Tired but OK

I slept until my alarm went off and got out of bed strictly out of habit.  I did 8.63 miles in 2:00:08 doing a 13:54 minute per mile pace with an average heartrate of 130 bpm.  I had a fast week last week, but this week has been slower.  It starts average pace, slows down in the middle, and with a mile to go I get the pace somewhat respectable.  Today with a mile to go my pace was at around 14 minutes per mile-- so the little pick up at the end helped to make the pace respectable. Going to bed soon. Good Night and God Bless!

O.K. Start on a Monday

  I had a good weekend with my family.  My daughter and granddaughters came over on Sunday after church and we had a good visit.  My wife had a good time at the concert and ladies retreat in Philadelphia.  Today I did the figure 8 extra plus doing 8.63 miles in 1:58:33 for a 13:43 minute per mile walking pace and an average heartrate of 115 bpm. Gotta go, have a very blessed day!

Friday/Saturday

I was able to sleep in a half hour later on Friday due to a later start to my work day-- a professional development at Hofstra University. I did the Ridge Loop doing 9.26 miles in 2:05:56 for a  13:35 minute per mile pace and a 129 average heartrate.  I started at a decent clip, slowed down, and then picked up the pace at the end.  Today(Saturday), I slept in-- read my Bible, had a cup of coffee, and then did the Apple Court /Woodlot loop in 33:52 doing 3.83 miles at a 8:49 minute per mile pace with an sversge heartrate at 154 bpm.  I just decided to get a little extra work in-- and it's good to get a run in every now and then.  The moderate distance seems to agree with my knees.  Charlotte went to a Christian women's concert/teaching last night in Philadelphia. So enjoying a slow pace so far. Miss her though-- a great woman she is! Have a blessed day-- feeling like winter agsin:).

Thursday in the Dark

It was another overcast morning which makes for very dark conditions in the pre-dawn hours.  I did the Longwood/Medford Loop--but apparently I inadvertently added some distance as I did 9.02 miles today.  When I have to weave to avoid cars it adds distance I guess.  I did 9.02 miles in 1:59:10 for a 13:12 minute per mile pace with an average heartrate of 106 bpm.  I just found out last night that one of my old students died yesterday of an apparent heart attack--she was only in her 30's. I worked with her mother for 15 years--so sad.  Anyway, going forth today in His Might--God Bless!

The Stars are Out(but it's still dark)

  My alarm went off as usual at 4:04 am, and I turned my alarm off--paused for a minute, and then rolled out of bed.  Kim has no school today and Jace is at his dad's house--so a quiet morning it was.  It was a good commute making it here in under an hour.  I noticed on many parts of the Longwood/Medford Loop that the street light timer's seem to blinking the lights off for longer periods of time.  So many parts of the workout were almost pitch black.  I did 8.86 miles in 1:55:12 for a 12:59 minute per mile walking pace with an average heartrate of 125 bpm. I was just thinking that this March,  Keon and Ruby turn 2 years.  In May my oldest granddaughter turns 3--wow.  I am grateful for my early morning workouts, because thankfully this is the one part of my life that through the many years remains the same.  I'm grateful to God for this time.  I am glad that I made the switch to power walking since this has saved my knees which were getting beat up with the running.  Also of note, the stomach virus helped me to get my body weight in the lower mid-190's.  I just have to be disciplined with my eating.  Have a blessed day! 

Back on the streets of Ridge

 It was a dark, dreary, morning here on Long Island.  Rain and wind dominated the forecast.  I chose to do the Randall Loop since this route is the least likely to flood with heavy rains.  Kim and Jace were sleeping in as they both have Regents tests this morning which take place later in the day.  I made good time on my commute thankfully as rainy days often mean slow commutes.  The tale  of the the tape for today is 8.87 miles in 1:56:25 for a 13:07 minute per mile pace with an average heartrate of 124 bpm.  The first five miles were under a 13 minute pace, but I kind of relaxed into a slower pace, content to lose myself in my thoughts. Lonely is kind of where I'm at--not that I don't have support--but sometimes you don't have understanding--struggling with things in my mind, not really understanding things in my own right. One foot in front of the other I go with the Lord's help.  Have a blessed day!

Texas Two Step

  I went out yesterday(Sunday) morning in McKinney Texas at 7:20 Texas time with conditions in the upper 40's and windy.  I wore a pair of workout pants that I bought yesterday on sale.  I went in the general direction where I took my brother-in-laws dog for a walk and did a lot of bunny trails off from that.  I then headed past Jon's house in the opposite direction for almost 2 miles. I saw a lot of people out.  On my way back I had a Hispanic boy pass me , so I followed him until he stopped.  That helped to keep my pace decent.  Here are the tales of the tape--8.75 miles in 1:46:36 for a 12:10 minute per mile walking pace with a 153 bpm heartrate average.  Some nice ponds and woods on this route--at least no snakes this time of year.  Nice to have the Patriots in the Super Bowl again--I watched the whole game on my phone on the plane last night.  I also watched Trump get sworn in on Friday on my phone while travelling to Waco.  Lord help me today in this job that I don't like.  God Bless!

Back at It

I seemed to feel up to my morning power walk, so I hit the Longwood/Medford Loop in good season. I did 8.93 miles in 1:55:42 for a 12:56 minute per mile walking pace with a 127 average heartrate of 127 BPM.  Feeling ok, and heading to Dallas tonight--not sure if I will get any workouts in, but that's ok. Have a blessed day!

Feeling Better

 Monday started out good with a good workout and a good day--but, as I went to bet I noticed that my stomach wasn't feeling well which quickly esculated to full blown diarhea and vomiting. I barely slept and I stayed in bed all day not feeling well. I took today off from my workout as I was feeling sick when I went to bed.  I may take tomorrow off then of course I am in Texas for three days.  It may until Monday that I do a cardio workout.  I'm ok with a little break, but tomorrow may tempt me to get a workout in.  Well, off to getting stuff done. God bless you!

Sunny MLK Day

I headed out at a out 7:45 ish with the day off from school. I did th Ridge Loop as it is the most private during the day. I try to avoid the busy places, try to stay to myself. A lot of internal struggles, as thete are some things that I am coming to grips with -- seeking the Lord. As for the workout I did 8.2 miles in 2:02:54 for a 13:20 minute per mile walking pace with a 123 bpm heartrate snd an elevation gain of 129 feet.  I saw a walker and a runner in my travels. So it looks as if the Patriots are playing my brother's favorite team-- the Steelers.  Most likely I will be on a flight to New York from Dallas during the game-- hopefully I can stream the game. Thanking The Lord for a good workout and good health.  May God Bless you today!

Dumb

This is the week of getting it done with low morale.  Monday was freezing, but I went through the day with a smile on my face--at least until noontime. Today I got out at my usual time, but decided to do the longish Ridge/Woodlot loop doing 9.19 miles in 1:58: 38 for a 12:54 per mile pace.  I cheated a bit by running a little over a mile, that's because I wanted to finish in under 2 hours.I was pushing my pace even though I was tired which was a shame, because it was such a beautiful springish morning out at 55 degrees with a mild breeze.  The Ridge Road is wooded and so quiet, that I get lost in my own thoughts as I pitter patter along the road. Supper with friends tonight!  Have a blessed weekend!

Numb

Today started at a warm 48 degrees and partly cloudy.  I could actually see the moon peep through the clouds.  I did the Longwood/Medford Loop in 1:59:11 at 8.88 miles for a 13:25 minutes per mile pace and an average heartrate of 122 bpm.  I had a good pace , but with my start time felt like I had to keep pushing to get home at a decent time.  I feel numb, sometimes you have problems that don't seem terrible but you are surprised that you aren't handling them that well.   Please Lord help me today and those I love!  have a blessed day.

Randall Extra Plus

It had been raining hard just prior to me getting out of bed, but I decided to venture out this morning because if nothing else, the temp was a nice 46 degrees.  I ended up doing 8.87 miles in 1:57:30 for a 13:14 minute per mile pace with an average heartrate of 116 bpm.  It was a busy day yesterday , but a good one. It was so good to have my granddaughters Ruby and Ryleigh over for supper and a couple hour visit. Going forward today with the grace that God provides.

Feeling Like Maine

I woke up again to another cold morning at 9 degrees.  At this temp, when you go through the snow the prevailing sound is crunch crunch crunch.  To say the least I was not that enthusiastic when I woke up, but without thinking my body rolled out of bed towards my coffee and workout gear.  I am a bit out of sorts and have been since yesterday a.m..  I had a sort of confrontation of sorts, and I am so conflicted.  Lots of feelings,but the one I usually go to -- I can't.  Lord, be near me today and with those that I hold so dearly.  Tales of the tape-- Figure 8 extra plus(same as yesterday) 8.59 miles in 1:56:05 for a 13:30 minute per mile pace with a 118 bpm heartrate average.  I am reminded at the resolve that it took to train in the winters in Maine.  Snow I could take although it slows the workouts down, but brutal cold takes a lot of intestinal fortitude.  I'm glad that I do not have to do it every morning. Have a blessed day.

Frigid Monday

The temp this morning was around 8 degrees which is cold for Long Island.  I layered up, and was able to trek through the cold and snow.  I did 8.57 miles in 1:56:07 for 13:32 minute per mile pace with a 122 bpm heartrate .  Not much time to blog today! God is righteous and holy!

Good Start heading to the Weekend

I woke up Friday morning, a little tired but looking forward to a date with my wife and friends at Wahlburgers in Port Jeff Station. I did the Randall Extra Plus Loop. I did 8.87 miles in 2:03:42 for a 13:56 minute per mile pace and a 113 bpm average heartrate.  I hsve had a good weekend which started with a teeth cleaning at the dentist, a snowstorm, church, shoveling, and some good strength training.  I found out that both of our principals at RCA were fired. I liked both Dr. Maxwell and Ms. Persad and hope that they both find jobs. Kind of makes you wonder if other heads will roll. Looking to the Lord. God Bless!

Thursday in the Clouds(again)

I did the Ridge Loop on another overcast day with cooler temps.  I did 9.28 miles in 2:02:05 miles doing a 13:08 minute per mile pace with a 128 bpm average heartrate.  Another busy day.  Nice quiet workout. Have a blessed day!

Quiet Wednesday

 I woke up to the sound of my alarm going off at 4. The bed seems oh so comfy, but my future looking half of me was thinking to the good feeling that I always get when my workout is done.  The thing with my workouts is that they are not killer workouts.  I don't dread them or have to get psyched for them--but I do have to put in the time and some effort.  You are not likely to do something repeatedly that you dread-- so in that way, I feel like my workouts play on my strength--consistency.  I did 8.85 on the Longwood/Medford Loop doing it in 1:59:58 at a 13:33 minute per mile pace with a 113 bpm average heartrate.  For some reason I did not get the elevation gain. The weather was overcast and 41 degrees.  I do miss Maine, but I have to admit that I like the winter's much better here in New York.  I don't have to brace myself for going out into brutally cold weather on a consistent basis.  The memories of my workouts there will never fade, but you can't go back in time because things change.  The way things were does not exist anymore, so today is the day that we have to claim and enjoy. Praise God for His goodness!

Back to School

It was 41 degrees and drizzly this Tuesday morning.  I did the figure 8 extra plus doing 8.53 miles in 2:00:24 for a 14:06 minute per mile average and an average pulse of 111 bpm.  I did a lot of strength work this past weekend and I think the end result was a fatigue filled workout filled with stiff muscles.  I find that when I wake up, the magnetism of the pillow is strong--but I never regret the quiet of the morning and having the time on the road to reflect and pray.  I mull through the things in my mind that are bothering me at he time, the workout has it's own therapeutic value and I find that I always feel better after the workout. Still striving to get back into the mid 190's for my weight.  Lord willing I will get there and eventually back to 193. Off to work--God Bless!

First Workout of 2017

I woke up a bit past 5 this overcast morning, the ladt day of Christmas break. I did the same workout that I dithat I did last Thanksgiving, the day I headed to Maine to pick Rebekah up from Maine. I did the Longwood/Medford Loop with a partial stint up Scenic Hills and Niewood(instead of Longwood). I did 9.48 miles in 2:09:49 for a respectable 13:41 minute per mile pace for a 319 foot elevation change and a 128 bpm average heartrate.  It felt much more comfortable without the tortuous hills of Hope.  I am blessed-- a good start to the year. God Bless!

Thursday/Friday in Hope, Maine

I am blogging here in New York on New Year's day about my workouts last week.  I only got in 4 workouts although I did rowing 4 days as my leg work-- so I will call the week complete with four walking workouts.  I did 9.14 on Thursday on a mild day. I took my daughter Katie back to her mothers.  I did a 13:51 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 974 and a 128 bpm heartrate doing the workout in 2:06:43.  I did beat the bad weather home, thankfully. On Friday I had to trudge through a slush covered roads , but because I ran I did the workout of 9.19 miles in 2:01:59 for a 13:16 minute per mile pace with an average pulse of 138 bpm. I headed home to Long Island at 11:45, catching the 6:00 pm ferry.  I eas able to get my strength work in , back in Hope.
  So here it is the New Year, 2017. There has been a lot of good, but many struggles as well.  I am grateful as many prayers have been answered.  2016 had been a year of battles-- battles in my mind, family battles, relationship battles, battling discouragement, and  battling my own fears. One moment I feel like things are falling into place, and at other times I fear that it will all fall apart. I need the Lord in 2017 to do what only He can do so that He will receive the glory in my life and in my family. May God richly bless you in this New Year.