walking in circles ... make that figure eights

Saturday I did the Deja Vue Half Marathon with fitness friends Jennifer and Nora.

I downloaded google directions and headed to Landsdale. I was driving and reading and I thought I was to follow 63. That took me nowhere, so I came back and was going to go to the Wawa for directions. Turns out I was supposed to go straight! It was the directions off the turnpike exit the messed me up.

It said to go 3.8 miles. I checked my mileage and set off. Right into sun glare. Couldn't see a single street sign. Boy I was missing Starr! I'm at five miles and nothing. I turn around and come back. I drove right past the park and the street. I left 1.45 to arrive for a 50 minute trip. I arrived with 15 minutes to spare.

Why is it called Deja Vue? You see the same thing over and over. The loop is about a mile. Not quite a mind numbing boring as a Relay for Life, but close. This one was in the shape of a figure eight, sort of.

We looped around the baseball fields and the amphitheater, then back into the woods and back out and around.  There was this odd 50-100 yard space were you went out and back and then back out. Clearly they were adding mileage. Must have come up short. I can't tell you how tempted I was to skip that part. But I didn't.

The hat and gloves came off on the first loop. the sweatshirt on the second. I toyed with the idea of removing one of my shirts, but didn't. I had two on. Clearly it became warmer as the day progressed.

I was counting loops on my finger but became confused. I wasn't sure if I was on lap 12 or 13. I asked. They said "one more". I did one more and the man said I was "done". I finished in 3:41:xx I think. They gave me my medal and I left.

When I got to the car I called Barb, like I do after every race. (Gotta tell somebody, and Bonnie is usually with me.) Then I headed off to Annapolis for the next race.

Nora finished after me, and checked the results. She's a half-marathon maniac. The official results only have me finishing 12 laps.  I have no idea what happened. It's kind of poopy.

I am on walking coach Michelle Staten's FB page. In addition to being a coach she writes a about fitness. A week or so ago there was a post. She was looking for people who stand all day for a story she was working on—nurse, teachers, whatever. I didn't respond. Shocking, right?

Wednesday or Thursday she posted that she was looking for people who use anti-fatigue mats. this time I responded. She called me Friday morning, I think. It's shocking to think I've been standing at work for almost 2.5 years. I told her 2, but I looked it up in the blog today it's May, 2012. I got the mat about a month into it. Today, I sent her a pix of my DIY standing desk just for kicks. Maybe I'll make the cut. Maybe not. Doesn't matter. In case it does happen it's Weight Watchers magazine.

no disk in the camera.

Oops. We took a lovely picture today at Burnside with the police horses grazing in the background. We knew it was lovely, we saw the preview. When I returned home, I went to remove the disk, and no disk. It was still in the computer. Poop. This one is from last year. Very generic, but nice.

We had a lovely day anyway. And Bonnie will be happy I didn't post a picture. She hates having her pix taken.

We left my place and headed downtown. We parked under the hill to hill bridge and headed up Conastoga to the Monocacy Way trailhead. It's right next to the Union Blvd entrance of Rte 378. When we arrived at Burnside there was a private party scheduled. But we walked thru anyway. The police horses were out grazing in the pasture.

When you come out of Burnside you cross Eaton Avenue and continued. Instead, we headed toward the Compost Center and the Wawa. Then down 8th avenue all the way to Lehigh, back Lehigh to Conastoga.

The walk wasn't quite four miles, so we walked past the car, then turned around and came back to make it 4 miles.

The pony express finally brought Lydia's fridge, so next weekend she'll be walking again. I hope. The next Half is about 6 weeks away.

an expensive summer

This summer I've been spending money like I have it. I don't. I'm just really good at saving. (Thanks. mom.) Had I known at the beginning of summer that I would be down three classes in September, I probably wouldn't have done a lot of this. Oh well. If you wait for the perfect time it will never come.

Let's start with house stuff. My house is over 100 years old. Everything always needs to be fixed. But the payoff is great. You get to live in a house that's got history and character. In a real neighborhood, even if it is declining. I'd much rather repair things than live in a McMansion in the 'burbs. Or worse. What my mother called a cracker box. Little boxes all the same.

I made a list of things I wanted to do this summer. Walk every day. Learn how to create e-books. Point the foundation. Install a fence to keep out the neighbors dogs. The list grew and grew.

First, the roof leaked. That needed to be repaired. It was. Not too bad.

Then, after asking lots of people, I found a brick pointer at the Wawa. You can find everything at the Wawa. He checked out on the internet and thru the BBB. Plus they are family owned and operated. And in Fountain Hill. Done.

Next up, the fence. I posted a plea on FB for a local person. One of my students referred me to one. He did a great job on the fence. Ca-ching.

The patio Glenn put in about 20 years ago was rotten. Once the fence went up it look even worse. I had the carpenter give me a price.  It was for a plain old deck and cost less than the fence. The pretty diagonal pattern Glen did would have been too expensive. As would have the Trex. I settled for safe and ordinary. It looks terrific. Ca-ching.

Then of course it's fall, so the school taxes and house insurance are due. Thank goodness I live on the south side. Ca-ching.

And I hired a lawn boy.

Personally, things are also getting expensive. The biggest item is the chiropractor. At the 4th of July walk, I made contact with a chiropractor. The initial exam was a $20 donation to the Easton Y.  I went a couple times, he took x-rays and lets just say they weren't pretty. But then I am a Carl girl. Bottom line. I signed up. I've been going about 6 weeks. Do I feel any different? I don't think so. It's a pain in the butt to go, but I signed a year contract, so I'm forced to follow thru. Hopefully the next set of x-rays will be better. Then it will be worth it. Maybe. I don't want the spine issues of Elin. A year of chiro is just over $3K. Or $49 a visit. That's why I took the plan. Ca-ching!

Now I need to go look for Obama-Care before the end of the year. Swell.

I'm sure I forgot something.

What does all this have to do with walking? Little. It's my blog and I get easily distracted. And sometimes I just need to vent. However, since I need to tighten my belt, the first thing to go is 5Ks. All those entry fees add up.

not an ordinary monday

But it began ordinary.

Bonnie came down at 6:30 am to walk. We headed up the hill to Moravia street, and out to Hertzog. It was really shady and in the mid 70s, but you could cut the air with a knife because it's so humid. On Moravia we stopped and picked some wineberries for breakfast. Before the birds get them.

As we headed down Hertzog, Bonnie asks "Can we go to the Wawa?" "For a bathroom?" I replied. I then had to break it to her that the Fountain Hill Wawa has no bathrooms. And Bottom Dollar didn't open till 8.

We continued down the hill and back Sioux. My house was two miles on the dot. While we took a break I poured us some nice cold tap water. Yum.

We left my place and headed out Itaska, down Fiot, up Fiot, and out Seneca. At Seneca and Seminol we saw a man and his dog. I complimented the man on how well behaved the dog was. I referred to the dog as a he. When the man spoke, I'm thinking wait, I know that man and his dog. And the dogs a she. Her name is Vivian. He's married to the colleague I car pool with. She's gotten so big since I last saw her. And I think her coloring has changed.

When we reached Delaware, we came back Delaware, down Bishopthorpe and home. Total 3.55 miles.

The out of the ordinary part.

Frequently at 5ks they have massage tables or chiropractors at the events. They are doing mini workout. Generally they are sponsors. I always take advantage of the free stuff. Thursday at the Firecracker 4 miler they always have Dr. Schulze from AccuCare Chiropractic there. That's who Bonnie goes to.

If you are a consistent reader, you read about the actual race on Independence Day. What I didn't mention what happened after the race. We finished the race, and the sweat was pouring off us. Bonnie headed to the bathroom, I headed to the chiropractor area. We always do this before the race. But since we were late, we didn't. I filled out the form and went to the massage area first. Then it was my turn with Dr. Schulze. He sees me and says "Hi. Is this the year are you going to come in?" I said "maybe".  He has worked on me, what, four times now? I sit down and he feels my neck and says tells me my neck is really tight. Well, sure, I had just finished walking. (I never realized how tight my neck gets until yesterday walking the eight miles. By mile six or so, my shoulders and neck were so tight. I tried stretching and it was fruitless. I digress.) He did little but try and loosen my neck.

Now I've been thinking about massage and a chiropractor for a long time. When I walk long distances the muscle from my butt to my thigh always hurts. And it's way cheaper than an orthopedist. With one exception, I've had very positive results from both at races, especially at the Avon.

The bottom line is I don't like change. The status quo is perfect for me. Even if it's broke, I'll fix myself--half assed. I don't like doctors and have no health insurance. (Gotta solve that problem by January!). I talk myself out of things even if they are ultimately good. For example,  I really don't like getting naked in front of strangers so I balk at massage. But I'm doing it after the half marathon. Maybe after that I'll get a stone one, the only one that really intrigues me.

I grew up hearing chiropractors being referred to as quack-a-practors. So I'm a lot squeamish and chicken too. It's my neck and spine. If 1/1,000,000 people have a horrible result, that person, in my mind, will be me.

Anyway, he said, I can't really fix this here. I need a lot more information. You really should come in. I'm thinking, no I don't have a $150 dollars to see you. The he adds, "if you book an appointment today, the initial visit is $20. Check get's made out to the YMCA." I had no more excuses. (Other than terror.) I made the appointment. It's at 10:30.

I guess I better get ready!

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update

This I know for sure: I've been compensating a lot for my spinal deficiencies. I apparently have a high tolerance for pain. The doctor kept asking, are you sure that doesn't hurt? It should. Only once in the hour and a half I was there did I say ouch.

He explained things very carefully and completely. I however don't remember any of it. I have a science filter in my brain. It goes in one ear and out the other. Maybe I should take Bonnie with me.

I do, however, understand pictures. And when the thermal scan came up on the computer I knew that Pinocchio's nose on my lower was not a good thing. When he switched it to picture view, it got worse. I have two cold spots. See, I told you I was good at compensating.

My left leg, the one I have the pain in, is really weak. Odd, I think since I do so much walking. Only once while he was twisting and turning did I say ouch. He said "it's about time." We were almost done.

He asked me about injuries and I told him I fall a lot. I should have said my middle name is "splat'. I totally forgot about my back injury two or three years ago. That came up in a conversation late in the exam. I think I gave him the missing piece.

The $20 donation covered the comprehensive exam and the thermo scan. Not x-rays. He asked what insurance I had, and I said "none". He did them free. Really. I was shocked too.

I have to go back two more times, and for a workshop. We'll see after that. We didn't talk money or how many times a week, but once school starts again, it will be tough to do.

passport finished!

Today Bonnie, Dawn, Lyd and I went to Hugh Moore Park in Easton. It was a two-fer walk. It qualified for both the Passport to Fitness and the Tail on the Trail Challenges.

We met at my place and headed to Easton using the back roads. Of course I made a wrong turn and ended up on the wrong road. I could get us to the right one, but the bridge was out. Very frustrating. We could see the park but not enter it! I almost had to have Bonnie press Starr's button for directions. But alas, I was able to get us to the park.

We parked, and I said, the bathrooms are this way. I know that's always our first stop. I did not remember them being a half mile away!

We entered the trail at the canal boat ride. They didn't start running until 1 pm, so there was no using the BOGO tickets today. We'll have to use them another weekend, since the rides are only Wednesday thru Sunday. Guess they can't over work the mules!

This section of the trail was grass and loaded with goose poop. By there were no geese in sight. After we had switched to the macadam path, we found the geese. There was, well, pooploads of them!

We walked for about a half hour before we found the post. It takes a while with four people doing rubbings.

The trail turned to gravel for awhile, and we finally reached the lock.  Dawn and Lydia were always behind us, but usually we could hear them talking so they were not far. When we didn't hear them, we turned around to make sure they were there. However, there was never a need to double back to get them.

After crossing the lock, we headed into the woods and took the upper path. I thought they both went the same place. The upper path is an old railroad track and it goes to the hump yard. The hump yard has a big "no trespassing" sign (Norfolk and Southern), so we doubled back.  We were going to take a cut off path, but that just led us to a bird watcher in a tent!

We returned to the trail. At the start, it was decided that we'd walk an hour one direction and then come back. The hour came about a mile away from the Forks of the Delaware. I gave the others a choice and we decided to continue on and reach that milestone. We were so close.

Then we turned around and headed back. The D&L in Easton is bright and sunny. We took some cut off paths into more wooded areas. It was hot and humid today. A little shade goes a long way. We arrived back at the car at exactly 10:30. Seven and a quarter miles. After a stop at the Wawa for the bathroom and gas (no hiking back to the park bathroom!) we arrive home by 11. Adonis was waiting for his walk!

Another half mile with Adonis. Then Bonnie, the roomie and I headed to the Saucon Valley Farmers Market. More walking. Bonnie dropped us off and then we headed for Illicks Mill to have our finished Passports verified. My pedometer says I walked 8.5 miles today. I feel it!

Lydia and Dawn both achieved personal bests for distance today. (:

Tomorrow Bonnie and I are going out at 7 am to do the Allentown to Hanover section of the D&L. It's about three miles one way.  This challenge is 165 miles over 5 months. Right now I'm at a total of 18 miles with 18 only weeks left. Two of those weekends I'll be out of town for other walking events (the Biggest Loser Half Marathon in Erie, and the Freedom Walking Festival in D.C.). So let's drop that to 16 weeks. That means I'm going to have to average nine miles a week on the D&L. That's gonna be tough! Because if I break the 100 mark, I'll have to finish. I know what I'll be doing Monday morning for the rest of the summer.

Wednesday, since I don't have Zumba, I'm going to a walking clinic at the Rose Garden. Lydia is coming for dinner and coming along. I think Bonnie might be coming too. Bonnie and I know what to expect. Lydia, I'm not so sure.

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Trail Update

The Palmer Bike Trail that goes from Easton High School to Riverside Park off 25th street was always a bit of a pain. If you wanted to go to Hugh Moore Park, you had to walk on a road with no shoulder. It was dangerous.

I'm happy to report that the connecting trail is done! All you need to do is cross the street and keep walking till you get to HMP. That's very exciting if you're walking the whole D&L, or training for an ultra walk or marathon.

overachiever kind of day

It makes me think I can do that ultra walk. I have 10 miles in so far today and it's only 2 pm. Though taxes are at three, so nothing more is likely to happen.

First, I walked with Sharon to the Fountain Hill Wawa, she got the bus to Allentown, I walked home. I saw some crocuses and didn't have a camera.

Lydia emailed yesterday that she was a sick-o camper and wouldn't walk today. So Bonnie and I decided to do 6 miles. What were we thinking?

We started at my house, went out Itaska and down Wyandotte, and back up the other side. We crossed the hill-to-hill bridge and went down the stairs and out Lehigh street. Then we went up the Center Street hill and out Church and Market to the Minis Trail Bridge. Once back on the southside, we headed left and walked around the casino. Bonnie needed a restroom, so we went into the outlet mall. We checked out Corning, Peeps, and Dress Barn while we were there.

Then we headed down First Street, thru ArtsQuest and turn up Webster to the Greenway. At New, we took the alley to Brodhead, and went up to Lehigh. Who puts a big hill at the end of a 6-mile walk? Oh, that would be me.

At the top of the hill, we went out Warren, up Montclair, out Summit and up Wyandotte to Sioux. Back Sioux to Bishopthorpe and home.

We were barely home five minutes when sick-o arrived with her germs and the dog. So I took the dog out for a long walk.

new wawa story

 sxc.hu

If I was a writer, I think I'd hang out at the Wawa, and just cull stories all day. It would make a great situation comedy.

I don't know what time Ft. Hill Elementary starts, but it must be around 9:30. Little boy, maybe first grade, wearing his backpack. Clearly he was with mom andon his way to school. It might be five blocks from the Wawa.

Mom was overweight, but the boy was not. She was in line for a small coffee. Clearly she was embracing a new way to eat how she talked to the boy. He wanted chips. She said no. How about a banana? He asked for something else. She offered him a better choice. Then he wanted candy. Again no. Yet another better choice suggested.

He pouted.

"Why do you only want junk food"?

My guess. Until now she said "yes". Go mom. Don't back down.

3 trails, a balance beam and a couple of boy scouts

This morning the scoobies arrived for breakfast at the crack of 9, and we ate a hardy breakfast of waffles from my new waffle iron. The old one met an accidental death a few months ago.

Then I gave them three ideas for walks—the 'hood, the Palmer bike trail, or Jacobsburg. Sharon picked Palmer so off we went.

I've walked the beginning part a lot, but the end only a few times. I decided we would start at the end and work our way to the falls. (It's a U shaped trail about 6.5 miles long.) We were heading down 25th street, and suddenly there was traffic. Lot's of parked cars. We couldn't get near the park. A marathon was running thru!

Fine. We'll go to Hugh Moore. Nope, that's where the marathon was headed. Off to Plan C, the other end of the trail, the part I always walk. It had probably been 40 minutes since we left the house before we started walking.

When we arrived at Fairview park, Lydia said "swings" and pointed. I said on our way back. Sharon chose to stop and wait there. We walked to Bethlehem Township, spun around and came back to the park. Sharon was sitting under a tree waiting. (Total walk about 4 miles.)

The first apparatus we encountered in the playground was a long bar, with a handle. It kind of acted like a zip line. I think I was too tall and too heavy. I couldn't put my feet out, so I tried to put them back, and as you can see I landed on my knees. Clearly I need to work on upper body strength.

 Then we hit the swings. After swinging we went on the balance beam. It moves. I had Birks on so I took them off and held on to Lyd frequently. I had a lot of trouble getting up and down. I am not flexible anymore. As a kid I always walked on retaining walls and hopped off the edge.

Lyd did much better when it was her turn. I think it's because she's 2 decades younger! Sharon didn't try.

When we arrived back at the car, the scoobies needed the bathroom and I needed gas. We headed to the Wawa next door, and encountered some fine young men in uniform, selling overpriced popcorn. I'm a sucker for Boy Scout caramel corn.I think the same thing happened the last time I walked this trail at the beginning of the school year.

I pulled up to the pumps, and left out the scoobies. Before they left, I went to give them money to get me caramel corn, and I had no money, no credit cards, no drivers license. It was all in my backpack from yesterday. Oops. Lyd loaned me money for gas and popcorn!

Sharon finally decided on the giant box of kettle corn.

Next week Sharon and Lyd are purging another room of her house. Sunday they'll walk. Lyd picked Jacobsburg. Hopefully Bonnie will come along, or walk with me on Saturday.

water review

Fiji. What's the big deal?

Since I've been doing these random water reviews I've avoided Fiji water. First of all because it's expensive. Second, because everyone is always fussing about it. A woman in my office brings quarts of it in.

Yesterday I was out longer than I planned and stopped at the Wawa for water. I was going to get Perrier. I like the bubbles and maybe I could trick myself into thinking it's soda. Fiji was on sale 2/$2.22. That brought the price in line with regular spring waters. I bought two. (Full price for one!)

The company wbesite, and the bottle pretty much say

“Please don’t touch the water” – it’s our number-one rule.

Fiji Water’s state-of-the-art bottling facility was designed to protect the purity of our water at every step of the production process, and as part of that strict commitment to quality, no human hands are allowed to touch it. In fact, the facility was built directly on top of the Fiji Water aquifer, where a completely sealed delivery system draws the water up from the protected chamber and places it directly into our iconic square bottles, which are made from the highest-grade terephthalate (PET) plastic resin.
     To put it simply, until you unscrew the cap, Fiji Water never meets the compromised air of the 21st century nor is it touched by another human being. No other natural waters can honestly make that claim.

Up to this point I was beginning to think water was like wine or beer (or Coke/Pepsi), that you could tell the subtle differences between two waters. I noticed it a lot with the bottle of artesian water from Duane Reade.

Gotta tell you, I was underwhelmed. I couldn't taste the minerals. It was cold and wet. Better than tap, but not better than spring water tapped out of the big jug in the office.

Another strike. The square bottle doesn't fit in the cup holder.

The second bottle is going with me to my last night of Zumba. School starts next week. Maybe by that time the toning sessions will start.

didn't eat breakfast

I didn’t eat breakfast this morning. Driving to work the light bulb went on. About 9 my belly was yelling at me.

I surveyed my choices on college hill. The only campus restaurant open is Gilbert’s, and they only have bagels and the like. Really didn’t want to start my day with a carb high. Another choice would be the Cosmic Cup. A off-campus coffee shot. Same problem. Most of the restaurants don’t open till 11. That left the Wawa.

I should have went with my gut and just bought yogurt. But I rarely listen to my gut, especially when it’s hungry.

They have breakfast bowls—scrambled eggs with or without meat. None of the choices had veggies. I’m under no illusion that they are cracking eggs in the back. It comes out of a carton.

I got back to the office and opened the bag. It was enormous. It was in a 6 inch bowl and full.  I have enough for at least one more day. I ate less than half. I looked up the calories, ect on line. It weighed 179 grams and the egg version was 330 calories, and sausage was 500. The sodium was thru the roof.

Scarier than the calories and the sodium was the ingredient list—long and scary. Oh, and Bonnie. Don’t eat this. It lists modified cornstarch—who knew a bowl of eggs would not be gluten free!

Moral of the story. Eat breakfast before you leave the house!

(I also forgot my water bottle. So I got extra exercise walking up and down three flights to the cooler.)

torture, week two

In this mornings email I found this inspirational message from our torturer, I mean instructor. It reminds me of the stuff Lyd posts on her Bari Page on FB. As a graphic designer I must note that it needs contrast. Just saying.

The workout was exactly like last week. I might have done a hair more of the standing work, but did little on the floor work. Although I did manage 3 half-assed push ups in each set. Then I held a plank and crashed to the ground.

Like last week, my knees hurt. This week because of the planks my wrists hurt. And my shoulders. Not enough to take the Aleve. I have to be in serious pain to kill my liver.

We're going to finish this class but not take another, unless it's different. And really for beginners. We'll go back to walking the stadium stairs and maybe go into the gym for some weights or cardio. I actually kind-of like the weights. But not enough to buy some. Besides, I wouldn't use them if I did.

Yesterday on my way to the Wawa I saw a sign at the old American Legion. Zumba 6-7 pm on Weds. nights. Now when I did Zumba before I hated it. But this is four blocks from my house. I can walk, at least till summer is over. I have no excuse. Maybe I can get Lyd and Bonnie, after she heals from this latest surgery, to join me. Maybe I'll even go tonight. Seeing the people in my ’hood, I should not be the heaviest one there. This will clearly not be a class of Jillian's.

Monday I did my errands on foot. It was bright and sunny. I was five blocks form my house, a black cloud appeared, and a downpour occurred. I was a drown rat.

dumbf*ck parents

Sharon spent the night last night. We'll be going walking shortly. That new TD bank is opening at the five points. It will be one of our stops.

Before Sharon can do anything she needs coffee. So I went to the Wawa to get her some. There I met the dumbf*cks parent from hell. I tried the "mommy" look, the "really" look and the "disapproving" look. None worked. My friend Angel would have read her the riot act.

They pulled in about the same time as I did. Mom's overweight, but not horribly. The kids are maybe 6-7 and 3-4. I get to the coffee area, pour Sharon's coffee and turned around. I'm now facing the fountain drinks. The  7 year-old is pouring himself a blue 32 ounce Icee* drink. It not even 9 am.

He starts to pour the 3-year-olds Icee. She cries. She doesn't want blue she wants red. So he makes it rainbow. She's happy. I'm appalled. And frozen in my spot. Then he pours one for mom.

Next stop. The doughnut case for glazed doughnuts. The little one cries again. She wants a hot dog. She gets one and the boy gets a pepperoni and cheese cup.

They would have been better off with breakfast at McDonalds.

I got fat by myself. I made wrong choices. Not my parents. Hell, I was seriously underweight when I was a teen. These kids don't stand a chance in hell. They'll be fat teenagers. Fatter adults. And probably never be elderly.  

Obesity in America is not caused by fast food, HF corn syrup, and white sugar. They are just scape goats. It's caused by dumbf*ck parents. It's just another form of child abuse.


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*I have no problem with Icee's. I love them, especially the Slurpee variety at the 7-11. Haven't had one in years but I'd let my kid have a small one, on a hot summer afternoon, occasionally. Everything is okay in moderation. But frozen sugar is not breakfast food.

and we're off ...

Bonnie got hung up on the phone. That's why she was so late. She's a nurse and it's on-call week.

We went downtown and walked the three mile loop, with a stop for cheese for lunch, at the Wawa in an hour. Pretty dang good. We should do well next weekend at the 5K.

Bonnie kept asking how far we went. So from the City Center to the Wawa is 1.25 miles. Back to Main street makes it 2.5 miles and then back to the City Center makes it 2.9 miles. I call that 3!

Later in the afternoon I did 15 minutes on the stairs.

I forgot to mention in the last post that Megan will be in town and also doing the 5K and the stair climb. The 30-year-old is gonna wipe our clocks!

twas the day before christmas

Doing better at walking this week. I guess it's true, I am goal oriented.

With next week off, and my pledge to turn off technology for a week, I should get mega exercise in. And reading. And knitting. And a movie or three. (Two actually. One each with my niece and nephew. Narnia and what?)

I went walking on Wednesday with Betsy for an hour and did my shopping first at Crest Plaza so I could avoid the dreaded Cold Stone Creamery. Only did the stairs and shopping walking Thursday. Today I went out walking with Sharon. Tried to push her to go a little faster. Tomorrow we're going to the gym and then the hike up to Big Rock Park and then Saturday or Sunday I'll ride the bike again at the gym when I take Sharon.

Guessing the gym will be empty tomorrow.

I did find some fresh motivation this morning at the Wawa. Strangest things you can get there.

I pulled in next to a mini van filled with crap. I noticed because the whole back was covered in bumper stickers. When I went in, there was a 500-600 pound man coming out carrying his big bag. The kind of "fat" person you see on The Biggest Loser. He nearly mowed me over. I felt skinny looking at him, but thought nothing else about it.

Then when I came out the white van was still there. Inside it was the 500 pound man. His seat was all the way back, his shirt had hiked up so his belly was sticking out and it was hanging over the steering wheel. He had a USAToday resting on the steering wheel and his gut. With a giant coffee cup in one hand and one of his breakfast sandwiches in the other.

I was embarrassed by myself. I could keep my eyes off the car. I was staring! I forced myself into my car and finally pulled away.

"There but for the grace of god go I" looped thru my head.

Thank you very fat man. You were a well needed kick in the butt.

terrible food day

I struggle with food. It's no longer a pleasure but a series of options, hopefully choosing ones that won't kill me in the long run. Sugar is my nemeses. Carbs follow close behind. If I'm not careful I could become pre-diabetic. I don't want that to happen.

I was doing well eating, and then fell off the wagon, so to speak. I've been struggling the last three weeks to get back on, but I can never get my footing.

Friday, I crashed. It was the worse food day in months.

In my area we have a convenience store called Wawa. They, like every other store have breakfast options. I ignore them. They are near the checkout, under a heat lamp and totally unappealing. Right now they are having a sale, 2/$3. It's everywhere—radio, tv, billboards, newspaper....  So Friday I went to Wawa. I didn't have breakfast. I had just finished walking with ML the 2.25 miles. I was waiting at the register and they brought trays of fresh, hot-from-the-oven sandwiches out. I was seduced by the smell and one appeared in my hand. Sausage, eggs, cheese on a CROISSANT! I think I grabbed the most toxic one on the shelf.

I got to the car, opened it and bit.. OMG was it delicious. Normally after I eat out I go home and look on the website to see how I did. But I knew that I didn't do well. Everything was fat. I finished the sandwich and went to throw away the box and the nutrition facts were on the bottom—500 calories. 320 from fat alone, and the real choker, over 900 mg of salt (40%).

That was bad but I could have recovered from it if I ate the rest of the day at home and had plenty of veggies and fruit. No, it was a travel day.

I took Pat shopping and it got to be lunch time and I asked where she wanted to go. Don Pablos. A Tex-Mex place. Apparently w/o a single vegetarian option or vegetable other than corn. We ended up slitting a two cheese enchilada platter. It came with rice and a corn cake. Pat asked for guacamole.  More carbs, more fat. More bad choices.

But then I went for an hour walk with Betsy at a quick pace.

I decided not to eat dinner. Didn't get anything out. Sharon, however, didn't eat all day and was hungry. We ended up getting Chinese food. Sharon paid. I resisted for 2 minutes.

Horrible, horrible day. I knew all the choices I was making were wrong and did it anyway.

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.

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.

wawa

I realize that this fall under the category, "those that live in glass houses, shouldn't throw stones", but what the heck.

I was at the Wawa (for those who don't know, a convenience store) at 6, 6:45 in the morning getting Sharon coffee and Pat coke. A family was gathered at the slushie (Slurpie) machine. The parents and 3 or 4 year old child were overweight, but by no means big or huge.

Dad had a coffee. Mom was filling two large cups with cherry slushies. In her hand she had a bag of star donuts with icing and sprinkles, and three breakfast sandwiches.

Maybe this is a special holiday tradition. Or maybe it's everyday. But I found myself worried about the child. What are they teaching him?

i did it!

I climbed 53 flights of stairs in about 45 minutes.

How? I have no idea. One thing I did do was take some advice I overheard. Stop every 5 floors whether you are tired or not. I did. It seemed to work.

The stairway was narrow, and cold at the start. Needless to say I wasn't cold long. I had thought they might have a photog at the top so I didn't carry my camera. That was a mistake. There was a lovely volunteer taking pictures, but you needed your camera. Angel took this one when I returned to the lobby, via the elevator. They wouldn't let us take the stairs.

I've posted it here, but I have to warn you, it's ain't pretty. I look like an overstuffed sausage in my workout clothes!

I'm also posting the drawing E made me while I was climbing.

A trip to Wawa

This morning I made an innocent trip to Wawa for milk. I was in the car and following the city bus. As I approached Broadway and Delaware a family got off the bus to walk the 2 blocks to the grade school. Now in Bethlehem, if you live more than 1 mile away, you ride the school bus. These people took the bus maximum 7-8 blocks. Mom was really overweight. The kids were overweight. The walk would have done them good. Besides, who want's to throw that kind of money away everyday to ride the bus. It's $2.50 per person! Even with passes it's got to be $1.50.

Then as the bus pulled away the girl child, maybe 6 years old, took her empty two-quart Gatorade bottle and tried to toss it over the hedge into someones yard. I was aghast. First of all she was drinking Gadorade with no exercise, and it was 8:15 am. Then she was obviously trying to throw her trash into someones yard. And when she missed she left it lying on the sidewalk. The mother didn't discipline her. She ignored it and the family jaywalk across the street.

I was livid. Another stupid parent, doing stupid thing in front of their children. These kids will not grow up to be productive members of society. I can assure you that.

By the time I reached the Wawa I had settled down. Coming in thru the other door were fit and healthy parents wearing workout clothes. They were sweaty and didn't have an ounce of fat between them. The child was a bit overweight wearing his school uniform. I attributed it to stocking up before a growth sput. He was maybe 10. He walks into the store and gets Gatorade and a chocolate doughnut for breakfast. And his parent let him. In a store full of better choices.

Since when did Gatorade become a breakfast drink? These kids aren't playing football, or little league or running a marathon. They don't need the stuff that's in there. They need vitamins and minerals and protein and stuff like that. OMG I beginning to sound like my friend Angel.