Walk With Me

Tecolote Park Trails

Taper time! The Las Vegas Rock 'n' Roll half marathon is next Sunday!

I think this is the first time I am taking a taper week as a no run week.  After two ridiculously busy weeks back at work, my body is just saying "no."

I am listening.

In addition to my body just saying "no," I am dealing with some allergies that I haven't had to deal with in YEARS.   This time I can't pin-point the triggers, but I've looked as if I've aged 10 years over the past two weeks due to the itchy eyes, dry skin around my eyes, and darker than normal allergic shiners (under my eyes.)  There is no concealer or cream that will camouflage any of this allergic reaction.  I have two theories to my allergy dillema.  The office where I work is right next door to a lumber retailer, and they create plenty of dust, OR it's the scented oil diffuser bottles my boss has put in the office since I was last working there full time.  I'm guessing it's the scented oils causing the issues.  I'm going to ask my boss take those out for a week to see if it makes a difference in how I feel/react.  My boss did give me a sample Rx for a newer allergy eye drop, which does offer relief, but it's just a temporary fix.

Did those of you who celebrated Thanksgiving have a good one?  I'm certainly thankful for all of my blogging friends.  Running and reading would not be the same without you all. 

Thanksgiving was quiet this year.  Hubs and I opted to sleep in instead of run in a 5k Turkey Trot.  We both needed the rest.  Most of our relatives were in other states and cities this year.  There were only about nine of us at my sister in law's house  for Thanksgiving dinner, compared to the 20+ people we're used to.  I did host a day after Thanksgiving dinner for my side of the family, but that was easy, since I swore NOT to use leftovers.

This year Evan wanted to help.  I showed him how to use an apple peeler, how to use the food processor, how to measure ingredients, how to roll out a pie crust, and how to saute' mushroom.  These new cooking skills beat out watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

Evan is demonstrating his mad rolling pin skilz.

A future chef?

I also stayed away from the Black Friday sales. I did partake in some internet shopping, but there was no way I was going to set foot in any mall or store, even for groceries. I'm all for a good deal, and kudos to those of you who camped out to get a good spot in line for a good deal on that wide screen TV or computer. Working in retail many years ago sort of ruined the thrill of shopping for me. I did work all of those crazy retail hours and had to deal with the aftermath when it was all over.

Hubs and I did get in a couple of walks:

and


For both walks we tackled Illion St, which is what I refer to as "The Hill." This street has a 16%  grade, and I would equate it to doing stairs, just because you need to use your legs as if you're ascending/descending stairs. I've mentioned this street before because we've seen Marines train by running up and it over and over again.  The only thing worse just as good is the steep hill that goes through Torrey Pines State Park towards USCD.   Since I have the La Jolla half marathon in my future, and the route goes through Torrey Pines State Park, I will be utilizing "The Hill" as much as possible over the next five months. I hope shin splints will no longer be an issue...

Yikes.


Finally, this:

Evan - Watching TV with Transformers.

Monday's Song:
D'yer Mak'er- Led Zeppelin - Running With The Black Knight

PEACE

PS

Check out this sweet giveaway at Run Faster, Mommy for really cool Sporty Girl's jewelry!

Feelin' Alright

"May Gray" is now with us.  We've had such pleasant weather up until yesterday, where it stayed overcast all day long.  It never really warmed up, either.  If I were running it would actually be perfect weather.

On Saturday I decided to attend the track club's run.  This particular run is normally a 20+ mile run.  I'm still not ready to run, but I decided to walk and see how far I could go.  It has been over two months since I've run or even walked more than a couple of blocks.  I kept an open mind, but remained cautious.  This is also the first time I've been able to really test out the custom orthotics.  I've been wearing the orthotics since I first put them in my shoes, but walking further was a better test.   I had no specific distance goal, but I knew I wanted to put in at least a couple of miles.  Coach Paul stopped and walked with me for a short time just to make sure I was OK and inquired about my foot.  Several of my friends ran by in the opposite direction and it was cool to give out some high fives along the way.  It felt weird being at the very back of the pack, but I wasn't putting in the high miles, I just wanted to see what I could do.  Here's the route I took:

I did an out and back from Hospitality Point to Mariner's Point and back, logging in 6.3 miles.

I felt OK, and that 6.3 miles was just enough. I'm not sure if it's the orthotic or if it's my left foot overcompensating in different places, but I have a shin splint near the outer side of the left calf. Shin splints are normally caused by going too fast or far too soon, or the wrong shoes. In my case, I don't think it's going too fast or too far too soon, and I know it's not the shoes. I think it might be the custom orthotic in the left shoe and some overcompensation. I haven't had shin splints in YEARS. I've been doing the R.I.C.E. thing, which I do for my foot anyway, plus using the stick to massage the shin. I'll address this at RU on Wednesday.

I enjoyed reuniting with many of my friends again and seeing how wonderfully they're doing.

The "Welcoming Committee" did an awesome job and had a tape to run through at the end, plus a cooler full of Otter Pops.  That's Molly (and me) recreating running through the tape.  No, she didn't run in sandals. LOL.

Group photo.  Brownie points if you can find me.  I'm wearing a white hat.

Hubs did OK. He doesn't run with a GPS at all, but he thinks he put in about 16 or 17 miles.

Based on how I walked on Saturday, I can definitely WALK the half marathon under the 4 hour time limit. I might be able to attempt a walk/run pattern.  I just have to be open minded to whatever happens. I'm just happy to be participating.

Thursday's Song:
Such Great Heights - Postal Service E-Speed

PEACE

Special

Because I don't feel special enough already, last night I banged my left small toe into the corner of a door threshold. One of my cats was coughing up a fur ball while on my bed (ugh) and I was trying to get her off my bed and at least to a floor area with a wipe-able surface. In my haste, I caught my foot on the corner of the door threshold. I said a whole bunch of special words upon impact. Last night I thought I might have broken it, but this morning it wasn't so bad, but still sore. It looks weird.



I'm sorry if feet/toes gross you out. Yes, I know, I need a pedicure, which is why I didn't show the entire foot.

Because of this little pain in the pinky toe, I didn't run with the track club today, so I stayed behind to take pictures of the runners and the surrounding area.

Here's my husband:

I also came upon people who were feeding the feral cats. This morning the cats were feasting on Tilapia and Salmon. The people feeding the cats are trying get them adopted out, but many of these cats are not adoptable. The cats are all "identified" by the people feeding them, and they all have names. I must say it was a strange sight to see the cats hanging out at the bay. At first glance, in the distance, I thought they were seagulls.


Best wishes to all of my friends who are running at Carlsbad tomorrow morning!


Yesterday's song:
I'm On My Way - The Proclaimers - Barbie2be


PEACE

Here We Come A-Wassailing

Yesterday

Activity: Walk
Date: 12/27/08 12:15 PM
Distance: 2.12 miles
Time: 0:29:43
Speed: 4.2 mph
Pace: 14' 17 min/mile
Calories: 205

Yesterday I finally met with Jim from the track club to see about correcting how I run with my new set of circumstances. We met at Mission Bay Park. (It was a beautiful day; I should have taken my camera!) I told him about my injury ordeal and how lopsided I am when I run. He asked me all of the standard questions about the injury, surgery, shoes, shoe inserts, physical therapy, how many miles can I run now, and so on. I did a little running to show how my form is, or lack thereof. He gave me some good tips, most were basic, and I knew about most of them (building back muscle and endurance), but the one little tidbit of advice that seemed to help the most is to watch my posture. I know that sounds basic, but I've become somewhat used to my lopsidedness and I'm not as aware (anymore) when I do go lopsided. After our meeting, I had my husband run behind me so that he could tell me how to correct my running posture, and a lot of it was bringing up my right shoulder to help my body become more even, if that makes sense. At any rate, it worked. The only problem is that I can't have my husband run with me every time I want to go running, I still run faster than he does, and even though I'm going slow for me, he can't keep up with me to help me make the corrections. We might work on this posture thing just on Saturday mornings, provided I can get my husband up early enough. He's not a morning person.

Last night a friend stopped by with all the goodies for Bloody Marys with shrimp. I've had a Bloody Mary with a shrimp garnish but never mixed into the drink. He chopped some cooked shrimp in the food processor and added into the drink. It was just like drinking a shrimp cocktail with a kick.



Today

I'm not trying to brag or anything, but IT'S ANOTHER GORGEOUS OUTSIDE TODAY! OK, I'm bragging just a little... My husband is going to take our grandson out to the park to burn off some energy and kick around the soccer ball before the big football game (Chargers/Broncos) this evening. Today will also include putting all of our stuff back in the bathroom, now that it's relatively done. There's some minor things that need to be taken care of, like buying a new shower curtain, but it's done.

I'm going out for a walk now. It's just too nice a day to waste. I might even take pictures.

Friday's song:
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Frank Sinatra - Run-DMZ


PEACE

Go Tell It On The Mountain

Activity: Walk
Date: 12/23/08 10:44 AM
Distance: 1.51 miles
Time: 0:42:28
Speed: 2.1 mph
Pace: 28' 34 min/mile
Calories: 147

I haven't really run, walked, worked out, or whatever in several days. It was time I did something. I decided the kid had too much TV time and needed to get out, so I took him with me. As we were walking through our rather hilly neighborhood, I realized that he never complains about going for walks. He did say he was thirsty once, but we were almost home by then. I'm hoping that, at some point, he'll want to run. Wouldn't that be something?

Here's a couple of pictures from the walk:

Looking towards Mission Bay Park

The kid all bundled up!

Back at home, the kid was satisfied with a cup of juice to quench his thirst, and I finished up decorating a batch of Christmas cookies. It's amazing what you can do with powdered sugar, water, food coloring and some Ziplock bags.



Yesterday's song:
Baby, It's Cold Outside - Vanessa Williams, Dean Martin, Lady Antebellum, Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan, James Taylor, etc... - Katiefeldmom, Run-DMZ, Barbie2be, Heffer Blog

PEACE

All I Want For Christmas Is You

Sometimes making a plan is over rated. With the help of a friend who works in the hotel industry, I planned a little in-town wedding anniversary get-away, but we actually spent only one full day together. Part of the problems was that our anniversary was on a Thursday. That means two more week days to make phone calls, check on projects, employees, building permits, and so on. My husband also arranged to have the tile guys re-do the tile in the kid's bathroom. He didn't realize that he had planned the tile guys the same week as our anniversary. No, my husband doesn't carry a calender. He arranged for the tile guys to be at our house in two weekends, and never thought to check a calender to see when two weekends would be. Consequently, he had to go back home a few times to drop off supplies, pay the tile guys and check the work.

Next year we're getting out of town.

I also took some pictures, BUT my husband has that camera at work. I did have my camera on me, but didn't have it with me the whole time. Here's a few shots from my camera:

At dinner, we're feeling rather relaxed after a couple of cocktails. This is the only picture I have with that dress I mentioned in a previous post.



Back at the hotel, they have an outdoor beach bar on the second floor. Even though we were a little cold, we sat and watched the full moon rise over the hotel building.



While walking to the downtown credit union, we passed by a Toys For Tots toy drive, and Howie Mandel was the celebrity draw for the event. I asked my husband if he wanted a picture of Howie Mandel. He said he didn't, so I took a photo of this Christmas tree at Horton Plaza instead.


While downtown, I guesstimate that we put in about four miles of walking each day. We walked everywhere.

More photos to come...

Last Wednesday's song:
I'll Be Home For Christmas - Bing Crosby, and many others - Baribe2be

PEACE

Sidewalks

Activity: Walk
Date: 11/25/08 11:20 AM
Distance: 0.98 miles
Time: 0:31:35
Speed: 1.8 mph
Pace: 33' 20 min/mile
Calories: 95

This is what a walk at 1.8 mph with my grandson looks like:

All of these photos were taken by Evan, age 5.

Once we were home, the dog was begging for attention. Evan snapped one last photo, just for the sake of the dog.

Yesterday's Song:
Chicken Soup With Rice - Carole King

PEACE

Steal Away

Activity: Walk
Date: 11/19/08 10:34 AM
Distance: 3.00 miles
Time: 0:58:59
Speed: 3.1 mph
Pace: 19' 21 min/mile
Calories: 284

I decided to walk today instead of run, however, I took on the hill with the 16% grade. It's sort of like taking on several flights of stairs. It's really good for working out the hamstrings and quads.

Nutrition is OK, so far. I still need more low fat protein, though.

I'm still mulling around the idea of a running coach. I corresponded with two running coaches right after my surgery, just to make sure someone would be willing to work with me. I can't see how I run, but I know I'm running lopsided. I need someone who can tell me how to correct what I'm doing as I run. Part of that is building back the muscle I've lost in the right leg, and the other part is relearning running mechanics with my new situation. We'll see.

Last night my husband came home from work rather late. He has a new project, which means extra long hours. He was tired and just sort of put everything down on the kitchen table then went into our room to change. When he went back into the kitchen, he couldn't find a brown paper sack with his deli sandwich in it. He was planning on eating the sandwich for dinner. He said he knew he was tired, but he remembered bringing in the sack. He went back out to his car just to make sure he didn't leave it there. No sack. No sandwich. Then he looked through our room, thinking he might have mindlessly brought it in there. Nope. Nothing. THIS MORNING, I got up and took a look out of the kitchen window, as I do every morning. I yelled out to my husband, who was still in our room, "I think I've found your sandwich, or what's left of it." Apparently, the dog stole the sack with the sandwich and took it outside to eat it. There was deli paper and the brown paper sack ripped up and all over our back yard lawn this morning. When did the dog become so sneaky? She's never stolen food before, unless it should fall on the floor. Maybe the sack fell on the floor and my husband didn't know it? Maybe the dog conveniently knocked the sack on the floor? I don't know. At least my husband know knows he wasn't going nuts. There really WAS a sandwich in a brown paper bag.


Yesterday's song:
Our Lawyer Made Us Change The Name Of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued - Fall Out Boy


PEACE

Move Along

Activity: Run
Date: 11/12/08 10:02 AM
Distance: 7.21 miles
Time: 1:30:56
Speed: 4.8 mph
Pace: 12' 37 min/mile
Calories: 689

I did a run/walk at Mission Bay Park and managed to get in 2 extra miles. Since I went a little earlier than normal, I used my Ipod shuffle. I usually reserve the Ipod music for the gym treadmill, but since it was still early enough, I figured I wouldn't have to deal with as much foot and bike traffic as I would encounter on the weekends. 7 Nation Army and Mr. Brightside did come in handy to give me just that extra push.

I need to take a camera with me on my walks and/or runs. Sometimes I see things and people that just amaze me. I do have a camera on my cell phone, but it trips off the run tracker when I take a picture. Maybe the next time I go on a planned walk I'll take the monster camera.

Speaking of my cell phone... It's toast. I really need to upgrade. It used to hold a charge for days, even when using the run tracker. Now, when I use the run tracker, it holds a charge for about 2 hours if I'm lucky.

Yesterday's song:
Inspiration - Gipsy Kings

PEACE

Tight Fit

Activity: Run
Date: 11/07/08 11:37 AM
Distance: 3.08 miles
Time: 0:37:30
Speed: 4.9 mph
Pace: 12' 10 min/mile
Calories: 297

and

Activity: Walk
Date: 11/07/08 12:18 PM
Distance: 2.55 miles
Time: 0:39:46
Speed: 3.8 mph
Pace: 15' 47 min/mile
Calories: 243

I went down to the bay to get in my run. I decided early on that I wasn't going to run the entire way. I set my BiM to the run setting for the first 3 miles, because that was my initial goal - just the three miles, then I stopped to refill my water bottle at 3.08 miles and switched my BiM over to walk. I got in 5.63 miles total.

I also wore the new Pumas. They seem OK, so far.

After the run I made my way to Target for a cheap tech t shirt for my Pink Dumbbell iron on logo for the run on Sunday. I bought a medium black tech t shirt from the boy's department for only $3.00. I held it up to the women's XS and it was pretty much the same, but the women's XS wasn't on sale. I wanted a boy's size L but I couldn't find one that was plain. I think the boy's size M will work. It's cut kind of big. For $3.00, I'll make it fit. Heh.

Running blogger, Southbay Girl, is here in town with her son today. I'm hoping to hook up with her tonight. It's always fun meeting running bloggers because you sort of already know them, well, at least their running habits. I'm also looking forward to meeting AKA Alice at the 5k on Sunday. We may have actually met before, in passing, through the track club. I know my husband has run with some of her friends while training for the last marathon, since they ran around the same pace. It will be fun to meet and re-meet AKA Alice and friends. I'm also hoping Anne will make her way to the 5k, but if not, I'm sure there will be another run function we'll both be at in the not so distant future.

Yesterday's song:
All Good Gifts - From the musical Godspell

PEACE

All Good Gifts

Yesterday was pretty incredible. What a turn out of voters!

Activity: Walk
Date: 11/05/08 11:43 AM
Distance: 1.65 miles
Time: 0:31:47
Speed: 3.1 mph
Pace: 19' 21 min/mile
Calories: 155

Today I mustered a 1.6 mile walk. I wasn't feeling all that great, so I cut my walk short. I never used to be like that, but I guess I lost the endurance for pushing through. I have to build back some sort of endurance or tolerance for my monthly gift from mother nature... *sigh* What the heck happened to me?

On the upswing, the track club had another shoe testing event today. I stood in line for a very limited supply of test shoes, unlike last time, where there were shoes left over. I did managed to come away with a pair of Pumas - Complete Concinnity III. I am not as excited about this pair of shoes as the last pair, which were Adidas Adistar Rides, but we'll see how I do once I get out there and attempt to put in some mileage on them. Time will tell. The Men's shoe selections and sizes were rather sparse. They ran out of Men's shoes almost right away. I was also hoping to see some of my track club friends, but I didn't see anyone this time, however, I did have some nice conversations with the women in front of me.

Yesterday's song:
Freedom Of Choice - Devo

PEACE

Easy

Activity:	Walk
Date:	10/20/08 11:14 AM
Distance:	2.23 miles
Time:	0:46:33
Speed:	2.8 mph
Pace:	21' 26 min/mile
Calories:	207

I went walking, and only walking today. I felt rather off yesterday, and I believe it's from a lack of a good night's sleep due to someone else snoring. Today was just all about getting out there and putting some time on my feet. Today there's also a mini challenge over at PDB, 10 push-ups, 10 crunches, and 10 body weight squats, every day this week. Easy. Done.

Congratulations to all of my friends who participated in the Nike Women's Marathon and Half Marathon yesterday! New personal records were set! I hope to get in next year.

Yesterday's song:
Anticipation - Carly Simon - Be A Good One

PEACE

Today

This (below) is what I did today. It posted ALL of my GPS data directly from the BiM site, but it didn't post quite right. Any way, I did an out and back walk/run. Going out I walked for 2 minutes and ran for 1. Going back I walked for 1 minuted and ran for 2. I actually went a bit faster doing this pattern and didn't compromise comfort. I may have to rethink my initial 5k goal time, because I was around 42 minutes + at about 3 miles.

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 13 ft Location: San Diego, CA, Elev. Gain: +3 ft Date: 10/17/08 Up/Downhill: [+160/-157] Time: 12:25 PM Difficulty: 1.8 / 5.0 Weather: Sunny 68 F temp; 30% humidity 68 F heat index; winds CALM calm mph Performance Distance: 5.03 miles Time: 1:09:34 Speed: 4.3 mph Pace: 13' 57 /mi Calories: 482 Notes Asics gel nimbus 9 (1) Walk/run (minutes) 2 walk/ 1 run out 1 walk /2 run back Map Elevation (ft) Speed (mph) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 14' 15 +0' 17 4.2 -0.1 +3 ft 2 13' 47 -0' 10 4.3 +0.0 -3 ft 3 13' 34 -0' 23 4.4 +0.1 +4 ft 4 13' 41 -0' 16 4.4 +0.1 +4 ft 5 13' 45 -0' 12 4.4 +0.1 -3 ft end 15' 00 +1' 02 4.0 -0.3 0 ft Versus average of 4.3 mph

Posted from bimactive.com

Yesterday's song:
Pretty In Pink - Psychedelic Furs - Barbie2be

PEACE

Return To Me

Activity: Walk
Date: 10/15/08 10:16 AM
Distance: 3.39 miles
Time: 0:52:04
Speed: 3.9 mph
Pace: 15' 23 min/mile
Calories: 323

I got in my 3+ miles today, but I did a jog/walk , but mostly walk. The muscles in my right leg are so weak that I found it hard not to over compensate with my left leg while attempting to run, so I took smaller steps and jogged instead of ran. Out of the 3+ miles I put in today, I probably jogged about 3/4ths of a mile. Hey, I'm RUNNING. It's Fall and I'm running, just like all the docs said. Perhaps it's time to do a little 5k goal setting. I wanna see if I can do the 5k on November 9th in under 50 minutes. A year ago my 5K goal was to get under 26 minutes. Now I'm just thankful to be running at all.

Yesterday's song:
Come Join Us - Bad Religion


PEACE

Come Join Us

Over at Pinkdumbbells.com, I mentioned that I had signed up for the 5k and challenged the other members to join me on November 9, but to do a 5k event in their area or just go the 5k distance on their own. Much to my surprise, the idea is growing. Maggie even had a blog post about making your own 5k race, and making a donation to your charity of choice. The Shelter Island 5k run/walk I'm participating in supports the The 5k I'm in supports the Injured Soldiers Program (Injured US Military) San Diego Adaptive Sports Foundation. Others are selecting to do their own 5k and donating what ever money they would have paid for a 5k event to a charity - such as their local ASPCA. The great thing about making your own 5k is that you can place first in your age group and over all, and win all the prizes! Heh. Any one else out there wanna join us? November 9, 2008 is the date!

Yesterday's song:
It Can Only Get Better - Charice - Barbie2be

PEACE

It Can Only Get Better

I did it.






I got over myself and just did it.





I signed up for the Shelter Island 5k run/walk.





I also signed up my husband.




I am missing running like crazy, and everything that goes with it, even the sore muscles, blisters, getting up at the crack of dark to run, the track club, the races, the smell of new running shoes fresh out of the box, the smell of old muddy running shoes with the treads all worn off, all of my running garb, and my stop watch with the heart rate monitor. I even miss Gu. I also REALLY missed out on the run events this summer and felt a little wistful when I read about other runners training and events. I have about a month to get ready for a new PW - personal worst, but it can only get better after that, right? See you there, and save a seat for me at the post event brunch.


Yesterday's song:
Nest - Nir
PEACE

Tangled Up In Blue

Last night my husband and I went on the Gallery and Wine Walk. It's an annual event in La Jolla and somewhat like an open house for participating art galleries. Wine is served at each art gallery, and food at some, which makes for a more relaxing and happy stroll through downtown La Jolla. We even ran into several people we knew, such as the stretch coach from our track club, long time friends, and a few of my husband's business contacts. One of my favorite galleries on the route was the Morrison Hotel Gallery, a "Fine Art Music Photography Gallery." I've been there a few times before, but it's always fun to look. There are some great candid and composed photos of music legends and bands, many from the 1960's and 1970's, such as Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Plant, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, The Doors, and so on. I also enjoyed strolling through the other art galleries and appreciating art in its many forms. It was a great evening to get away for a few hours and forget about the leaky the water heater and the state of our
economy.

EDIT

Activity:	Walk
Date:	09/26/08 10:58 AM
Distance:	3.35 miles
Time:	0:59:02
Speed:	3.4 mph
Pace:	17' 39 min/mile
Calories:	315

Yesterday's song:
Jalapeno - Big & Rich - Katiefeldmom



PEACE

Atomic Dog

Activity: Walk
Date: 09/19/08 11:43 AM
Distance: 2.15 miles
Time: 0:42:26
Speed: 3.0 mph
Pace: 20' 00 min/mile
Calories: 197

More walking was on the plan today. Other than a lost dog who barked at me and didn't want any assistance, and passing by a few runners, it was pretty uneventful... But you know what? Uneventful can be a wonderful thing. Life is good.

My lab results are complete, and I have an appointment with the endocrinologist on Tuesday morning. I was able to view my results on-line, but I honestly have no clue what the numbers mean. They do show what a normal range is, and my results all appear to be with in that normal range, but there may be more to those numbers than I know.

Yesterday's song:
Walking On Sunshine - Katrina and the Waves - Be A Good One



PEACE

Walking On Sunshine

Thursday is half day at the elementary school and my day to pick up the grand kid. Since it was a gorgeous day, I decided it would be worth the extra effort to walk. The school really isn't that far, not quite 3/4ths of a mile. I figured I could do an out and back walk, and it wouldn't be too far for the grand kid, either. I know he can walk further than 3/4ths of a mile at one time. As we were walking home he kept questioning "how are we going to get home?" I just told him that we were walking. As we walked and turned down a street he commented, "my mommy doesn't go this way, she goes THAT way!" As we approached our house, he exclaimed "we made it!" Perhaps in the eyes of a 5 year old that is a long walk, especially since Disneyland or Sea World isn't involved. As for my walk, my stats looked like this:

Activity:	Walk
Date:	09/18/08 12:26 PM
Distance:	1.44 miles
Time:	0:27:37
Speed:	3.1 mph
Pace:	19' 21 min/mile
Calories:	136

The walking is getting a wee bit faster, but I wasn't going for speed since I had some time on my hands. It took less than 10 minutes to walk to the school, and longer to walk back with the grand kid in hand.

I've finally received some news about my DEXA or bone density test. My numbers are in the normal range for my age. I've also been referred to an endocrinologist. His assistant called me today and asked a zillion questions about my health and running history. She had my file and the basic information that I'm a marathon runner and was injured, perhaps while training. She also added that the doctor found my case interesting since I'm younger than most hip fracture patients, healthy, watch my nutrition and workout. You know what that means? More tests! (It's about time!) As soon as I could, I went down to the lab today and they took blood for more tests. The tests are varied, from thyroid tests, tests for wheat/gluten allergies, hormone levels, and so on. It feels good to finally deal with someone who can look specifically at my issues with a plethora of tests, and not just second guess. It's true that these tests could also be inconclusive, but the fact that they're finally testing me makes me somewhat happy.

By the way, I slept well last night!

Yesterday's song:
Hello Moonglow - Heart


PEACE

Good Morining

I kept meaning to post something yesterday, but I ran out of steam early. I feel like I'm fighting off a flu bug or something. I was thinking it was allergies, but it isn't. Even a trip to Costco did me in. I've been hearing others talk about how tired they feel, as well, so it's not just me. I suppose it's the start of cold and flu season, especially now that school is in.

My grandson's best friend is Jacob and it's a popular name for that age group. I'm still not sure why Evan decided he wanted to be called Jacob that day. I still think it's kind of funny.

I went with my daughter to drop off Evan at his school this morning. I haven't been to an elementary school since my son attended one. Amazingly, not much has changed for the morning routine, and I suppose that's a good thing. Parents were dropping off their children, the crossing guards were out at each corner, teachers were outside their classrooms prior to the bell ringing, students were gathering for the morning assembly, and so on. It was an amazingly pleasant morning. Instead of being driven back home, I walked. It's only a 3/4 mile walk back home. It would have been nice to say that I ran home, but I'm still not up to that. I took my phone with the GPS to track my walk, but I forgot to turn it on. I guess I was caught up in the being back at an elementary school thing.


Tuesday's song:
Kindergarten - Faith No More - Barbie2be

PEACE