baby it's cold outside

It snowed maybe an inch last night. Okay. Maybe two inches. Clearly wasn't worth the end of civilization weather reports from last night.

At about 7:30 I went out to clear the snow. Shovel, might be too strong a word. It was single digits. And very windy.

This is what I wore. I probably looked silly.

TWO pairs of gloves. When I came back in I couldn't feel my fingers
Long undies, top and bottom
Long sleeve shirt
Pullover fleece
LL Bean coat with hood up
Sweatshirt with hood up
Fuzzy hat under all those hoods
And a scarf

Except for my fingers I was not cold.

I did the front, walked up the hill, around to the alley and did the garage and the back sidewalk, then went up the hill and came back down to the house.

After getting half that clothes off, I went out to make breakfast. Bonnie called. "Let's drive to the Poconos and go for a three mile hike." "Okay." Alas, she was teasing. But I really did want to go to the Poconos. Angel was picking the girl-child up from Moseywood. I toyed with the idea of hiding in her car and walking around lake Moseywood. (Supremely jealous of girl-child—snowshoeing, cross country skiing, sledding, painting snow—why don't they have adult weekend in winter?)

I did some work, then put all that clothes back on, and headed out at lunchtime for my walk. Alone. Lydia had been a maybe for today, but she called and said it was F@*&‡!G cold out. She was going to the movies instead.

I went down to Itaska, and wove my way to Broadway. Out Broadway and back up thru Lehigh.  One reason I chose the university is I knew the sidewalks would be clear. They were so clear they were dry.

Even the stairs were clear. So I took them.

At the top of the hill I headed out 8th Street toward home.

Sadly, it was barely two miles. I only have 7500 steps for the day, but I do have 38 floors. So I'll need to do at least 2500 steps in the house later. Unless I decide to bundle back up and head back out.

 The view from 8th Street

Oh, I weighed myself this morning. Up another two pounds. I think I'm going to stop watching what I eat. More exercise. Less and better food. I do not understand.

slippery walk

Today, I walked two hours on some tricky sidewalks. Mostly, I stayed in the street when I could. I was spurred on by my disappointing number on the scale this morning. (+2)

I left here close to 11 to do errands. I headed up the hill, out Sioux, up Findlay and out Moravia. Then down Hertzog and Lechauwecki. While I was on Moravia a man passed me. He was walking and doing exercises at the same time. Productive, but really silly looking.

Once I crossed Broadway I headed to the Wawa to use the ATM for Pat. Then I headed out Smiley to Dodson and started up the hill. A car came slowly up the hill. It was one of my former students. I think he was going to offer me a ride, but I told him it takes work to keep this Rubeneque figure. He laughed and went on his way.

At Graham, I turned right and went down the hill, past the hospital and out Ostrum. At Brighton and Cherokee I headed up Cherokee and checked my fit bit — 40 floors and only 8k steps. Really? Is that all?

I headed down third to the alley before Broadhead and went thru the parking lot by Henry's apartment. Then it was out Broadway for some shopping at Ahart's. I divided the groceries into two bags and headed toward Wyandotte. Then it was up, up, up Wyandotte. This section had the worse sidewalks. At Sasafrass I checked the fit bit. Still not at 12K, and at 60 floors. I went down the hill, turned right and went right back up Fiot, and came down again.

I was almost at goal of 12500, and had 69 floors. Will try to get 75 before the end of the day. I'm also shooting for 15000 steps.

UPDATE: I've changed my Instagram name to . Now it matches the blog a little better. Thisismygymtoday works better as a hashtag.

january report card / february goals

I did not meet most of my January goals. I only met one. However, I made progress towards them, so it wasn't a total washout.

1. Walk more. Whine less.  80%. I think I did well with this. I did walk more, even if it wasn't far. But I cannot gauge my whining until I've gone over the top. You tell me. Am I whining less?
February goal: to do even better. With the Iditawalk and the Winter Challenge, that should be no problem. Maybe I'll even have something to write about.

2. Spend less. Save more.  80%. I haven't impulsed bought at all, but I have eaten out. One day I brought dinner home. Three or four times I ate lunch out.
     This also means I cannot enter races, events, workshops or clinics. The event fees are high and the best ones involve hotels and long drives. (They also make the best blog posts.) But I am trying to rebuild my safety net and pay for health care so I cannot be tempted. To this end, I've removed my name from many event lists, but my fitness friends on FB post events. This one has my name on it. I will not enter. I will not enter.  
February goal: If I get a clean month of not eating out, then I think I'll try a once a week scenario. I must continue to resist the call of the race.

3. Closing the Gayle Savings and Loan.  0%. Totally failed at this. Calling me crying and hyperventilating will get me every time. My savings account is another $2K down. 
February goal: No more. Don't call me. Don't text me. I have no money to give you.

4. Buy new sneakers.  0%. I didn't even get near the sneaker store. It's on the to-do list. I did try not wearing the flats I bought and it does make a difference. I don't understand why. My preference is to go barefoot. Shouldn't flats be the same? Apparently not.
February goal: Buy sneakers. Maybe I should try the ones Bonnie gets with the built-in orthodics.

5. Eat better.  75%. I think I did okay with this one. I am eating less. I am eating better. But I am not eating clean. I still drink soda. And if the roomie has candy I will eat it. All. I clearly can not have just one. I have not eliminated night time eating, but I have curtailed it a lot. I am trying not to say anything to the roomie, so it makes it twice as difficult.
     My poor friend Angel probably hates that she said yes to this adventure. She's doing way more than I asked. She's counting my calories. and sending me totals every day.
     It took me a whole month to lose 6 pounds. I am 227. More exercise should bring that down.
February goal: Eat better. Goal for February 219.

6. Buy Health Insurance and make doctors appointment.  100%.  Now if they would just send me a card.

7. Blog everyday in February. Now that one is going to be tough. That will force me to get my fat fanny moving!

walking update

The Idita-Walk starts on February first. Looks like I'm headed to Alaska alone this year.  Barb and Dave are staying home, Bonnie has radiation, Lydia is broke, and Megan is now full time, plus a baby. The Nome Nugget Inn will not be the same.

The Tail On The Trail is hinting at a winter challenge. I'll also be doing that.

Last time I miss-spoke. Or is it miss-wrote? It occurred to me today as I was walking. On Tuesday-Thursday school days I am not walking as much, but I am walking. It's the infamous walk around the block. Up Fiot or Sassafrass to Wyandotte, and then down the opposite hill to Broadway. Out Broadway to Bishopthorpe and home. Or vise versa. It's not far. Maybe a generous half mile. But it's difficult. I get about 12 flights of stairs with the hills. And the incline is only three blocks.

The sidewalks on Fiot are horrific. I try and walk in the street.

Then, I park the furthest away from school, and hike to my building on the opposite side of campus. Two ways. Again, not far, but also not sitting on my butt.

Am I making 10K steps? Not even close. But for January, I guess it isn't bad. I'm okay with it. The two challenges shall motivate me. I usually reach Nome in about 2 weeks. I need to beat last years total, even if it's by a minute.

Golly I miss my camera. Taking pictures was one thing that got me to walk.

I'm trying to eat better. I certainly am eating less. Angel is logging my food on myfitnesspal. I don't even have the log in. PROTEIN. Every day she says eat more protein.

I am trying to stay positive. Not easy for me. I am a real negative Nancy. But I am determined to stop making a mountain out of a molehill. A lot of other family and friends have it way worse than me. Be thankful for what I have. Not for what I don't have.

To that end, I've also stopped posting on FB, at least for a while. I've also started moving my more zealous friends to the acquaintance list. The negativity was bringing me down.

day 17 of 18 new year's eve

Day 14/18 was a Sunday. Why didn't I do significant walking? Don't remember but I didn't.

Day 15/18 work day. At lunch I ran errands and didn't walk. Another disappointment.

Day 16/18 work day. Brought lunch. Nothing happening at work—everyone was off. Phones didn't ring. Emails didn't ping. Went to the movies after work to see Into The Woods. Broadway musicals on film are not what they used to be. Another day of not walking.

Pathetic, isn't it. That's five of the 18 days I didn't walk, with three in a row. Clearly, I failed at this challenge.

New Year's Eve was Day 17. Bonnie and I went to the Allentown Comfort Suites and did the end of the year volkssport paperwork and change the stamp to 2015. Then we headed off to Trexler Park to walk. We did the General Trexler loop, the longer one, and then did the extension loop that goes out to Tilghman and Cedar Crest Blvd. So basically it was a figure 8. I'm not sure what the mileage was.

Then in the afternoon I took Eryn's kids to The DaVinci Center. All three of them. At once. They appeared to have a great time. Actually it went really, really well until the last 15 minutes when I told the 6-year-old Bubba that it was time to go. He didn't want to go and had a major meltdown. The kind where when you see it happening to other people you judge them as horrible parents. The big kids said he does it all the time. Often he's successful. I never thought when we were going over the rules in the car, that when Aunt Gayle says it's time to go, we go would be one of them. Next time it will be.

The girl-child had my camera and took about 150 pictures. We were on the second floor when a voices goes "Aunt Gayle, the camera stopped working." No, the battery was not "exhausted". It goes on, the screen is dark, but you cannot push any buttons. Guess I'll be using my iPod to take pixs.  It will finally get used after three years. One of my challenges for 2015 is not buying anything but necessities. (Real food, laundry soap, ect. Clothes, shoes, cameras, snacks or other non-nutritional food are not a necessity.)

With a major grocery shopping spree, the day only yielded about 12K steps.

day 13 of 18, downingtown and a movie

Bonnie and I chose to do the Downingtown Volkkssport walk today because it is ending and we needed Chester county. Except we didn't. Valley Forge is in two counties. Oops. I only need Philadelphia county and the southeast is done. Now comes the hard part. That's about 10 of the 67 needed to finish the program. Most counties don't have sanctioned walks. Many will require an overnight stay.

Today's walk was pretty much a big figure eight. We signed in at a restaurant at a lifestyle mall. Then headed into town.

After going thru the business district, we reached the first house in the town, this little log cabin. If you look closely at the picture of us above, we would have to duck to go into it!

We turned at the cabin and entered a park, then followed the trail thru the park to the comfort station which was locked. Thankfully there was a job johnny (generous P3). We were headed back to the trail when we saw where it connected to the road, so we just went out to the road. We came out close to the lifestyle mall.  We passed the mall, turned right and picked up another trail, then turned around an came back to the restaurant.

As my readers know last April I had my first accident in nearly 30 years. Today I almost had two.  After the second one I literally had to pull my fingers off the steering wheel. I had a death grip. I'm all shaky again. The first one was right outside Downingtown. The bozo decided to turn onto the highway. To do this s/he had to cross over my lane. Bonnie screamed first. I braked and swerved. I nearly hit the cement.

Then on the way home we missed the turn for 100 and ended up in Phoenixville. We stayed on 113 to 29 and took 29 home. Our hour drive took two. On 29 things were looking fine until some young people decided that a stop sign was optional. Slow and roll I think it's called. Again screaming, braking,  and swerveing.

I was just getting my confidence back behind the wheel and it's gone again.

Then when I got home I sat in my desk chair and it broke. Clearly the gods are telling me something.

The broke chair and a lost disk resulted in a massive cleaning of my desk counter. I nearly forgot about scoobie movie night!

We went to the Banko at ArtsQuest and it was nice. $10, only one theatre, people were polite and over 16, and the popcorn was good.  (Over 60? only $8!) I made Bonnie take the picture.

Was the movie as good as the book? No. Was the movie good? Yes. Personally  don't think I would have finished the PCT.

And because I promised pictures everyday, below are the lights on First Avenue.

dog walk

Today Adonis, Lydia and I walked on the Whitehall Parkway. Since Lydia can't drive, I would have to pick her up, hence the trail choice. We often do the IRT portion, but rarely do the "spur". When I sent her a text I suggested taking Adonis. He doesn't play well with other dogs and she thought maybe it wasn't a good idea. I convinced her that it was cold, miserable, and the middle of the day how many dogs would we meet.

I picked them up at 11 and we headed out. The trail is only about 10 minutes from their house.

We parked at the barn and took the handicapped trail thru the woods to the main trail. I thought it would be easier with the dog. Not. It was full of roots and was very narrow at points. And there was a bridge with high steps. Clearly there was a turn I missed.

At this point Lydia had the dog and I was leading. Before I knew it I was flat on the ground. I looked back and yelled "watch the rock".  Then I took the dog. Figured he'd see obstacles before me. Adonis was not sure about the stairs to the bridge. He doesn't do many steps. Up was fine. Down he sort of jumped. The leash was only so long. Thankfully he didn't pull me over.

 We were almost at the trail when we saw this old railroad car. I wanted to take pictures so I said "come on Adonis" and we headed toward it. It didn't take long to notice the sticker bushes.

I stopped and said, let's get out of her. Adonis went right thru the sticker bushes. Last I talked to Lydia she was still picking them off him. My jacket, gloves and pants are full of them.

Finally we reached the actual trail. Adonis was a very good dog, and brisk walker, as long as I kept him in the middle on the stones. If he came to close to the grass the sniffing and stopping would begin.

When we reached the quarry he saw a chipmunk and started to go after it. He nearly pulled me over. Thankfully Lydia was already barking commands. We had still not seen a single person.

That changed when we came out of the woods. The trail runs next to the road about a half mile to the Troxell Steckell House. It must be a popular parking spot for joggers and dog walkers. On this stretch we encountered a jogger, some bikes and a couple walking three--yes three--dogs. We crossed the street and Lydia occupied him by picking off stickers until they past. Don't you know we passed them coming back too.

We almost reached the museum and Lydia saw a dog off the leash, and another German shepherd coming toward us.  No going to see the extension of the trail, we turned around and headed back.

We only went about 2.75 miles but it was at a nice brisk pace. Adonis was delighted to be out of the house, and with the exception of the chipmunk he was pretty good.

Maybe I'll take him again.

fall walking festival day two

Yesterday we awoke to rain. Cold rain.

After breakfast we checked in and headed to the Milkbrook Marsh Nature Center for our first walk. I bet it's beautiful in summer. In late October it was pretty, but most of the leaves were already down and the grasses were dead. It was raining when we arrived. It only lasted five minutes.

We walked on a lot of boardwalk, three different bike trails, and thru a park and a covered bridge. It had a little bit of everything. We also met the president of LBW, the trail master and Bill.

The covered bridge in the park. The bathrooms in this park were open, and nice. They were old, but really clean so they rated a I-4.5. they also had a baby changing station, two kinds of soap, and these disposable mats for the baby. Class operation.

When we finished the walk and returned to the nature center in time for the rain to begin again. We stood in the rain and talked with walkers from York and Lancaster.

We returned to the hotel and had our books stamped then headed to Williamsport to do another walk. That walk ends at the end of the month.

Williamsport is a beautiful city. It isn't as nearly run down as I thought it would be. (The huge park park with 3 ball fields and a bandstand has no bathroom which confounds me.) Maybe they didn't take us into the "bad" neighborhoods. They didn't take us to the ballpark either.

We checked in at the Y and headed to the car to get our stuff. The skies opened again. We ran into the car with seconds to spare. The skies opened into a downpour. Five minutes later the sun was trying to come out.

Abut four blocks into the walk we reached the parking lot above (the mural is on all three sides) and the rain began again. It was a good time to stop in the brewpub for lunch. The sun was out when we headed back into the lot. Only problem was we lost the instructions in the restaurant. We had to walk back to the Y's lot for another set.

I took more pictures in Williamsport than I did the rest of the weekend. Art was everywhere. Interesting architecture and beautiful buildings were plentiful. My camera became exhausted. Bonnie started taking pixs with her smart phone.

We probably did a total of 25 miles in two day. Maybe this week I'll have more steps than my brother. he's been kicking my butt for the last couple weeks.

sunday follies

This morning Pat and I drove into Allentown to see "Rise Up Allentown". And Installation made from donated ladders. I contributed three. There were many decorated. It never dawned on me to paint mine. They were hard to find.  You can walk thru it but you cannot climb on it. It's getting a lot of press.

When we returned home I walked the Bethlehem Greenway, thru the casino and came back.  On the way to the Greenway I saw my nephew, who was at one time homeless. He weighs less, no longer looks like Grizzley Adams, and is employed at Wendy's. Apparently he has gotten his act together again. Since I didn't talk to him I have no details.

I arrived at the Comfort Suites to sign in for the south Bethlehem Volkssport walk. The desk clerk had the box out by the time I arrived at the desk. I said "could you tell by my outfit"? She said "No. I remember you." Clearly I spend too much time at the Comfort Suites.

I've mentioned the garden on the Greenway near Webster street, and how I wondered if people would steal the food growing there. These signs have appeared. What I find interesting is that Chinese is in the first position, not English.

The Greenway is utilized heavily by people exercising, but also by the Asian casino bus riders. They just walk up and down (or across the bridges) till it is time to go home and then do it again. Not the way I want to earn a living.

Signs in three languages are popping up all over, including grocery stores.

Signs of the times.

southside walk

I haven't walked much at all this week. I have been up to my eyeballs in work. The semester starts in a week and I am hopelessly behind. I feel like a rat trapped in a maze. My pedometer barely nudged past 6K steps. Yesterday, at 10:30 am it was under 700. I had been working since 6:15. My friend, as expected, has surged past me in the weekly Fitbit standings, leaving me in her dust.

Oh well.

Last night Lydia came over and I made her eat eggplant. It must not have been horrible. She went back and got two more slices. Clearly Elin didn't like it. It was one of mom's summer staples. It's really good with applesauce dumped on it. Like a latka.

After eating we took the dog for his 1/2 mile loop. Then I brought the dog back to Pat, and we headed out Itaska towards Lehigh. Our ultimate destination was CVS. Lydia's new-to-me FitBit battery was acting wonky. It needed to be replaced. We headed up Wyandotte, out Summit and to campus. We crossed diagonally across campus, out Packer and down the New Street stairs. Then it was out the alley to a sculpture garden, down to Campus Square. Then down Brodhead to CVS. Ultimately we wove our way home. Sadly it was only 2.5 miles.

nothing to do with walking

This is one of my periodic rants. So you might want to skip it. I just need to get it out of my system.

I try really hard to buy American made. Or at least North America. It has to do with jobs, sure. It has to do with growing up in a union house. It has to do with ecology and saving resources. There's really no reason to ship something half way around the world. Pretty much, we can make it here. So we should.

I am not always successful, but I thought, until yesterday, that I read everything and then made a decision. For example, I won't eat anything from China. No safeguards. I'm seriously considering not eating fish from the Pacific. That nuclear waste from Japan should be here soon. I am not eating radio active fish.

Yesterday Bonnie and I walked in her neighborhood. But we went down to South Fourth Street to Walgreens. My allergies had finally gotten the best of me. I needed drugs.  I don't like to take medicine, so I suffer longer than I have to. It's been years since I took a pain killer. The generic Claritin from previous years were half-used and expired. (One in 2009!) I needed a fresh batch. And whatever I pick needs to have it has pseudoephedrine in it. Complete with the song and dance that goes with it to prove you aren't making meth—pick up the little card, take it to the pharmacist, swipe my license, pay and leave.

I've never looked at where meds were made. I assumed it was here I guess. Who'd ship pills around the world? Clearly Walgreen does. Had I noticed it before I opened the box I would have returned them. I'm used to paying more for made in America. But they were open, so I took one. And then I waited for something horrible to happen. It didn't. They are 12-hour ones. They last maybe 5, 6 hours. I'm going back to generic Claritin. As long as it's made on this continent. If not. I'll suffer. Spring is almost over.

volkssport bus trip to lackawaxen

Saturday Lydia, Bonnie and I took a bus trip to Lackawaxen. Exciting, I know. But they rarely offer walks in that area, and we needed Pike county! It was also a destination for the new Border Crossing special program.

The bus picked us up at the Quakertown Park and Ride. It was great not having to drive to Philly. We wouldn't have gone if we did.

We arrived at Zane Gray's house about 10:15. All the paper work was covered on the bus. We picked up our instruction and started walking. It was an odd route. Pretty much out and back, with variations. First we headed to the highway and crossed the Lackawaxen river. Then turned around and came back. We went past Zane Grays house, and headed toward the Roebling's Aqueduct. For those who went to public school like me, and never learned this stuff, my computer dictionary says it is a "a bridge that is constructed to convey water over an obstacle, such as a ravine or valley."

Crossing the Aqueduct we entered New York. We stopped to take this lovely picture. I look really thin in it. Note to self, stand in the way back! Bonnie and Lydia teased me all day about my hat. I really don't think it looks that bad.

In New York, we went under the bridge and out the D&H canal towpath. (Delaware and Hudson).  We turned around and came back and then back over the aqueduct. and back to Zane Grays house. Then we went into the house and did the little tour. Lots of books. Dick would have loved it. He loved Zane Grey novels. We walked about a 6K.

Then we went for a buffet lunch at the Laxawaxen Inn. It was horrible. Poorly organized, and perfect for 1965—tons of carbs covered with cheese and dressing, and meats, covered with calorie laden sauces. Not a single vegetable. Not a green thing anywhere. The plate were at least 12 inches if not larger. And they were piled high. I ended up eating two meatballs and some baked ziti. And the fruit from the ham. Then I went and got ham. The food sat in my gut all day. My body was saying WTF?

We went outside to wait and met this huge fella. If the almighty google is correct, he is a Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia). His wingspan is up to 6 inches! His life is two weeks. After mating, he dies withing three days. (There's a going out with a bang joke in there somewhere.) this guy wasn't moving much. I think he had his fun and his number was up.

Then it was back on the bus and off to Milton. The museum where we parked (They have Lincoln's blood soaked flag. Why is that not at the Smithsonian?) was having a special Boy Scout program and wasn't open. So we headed to Grey Towers. The last time I was there I was in a car. It's a three mile walk from where we parked to the top of the hill. And there was no time for a tour. We walked the ground and then headed back down. Through a bit more of Milton and back on the bus to come home.

It was 9:30 when I arrived home. And I had to start my online classes. I finished about 12:30, and got up this morning for a 5K.

walks this week

Tuesday Bonnie and I walked in Salisbury and South Allentown. We headed from her house down Juniata, past the Fearless and thru the cemetery where Jarrod is buried. Then we headed down Chapel toward Emmaus Avenue, and headed toward the high school. We walked to the high school, down their drive and up the stairs instead of the hill. Then we zig-zagged our way back to Bonnie's.

Thursday Bonnie and I walked to the south Bethlehem Farmers Market.  We took the scenic route. From my place we headed west on Broadway and then back Delaware. We went down fourth to Taylor and back to Lehigh's Campus Square for the market. We did some shopping then started to head toward home. (Will the beans and peas ever come in?)

To come back we headed up the stairs of Campus Square. Then up the stairs to the student union. Then up the stairs to eighth street. Bonnie said I damn near killed her. It beats walking up a hill. I'm guessing we did about 250. I didn't count them.

We headed down eighth to Wyandotte, crossed and out Sioux to Bishopthorpe and home.

After the hail storm I headed out to Wifek's graduation. I parked in my typical almost-off campus parking spot and headed to the gym. A half-hour to go and they were already using over flow seating. I ended up watching the live stream internet broadcast in the cafeteria.

She received a specialized diploma. Any work she did here doesn't count when she gets back to Tunisia. She still has two more years to go. This morning she was on a plane going home.

For the long weekend I sent this schedule to the others—

Saturday -- Doing the Volkssport walk in Doylestown. Yeah, it's a bit of a drive, but it's a great excuse to go to the Mercer or the tile works. (Art is my happy place.) It starts at 10. I'll be leaving a bit before 9.

Sunday -- D&L Allentown towards Bethlehem. If I walk alone I'll probably do the whole thing and turn around and go back. If someone comes along, we can go 1.5 one way, turn around an go back. I should be at the Allentown trailhead by 9:30

Monday -- Tortoise and Hare 5K in Wind Gap. Yeah, another road trips. Hot course. Not much shade. Some hills. They take same day sign ups. I think it starts at 9, so I'll be leaving here about 8-ish.

As you see there will be lots of posts this weekend.

rail to trails opening day!

Of course rail trails are open all year, but they are not used very hard in the winter. Unless you're nuts, like us. Today was the official spring kickoff for 2014. The Rail to Trail Conservancy encourages us to use this hashtag: #RTCOpeningDay. Not quite sure what it does, but there you go.

Earlier in the week I sent out an email with our walks for the weekend. There are now six people on the email list. Lydia, Bonnie and I walked.

Today we headed to the Saucon Rail Trail. We parked at the Water Street Park in Hellertown and headed east toward Coopersburg. We didn't go that far. Actually, we only went a mile and a half, then turned around and headed back. We also did the loop around the lake at the Grist Mill, and took the scenic route past the Heller Homestead.


Our total was about 3.5 miles. It started to drizzle on the way back. A few minutes later it was pouring! Our timing was nothing, if not impeccable.

Wednesday Is National Walking Day. I thought it was Tuesday. Clearly I need to read a calendar. Since that is my 15 hour day, I'll have to go out on College Hill at lunch time.

____


I never mentioned that back on January 29 I received my 2K badge on FitBit.

snowy, cold week

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

first competitive race since august!

Year 58. Day 2. Completed my first 5k since the Biggest Loser Half in August. I thought it would be tougher, but it was about usual.

It was the first time I went to a race where they had a "competitive walker" category. We started 10 minutes after the runners. The course changed slightly this year—we only went partially on Sand Island, and we made a loop around the "fairgrounds" instead coming straight down Main. The major problem was there was no cop at Broad and Main to cross us. I got stuck. That made me angry. Also, initially anyway, they were stopping the walkers to let the runners thru! Another big NO!

This year Bonnie and I met Michele, the walking coach, and her colleague at the event. We all started together but Michele walks faster than some people run. She finished in 35. But she always waits at the finish line for everyone she knows.

I finished in a little over 48 minutes. Bonnie came in about 47. We don't know the exact number because the clock was about 10 minutes fast. Last year I was closer to 53.

Walking back to the car with Michele, I was telling her about my virtual trip around the world. As you know, in addition to being a walking coach, she's a writer. I met her through the Walk Your Butt Off and Sugar Crushers test panels. She's working on a walking article for Dr. Oz's new magazine. She was interested in the project for the article. We'll see what happens.

UPDATE 12/3:
Official scores posted. Bonnie was  46.44 and I was 48.40. We were two minutes apart. Soon we will be 5, then 10. She goes faster and faster and I get slower and slower. I don't know why.

sugar crusher finale and lehigh parkway

Today was my final weigh in for the Sugar Crusher test panel. I lost 8 pounds. My numbers went down slightly, but they were good to start with. I lost the most inches in my legs.

I don't know why, but they've asked me to be part of the final group for the book. My reply to the email was "Really?" My food journals were snarky. I ate the occasional wrong food. And I made few of their recipes. The roomie said no to everything. The photo shoot is next Friday. I have a nail appointment. My feet are a mess. Guess I'll need to reschedule. The roomie will not be happy.

I picked up Bonnie at 6:30 and we headed to Rodale. She read while I did my testing. I think it was less than a half hour. Then we headed for the Lehigh Parkway.

We parked in the first lot and began with the loop that goes towards 15th street. I think I've been on it once before. It was paved. That doesn't happen often at the Parkway. Then, when we arrived back at the lot we headed to the iron bridge. Since it was a Tuesday, we thought it was safe to walk on the road. We crossed the bridge, and headed back. It came in a hair under 3 miles. Oh well. The humidity was high, and I was soaked.

Lydia has decided to do the D&L Half Marathon in November. So I signed up also. Let the training begin....again. One woman from the sugar group will be joining us. Bonnie will too. Probably

Bonnie has agreed to test the Volkssport walk in Allentown with me Friday. It will  cover Cedar Creek and Trexler Parks, as well as Muhlenberg College.

What she doesn't know is that when we are done, we're going to Allen Appliance on Allen street and checking out Sub Zero fridges. Don't think I can afford one, but I'll look. My fridge is fine. Lydia had a power surge a few weeks ago and it fried her appliances.  The PPL is only giving her a little money for replacements. And she is not planning on staying in the trailer. It makes no sense to buy a new fridge. I suggested she take mine (I get the PPL money) and I buy a new one. However, I try to only buy "Made in America". (Cue the Union Lady song) I was successful with my dryer and with my furnace. The furnace is made in Philly. The dryer is a Speed Queen, made in Wisconsin. When the washer dies I will buy it's mate. The difference was about $200. Sub Zero is also made in Wisconsin. Hmmmm. Maybe I should move to Wisconsin? GE's line of fancy appliance Monogram appliances are made in Tennessee. But those run 8-10 grand. Way out of my budget.

I fear the price difference for Sub Zero will be significant also. It will be a shame, because I fell in love with a stove too. Someday before I die I hope to remodel the kitchen.

the week that was

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

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

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

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

Today we walked with Betsy in her suburban neighborhood.

All works were just over three miles.

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

30k steps!

Yesterday, I took my sister home and for some reason looked at my pedometer. It was 28k+. It was about 6-7 pm. Could I actually reach 30K in one day?

Then I forgot about it.

Last night I was getting ready for bed and looked at my daily total. I was less than 300 shy. I was not going to let this opportunity pass. So I walked up and down the hall and thru my bedroom, back in forth, for 300 steps. When I went to bed it was 30,005. Milestone achieved.

Will I reach 35k on half-marathon day? We'll see.

This morning Bonnie and I headed out for a 5 mile walk. It started to rain, and then stopped, then started, and ultimately only did about 2-3/4 miles. We were soaked when we got home.

I spent the rest of the day working, or working in the garden.

While I was in the garden, my nephew who's 11 asked if he could "play on my computer". I told him it wasn't a toy. He was unhappy.

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.