Hope is Real

 I got out a bit tired and a bit sore, but glad to be back in Hope where things are a bit calmer and relaxed.  I heard song birds and spotted some turkeys(photo later) as I strolled along the Howe Hill and Barnestown Road.  I did 8.82 miles in 1:58:09 for a 13:23 minutes per mile pace.  It was 30 degrees and clear.  The workout temps have been cool here in Maine.  I praise God that He has given me this time to think, reflect, and get rid of the stress.  This is my last full day in Maine--Oh, how I miss this place  sometimes. Here are some pics from my workout this morning in Hope, Maine.

The first pic is from the Todd House in Eastport. God Bless!

Visiting Familiar Routes

  I did 9.44 in 2:00:40 with 12:47 minute per mile walking pace. Adams Street, Deep Cove, High Street, County Road, Clark Street are a few roads traveled today!

Eastport Revisited

 The challenges of life have really  taken it's toll on me, thankfully workouts help.  I tried doing a route that I usually do starting from Harris Point.  I did 11 miles in 2:28:08 for a 13:28 minute per mile walking pace.  I ended up cutting through the airport to try to minimize the distance.  I just got back from a trip to Calais with Katie, Ericka and my three beautiful children. Many thoughts and feelings running through my mind and body--stuff to do though. Leaving you with some pictures including one of granddaughter Ryleigh up at the Moosehorn. God Bless!

Hope

Tired and going to bed--at the Motel East. Did 8.82 miles on the Howe Hill Loop. Did 2 miles on the Shackford's Head train. Knees a bit sore, but ok. I did 8.82 miles in 1:59:02 for a 13:30 pace per mile. Discouraged and blessed! Looking to Him! Here are a couple of pictures from this morning in Hope during the workout.

Medfor/Randall/Woodlot

I got out in mild temps meaning that it was time to get the shorts out.  I decided that it was time for a route change so I did the above route doing 8.62 miles in 1:56:36 for a 13:32 minute pace.  Lord willing the next routes will be in Maine at my parents--luckily before the blackflies.  I felt ok, and it felt good to do a different route.  I was just kind of thinking about the things going on in my life during the workout.  Here is a pic from Randall in Shoreham about mile 5. God Bless!

Consistent

 When things in my life seem out of whack I try to stay consistent.  I didn't go out this morning with any great optimism, but I was glad to be trudging along the Longwood/Medford/Kastal Loop for 8.72 miles for 2:00:32 at a 13:50 minute per mile clip.  Maintaining is all I'm doing now,but that's ok.  The songbirds have been singing and the turkeys have been gobbling. I saw  deer and a raccoon this morning as well. It was 46 degrees and clear.  Here is a picture taken 1 mile into the workout on Middle Country road where you see street lights and the moon , but it is difficult to discern which is which.  God Bless!

Misery

 Apple Court Early

Good workout, the rest of things right now--MISERY.  Did 8.83 in 1:58:51 for a 13:27 minute per mile pace on Ridge Road.  Will put up pictures later. God Bless!

To the Ridge

Tired and down I headed for the solitude loop of Ridge Road/Woodlot.

The picture is blurry since I usually take them on the move. The picture above gives you an idea of just how dark it is in the early morning hours--it's Ridge Road on the way back. I did 10 pick-ups just to vary the workout.  I did 8.84 miles in 1:56:32 for a 13:11 per mile pace. Workouts are the one constant in my chaotic life and I am so grateful to God for them. Have a blessed day!

Mondaze

It was a better weekend than the past few.  Family unity came together a little bit.  Charlotte and I discovered the Quogue Wildlife Refuge.  We went on the 5k hike there on Saturday--the scenery was very beautiful reminding me of Maine. We took Kim and Jace there Sunday night for a 1 mile walk to enjoy the beautiful scenery and quiet of the southern shore of Long Island.  This morning I did the Longwood Loop doing 8.73 miles in 2:00:30 for a 13:48 minute per mile walking pace.  Even though I was active over the weekend I gained 3 pounds thanks to good eating. I will get back to better eating and of course more steps this week. Here are three pictures

Quogue Wildlife Refuge Sunday Night 4/17/16

Raynor Road with .7 to go  

Kastal Road a bit lighter out now  

Nice Friday

I did the Ridge road again.  I did 8.72 miles in 1:51:12 for a 12:45 minute per mile walking pace. I did 10 x telephone poles on Woodlot to get some speed work in.  Here is a photo from Middle Country Road as I am about 7 tenths of a mile from home.  They are a bit blurry because I am on the move when taking them. It was 37 degrees and clear. Have a blessed day.

Looking to Him!

I have been at places in my life when I was lacking clear direction as I mounted major stressors in my life.  This is such a time in my life.  There are definitely some great things going on, but I need the Lord's touch.  This morning I did the Ridge/Woodlot route doing 8.81 miles in 1:59:49 for a 13:36 minute per mile walking pace.  I looked at my watch as I turned onto Raynor and decided to do the final sprint from the mailbox just after Trevor's house so that I could break 2 hours--I just made it.  Kobe scored 60 in his final career game, Celtic's came back from 26 points to win--playing the Hawks on the road for the play-offs, and the Warriors won 83 games for the record.  The Red Sox handed the orioles their first loss of the year.  On the road there was a bit more traffic on Ridge road, but still very quiet. Saw a man waling his lab on Woodlot. Not a bad Thursday--God Bless!

Tuesday/Wednesday

 I did Logwood/Medford/Kastle yesterday and this morning.  Yesterday I did 8.74 miles in 2:00:50 for a 13:50 minute per mile pace.  Today I did 8.72 in 1:57:24 for a 13:28 minute per mile pace.  I just feel a bit out of sorts with drama always on the home front and a changing schedule at work.  I had a good time at Bible Study last night.  The group was small , but the fellowship was great. Looking to the Lord for His guiding and intervention. God Bless--here are a variety of photos from yesterday and today.

The first photo is from Eastport a couple of years ago. Couldn't help myself.

Drizzly Monday

I got out in decent time and headed out into the dark of the early morning.  I did the Longwood/Medford/Kastle Loop.  There was a light drizzle through much of the workout.  The spirit was somewhat light and positive.  It was 45 degrees with a slight breeze.  I am glad that I got out a bit earlier as that makes the rest of the morning go better.  I did 8.73 miles in 1:58:26 for a 13:34 minute per mile pace.  The goal is 3 workouts doing this loop and 2 workouts doing the Ridge workout. The picture that I put up is the hill on Longwood just after I turn off Wading River Hollow Road.  God Bless!

Thursday/Friday

Thursday I did the Longwood/Medford/Kastel Route again just a little slower.  I heard the turkeys gobbling and saw some deer feeding.  I did 8.7 in 1:58:01 for a 13:34 minute per mile pace.  It was a long day at work, but a productive and good one.

Today I did the Ridge Road workout.  I heard an owl on Kastel.  Turkey's and deer were also prevalent.  My pace just was stuck in slow so I did 10 pick-ups of mostly telephone poles with one quarter mile sprint.  I did this because it always accelerates my pace which I needed to allow for enough time to get around for work.  Most of the pick-ups were on Woodlot with the quarter mile sprint coming on Raynor at the end.  I did 8.8 miles in 1:58:19 for a 13:27 minute per mile walking pace.  Here are a few photos from this morning.

 A short steep hill on Woodlot.  2 miles to home.

 Just before the turnaround on Ridge road around 5:30. Almost as quiet as Maine.

Apple Court around 4:40 am.  Thank the Lord for street lights.

Have a blessed weekend!

Some Photos from My Walking Workouts

Hope, Maine in February

Ridge NY, Ridge Road in the Snow

Eastport, Maine on the new gravel road by the sewer plant

Eastport on the tracks heading towards town.  The photo below on the Ridge Road last week

    I did 8.73 miles this morning in 1:57:55 for a 13:30 minute per mile pace on the hillier Longwood/Medford/Kastle Loop.  I definitely had a positive feeling this morning, I think because my daughter is doing better.I tried putting a few photos up.  I hope you enjoy them. God Bless!

Solitude/A Few Flurries

I did the Ridge Road route again as I just wanted solitude.  This route is comparable to my routes in Maine with mostly trees and quiet streets.  The route is relatively flat with a few hills mostly on the way back.  For at least half of the route I am in the dark with no street lights.  The wind was blowing making the trees whistle.  On the way back I noticed a few flurries in the air--reminding me of the craziness of early spring in the northeast.  I did 8.8 miles in 2:05:03 for a pedestrian 14:12 minutes per mile speed walking pace.  Just didn't have much juice in the tank.  I have Bible Study tonight after I take my daughter to her appointment.  Looking to the Lord!  Another random though--my daughter Rebekah graduates in a few months.  God Bless!

Opening Day

I had a bad night of sleep.  I woke up around 1 and never really fell back to sleep.  When I hit a time like this I try to use the time to pray for others.  I decided despite my lack of sleep that I would get out and get the workout in.  I did the Ridge Road workout -- I just wanted a secluded workout and Ridge Road was quiet indeed.  I did 8.68 miles in 1:59:51 for a 13:49 min per mile pace. I took a five hour energy to help me get through the workout and it proved quite beneficial. 

On another note it was my granddaughter Ruby's first birthday yesterday.  We had a good little celebration a Chuck E. Cheese last night. Back to the workout--the temp was 34 degrees and overcast with a steady breeze.  Have a blessed day!

The April Fool

Today is the day that slow seemed fast.  I got out in decent fashion, but simply could not get out of 3rd gear.  I didn't realize how slow I was going until I checked one of my splits--14:45--wow:(. I ended up doing 8.68 miles in 2:02:55 for a senior citizen 14:09 minute per mile walking pace--not bad for a grandpa.  I did the Randall extra plus.  My wife was gone when I got home since she had weight watchers.  It was foggy and 55 for a mild yet breezy day.  Have a blessed day!