to walk over and back, but the roomie decided she wanted supper. In this heat it would have spoiled. So I took the car. I also had a beer.

I ran into several people I know. It was fun. That usually doesn't happen. And I shopped a little, and had my photo taken in the channel 6 photo booth. But photo booths are not fun alone.

Earlier in the day the Just Born people were handing out candy. They now have triple alarm Hot Tamales! There was also a candy called. It's like gum, but you can swallow it. Interesting.

Today the monks were finishing the mandela, and will seep it up and dump it in the creek or the river. I would have like to stay, but class is ending this week. I have to work.

My favorite part of the day was the boys in the chicken heads. They must have been dying under there.

musikfest 2012

Musikfest began Friday, and my first shift was yesterday. After walking 6 miles in the morning you'd thought I had enough of the humidity.

And I did. But the reality parking for MF is a nightmare, and i would have parked just as far away for free, or paid a kings ransom. So I left the car at home and walked.

This year the volunteer shirts are bright, safety, orange. What numb-nut on the volunteer committee thought that one up. August in Pennsylvania and they chose safety orange. Clearly they want the volunteers to get heat stroke.

I cut the sleeves out of my shirt, cut the neck line, and threw it in my string backpack. I wore a white tank top to walk over there and a hat. I took a shower before I left, but it didn't smell that way when I arrived. I pretty much just wasted the water! I put my mangled shirt on and stood for the next 5 hours.

This is the point where I realized there was a flaw in my plan. I was dog tired. And I still had to walk home.

But first I needed to see Handwerkplatz. Tibetan monks have set up shop next to Cast In Bronze, and are working on a sand mandela,  dancing, and all sorts of cool stuff. It really quite interesting to see Tibetan prayer flags hanging all over the historic area. That's where Sharon was working assisting the glass blowers. Excuse me, I'm the artist. Schedule me with the glass blowers why don't cha.

I was planning on eating at Horn's on the south side, everything is supposed to be local and sustainable, but ended up meeting up with Sharon and eating Thai food at Thai Thai. It was yummy. I'll try Horn's Monday.

Sitting, air conditioning, the never ending glass of water, and eggplant pan with tofu was all I needed to revive myself for the walk home. Bonus. I got to see the equestrian police getting ready on the Main Street ramp of the bridge for evening patrols.

The  last picture is of the crowds building at Plaza Tropica-hell (official name Tropical. Long story.)

I did manage to do my class, but I fell asleep watching the Olympics.

nothing new

Been lazy. Again. I need a fitness goal. Can someone find me one?

I was going to lose 30 pounds this summer. I gained. I don't know how much. I'm terrified to look. I will though, Saturday after the 5K.

There is construction everywhere. You can't walk three blocks without hitting some. South Bethlehem is a mess.  And there's still a year to go on it. Cattell Street, in front of my office has been torn up, off and on, since winter. They are tearing up the sidewalks at the bottom of College Hill. Now they are tearing up campus.

And I wonder why I stopped walking so much. My walking buddies moving and retiring didn't help either. I'm mor motivate when someone is at my door.

I haven't been totally inactive. I've walked at lunch. I've walked around Musikfest. I've walked back and forth to campus (3 times one day!). Nothing that will add up.

Some positive news. The south Bethlehem Greenway is almost done. The art trail in Easton is almost done. They''ll be some new, flat, areas to explore. On the flat, smooth, new trails I'm going to work on speed.

The 5K in Alburtis Saturday will be interesting. Last year I did it in about 51 minutes. A personal best at that time. I can only hope to do that well this time. Hopefully Bonnie will be able to get off the bench and come also. As much as I complain about "Jillian", she really does motivate me. I know Lyd isn't coming. I'm not sure about Kathy.

We have many 5Ks coming up. Need to get my at in gear. Maybe by the Turkey Trot in November I can be under 50 minutes again.

swinging is aerobic?

Today we were to walk 10 miles. Instead we did 6 or 7 and played on the swings.

It was overcast and cool, but really humid. We planned on four loops of about 2.5-2.75 miles each. Bonnie's house was going to be walk central.

The first route crossed Susquehanna and headed up skyline drive. That hill was much steeper than I remember. We did a big square. The second route also crossed Susquehanna Street and went past her old house and around Roosevelt park/playground. The swings are right at the sidewalks. I just wanted to be silly dropped my stuff and headed to the swings. Bonnie picked up the camera and shot a couple of pixs of me. Then she got on and we both agreed were were working pretty hard.

We didn't remember it being that hard when we were kids. We'd walk to the park in the morning swing and slide the morning away, then walk home for lunch. Return to the park and swim all afternoon, then walk home.

Anyway, I suggested she should check with her personal trainer to see what we were exercising. I felt it in my legs, back, arms, abs, and shoulders.

That gave her another idea. Lets do it for a half hour! (Weightlossforall.com lists it as one of 20 "enjoyable ways to exercise". Of course you have to do it a whole hour to burn 200 calories.) We settled on 15 minutes. I barely made it. My inner thighs were cramping. We both had to stretch when we got off!

Bonnie was lagging behind me by the time we got close to her house. First time that's every happened. So I made her an offer, twwo more loops, one more loop, or no loops.

She picked no loops. It was a good thing. Shortly after we got back to her place it started to rain. We we're not only dry but eating omelets for brunch.

Later in the afternoon I walked to MF and got caught in the rain. It was fun.

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

musikfest

Well, I didn't walk to Musikfest this year. I think it's the first time ever. My sister work the same shift as I do and she can't walk 50 feet without becoming exhausted. So we drove.

Saturday night we were supposed to walk to the Norah Jones concert, but my friend decided she didn't want to walk on the southside after dark, so we took the car.

Today I was at the Banana Factory and saw an associate who has been fighting the breast cancer battle for two years now. It reminded me why I do these multi-day breast cancer walks. But I have to tell you, it's harder this year. I think my families "March madness" is affecting me. I am just not as motivated. If Bonnie wasn't walking also, I wonder if I would train at all?

Tonight I signed up for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk in December. Sadly, I can't remember if I signed up for the Kidney Walk in October. I don't think so. I'm also signed up for the heart walk in September.  Pick a disease. My family has it. They all have a fund raising minimum. I have links on my FB page, but generally I just pay them.

Tomorrow is a 5K. Bonnie, aka Jillian wants to get done in 51 minutes or less. I haven't really walked since Monday. Here's hoping....At least the weather will be nice.

weekend update

Well, so far, I've been true to my word and have exercised everyday since Thursday. Heat and all.

The triple digits I heard about earier in the week didn't materialize. Hurray. But it was plenty hot.

This sign is on the local high school. It's obviously broken. It might have reached the mid-90s yesterday, and he humidity was about 75%. Stifling.

So we'll start on Thursday. It was very warm, but with little humidity. Pleasant. Sharon and I walked thru the neighborhood, up to Lehigh, around Zoellner, and down to the grocery store. We got our groceries and headed home. I'd say it was a generous 2 miles. Sharon wasn't feeling well.

Mary Liz canceled on Friday morning, but I still went out with Betsy in the afternoon. About 3 miles, in humidity.

Saturday, Bonnie came down about 6:30 am and we hit the streets. Sharon tagged along until the Wawa. Then we head up Dodson, and down Jeter, Ostrum, and Brighton before heading over the Hill to Hill to the north side. After a stop on Sand Island, we came back the Fahy and headed down 2nd t Webster and up to Lehigh. We wandered around Lehigh for a bit and came home up Wyandotte street. About 6 miles.

I made it to T'ai Chi by a hair. The room was very hot, and we just did the warm-ups, stretching and meditation. Not being very spiritual the meditation is not my thing.  We were done in a half hour. No class next week because of Musikfest.

Today we met Beth in Hugh Moore Park at 7 am, and we hike the canal path. We thought it would be shady. Silly us. It's about 2.5 miles to the Forks of the Delaware, so we did a generous 5 miles.

Overall a hot, sweaty and fun walking weekend.