Monday/Tuesday

I got up at my usual time on Monday even though it was Memorial Day.  It was a warm rainy morning and the streets were unusually quiet.  I did 8.82 miles in 2:00:46 for a 13:42 minute per mile pace on the Longwood Loop.  This morning I did 8.85 miles in 2:02:18 for a 13:49 minute per mile pace on the Ridge Loop. 

The Longwood hill on a rainy early Monday morning.

In the woods from Ridge Road on Monday.

Heading up Ridge Road this morning-Tuesday

God Bless--have a great day!

Nice Finish

 I headed out the door, blessed to be able to make it out the door for another workout.  God is good.  I was thinking in my head how to plan my workouts--both walking and strength-- knowing that travel and being away from my equipment will be an issue.  I scared a few deer on Medford as I did the Medford/Randall loop.  It was a comfortable 61 degrees

Here is a shot near the intersection of Randall and Whiskey.  Quiet streets.

This is a pond on the senior living grounds of Leisure Village on Randall Road(Shoreham).  This is about the halfway point.

This is the home stretch on Raynor coming from Middle Country--about .4 miles to go. I ended up doing 8.65 miles in 1:57:23 for a 13:34 minute per mile pace.  Lord willing a walking workout in Eastport next week.  Have a blessed day and a blessed weekend!

Great Start to a Thursday!

It was a nice comfortable start at 61 degrees which means it's a short-sleeve day.  I used 5 Hour Energy Extra Strength to start the day and it seemed to work.  I got out a couple minutes early and got back in good season due to one of my better paces in a while.  I did the Longwood Loop again doing 8.7 in 1:53:37 for a 13:04 minute per mile walking pace.I saw a rabbi,but did not hear the turkeys or see any deer.  In one week I will be seeing my daughter's graduation at Shead High School. 

A little rise in the road on the south end of Ridge Road.

The home stretch on Raynor Road.  I am only about half a mile from home at this point.

Have a blessed day!

Longwood on Hump Day

  I decided to get some hills in on the Longwood Loop.  It is still very dark when I first hit the road as the first picture will attest.  It was a comfortable 55 degrees.  The pace was better today for whatever reason.  I am getting about an hours less sleep this week, so I wake up a bit tired.  It seems that my pace is a bit faster for whatever reason on the Longwood Loop.  I did 8.7 miles in 1:58:08 for a 13:34 minute per mile walking pace.The second picture shows a bit of land fog.  Finally, I took a good pic of some turkeys A bit tired and groggy--will catch some steam later in the day. Have a blessed day!

Drizzly Tuesday

 I got more sleep last night than the night before, but it still took me awhile to drift into sleep.  I decided to do the Ridge Route again.  I have been seeking the solitude found on this route and not worrying about the flatness of the route.  I noticed after three miles that my pace was off due to fatigue.  I decided to insert 10 pick-ups into the workout again.  The pick-ups helped to elevate my workout to a 13:47 minute per mile pace. I did 8.84 miles in 2:01:59.  Just grateful for consistent workouts. Have a blessed day!

Tom Turkey and Chicken Little

 I got out on basically 2 hours of sleep.  I will be fine, just kind of getting back on track.  I decided to seek the solitude of Ridge and did 10 pick-ups on this fine morning at 48 degrees.  I did 8.85 miles in 1:57:42 for a 13:18 minute per mile pace.  It is so nice to have Charlotte back.  Last night we all went to the beach.  I saw two rabbits, a tom turkey, and some chickens--all on Ridge Road. Have a blessed day! Off to class

Strength through the Fatigue

  I was very tired , but the bottle of 5 Hour Energy Extra Strength helped get me through another morning routine--without Charlotte.  I did the Ridge Loop.  I took 3  pic-- the first one is of the of the four corners--the one segment where all my routes intersect.  The second pic is a shot of the woods as I pass on Ridge Road.  The last pic is of my beautiful wife down in the DR with a little girl. 
  The temp was 45 degrees under partly cloudy skies.  I did 8.8 in 1:55:35 for a respectable 13:08 minute per mile pace.  The pace was helped by 10 pick-ups on the back half.  I am looking forward to a good night's sleep tonight. Have a blessed weekend!

Artificial Zip

  I have been dragging my backside all week long so I reverted to 5 Hour Energy Extra Strength to start my morning.  It worked like a charm, waking up comatose and quickly reverting into normal.  I did the Ridge Route this morning doing 8.79 miles in 1:57:15 for a 13:20 minute per mile walking pace.

Ridge Road(see above) was quiet and peaceful.  I could hear the deer moving around, but didn't exactly see them.  I also saw a deer on Apple Court--cut little rascal.  Char is busy down in the DR doing a great job leading the team.  Well, off to a really long day here at school. God Bless!

Wednesday--Day 3 1/2 without a wife:)

 I headed out the door, a bit later than yesterday.  It seems as I cannot get out of my own way lately.  No matter how I prepare I get out trying to make up time on my commute.  I stuck with my plan doing the Longwood Loop planning on doing Ridge tomorrow ,Lord willing.  My pace has been consistent strangely enough.  i would say the pace is fast for feeling so slow.  I did 8.73 miles in 2:00:32 for a 13:49 minute per mile walking pace.  I have one picture showing the sun shining through the pines on Longwood.  The second pic is of Smith's Road showing a stretch just after my first uphill. 3 more nights without my delight.

Tuesday Treading Water

  I got out a couple minutes later, but went at the same pace as yesterday surprisingly enough.  It was a warmer 55 degrees and not as windy.  I decided to do the Longwood Loop trying to do my pattern of three Longwoods and two Ridge workouts.  I did 8.82 miles in 2:02:08 for a 13:51 minute per mile pace.  I heard turkeys gobbling and saw a couple of deer scampering in the woods.  My step was steady , but not quick.  I just haven't had the zip.  When I don't get to sleep in on the weekends it seems that I pay the price during the week.  I talked with my Charlotte last night.  It is very hot down in the DR this time of year.  I am praying for Char and the team--but I really do miss her.  Have a blessed day! Below is a pic of a tree farm on Longwood Road just before the sunrise.

Doing Alright in the Quiet of the Morning

  Day 1 of first full day without my wife, since she is down in the DR leading a missions trip.  It was a fallish feeling morning with a breezy 43 degrees. I had a busy long yet productive day yesterday--but my sleep was not as sound as I would have hoped.  I mean I slept ok, but several times I felt like I heard something.  I was powered by clover sumatra coffee that I got at Starbucks in Port Jeff last night.  Even though I was tired I was feeling positive about the day.  I did the Longwood Loop in 2:00:48 covering 8.73 miles  at a 13:50 per minute mile pace.

  It was a good weekend with my granddaughter Ryleigh turning 2 years old.  We went out for breakfast on Saturday and then off to an animal farm and then Lake Ronkonkama.  Sunday morning up at my workday time so that I could take our mission team to RFK airport at 5:00am.  Right now, I am tired, missing my wife, but knowing that God is using her.  Well, off to get stuff done--God Bless!

Here is a pic viewing the horizon just outside of Longwood H.S..

Our God Reigns

It was a warmer morning at 57 degrees--time to get the shorts out.  I did the Ridge Road Loop again. I like ending the week in solitude.  The deer were on the move.  I spotted many of them leaping into the woods as I passed by.  I also spotted a tom turkey along with a couple of good sized hens.  I did 8.8 in 1:57:50 for a 13:23 minute per mile pace.  The only reason the pace was better than yesterday is because I added 12 pick-ups.  Sometimes I do this if I realize that my pace is putting me off schedule and pick-ups always increase the pace.

This is the darkness that I start out in--unfortunately the flash went off after the picture,

On Kastal heading towards Ridge Road.

The slightest gleam of the sun as it begins it's ascent on Ridge Road.

Have a blessed weekend.  My wife heads down to the DR on Sunday leading the missions team from church.  Doing God's wonderful work.

Country Road

It was a bit warmer this morning here in Ridge at 45 degrees.  I headed out at 4:16 on the Ridge Road loop.  This is where I head when I want the feel of Maine without the buzz of cars even in the early morning.

This is what it looks like as I head down the road.  This is a shot we with me on the move.  You can see the blue of the sky even in the early morning hour.   Today I just kind of went through the motions.  The one thing that I have been noticing is the sweet aroma from the trees of the lilacs and other flowering trees.

Here is a still shot just before I turn around and head back towards Whiskey road.  It is pretty here. Tomorrow the blue skies should be replaced with rain and grey.

I spotted a few deer in the yard at Leisure Village.  You can see them if you look closely.

I ended up doing 8.8 miles in 1:58:21 for a faster workout going at 13:27 minutes per mile average. Got back home and did 2 sets of benches and 2 sets of chin-ups while getting Kim's breakfast ready. Have a blessed day!

Plans/Answers?

  I out a bit later this morning on a 41 degree morning.  I could see the vapor from my breath as warm air hit the cool of the morning.  This weather still has me thinking of Maine when long sleeves and workout pants are being used in the spring month of May instead of short sleeves and shorts.  The morning light seems to be on the increase as the darkness of a month ago is being steadily replaced with the gleam of light.  I did 8.77 miles in 2:01:08 for a 13:49 minute per mile walking pace.

  I feel the disappointment and despair of producing no answers when some of the folks in my family want a solution to the barrage of problems brought on by bad situations and bad choices.  A divide between blood and marriage, between the establishment and the visitors.  Problems seeming only to come from folks whose name begins with a P.  Problems in Maine and problems in New York. Consequences naturally follow,but young lives hang in the balance. Me , I'm just trying to keep walking forward and praying for solutions.  This I know--I am forever committed to both my marriage and to my daughters-- not willing to forsake either, but finding that the allegiance to each entity seems to be a conflicting allegiance instead of a unity between both.

  Lord, I am looking to you.  Make me the man that you created and intended me to be. In Jesus name--AMEN!

Cresting the hill on Longwood(above)   Passing the Middle School on Longwood(below)

Better Day

I got out the door and just had a bit of a more positive feeling about the workout. I did the Longwood Loop again.  It seemed just a tad more light out this morning.  I got out a minute or two later than yesterday, but did a slightly faster pace.  I took pictures of the pines on Longwood--the rise on Medford--and more turkeys.  I did 8.75 miles in 1:59:07 for a 13:37 minute per mile pace. Lord willing will try to do Longwood again tomorrow.  Being down here in New York and in the church of my in-laws, I wonder if anyone else sees things from my perspective?  Dear Lord, please help us all! In Jesus Name-Amen!  Have a blessed day!

Ahead To Stay Even

I got out a couple of minutes early and got back in good time.  It was partly cloudy and 43 degrees on this lovely eastern Long Island morning.  I did the Longwood Loop this morning.  Goal is to do the Longwood Monday to Wednesday and then do the Ridge Loop on Thursday and Friday.  Subject to change of course.  I did 8.75 miles in 2:00:43 for a 13:48 minute per mile pace.  The mornings may be the best part of my day right now--I mean, I always enjoy the workouts, but now it serves as my refuge.

My wife and I had a nice outing on Saturday going to the Red Sox play the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.  The Sox lost, but won last night-- so life is o.k.. :).  So much going on in my life right now, but I am grateful for good health and God's daily provision. Below are a couple of picture. The first one is on Longwood Road a bit past 5 o'clock.  The second pic is of a white turkey on Ridge Road. God Bless!

Rainy Days and Fridays Always Make Me Wet

I have been very tired this week and am looking forward to the off days on the weekend.  I woke up feeling lethargic and was hearing the serenade of rain pattering against the roof.  I know however that I seldom regret getting the workout in.  I did the Ridge Road Loop with 12 pick-ups to pick up my slow pace.  I was not so much worried about hills this week and really not even worrying about hitting my step goals.  I have been just hitting the essentials of the workouts and calling it good.  I did 8.79 miles in 1:59:21 for a 13:34 minute per mile walking pace. Looking forward to seeing the Red Sox play the Yankees tomorrow afternoon at Yankee Stadium with good friends Nancy and Al Sapponari.  Kim has had a good week at school--so blessed! Have a very blessed weekend. 

5 Hour Energy

 I have been tired this week so my first waking act was to drink a bottle of 5 hour energy extra before I even got out of bed.  I slowly got around and out the door at 4:23 am.  It was cloudy, breezy, and 46 degrees. I had a nice positive feeling as I ambled along the Medford/Randall/Woodlot route.  The singing of the birds sounded like an ipod blasting in my ears.  The cool of the breeze seemed to jolt me into an awake yet calm state of mind.  I was thinking of just how grateful I am to be able to get out in the morning and experience the quiet and stillness of the pre-dawn morning listening to the quiet voice of God whispering in my ear.  I did 8.62 miles in 1:57:58 for a 13:42 minute per mile pace.  I did 10 pick-ups to pick up my dragging pace. Here are a couple of pictures--the first on Ruth Lane heading for Middle Country(the picture is a moving picture and is unclear, but it depicts the blackness that seems to accompany most of my school workouts). The second picture shows the pond at leisure village near the corner of Whiskey and Randall.

Randall Plus Extra

It has been awhile since I have done this version of the Randall Route.  It was a quiet moment except for the birds who were singing away in the early morning hours.  It was a bit cooler with just a hint of moisture on this overcast and 48 degree morning.  I did 8.64 miles in 1:58:28 for a 13:43 minute per mile pace.

Randall Game Preserve     

Turkeys on Raynor Road about half a mile from home.

Have a blessed day!

A Slow Go

I decided that I wanted the solitude of the Ridge Road Loop so I decided to head out on this rainy 52 degree morning.  Today is my daughter Kim's first day at Bellport Education Institute so I have been in prayer for her. I have gotten ahead on my strength work which I think means a tired body.  I did 8.80 miles in 2:05:15 for a 14:14 minute per mile pace.  All I had to do was my fabulous 40 ab workout after my speed walking workout.  My commute to work was so slow--yikes. Well, on to the rest of my work day.  The first photo I have shows a portion of Ridge Road where I descend into the darkness.  The second photo shows a couple of pretty trees on Woodlot. Bible Study tonight--God Bless!

Hope-Ridge-Ridge

I am a bit behind on my blogs and here at school so I will just supply the basics.  Last Thursday I finished up in Hope on a beautiful but cool spring morning doing the Howe Hill plus loop doing 9 miles in 2:02:54 for a 13:39 minute per mile pace.  The day before I also included the Mount Battie Hike doing a short but steep assault on the mountain.  It has been many years since I have taken this trail.  On Friday I did the Ridge Road loop doing 8.82 miles in 1:58:16 for a 13:24 minute per mile pace.  Today - Monday, I did 9:05 miles in 2:04:15 for a 13:44 minute per mile pace. Not much commentary, but here are a few scattered pictures of the past three days without captions.

The last two are from New York and the rest are Hope with the mountain picture from Camden. May God bless you richly!