Pleasant Tuesday

It was raining when I awoke, but thhe temps were inviting and mild. I did my usual Howe Hill Loop doing 9.18 miles in 2:09:21for a 14:05 minute per mile pace and a 118 average pulse rate. I took today off as my wife was leaving back home to New York. Have a blessed day!

Cold Monday in Hope

It was 10 degrees here in Hope , Maine the day after Christmas.  It was so dark ,
But Indecided to hot the dark roads at around 5:45 am. I eased my way into the workout realizing
that success will be in completing the workout and not in manufacturing a fast pace. All I could
 I could hear was the nylon of my gloves hitting my pants.  I could see a deer rushing up a banking on  Howe Hill, which was about the only movement that I detected on my morning's journey. I did 9.14 miles  in 2:07:13 for a 13:55 minute per mile pace for a 949 foot elevation gain and a 138 bpm pulse . The hill and the cold were the main culprits this morning trying to prevent me from completing the workout. God Bless! Looking forward to a good visit from my brother.

Feel Good Friday

 This was one of those mornings that even though I was not the most rested, I knew that I only had half a day so I felt encouraged and kind of enjoyed the workout.  I did the Medford/Randall Loop doing 9.25 miles in 1:56:51 for a 12:37 minute per mile pace with a 120 bpm average heartrate.  I would write more but things are kind of crazy here at work.  I did a bit or running to get back a bit earlier.  Looking forward to Christmas and going to Maine.

Smooth Sailing

 It was another cloudy morning making a dark morning even darker.  I was feeling a bit down, looking at life and my time in life knowing that most likely there is less time left than spent.  I'm not feeling depressed about it , but coming to grips with your own mortality is something that we all must come to grips with.  Being a Christian I look at my life and realize I need to invest it wisely as one day I know that I will have to give account for my life.  Even we as believers worry and wrestle with the issues of this life--but we can have confidence in the Lord and His perfect plan for our lives.  I did the Ridge Loop doing 9.15 miles in 2:00:15 for a 13:08 minutes with an elevation of 152 feet with an average pulse of 115 bpm.  I love this loop as it is mainly woods with most of the workout I can go in the road . Off to paradise--God Bless!

Starting in Fall Ending in Winter

 I started the day with a little extra enthusiasm as I knew that Wednesday morning was going to be an easy morning(Lord willing of course) with the 4th and 5th grades on a field trip.  In addition, I had my toughest day Tuesday with back to back doubles and a single class of 7th and 8th graders for PE. So even though I woke up feeling the same physically, after having my Starbucks Black Eye cup of coffee, I dressed up and did the Longwood/Medford Loop doing 8.88 miles in 1:55:38 for a 13:00 minute per mile pace with an average pulse of 119 bpm.  I was pleased with the pace and just kind of enjoyed today's workout.  This time of year it's as if time stands still while I amble along the streets with Christmas lights winking at me as if to bid me a good morning.  I reflect back on the days of workouts in past years with this always being a good time for me.  It's as if for a brief season I feel at peace and am comforted in a way that I don't experience at other times of the year. My wight has been hovering in the upper 190's as food seems to be my comfort from the hustle and bustle of the season. I think if I did not weigh myself daily that I would weigh at least 210 right now.  So now I prepare to leave this blog and my few readers for the day.  I hope that you experience the peace that only Christ can provide today--God Bless You! Happy Wednesday and first day of Winter(which started at 5:44 am eastern time).

Grooving on Tuesday

 I got up early again, but was not so quick to get around. I did 8.63 miles in 1:57:29 for a 13:36 minute per mile pace and 118 bpm heartrate on the Figure 8 Extra plus.  It was a calm 20 degree morning.  I saw one runner coming at me on the Woodlot Loop, but he never speaks when I say good morning:).  I really enjoy observing the Christmas lights on my workouts this time of year.  Off to the salt mines.  God Bless!

Christmas Week

  I woke up before my alarm went off, putting myself in the great position of starting the week ahead of schedule.  It was windy and cool with a temp of 27 degrees.  I decided to do the Longwood/Medford Loop.  I ended up with 8.86 miles in 1:58:42 for a 13:23 minute per mile pace with average heartrate of 117 bpm.  I am trying to be mindful of Christ this Christmas.  It seems with technology and instant access to so much that we fail to focus on the Holy Spirit and what God is trying to accomplish.  Dear Lord keep us mindful of your work in our lives and those around us. Have a blessed day!

Thursday/Friday

Yesterday I did the Ridge/Woodlot Loop doing 9.16 miles in 1:57:32 for a 12:49 minute per mile pace and an average heartrate of 100 bpm.  Today I did the Randall Extra Plus Loop finishing up Kastal for 8.82 miles in 1:55:40 for a 13:06 minute per mile pace and an average heartrate of 127 bpm.  The temp was 18 degrees and windy this morning for a cold start.  Don't have a lot of time, but I am pleased with the pace that I have been able to do on my workouts this past week.  I got my weight down to 197--a little progress.  Did an easy set of 14 chin-ups.  Off to the world of teaching.  Have a blessed Christmas season!

Good Start

 I made it out the door later than I had hope, and I pictured a morning of being behind and playing catch up.  I decided not to check my watch for splits, and just keep moving.  I decided ot check the watch after 8 miles and was pleasantly surprised to see that I was well ahead of schedule.  I did the Longwood/Medford in 1:55:50 for a 13:06 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 255 feet and an average heartrate of 100 bpm in 32 degree temps.  I didn't let my mind daydream , but just sort of plugged ahead.  The morning was so quiet and still here in the darkness of the late fall and the shortest days of the year.  I heard what sounded like a cat fight on Ridge Road just before the school and may have spooked a deer as well.  I saw a couple of falling stars in the northern skies. Nice start to the day--God Bless you my friend!

Post Patriot's Win

 I was tired yesterday, but the Patriot's game was on last night so I stayed up until the end.  I had a black eye Starbuck's Coffee to start the morning so I did o.k.  I did the old home loop of the figure 8 plus extra doing 8.67 miles in 1:58:26 for a 13:39 minute per mile pace with an average heartrate of 123 bpm.  I wore my North face shoes that I bought this summer in PA on vacation.  Thankfully I feel energetic enough, commute was good again.  I watched a story last night about a boy who had terminal cancer--he happened to be at the Patriot's game last night as part of his bucket list.  His story reminded me of how wicked it is to feel self-pity.  God has been so gracious to me, and I am blessed. God Bless You!

Cold,Wet, Miserable!

  It was snowing when I went to bed and raining when I woke in the morning.  I did not feel like going out , but by habit I made it out.  It was 45 degrees and rainy here in Ridge.  I did the Longwood/Medford Loop doing 8.9 miles in 2:01:49 for a 13:41 minute per mile pace gaining 284 feet in elevation.  Had a nice talk with my father this morning, he had a snow day--so blessed! Had a nice weekend with Ryleigh there most of the time. God Bless! ps. Still trying to get my wight back in the mid190's after hovering in the high 190's.

Ridge Road is so Nice to See You Again

  I woke up after a nice dream and noticed it was 4:08--I felt ok, so I went back to the old routine for today.  I had my coffee with a ClaritonD and put my workout clothes on and headed out the door.  All things considered it was a great workout.  I was afraid that I would get sick and that my workouts would be set back, but praise God today went well.  My first couple splits were mediocre with mile 2 being over 14 minutes--so I decided to try to get my walking pace moving on this blustery 33 degree morning here in Ridge.  Thankfully, I was able to get a good rhythm going and finished as follows--  9.08 miles in 2:01:01 for a 13:19 minute per mile pace with an average heartrate of 138 bpm and an elevation gain of 177 feet.  The funny thing is that on the days where my distance was down on my running workouts, I was just barely able to meet my active calorie goal on my iPhone watch which I met by running in place just before bed.  Thankfully today I am well on my way.  Looking forward to the weekend--hopefully able to get some nice rest in.  John 3:16,17!

Change in plans Day #2

 I  decided that my body was going to dictate my workout so when I woke up after 5 I knew that I was going to stick with yesterday's plan of doing Woodlot plus a simple Apple Court for 3.81 miles in 34:41 for a 9:o6 minute per mile pace --2 of my splits below 9's.  My average pulse was 176 bpm.  I followed my workout with a cool-down walk. Thankfully my knees are holding up.  The key is to get higher intensity with less volume--basically, I just don't have the energy to have to push push through my day starting just after 4. Tomorrow could be the same.  My calves are a bit sore, but other than that I am doing ok.  Better pace today, but still staying on top of my workouts.  Have a very blessed day!

A Change in Plans

 I just barely survived yesterday.  My sinuses and fatigue made me feel like going through a fog bank in a stupor.  I realized that I just don't have the energy and I for sure don't have a full-blown sickness, so I will modify and do what I can.  I decided not to set my alarm.  I woke up at 4:45, but so did my wife.  I like it dark and quiet when I wake up while she immediately grabs her phone and explores the internet.  After reading my devotions I headed out the door and decided to jog the Woodlot Loop plus do the simple Apple Court without doing all the inlets.Since I didn't feel great I decided just to jog along at a comfortable pace and take what I could without struggling. I did 3.83 miles in 39.23 for a 10:16 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 53 feet and an average pulse of 146 bpm.  I took a Clariton D with coffee to help me out of the fog--and it helped.  Off to a challenging school day--God Bless!

Going through The Motions

I have a tiny cold,but it is enough to tap my strength.  I am getting through the workouts, but that is about all that I am doing.  I did 8.67 on the Figure 8 plus extra loop doing it in 1:58:53 for a 13:42 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 154 and an average heart rate of 131 bpm.  it was 31 degrees and clear.  Only a few pick-ups helped keep my pace in the reasonable range.  I got my fabulous forty and a set of bench presses in.  Off to a meeting now. Bible Study tonight. God Bless!

A True Monday

I woke yp this morning after a night of reluctantly expecting the start of a crazy work week.  I felt as if I could come down with something if I don't cut back.
But this Monday found me behind ,slow, and with people upset with me:(. I did the figure 8 plus extra for 8.63 miles in 2:01:23 for a 14:03 minute per mile pace with an average pulse of 127 bpm with an elevation gain of 195. It wad 37 degrees and rainy. Off to class -/ God is God and I am not!

The Quiet Alarm

 I woke up late at 4:45 as my alarm which was on vibrate was on my carpeted floor and I did not hear it go off.  The good news is that I quickly got out of bed and decided to do the 9 x .3 mile hill repeat workout with warm up and cool down and walk recoveries.  Altogether I did 7.58 miles in 1:28:30 for an average pace of 11:37 and an average heart rate of 122 bpm with an elevation gain of 348 feet. I had to make a split second decision as to get a workout in or modify--thankfully I modified. Decorating the church tonight!  Jesus is the reason for the season!

Keep Your Chin Up

My alarm went off at 4:04 am, and I awoke to notice that my wife had not slept for hours.  At this point I went against my instinct to drag myself out of bed to workout and I stayed with my wife.  I realized that maybe I could benefit from the rest as I have just survived the last few days due to extreme fatigue from the craziness of the past few weeks.  I did a couple of sets of chin-ups before I headed out to school which means I have only one set to do tonight. I did have a nice time in the Word this morning. Have a blessed day!