This and That

Happy 4th of July!

Walking Apps

Well, I managed to overdue my walking yesterday-- 4.75 miles in the morning and 4.25 miles in the evening. My shoulder is really bothering me this morning. . . even with anti-inflammatories.

Part of the problem was that I loaded Map My Walk app onto my new phone. With my old phone, it would basically drain the battery in an hour because it tracks you via GPS, so for months I didn't bother with the app. But, of course, I had been slacking with my pace and had no way to track it, which is why I reloaded it.

I love this app! Though I don't use it to it's full potential, I love the fact that she talks to you every mile and gives you your current pace. Here's what I walked yesterday morning. I can click on the event and it will give me all sorts of breakdowns to help my workout--if I actually was walking toward a goal or training for an event.

This walk was my best time so far this summer. My kidlet swims at McClure park in the morning during the summer. Remember, I don't jog! This is just a really, really fast walk!

Walked 4.75 mi on 07/03/2013

MapMyWalk

I walked with MapMyWalk! Distance: 4.75mi, time: 01:02:29, pace: 13:10min/mi, speed: 4.56mi/h.

 

Shoulder Update

I've set my surgery for August. Right now, it's scheduled for the day before school starts. When I meet with my doctor in a couple weeks, we'll firm that up. The surgery will put me out of blogging for awhile--no idea how long--but I plan to have something special for you then.

So stick around!

Monsters University

The kidlet and I saw this movie yesterday. It was okay, but I'm glad I didn't spend the extra money on the 3-D version. It delved into Mike and Sully's back story of how they first met. They could have spent less time at the beginning, AND I think I spotted a little bit of a boo-boo that they should have taken out. But that could have just been me overthinking things again.

Contest Judging

For the first time in a long time, I'm judging a contest entries again. Over the last couple years, I've been stuck judging historical novels and wanted a bit of a change. I requested FFP--Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal.

I just didn't expect to get all three 'worlds' in one entry! The premise starts off interesting with the mad scientist conducting experiments on his own kid, the kid escaping and then the unexpected happens! I'm excited! I'm hooked! I want more! How does he really escape his father and adjust to his 'new' self. Does he find more experiments like himself? And then, chapter three . . . it's a new and different world with a different protagonist, and with magic. WHAT??! My mind can't honestly compute that these very different main characters/plot/world will actually mix somewhere in this book. -- Wait a second--I can actually use this thought when I give the entry my overall impression and final thoughts on the entry!

Or the entry where the author is using the contest as a critique. Now, don't get all high-and-mighty on me here. I know some people don't have access to other writers, but there are easier ways to find a crit partner than spending $$ to enter a contest.

Contest judging and critiquing are two different beasts. And unless I'm sorely mistaken this entry is a first time work from a first time writer, and I fear this person will be burned for life when she sees her score. This entry will take many days for me to judge, since I'll have to really soften my typical response into constructive feedback.

Yeah, these contest entries will be difficult to get through.

Stars and Stripes Swim Meet

This weekend I'll be spending my time in a natatorium. Fun, fun. This is the last chance for my kidlet to qualify for Long Course Age Groups. Hopefully, she's have her mind in the game and push through the pain to get the times she needs. We'll see. Hmm . . . I could bring the contest entries on my netbook and judge them while we're waiting . . . at least until the battery runs out. I like this idea!

Well, that's all I have for now. I'll have to go to the store later to get something to make for tonight. Yeah, nothing like leaving it to the last minute, right?!

Later, peeps!

Weighty Wednesday -- Map My Walk

Many, many years ago, when I was young and naive, I joined Weight Watchers. I didn't have as much weight to lose at that time, but I had realized that I wouldn't lose the weight without exercise. At that time, I belonged to a gym and used the elliptical machine after work and then rode my horse.

Then there were those days when the weather was lousy and I didn't ride or drive to workout.

I asked for a Billy Blanks Tae-Bo VCR tapes (see how many years ago it was!), and a Weight Watcher's walking tape. Though I did use the Tae-Bo tapes--until I clonked my previous dog in the jaw because she thought I was playing with her, I NEVER used the WW tape.

Fast forward to current technology available on every iPhone and Android phone out there. The problem is now there are too many choices that you don't know which one to pick! Last week at my WW meeting, a lady suggested the Map My Walk app. When she was talking about it, I liked the idea of the GPS mapping, tracking activity, and how fast you are going.

When I scrolled through my phone's free walking apps, it was about 15th on the list. They also have Map my Run and Map my Ride for those of you who run or bike. Here's the website link to make it easier for you: http://www.mapmywalk.com/  There are tons of options with this app, but I'm simply not interested in utilizing them at this time.

The first day I tested this app--after spending some time inputting information into the phone--I was astounded! Yes, I was, I'm not simply using a big word. I thought my normal walking route was about 4 miles, considering it takes me roughly an hour to walk. I thought I might walk around a 15 min mile, which translates to 4 mph.

My stats for the first day were 4.35 miles walked for 57 minutes at a speed of 4.5 mph!

Wowzers!

I like this app. It has a pause button if you want to stop and chat with someone and it can send the info to your Twitter or Facebook or keep it private.

--Which reminds me, I need to remove my twitter feed. Though it posts and I've have people comment on it, it takes the joy away from the personal touch of my pithy comments about my walkies.

The only disadvantage to this particular program, and many like them that use GPS tracking, is the fact that it eats up your battery power. The hour long walk will drain my battery to about half.

Though I usually walk when the weather is bad, it's a good idea to have a backup option. I have the Wii Workout and I still have those Billy Blank's tapes . . . hmm, now I have to see if we still have a VCR to plug them into.

Later, Peeps!