Walking at 6:30 A.M.

We've all read it, heard it, and tried it, but too few do it on a regular basis. Walking is one of the best exercises to increase lung capacity, lose weight, and enjoy nature. Walking with a buddy at 6:30 in the morning seems to be the new way to wake up everyday.

Sharon suggested we start walking at the golf club every morning during the summer to get in shape. Great idea as "shape" is always the goal. While this is only day two, it is still day two, and the 45 minute brisk stroll up and down the hills increases the pulse rate, heart rate, and breathing rate. Bye-bye calories. Few are out with us at 6:30, apparently an earlier or later time seems to be the chosen hour for most, but at 6:30 a.m. school buses pick up kids for school, which must be still in session. At 6:30 a.m. most newspapers are still on the brick and/or asphalt driveways; interestingly the newspapers of choice include the Chicago Tribune, Wall Street Journal, and the local daily.

At 6:45 a.m. several vehicles depart for an unknown destination, probably Chicago, with occupants waving cheerfully as they pass by, wishing they were sweating with us. At 7:00 a.m. another school bus makes the rounds, with larger faces peering out the windows than the previous faces on the earlier bus. School is still in session.

At 7:15 a.m. the car is in view, the end is near, and a bottle of water is the reward. Whew. Only 59 degrees at the start, now 68 degrees at the end. Elsewhere Blogger Boy is running on the track in Arlington, VA. before the temp hits 101 there today. Jessica will be at Pilate's, and the rest of the world will be doing what they do best, watching The Today Show.
Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

Yak Trax to the Rescue

Ice, sleet, snow, ugh! Attempts to dash through the snow can only be achieved under safe winter conditions, definitely not in Chicagoland on any cold, icy, snowy day. Eight inches of the white stuff coats the roads, laying on top of an inch of ice from the previous day's sleet. Walking outside under icy wintry condition can be tragic if not prepared. Yak Trax to the rescue.

Yak Trax are expandable plastic or steel coils that quickly attach to boots or shoes giving instant traction and protection against falls. Available in two strengths, the Walker (with plastic coils) or the Pro (with steel coils), each device provides lightweight traction to shoes or boots for a low price. The coils provide 360 degrees of traction safety and the biting edges are good to -41 degrees F.

According to the manufacturer, the Yaktrax Pro will instantly provide better traction, confidence and safety on packed snow or ice. "Made with high strength, abrasion resistant 1.4 mm steel coils and heavy duty natural rubber material, the Yaktrax Pro easily conforms to the shape of your boot or shoe. With its patented SkidLock coil design, the Yaktrax Pro provides 360 degrees of traction on packed snow and ice and can be worn in temperatures as low as -41° Fahrenheit. "

The two pair of Yak Trax Pro I purchased have kept me on my feet while walking on thick icy snow as well as on icy sidewalks. The Yak Trax product provides a solid grip and stability that gives me confidence while moving about outside. The $29.95 price is cheap insurance against falls and the product line is available from several online sites at even reduced prices. Additional traction devices are also available at Cozy Winters , which even offers clip-on foot gear with small spikes to dig into the ice and snow, but probably come with a warning "do not drive while wearing these." My advice to all: order the Yak Trax Pro today. You won't be sorry. I'm ordering two more pair.

Photo attribution: somewhat frank