A Perfect Weekend

Walking Mileage: 5.34
January Miles Walked: 52.39
Temperature upon departure: 50*
Humidity: 46%

Ever had an ear ache that made your entire head hurt? I've been struggling with this stupid sickness for awhile and finally went to the doctor. Turns out my ears were 'impacted' and they needed to 'irrigate' them. I was not familiar with this technique and it sounded harmless as they described it as flushing my ears with warm water. Ok I thought, clueless. The nurse came back in with a syringe that looked like something from a horror movie! Afterwards my equilibrium was so off I almost fainted in the doctors office- I've never felt that before. The room was spinning and moving up and down, my face felt flushed and I had a hot flash. They gave me something called Avelox- which after taking it for two days I realized that the medicines caused vertigo too! So now I take it right before I go to sleep. Granted my walking was off last week: no walks on Wednesday, only a mile on Thursday (no pack or weight) and then I had to work my 2nd job on Friday. Saturday turned out to be a great day for catch up.

Saturday I headed out with the boys on a perfect Southern Winter day- 55*, sunshine with a few pretty white clouds fluttering by in the slightest of breeze with only 40% humidity and nothing else to do that day but walk. The boys were ready, Petey's paws were looking good at the start. I had my pack filled with:
-1 water bottle for me
-1 Gatorade for me
-1 large bottle of water for the boys
-a 3# weight
-Matt's camera
-My cell phone
-3 granola bars
-LOTS of doggie pick up bags
-ipod
-mace
-Altoids (yum!)
-oh, and lip gloss (of course!)

I had a rough idea of a route but nothing particular. We ended up finding a great view of the city, pictures to come later tonight, it was by the MLK sculpture. I was hoping to meet up with my friend Caitlin but that didn't turn out. So we just wandered, from Freedom Parkway through to the Highlands, then went through that neighborhood to Briarcliff. This is the way I drive to my 2nd job and the streets are real confusing so I wanted to check it out on foot and see which ways have sidewalks and which don't. I still haven't rode my bike to the bakery, but plan to in the next week. If it's early enough I can go straight down Highland, but during the busy times there is a lot of traffic, and no shoulder or bike lane.

Anyways, we stopped at the CVS to use the facilities and had to buy something, so I got a big Fruit Punch Gatorade and some beef jerky for the boys. They gobbled that down with tails wagging! I drank the Gatorade and actually enjoyed the red fluid, more tasty than water or the yellow powder stuff I had in my pack. I didn't want to lose any weight in my pack- that's why I didn't want to drink what I had and I hate the yellow greenish flavor! We continued on through the new (to us) neighborhood and felt really great, Petey's tail was held high and Blue was strong as ever. I found a beat in my step going up some pretty big hills listening to Jack Johnson on my ipod. The ipod sure makes the time and miles pass by quicker and more comfortable.
We then cut through to cross over to The By Way (that really is the street name!) which had NO sidewalks or shoulders- this is a neighborhood with million dollar + homes! My opinion every street should have a sidewalk or a shoulder at the very least! After almost 3 1/2 hours of walking I was feeling great, but tired and ready to head home. We finally got home after 4 1/2 hours- the boys were good. Petey's pads looked ok, a little worn, but way better than last week. Blues' back paws were a little more worn than I liked. I taught Matt how to check the paws and what we are looking for. We are still dreaming of the trail everyday!
Sunday I worked 8-5 at the bakery and felt surprisingly great. I thought I'd be sore from Saturday's outing, but felt fresh and strong all day. It's a long shift on your feet with little breaks, I learned to make espresso, lattes, cappuccinos and such. Towards the end of the day I just wanted to go walk! When I got home at 4:45 it was again beautiful and sunny at abut 50*- Matt joined us on our little 5.34 mile walk. We just did a regular route that we do often, the one where people stop and ask us for directions, it's just off Ponce and seems to confuse people. Every time we walk it, someone asks for directions. Last night two did- we only could help one though. It was really great to have Matt there, we chatted the whole way! About my day, his day, the dogs, things we want to do in life. I don't think he even realizes how much him walking with us means to me! It makes my heart flutter and I love enjoying his company while we walk. When he is there walking with us it is really true love.