60's fast food on the East Side of Allentown

I came across this picture on the Internet, it brought back many memories of my childhood, places like this had character!

Bike Lanes in Allentown PA

For more information look here http://articles.mcall.com/2012-03-09/news/mc-bicycle-lanes-point-counterpoint-20120309_1_bike-lanes-motor-vehicle-lanes-sharrows

The discussion brings up the controversy between dedicated bike lanes and sharrows or shared lanes where autos and bikes use the same lane but there are signs making the auto drivers aware that bikes have a right to the road.  When you are in a dedicated bike lane you must stay close to parked cars and you could become a "door" victim; a person in a parked car opens their door just as you pass on your bicycle and you get thrown into the traffic lane.  I have come close to this many times but I am aware of it so I look for people in cars and watch them closely.  In share lanes there are signs that make car drivers aware that bikes have a right to ride in the lane-in the center of the street-but the bicycle is not kept apart from the car by a painted line.  I think the bottom line is this; either way will promote more bike riding and this will automatically make people driving cars aware of bikes and this will create a safer atmosphere for bicycling.  However, bike riders will still have to be defensive, alert to their surroundings and obey the law.

Running with the Lights in the Parkway

I was always envious of the people running along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia across from Bow House Row and I realized we have some pretty cool places to run right here in Allentown with the annual Lights in the Parkway.

Mileage to date 2011.
Run 664
Walk 403
Bike 341
Ski 36
Total=1444

Hoping for 1500 miles for the year.

Ran 3.5 miles in 20:15. 5:47 pace!

36 years ago.  I came across an old piece of notebook paper from the summer of 1975, part of my training log I thought was long gone.  One of the entries, dated July 20 tells me I ran the 3.5 mile Bethlehem City Festival race in 20:15, not too bad for a 22 year old bicycle racer.  I also made note that  it was hot and humid.  I now remember that race, back then there were not too many running events and it was hot that day because I took my shirt off on the home stretch for some relief from the muggy conditions.  Other entries from that log are runs with my good friend Len Vreeland and club runs with the LVAA (Lehigh Valley Athletic Association).  The LVAA and the Emmaus Road Runners combined to become the Lehigh valley Road Runners of which I am now a member.  Anyway back to the race, after finishing remember large quantities of beer being consumed by the members of my party and falling asleep under the trees in the park near the Bethlehem YMCA.

So, save your logs, they are nice to look at later in life and bring back pleasant memories.

The doctor tells me I drink too much coffee.

I recently went in for my annual checkup and nothing wrong other than my doctor left the practice, can’t compete for a year so I had to see her replacement, Dr. Jekyll.  This guy and I will not meet again. He told me I am too fat, OK, I could lose a few pounds, my resting heart rate is too high (68?) and that I drink too much coffee, I knew that the caffeine issue was coming and he is on the mark with that one. So while I was having a Grande over at Starbucks, I did a little research. I had been way over the recommended intake so I have switched to decaff at home, one 16 oz regular at work and one cup of regular green tea per day. No withdrawal symptoms although I do look forward to getting in to work and having the regular coffee. It is too early to tell but I think my heart rate is a little lower on my runs so this may help my running. OK, I am off stalking my old doctor on the Internet to see where she ends up so I don't have to go 19th century medicine again.

      



 

VIA Marathon relay

I received another picture today from one of my team members.  Here I am ending my relay and handing off to another member.

VIA Marathon relay

Our team finished in 4:14.  I averaged 9:52 for my 4.8 mile leg, more later.