PULSE: WORKING OUT.

MISSION CRITICAL: Tom Cruise first introduced us to Oakley products with those cool sculptural X-Metal shades he wore in ``Mission: Impossible 2.''

Now, for our own impossible missions treading carefully over the potholes of Valley streets or the rugged trails of the Santa Monica Mountains, Oakley has introduced fashionable performance shoes at Foot Locker and Sport Chalet stores.

For mall patrol, there's an edgy tan-and-black slip-on called Flesh for $60, but for more urban outings our fave is the Pit Shoe, a light-weight lace-up design available in red, yellow, black or tan for $100.

- Barbara De Witt

CLIMB EVERY NORDICTRACK: Don't have time for that hiking trip to the Grand Tetons? Well, NordicTrack is bringing the mountains to you with the new Teton Trekker. Sure, it's not quite the same, but your legs won't know the difference. The Trekker's pre-programmed workouts duplicate the hikes of the Grand Teton mountain range, reaching a maximum 50 percent incline and minus 5 percent decline. And taking you even closer to mother nature, the Trekker features iFIT.com technology, enabling you to experience the sites and sounds of the mountain range via the Internet. Just plug the Trekker into your computer, log onto iFIT.com and you're there. (Well, sort of.)

NordicTrack's Teton Trekker has a suggested retail price of $1,499 and is available at NordicTrack and HealthRider stores. To find the store nearest you, call [phone].

- Jacqueline Etcheverry

NO EXCUSES: If you're running out of excuses for not exercising, you're not going to like ``Stretching,'' by Bob Anderson (Shelter Publications, 2000; $14.95 paperback). You don't need fancy equipment, a large space or even much time to follow Anderson's workout program. With workouts to accompany everyday events - including watching TV - even the worst procrastinator will be hard-pressed to find new excuses. This 20th-anniversary edition of the work, which has sold more than 3 million copies, includes 1,000 new illustrations, tons of new stretches and (hint, hint) streamlined versions of each routine for people ``in a hurry.''

- John Biederman

FAST FACT: Five million kids in the United States will start school this year with asthma. And 41 percent of kids said they have had as many as three asthma attacks per month at school, according to the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology.

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To help those seeking hospice care for themselves or a loved one, the California Hospice Foundation has set up a new nationwide, toll-free telephone number where callers can get information about hospice services and access a list of California and Nevada hospice programs. Hospice care can be provided in a person's home, hospitals or nursing homes. For information, call [phone], or write to CHF, P.O. Box 160087, Sacramento, Calif. 95816.

- Elizabeth Smilor

GIVE BACK

Instead of the usual red ribbons at the Macy's and American Express Passport fashion extravaganza Sept. 23, look for a new South African beaded design symbolizing global solidarity and compassion for those affected by HIV and AIDS. In addition to the usual gala and runway show with Elizabeth Taylor, Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson and Cindy Crawford, a teens-only event will be held Sept. 22. It's sponsored by Guess? with MTV host Tyrese and ``Loveline'' host Dr. Drew Pinsky, a physician with the Department of Chemical Dependency Services and Los Angeles Childrens Hospital. Tickets are $75 to $1,000. For more information, call [phone].

- Barbara De Witt

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

(1) no caption (Oakley shoes)

(2) no caption (NordicTrack's Teton Trekker)

(3) no caption (book cover ``Stretching'')

(4) no caption (South African beaded design)