rain, rain, go away

I love rain. And snow. And pretty much any weather event that does not send me soaring into the atmosphere like Dorothy to Oz. Although, if Oz was a guaranteed destination, I might rethink it.

This morning was another morning of torrential downpours. Sadly, none of the water is going into the ground, it is coming down too fast. It's just heading for the sewers and the rivers. (Left is Willy Wonka's chocolate river, aka the mighty Delaware.)

All the storms lately did motivate me to call the roofer to check the roof. The insurance company to review my insurance, and start looking for someone to point my foundation. Know any good masons?

Yesterday was beautiful. I walked around campus twice. Once in the morning while the servers were down. The second at lunch time. Then in the evening I headed the big five blocks to Zumba. I'm perplexed. I can't do it, and maybe do only 40% of what the others do. Should I continue to do it? It isn't fun. But it isn't torture either. I don't like it, but I don't dislike it. I like the people. And it's one less hour to spend with the roomie. Am I wasting my $6 a week? See what I mean. When I ask myself WWJD (what would Jillian do) the answer is stay. Maybe I should try and find a free Tai Chi class. I liked that. Or yoga. Wait, I can't do that either. All questions. No answers.

Lydia called last night. She wanted to know if the roomie wanted a furry friend for the day. If there isn't a downpour when I get home, I'll take Adonis for a walk. If it's not raining after supper, I'll go with Lyd for a walk.  My pedometer isn't even at 5,000 yet, and I walked at lunch. Office jobs are heck on your activity level.

walking classes in bethlehem!

Wow, the internet is filled with possibilities in our fair city this week.

First the new high line trail announcement and now Fitness in the Park! It's walking, boot camp and toning. I found out about it from my coach in the Walk Your Butt Off Program.

Michelle, the fitness director of WYBO has launched a website MyWalkingCoach.com. She'll be facilitating the walking portion. "This isn’t your ordinary stroll around the block. You’ll learn walking techniques that will help tone up your entire body—not just your legs. You’ll practice drills that will help you increase your speed and boost your metabolism so you can get a great workout in less time. You’ll also play walking games and explore new neighborhoods to keep walking fun and exciting." She has a link to the flier posted on the site. If you're interested you can download the flier here.

Clearly I can't sign up till the June sessions, since classes still run thru May. But I might even try one week of the boot camp. That will be hysterical. If nothing else the instructor is easy on the eyes.

Michele is also looking for testers for another walking program. If you want to apply, click here.

The other thing I stumbled into today, and I'm not really sure how, was Chi Walking. Everyone knows how much I had loved doing Tai Chi. I finally gave up since my schedule did not allow classes. "The Chi Walking technique emphasizes the proper biomechanics of walking including: good  posture, loose joints, engaging one's core muscles, and relaxing the peripheral muscles of the arms and legs." The closest instructor in around Philly. I might just buy the DVD. I'm intrigued.

Anything to keep me walking.

Finally, my niece Bonnie—the one that beats me in all the 5Ks and races—fell down her basement stairs and broke her wrist in seven places. Ouch. It will not keep her from walking. Or kicking my butt.

i shrunk an inch .. or more!

And that's only the beginning of the bad news.

You guessed it. It was doctor day.

I actually was feeling positive today. My BP readings at home were consistent from 125-135/60-70s. My weight was about the same. I didn't kick the sugar habit but I cut back maybe 50%. It was a good morning, till I arrived.

My appointment by the numbers. They aren't pretty. Shield small children from them. I don't want to scar them for life.

• Height is now 5 foot 8.5 inches. My drivers license says 5 foot 10 inches.
• My weight is 233.8. Fairly consistent with what I get on Bonnie's scale.
• My BP was (gasp) 162/82 with a pulse of 52. Yeah, that's bad.
• The BMI for that height /weight is 30-34. Making me obese, class 1

So we talked about diet and exercise. She saw my log. All the 5ks. We concluded the same thing the nutritionist concluded last year—I eat fairly well, but too much. (And I still graze.) At least she didn't recommend Overeaters Anonymous. She suggested Weight Watchers. Forced portion control and you can eat everything. Wish Megan was here. She's a WW devotee. She would kick my butt.

She also asked if I was still doing Tai Chi to reduce my stress. I confessed no. The class on Saturday is seldom held, the one on Tuesday doesn't work with my schedule.  I need a stress reliever.

Bottom line. If losing weight and more exercise doesn't get my BP under control she'll give me more drugs. Or worse send me to the Nephrologist. No thanks to both. Goal is less drugs, no more.

My next appointment is in March. I'm off to WW online. Although I think the people version will be better.

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In January my internet comes due and I'm going to switch to something else. My current local service is too slow for class. I waste a lot of time waiting for things to download. That gives me plenty of time to hit the fridge. So I set up a gmail account for all my walking and relate health issues since my three day one is long and will disappear with the ISP.  New addy is e2feet at gmail.com.

it snowed on thanksgiving

This week I went walking Tuesday at lunchtime, it's only about a mile but it's great to get out of the birdhouse. Since we went to see Harry Potter after work, I skipped t'ai chi. (Bad fat girl.)

On Thanksgiving I thought about doing a 5K in Doylestown. But there are no buses running and my sister was volunteering at the senior center serving Thanksgiving lunch. So I didn't go, and drove her uptown instead. I came back and wrapped her "corporate" gifts and then took a walk. It was snowing. I haven't measured the distance, but I went to Aharts and back so it was at least 2 miles.

Today I went walking with Betsy. It's always about three miles. Maybe a little more. And Logan and Izzy were visiting and they came along. It's been a while since I walked with the dogs. Takes a bit of getting used to. Izzy likes chasing falling leaves. Logan likes to "do his business" in leaf piles.

Bonnie was hoping to walk in the Turkey Trot tomorrow, but she just called and canceled. Her knee is really swollen again. Drats, my one chance to beat her and she doesn't come. Because of the race, I don't think I'll make t'ai chi tomorrow either.

Sharon picked up our race packets this afternoon, so I'll actually have my shirt. From what she said, they are switching to chips instead of clocks, so I "pick up my timer chip tomorrow".

Timer chip. I am so freaking excited.

The week that was

It's been a crazy week. Not much walking getting done, at least initially, but I'm trying.

Monday and Saturday morning I went out with Sharon at the crack of dawn. About two miles.

On Tuesday and Thursday I walked a bit at lunch time in Easton. Maybe a generous mile.

Tuesday night I went to tai chi.

Then Friday things started to settle into normal. I picked Betsy at the hair salon and we headed to Trexler Park. We did the bottom loop twice and the upper loop once.

Saturday I headed to the Nor-Bath trail and met Lydia. We went fron the trial head on Savage Road to Bicentennial Park. It was a little over a mile and a half one way. Her first three mile walk. She is so ready for a 5k. We took silly pixs of me hugging the mile markers but I decided to post this one of her at the start. You can see her weight loss and the every two feet t-shirts. I skipped T'ai Chi to go with her.

I'll be heading out soon to do at least three miles.

Now that it's dark in the morning and at night, it's going to be harder and harder to keep walking. But I will.

a beautiful autumn day!

It's a perfect autumn day. I'm itching to walk, but am trying to be patient. I'm waiting for my neice to come. I'm helping her train for her first 5k. She's with her dad at the hospital now so the route I've planned starts at the hospital. It's about 2.85 miles, and a new route. Hopefully there isn't too many hills.

Yesterday I went out at 7 in the morning with Sharon. I asked her how the weather was, she said I needed a sweater. My sister Pat said I needed a light jacket. They were both wrong. I put on a sweater and headed out. It was 25 degrees! Walking warmed me up, but I was never overheated. My neck and hands were freezing.

Sharon's suggestion was that we take the scenic route downtown (my mom would say uptown), then she'd go to work. Sounded good to me, so that's what we did. When driving thru downtown I've seen these little signs but could never read them. Apparently we now how an official heritage trail. Not as cool as the one in Boston with the red line, but cool none the less.

Yesday, I also did the hour in the suburbs with Betsy.

Also this week I walked at lunch time on College Hill. I'm sure it was only a mile or so, but it's better than sitting on my ample bum. I didn't make T'ai Chi Tuesday, but I went today.

Tomorrow is bike riding with Bug and Angel. It's supposed to be nice again, so maybe I'll get a walk in also. Or, Sharon wants to go to the gym. Maybe I'll do that.

I also decided to do the peace pilgrimage. I believe in peace. The other stuff, usually much not. Faith, spirit  and I really aren't friends. If they'll have me, I'm going. 10 miles Nazareth to Bethlehem.

Looks like my rut is over, at least for a little while.

good news, bad news

Well the good news is I got a flu shot. Went to the drive-bys sponsored by the Health Department and the Lehigh Valley Hospital. I also called the nutritionist.

The bad news. The flu shot usually results in me getting sick and the nutritionist never called back. Maybe I should take that as a sign.

The really bad news? I've been a big fat lazy lard butt all weekend.

Friday I usually walk with Betsy. We talked about it. It was cold and damp and drizzly. I had a lot of posts to tend to from my online classes. I was going to Diwali* with my international student that night. I was looking for an excuse to stay home. Betsy wasn't thrilled to go, so I had my out and we stayed home. Strike one.

Saturday I went to T'ai Chi and nobody was there. I posted a basic walk on the every two feet page, and no one responded. I went looking for dryers instead. Strike two.


Today I was supposed to go to Planet Fitness with Sharon and walk with Lydia after my flu shot. Her day became unexpectedly complicated so she couldn't come. This morning when we were trying to plan our timing for the gym and the flu shot (they are about a mile apart) Sharon says: "I have an idea. You hate the gym. (Indeed I do.) Drop me at the gym and we'll start the wash at the laundromat in same shopping center as PF), I'll go to the gym go to your flu shot. OMG an "out" for the gym. I seized the opportunity. I should have went. I didn't. I told Sharon never to make an offer like that gain! No gym. No walk. I'm lazy. I have to volunteer at two. Strike three and I'm out.

I'm not going to kick myself. It happens. Next week we get back on the wagon

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*Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, to celebrate the new season at the end of the monsoon. It is particularly associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and marks the beginning of the new year. The picture is from the altar.

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.

so far this week

Sharon and I walked Monday morning and I went to T'ai Chi last night. When I arrived, I found out it was the last class in the session. To continue I need to buy another session ($25). If I do I would also l sign up for the nutritionist (5 weeks, $125).

So far my roomies haven't a clue what I'm doing Tuesday night. I make up lame excuses to leave the house. Not sure if they even realize it's every Tuesday since my schedule is so erratic. Can I fool them for another six weeks?

I really like the class. Still can't do any of it, but I like it. It relaxes me, at least for a hour. The six o'clock time frame is a bear with the rush hour traffic. Is it worth it? I relax while there, and two seconds after I walk in the house the stress is back. If I check my phone then any good is wiped out by a screaming message "where the f*ck are you?" Yes, I'm 50 something and they are not my mother. Besdies, she wouldn't use that language.

Gotta decide by the time class is over. The community center is a mile away. It's now or never.

catching up

Monday was tough. I was a bit sore, but I got up at 6:30 and went walking with Mary Liz. getting out of bed was the hard part.

Tuesday the stairs at work were tough, at least in the morning. I was looking forward to t'ai chi. but I didn't get there. We were setting up the faculty art show and ran over time.

Wednesday I went out with Mary Liz in the morning, and again on Friday. also on Friday I did an hour at a quick pace with Betsy.

Today I did two sessions of T'ai chi.

Tomorrow I'll bedding a beginner walk with Lydia. she's starting to walk around the trailorhood. Maybe we can set a 5k as a new goal for her. perhaps the Jingle Bell in December or the new years eve 5k in Bethlehem.

Bonnie and I will doing one in Reading on Halloween, and another in downtown Bethlehem Thanksgiving weekend. Then the Jingle Bell on December 5 and the ten mile peace pilgrimage from Nazareth to Bethlehem on December 11.

walking, swinging and t'ai chi

Late yesterday I went back to the podiatrist for the final check on my toe. (They are getting painted today!). I had an hour before T'ai Chi in the same neighborhood so I decided to walk at the Bethlehem Township Community Center on the paved trail. It's 1.3 miles.

When I walked there with the 3-day group the first year I didn't notice it was one of those fitness trails. This apparatus, near the end, looks downright dangerous. Your feet are on top and you head on the bottom.

This one is a bit insane, but the others look quite doable. I've made a mental note to do them during one loop the next time.

I also noticed that the three subdivisions around the park have paved trails also. A reliable pedometer could mark the distance.  I bet I could do four or five miles in a very small area.

When I finished walking I did a few minutes on the swings, and then off to T'ai Chi.

It was a very busy day—two doctors appointments, work, a going away party, walking, swinging, and T'ai Chi. I was feeling good until I looked at the phone. Three missed calls from home. And a voice mail. It was Pat. It was a ugly snarl "CALL ME NOW!"

Good day, gone.

a new t'ai chi class

I went to a different T'ai Chi class last night. I think I like it.

It's at the Bethlehem Township Community Center and runs 8-weeks. It's about half way between what we do for free on Saturday mornings and the intensity of the Yoga Loft class I went to.

The instructor is Romey. She spends maybe a little too much time talking, but maybe it was just the first night. We spent 40 minutes warming up, only to run out of time for the T'ai Chi poses. Oops. She tells us the names of all the moves and how to do them and you do them about a dozen times. She's much more structured than the class on Saturday, but not anal about structure.  The room has large mirrors so she can face the same way as we do.

She's giving us a little bit each week and adding on. She expects us to practice every day. That's pretty much impossible with my schedule, but maybe every other day might be doable. She also recommends a video by Terry Dunn, T'ai Chi For Health, Yang Short Form. Allison and I had been looking for a good step-by-step video, so I might actually get it. Maybe it will help. One of the other students had bought it and highly recommended it.

There are only four people so far in the class. Two who have been doing it a while, me and a very large woman named Dolores. Dolores reminds me of me. It's kind-of scary. A big girl searching for some sort of exercise that will make her fit and healthy but not necessarily skinny. After I get to know her a bit, I'll invite her to join every two feet. There's even a 1-mile walking track at the park. I could meet her before class and we could walk.

Yeah, I know. I'm getting ahead of myself. I have a habit of doing that.

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.

about 5 miles, about 1300 stairs

bonnie poses at a breast cancer rock outside a sorority

The weather is beautiful today. At this moment it's only 82 with 34% humidity. At 7 this morning it was gorgeous.

We did 2 miles out Broadway, back Delaware, down 4th to New to Campus Square. We figured the stair climb on campus would be about a mile, and then by the time we got back to my place another mile.

Wrong.

We did about half the campus and covered at least two miles up and down the stairs. Bonnie was doing a rough count and came in at about 1268. About 80% we figured were up.

We climbed up and up and up and up and then down and back up again. I found new dorms that I didn't know existed.

On our travels we passed the media center for the Eagles training camp. We could not do the old "there's the action news van again" because it wasn't there. Must have been at Musikfest. Everyone was loading up for the day.

We also pasted huge amounts of fungus that looked like brains. Appropriate, I guess for a university. I refrained from doing the girl scout fungus amon'gus cheer.

This little moth was on the
stairs at Zoellner. The 1001st step.

So we decide to head for home and I apparently made a wrong turn. We got to Montclair avenue but there was no exit from campus. We would have had to bush whack. I had Birks on (no sneakers with my infected toe) so it wasn't practical either. Turns out the woods aren't at street level. We would have had to jump off a retaining wall.

After walking, I raced over to T'ai Chi. I was late again. This week it wasn't as hot, and I think I did better.

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.

mecury is still climbing

They want it to be in triple digits again this weekend.

I have to tell you I am so over heat waves. I'm glad I'm not training for my first mega walk, otherwise I would have packed it in. But Friday to Monday are my big training days and heat or not, I have to boogie.

Here's the plan, all under 5 miles. Training is one thing, committing suicide with heat stroke is totally another.

Tonight: 3-4 miles
Friday: 2 miles with ML, 3 with Betsy
Saturday: 3 mile scenic route to, then again home, from T'ai Chi. I love T'ai CHi. When will I learn to actually do the moves?
Sunday: Hottest day of the weekend according to the weather people. 6 am, 5-6 miles
Monday: 2 miles w ML and then we'll see how it plays out.

Okay I've typed it. Now I have to do it.

it's finally raining!

Didn't mind giving up my walk for the downpour and storm this morning. It's finally raining. It's been three weeks since we had rain. My garden looks awful, and you can tell all the people that water their grass. It's green.

The rain looks like it's letting up, so I might go walking tonight, or walk down to Ahart's for some groceries for the post biking picnic tomorrow.

Since it's Saturday it's free T'ai Chi day. I drove. I think that's a first. I was all mixed up today, couldn't do anything right. Felt like my first time, rather than my 4th or 5th time. Need to get a video. Should go to amazon right now.

Tuesday my brother took a pix of the sign at Walgreen's a block from his house. It said 107 on it. He also provided audio 107 degrees in the shade by Alex Bugnon. It sure felt that way. I think the official temp was 101. Wednesday it climbed higher. Today it's a balmy 93. Thank heaven.


Needless to say this fat girl hasn't done much exercise at all. Like they sing in Kiss Me Kate, it's just too darn hot.


But this morning it was a bit cooler, so I went for a two mile walk. Tonight I'll be doing yoga, tomorrow T'ai Chi, and Sunday is bike riding in Jim Thorpe.

Tomorrow is blood test day. Not looking forward to that.

trexler park

The heat wave is over....for a few days. It comes back on Sunday. The day of the 4-mile "Firecracker" race. If the heat doesn't get to us, I'm hoping for 1:10 as a time, a 17.5 minute mile. I'll be happy with 1:20.

Today Betsy and I walked in Trexler Park and visited the good general. I needed to pick her up by the fairgrounds, so I thought what the heck, let's give Trexler Park a shot. In my 54 years of living in the Lehigh Valley, somehow I never went in that park. It really amazed me. I take pride in using all the public parks I can.

So I had to get a map. I have to tell you, the parks and recreation area of the Allentown website is incredible. The city loves it's parks. It has a chart that lists all the parks and what services/activities are at each, and many maps. But the map I downloaded was useless; we could only find two large loops! I guess we did about 2.5 miles.

General Trexler, mounted on his horse "Jack O' Diamonds" watches over the park. The upper trail takes you up a hill so you can visit him. And we did. We also found a little log cabin with two springs.

Last night Allison and I walked down to the Yoga Loft for the intro to T'ai Chi class. We met Bonnie. It wasn't a class! The instructor gave an hour lecture/demo on what T'ai Chi was. I was disappointed. It was interesting, but it certainly didn't make me want to sign up for the class. I guess I'll stick with the one at the church on Saturdays.

Wednesday night Bonnie ultimately came for dinner, and we walked hills for about 3 miles. Monday, I walked in the morning with Mary Liz.

Overall, so far, a pretty productive week.

ditto

The heat wave continues. I didn't even post a walk on the every two feet page.

The temperature clock at the high school says 118. Okay, it's a little off, but it feels like 118. I should have taken a picture. Maybe if they haven't fixed it yet I will. I always forget there's a camera in the phone.

I took today off, sort-of. Bonnie is in North Carolina and I didn't want to listen to Sharon whine about how hot it was. So I played hokey and took Sharon to the gym instead.

Yesterday I walked with ML in the morning, then walked downtown to T'ai Chi and home. I had a 32 ounce container of water and I ran out before I got back. I should have refilled it at the church. I think I really like T'ai Chi. There is free T'ai Chi at the Yoga Loft on Tuesday and Thursday this week. I think I'm going, especially since there isn't any at the church this weekend because of the holiday. Right now it's still frustrating because I don't know the moves I can't really concentrate and meditate and remove move stress. But maybe one day.  I think the version at the Yoga Loft will be very different from the informal church group.

Friday I went out with ML in the morning, and then again with Betsy. We went in the morning instead of the afternoon because of the heat, but it was still pretty hot.

Tuesday to Thursday I did nothing except climb the stairs at work. We didn't walk at lunchtime or anything. Monday, I went out with ML in the morning.

So perhaps I'm using the heat as an excuse to be a lazy butt. So be it. But the weather patterns are so weird this year. Usually May and June I develop good habits so that when late July, August heat waves roll around, I'm committed. This is our second heat wave and it isn't July yet. I don't even want to think about August.