Whore shoes

I purchased a pair of whorish shoes this week. Now I know what you are thinking............

But these are the shoes I bought....

and I do walk the streets in them!

Actually, since walking the 26 miles to Ashland and back, I have had some problems with my feet and my knees. So I decided to take the advice of dozens of people and visit Paradise Footwear.

I walked in the door of a tropically decorated store, where there were a few other customers milling around.

"WELCOME TO PARADISE!!!!" I was enthusiastically greeted by a busy salesperson.

I manuevered to the running shoes and the owner appeared. "WELCOME TO PARADISE!!!!"

I explained my problem and took off my shoes and showed him my poor battered feet. He looked at the shoes, which are ASICS I purchased last spring and confirmed that they were indeed worn out. We tried another pair of ASICS as well as some other brands, but the ASICS felt more comfortable than the others, so in spite of the bright silver which makes me feel like a cross between a street walker and a 70 year old woman in a track suit headed to Bingo, I purchased them.

The gentleman who assisted me (and I believe is the owner), Tom Kalivas is a CERTIFIED PEDORTHIST, or C. Ped which is "a specialist in using footwear-which includes shoes, shoe modifications, foot orthoses and other pedorthic devies - to solve problems in, or related to, the foot and lower limb." (from their web page www.paradisefootwear.net)

It was a great experience and I will now be among the many people who recommend Paradise Footwear.

Brookings with Sharna and Eric

While waiting for Sharna and Eric to arrive in Brookings, Gene and I headed out for a walk. We walked down Ocean View Drive in Brookings and spotted a beach that was new to us - McVay Park. After scrambling down the embankment we walked along the beach and came upon a huge redwood tree trunk. It appeared the tree itself had been cut down some time ago, but how did the trunk come to rest upon this beach? I climbed up one side and inside the wood had an appearance reminiscent of waves and the center was hollow, revealing the sand on which this trunk sat.

When Sharna and Eric arrived we headed to Whaleshead Beach and hiked from there to Indian Sands. At Indian Sands we climbed around on rocks, viewing different little ocean inlets and caves.

On our way back to the RV Park we stopped and purchased some Pacific Cod fillets and clam chowder and prepared some beer battered fish fillets, tater tots, chowder and sliced strawberries.

Sunday morning we headed to Chetco Point Park and went tide pooling. On the main beach there was not a lot to see, although we did view a dead shark, about 2 foot in length on the beach. We climbed over some rocks and ended up in a middle section that was more exposed to the ocean. There we saw crabs, sea urchines, star fish and sea anemones.

All in all, another great weekend at the beach.

10% - Finally!!!

When you join Weight Watchers, one of the first major goals is to lose 10% of your body weight. There are substantial medical benefits to a 10% weight loss. Many people in the group reach this goal in about 3 months. Well, I am happy to say that I have now reached that milestone (and received my keychain), and it only took 2 years and 10 months! I don't think the folks at Weight Watchers will be calling me any time soon to shoot a commercial - but I am finally there (and I feel great)!

Now my goal is to lose another 20 pounds which will put me at my Weight Watchers goal. After maintaining that goal for 6 weeks I become a Lifetime Member. I say "Weight Watchers goal" because ultimately, I want to lose more than just the 20 lbs, but I can continue to lose without paying a weekly fee once I hit Lifetime.

In July, when I purchased my silver (6 month) membership, I vowed it would be the last one I purchased, so allowing for 6 weeks of maintenance, I need to lose this 20 lbs by mid November.

Dog Days of Summer

Gene left today to take Ronnie to Bonneville for a couple days of Speed Week. Ronnie's son has a vehicle there which he will race again this year.

I have been lazy today - reading, relaxing, writing, with a couple of chores added in so I don't feel too guilty. Actually, it feels very indulgent to relax and do only what I am inspired to do.

My dogs - Maya (above) and Nicki (below) have also been enjoying the Dog Days of Summer.

Steak and Roses

What I failed to mention in my last post, was that in addition to sharing his water, encouraging me along the way, going to the store after we came home to buy a steak for dinner, and preparing said steak, Gene also came home with a dozen roses "for the Marathon Girl"! He really is the Sweetest Man.

108 Degrees of Insanity

We had decided a little over a week ago that we would walk 26 miles on the bikepath Friday, since we could not go to the coast that weekend. Thursday was hot and I began to worry about Friday's forecast. I had wanted to be on the trail by 6am, but due to work problems, it was after 7:30.

We headed out from Bear Creek Park, only to become confused when we approached Barnett Rd. We crossed the footbridge over Bear Creek and then went across Barnett near the current I-5 offramp. Realizing we were walking in a construction staging area and that the path would not be there, we crossed back over Barnett and decided we would follow the signs which indicated the bike route went up the overpass. There was a gentleman on his bike who asked us how to get on the bike path to Ashland and he headed over the overpass also. He asked a gas station attendant and then told us to head south on Stewart Avenue and make a left at the first light (Center Drive) and we could not miss it. Reeeaaallly! We ended up pushing on, walking around until Center Drive hits Highway 99 and headed out past Bear Creek Golf, Roxy Ann Lanes, Kim's Restaurant and finally we were able to pick up the bike path at the Sports Park. On the return trip we learned that, had we not crossed the foot bridge, and instead headed to the site of the new offramp at Highland, we would have been able to cross Barnett and be on the bike path. People In Charge - it should really be marked better!

Anyway, we were off and did pretty well all the way to Ashland. We passed some people walking and many, many bicyclists passed us, most using proper Greenway rules and calling "Left!" as they passed us, which was most appreciated. There was quite a bit of shade from large trees, but as I anticipated the sun's path across the sky, I began to worry about the shade prospects for the return trip.

By Ashland I was wearing down and when we hit the 13 mile mark there was a shady spot. Gene wanted to push forward and get the 13.1 to be sure to walk a full marathon. I told him feel free and I would be ready when he got back.

Just before Talent I ran out of water in my hydration pack. No worries, I assured myself, when we hit Lynn Newbry Park in Talent I can fill up at a water fountain there. Many curse words were uttered by yours truly when I realized there was no water at Lynn Newbry. People in Charge - there should be more drinking water on the Bear Creek Greenway!

We decided to head to the gas station across from Walmart and while I waited outside and got the hydration packs open and ready, Gene went in and purchased the water and an iced tea.

The water and sweetened tea refreshed for a short period but the heat began to really take its toll. The rest of the trip was a tortured mind game where I fought off nausia, heat exhaustion, and foot pain. Gene encouraged, goaded and danced along the path trying to boost my determination. While a part of me appreciated his efforts, another part of me wanted to smack him.

I became more concerned with my ability to cope when I noticed I was not sweating and actually got goosebumps when a breeze came up. I stopped in the shade, drank some water and worked to summon some energy and determination.

We pushed on past the Sports Park, wondering where the path would take us. As we went under the new I-5 overpasses being constructed, I saw a large building that I mistakenly thought was one of the new hotels south of Fred Meyer. I began to curse and complain as I had thought we were closer, but then spotted the motel on Barnett Rd, and realized the other building was one of the manor's large apartment buildings and I was close to the end (in more ways than one).

We got to Bear Creek Park and I headed to the restroom, to run some cool water on my wrists. Because we did not take the same detour we took that morning, we were not at the 26.2 miles when we hit Bear Creek Park, but I was done. Gene said to use the restroom and he would meet me at the car. As I walked to the car I saw him running along the path, watching the Garmin, determined that he would hit the elusive 26.2, which of course he did, with a time of 6 hours and 52 minutes. I wrote 26.2 miles in my log, although I actually only went about 25.8.

We stopped at the store for refreshments, drove home, swam in the pool for a bit, and then Gene actually went to the store for a steak which he barbequed to perfection for dinner.

My feet have a few blisters and my knee is a little sore but all in all, I feel pretty good. Gene has a couple of blisters but other than that he feels great.

The high temperature Friday was 108 degrees, although I think it was ONLY 103 when we finished.

Gene looks and feels younger every day and is determined that eventually he will run a marathon. Last night we watched the women's Olympic marathon with an entirely new appreciation. Seeing a 38 year old mother from Romania win was inspiring, as was watching Dara Torres (age 41) take a silver medal in swimming.

Boys will be boys

Out at 3:30 this morning for our walk/jog, we passed two teenage boys. While they seemed harmless enough, the mother in me wondered what they were doing out at that hour.

Then my husband said "The kids have been having fun." I was not sure what he meant, until I looked in the street and noticed that the trash and recycling cans had been moved into the street, creating an obstacle course.

We walked a little further, watching early morning commuters manuever around the cans , and then Gene said, "What really irritates me is that I never thought of doing that when I was a kid!"

Hiking in Samuel Boardman Park

Friday we went back over to Brookings and walked 11 miles around town. The next morning it had rained a little and was foggy but we headed to Samuel Boardman State Park for our planned hike.

We started at Lone Ranch Beach, hiking the Oregon Coast Trail which goes from one viewpoint to the next. At Lone Ranch the path is narrow with plants on either side, so we became very wet as we traipsed through them, wondering if this was how our entire day was going to be.

When we reached the viewpoint at Lone Ranch, we could see nothing, because of the fog. Next we hit Cape Ferrello, which again had the view obscured by fog. After Cape Farrello we descended into a forest so dense that it was like walking into a cave. No light, or water seemed to penetrate.

At House Rock we were blessed with beautiful sunshine and gorgeous views of the Oregon coast. Next was Whaleshead and then Indian Sands where we hiked down through sand dunes to some rocks overhanging the ocean.

We decided at this point we should head back, as we had already hiked 7.4 miles. The hike back moved at a more brisk pace, however, toward the end there were more stumbles due to fatigue.

We finished the day by barbequing steak and drinking some wine, relaxing in the sun, and finally walking across the street to the bar for a nightcap and then an evening stroll on the beach. All in all, a perfect weekend at the coast.

Salesman Rant Update

Today, August 7 I finally received the last of the materials that were supposed to be delivered by July 11. Once the materials are installed and I am certain I do not need any accessories, I can sit back with satisfaction and know that I never have to deal with R.J. (aka The Liar) again!

46 Years Old (or Young)

In striving to be more physically active, I have read many books and magazines and they all promise one thing - that one will begin to feel younger by exercising. Today, I accidentally proved that theory.

In the wee small hours, while jogging with my husband and our two dogs, I stumbled and fell like a sack of bricks. It is amazing how many thoughts can cross one's mind in the split seconds it takes to fall.

"Please don't let me fall!"

Don't let me break my wrist!"

"No, not the knee!"

"Oh my! Not the face!"

Then comes the string of curse words. This took place right in front of my bank. I hope they do not have sound on their security tapes, which should be good for a laugh, anyway.

So now my chin, both palms, my knee and my thigh are scraped up. Part of me feels 11, because that was probably the last time I was this scraped up. Of course when I stand or move I feel 81, so I guess I am still averaging out to my age - 46.