Doing O.K.

 I got out the door not really sure if I was tired or not.  Seems as if the challenges of parenting have been a bit on overdrive.  I did the old Randall Extra Plus loop for 8.53 miles in 1:56:45 for a 13:42 minutes per mile walking pace.  Friday has been a bit of a slower pace day for me in recent weeks.  Lots of dead raccoons lining the roads lately.  My wife heads to the DR early Sunday morning.  It looks like I will be having a challenging week:),  Have a blessed day--btw. beautiful cool clear fall morning here on Long Island.

Warm and Drizzly

I headed out the door at 4:30 am.  I found out last night that my daughters Kim and Ericka both have strep throat.  With the meds they both should be on the road to recovery. Praying now that nobody else gets sick.  I did the figure 8 plus extra for 8.5 miles in 1:51:02 for a 13:04 minute per mile walking pace.  The heavier rains of the night gave way to a light and warm light drizzle.  My first 5 mile splits were all fast ,but the last three miles were a bit slower.  I really just let up a bit, which I am fine with.  Life has been challenging.  I'm looking to the Lord for strength and direction.  God Bless!

Beating the Rain

I did the Medford/ Longwood Loop-- adding a bit extra distance at the beginning.  The pace was not as fast as yesterday, but it was a decent clip.  Rain in the forecast for the next 24 hours.  Being a parent has been a real challenge for the past few years.  I love my daughters--I just wish I had more answers.  Thankfully I have the Lord and His guidance.  Did 8.63 in 1:54:29 for a 13:16 pace per mile walking.

Later but Better

I got out at 4:35 due to a tired body.  I decided to keep the route and the distance the same.  I decided not to look at my splits and just keep moving.  Turns out my pace was much faster than yesterday.  The moon was full with clouds partially concealing it.  I was just so glad that my quicker pace brought me back home at about the same time as yesterday. Have a blessed day!

In the Dark of the Morning

  I had another horrible night's sleep.  I just couldn't wait until it was time for my morning workout.  Things are better, but I am just looking to the Lord for guidance. So many things that need some changing, but honestly God is the only one who can change these things.  I kept a consistent pace on the Randall Plus Extra for 8.55 miles at 1:55:54. 
  There are times when I get homesick for Maine, but I know that Long Island is the best for me and Kimberly right now. I am blessed with a nice house in a nice location. Have a blessed day!

Randall Revisited

  I was in a good frame of mind this morning, thanks to a more settled life.  It was 55 degrees and the stars were out.  It was a very peaceful and quiet morning.  My pace was slower this morning, but I think that is because I was enjoying the morning workout.  I was pleased to see my weight at 195.2--first time in awhile that I have seen that weight. I did 8.53 in 1:58:38.  Pace was fairly consistent.  I am looking forward to the time change, this blackness is kind of depressing.
  Looking forward to the weekend--have a blessed weekend!  God Bless You!!

The Old Randall Route Extra Plus

 It was 53 degrees this Thursday morning.  I heard my daughter Kim stirring, getting a snack at 4 am.. I made sure she was ok , and headed out the door at 4:25 am.The pace was decent this morning doing 8.53 in 1:54:53 for 13:28 minutes per mile.  One pit-stop threw the pace off.  Overall, this has been a better week of life and training.  I am more relaxed not having to deal with any crises.  I attribute this to the power of God--to Him be the glory! Have a blessed day!

Another Good Day

  I did the figure 8 extra plus route this morning.  i do this route when I want peace and quiet.  The mornings are so bleak and black.  I did 8.3 miles in 1:45:53 for a 12:45 minute per mile walking pace. Things have been lately on the home front.  God has given me strength when I have felt so inadequate.  I am grateful for being able to get out in the mornings.  The morning ritual has been a common practice now for twenty-one years.  I am so blessed!

Catch-Up

Last Week- Mon.-10.2  Tues-9.05  Wed.- 9.04  Thurs.- 8.44  Fri.--8.32, This week: Mon.--8.43 Tues.--8.13.  .   Life has been so busy lately.  Dealing with some hard family issues.  When children make poor choices and bad friends the results not only effect them they also effect the entire family.  Thanks to the Lord's help in directing me to resources and providing my wife and I with some wisdom.  We are continuing looking daily to Him for wisdom and strength and His direction and directing.
  The workouts have been decent.  I am so grateful to have such a great outlet for the stresses of life. It is sometimes difficult to get the time to blog with my attention being needed in other places.
  A mini-goal of mine is to get my weight in the lower 190's.  It has been steady at 200.  The last two days the weight has been 197 and 198 respectively.  197 is usually the high end, so I am trying to get the weight back down.  Have a blessed day.

Thursday/Friday

I did 8.43 yesterday on the Longwood/Medford/Kasal loop.  Felt good with pace just under 14 per minute miles.  Today I did 8.17 at a 14:08 clip per mile on the old Randall Loop Plus.  So peaceful and quiet. Looking forward to a good weekend. God Bless!

The Old Faithful

  I got out at 4:24 am and decided to do my old usual route of the figure 8 plus for 8.31 miles in 1:52:22 for a 13:31 minute per mile walking pace.  I was definitely faster today and enjoyed the almost empty quiet feeling of the figure 8 plus loop.  I could hear a few deer rustling through the woods enjoying their moments of freedom before the bow hunters are unleashed for the day at sunrise.  I'm really noticing lately at how much better my knees and body feel since I made the switch to speed walking. In my early forties it seemed as if I could run forever--the body was feeling so strong and God knows the running helped me to deal with the enormous stress I had in my life.In my mid-forties I noticed a change basically where I could work out and feel good, then the rest of the day my joints would ache until the next workout.  This was a vicious cycle that I knew one day I would have to change, and I'm so glad that I did. Those were good days.  But, these too are good days.  I am blessed and the body and spirit are feeling good. God Bless you!

Monday/Tuesday--Welcome October

  I did 8.44 and 8.43 miles respectively.  The shorts and short sleeves have given way to the light jacket and the sweat pants.  The workouts are done in the dark of the morning.  I relish working out this time of year int the chill of the morning.  I use this time to reflect, pray, and dream as I workout.  Working out is like an old friend that I meet in the morning.  Both workouts were done faster than 14 minute walking pace with Monday being around 13:40's and Tuesday being around 13:55's.  I'm praying that the drama of my family will begin to settle, looking to the Lord to whom I have committed my family.  Have a blessed day!

Wind and Rain To Finish the Week

I did 8.1 miles in 1:51:38.  The wind and rain smacked me in the face as I felt a chill heading up Raynor.  Things got better when I turned down Medford in the sheltered confines of tall overhanging trees.  I made it easily across the usually busy Middle Country.  Randall Road in Ridge and Randall in Shoreham provided quiet dimly lit streets to glide along deep in my thoughts.  On the home stretch Whiskey and Woodlot roads seemed almost like walking paths rather than roads, with most people staying home to avoid the inclement conditions.  When I headed down Raynor Road towards my home, I was grateful that I ventured out on a day when many just stayed in bed. Have a blessed day.

Catch-Up

  Here is a long list of the workouts that I have not blogged: 8.3, 8.6, 8.6,8.3, 8.7, 8.4, 8.7, 9.1, 8.6, 8, 8.4, 9.4, 8.4, 8.2, 8.5, 8.2, 8.5, 9.1, 8.4, 8.3, 8.3, 8.5..  These workouts include workouts in Eastport, Hope, Robbinston, and Ridge.  Maine workouts are like visiting an old friend. Life has been hectic with some life events.  I will try to get back to the blog.  All workouts were recorded on Dailymile.  Life has just been so busy, but God has proven Himself faithful.  This is my favorite season to train in, with comfortable temps and beautiful scenery.  Looking forward to great things. God Bless