Last Day of March

I am so grateful that April 1 falls on the weekend-- no April fools jokes at school.  This morning it was a rainy start at 39 degrees. There were ice pellets on the ground when I headed out the back doorway towards the road. I did the figure 8 extra plus in 1:56:08 doing 8.69 miles at a 13:21 minute per mile walking pace and  average heartrate of 118 bpm.  I am just down knowing that my daughter Kim is not attending school and is staying at her boyfriend's house. I am praying that she comes to her senses. My hope and my faith is in God alone. I am thankful for his strength when my resources are so inadequate. Have a blessed weekend. Late night with a 7:30 wedding followed by the reception. God is good-- always!

Cool Morning

I woke up once again before my alarm went off.  I got out of bed and headed dor the kitchen. I was surprised to see the temp at 32 after a string of temps above freezing. I did the Ridge Road loop doing 9.11 miles in 2:01:32 for a 13:19 minute per mile pace and an elevation gain of 135 feet and an average heartrate of 143. I feel kind of lost this week with a different schedule at work because of testing and especially because my daughter Kimberly moved out if my house on Monday.  It is sad seeing her room dark and empty. I'm grateful to the Lord for His presence. May God Bless you today!

Unexpected Blessing

Yesterday in school I tripped and hit my left knee hard on the gym floor.  When I woke up this morning I wasn't sure if rhe workout would be possible.  The knee was a bit stiff, and I wasn't sure if a workout would be possible.  I got my stuff on kind of not sure if a workout was possible-- finally I just decided to try the figure 8 extra plus since it is run in loops close to my house.  The first few steps went ok, so I just kept going trying to avoid overdoing my stride. Well,

it ended up going pretty well-- even peaceful. I did 8.61 in 1:56:32 doing the workout at a 13:31 minute per mile walking pace and an average pace of 13:31. I had a small cup of coffee and a cup of water with ibuprofen to help keep the workout comfortable. Trusting God and His Power today! God Bless!

Snow Going

I got out this morning on the drizzly streets of Ridge, a bit depressed with my younger daughter moving out of my house. My knee is hurting now after falling on it in class.  I should be fine , and I will take ibuprofen tonight.  I did the Longwood loop doing 8.86 in 2:01:43 for a 13:43 minute per mile pace with an average heartrate of 110 bpm and an elevation gain of 272 feet.  Each day I pass by  Kastal Road and see a snow bank that diminishes every day to a point where it soon will be gone. I have Bible study tonight and look forward to what God will do. Have a blessed evening!

Rainy Days and Monday ...

I headed out this morning waking up just before my alarm went off.  I had a decent night's sleep so I went out with a little more enthusiasm than usual. I did 8.83 miles in 2:01:39 for a 13:46 minute per mile walking
Pace and an elevation gain of 251 feet and an average heartrate of 112 bpm. Have a blessed day!

Thursday/Friday

I did the Ridge Road loop on Thursday doing 9.24 in 2:02:09 for a 13:12 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 133 feet and an average heartrate of 115 bpm. On Friday I did the Randall extra plus Loop doing 8.92 miles in 2:00:21 for an average pace of 13:29 with an elevation gain of 125 and an average pulse of 119 bpm.. The last couple of days has been crazy with Parent/Teacher conferences and a long day today starting with an early meeting and a crazy student day. Hopefully I can handle the emotions and conflicts that seem to roam freely at the home front. Looks forward to going home. God Bless You!

Longwood/Medford on a Spring Morning

I was tired when I wokeup , but through sheer habit I progressed through the morning routine. I decided to attemt the hills of the Longwood/Medford Loop doing 8.85 miles in 1:59:32 for a 13:30 minute per mile pace with an average heartrate of 146 bpm and an elevation gain of 249 feet. It was almost a duplicate performance of yesterday. I had Bible study last night so I had a long day which I think resulted in the fatigue of the morning and the elevated heartrate. Not much to say-- have a
Blessed day my friend! God is good!

Overcast Tuesday

I wike up just a couple minutes before my alarm went off. I had a decent night's sleep and got around in good time. I did the Longwood/Medford Loop in 1:59:34 doing 8.84 miles at a 13:31 minute per mile pace and a 111 average pulse with an elevation gain of 252 feet. It was
so dark with cloud cover.  I feel like the workouts in the dark seem to go by quicker than those done in the light. I have a usual been praying a lot during my workouts, as I find that there is little in the way of distractions during this time.  I realize that there are many seasons in life and that they are each directed by God for our good. So I am trying to enjoy today's season, because I know that the Lord has brought me to this point. I also am realizing answered prayer which often gets ignored because of the next present problem. Thank you Lord for answered prayer!

Stepping into Spring

  I went to bed last night with a couple ladies that I love upset.  I did what I could with the situation, but was not able to resolve the situation.  The conflicts are all a part of being a family, but with a blended family I just think it gets a bit more complicated.  I woke up just a couple of minutes before my alarm went off, so I was able to avoid disrupting my wife's sleep(hopefully).  I decided to do the Randall Loop doing 8.85 miles in 1:58:47 for a 13:25 minute per mile pace and an average pulse of 124 bpm and an elevation gain of 117 feet .  I decided on this route because of the solitude and with things bothering me I felt as if I needed the solitude.  Looking to the Lord today! Have a blessed Monday and first day of spring.

St. Patrick's Stroll

I got out again this morning in good season doing 9.22 miles in 1:58:21 for a 12:49 minute per mile pace with an average heartrate of 120 bpm. I had to make a pitstop so I ran a bit to make up for it. I had a decent finish to the week. Looking forward to see what God has in store. Have a wonderful and blessed weekend. Oh yeah, I did the Ridge Road /Woodlot loop. It was nice to finish the week in solitude.

A Bit Earlier

I have felt rushed by my morning routine despit getting up so early, so I decided to make a slight change-- get up 2 minutes earlier.  That slight change brought me to work 10 minutes earlier, and I felt so much better not being rushed. Thursday is the day that I talk with my brother, and I always look forward to our conversation.  Now for the workout, I did the Longwood/Medford Loop doing 8.86 miles in 1:59:30 for a 13:29 minute per mile pace and an average heartrate of 115 bpm.  The roads were much better today, but I find that it seems that there are fewer street lights on this I have to slow slightly to make sure that I am not stepping in a pothole. The temp was a windy 25 degrees, but with the proper wear I was comfortably warm. Not sure what I am doing for a workout tomorrow, I'll just see what I feel like doing-- the weekend is fast approaching. Have a blessed day!

Busy for a Quiet Day

I hit the roads leaving behind a quiet house since my kids each had 2 hour delays. I figured that with school starting later that the streets of Ridge would be quieter, but no-- and to make things worse , the shoulders were icy. I did the Longwood/Medford loop, deviating a bit by not taking Eagle Lane to the Medford Road, but taking Smith road instead. I did 8.81 in 1:54:33 for a 12:59 minute per mile pace with an average heartrate of 118 bpm. I ran starting on Ridge road since the roads were salted and I had a lot of time to make up. Made it to school quickly with thw light traffic. Have a blessed day!

Snow and Ice

The big blizzard has turned out to be more of a wet sleet event, but at 5 when I headed out it was snowing hard. I decided to do the Medford/Randall/Woodlot loop.  School had already been canceled the night before so I hit the road with a certain amount of comfort knowing that I did not have a deadline time to be back by. I did 9.17 miles in 2:11:52 for a 14:22 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 312 feet with an average heartrate of 111 bpm. There were a fee more cars out than I  expected, but overall the streets provided me with some solitude. The bed felt comfortable when I woke up, but I know the best time to workout is early. Well off to some more relaxing. I am so thankful for my family! May God grant you peace and joy found in Him!

Into the Darkness

I gor up at my usual time , but feel out of sorts with the time change.  I did the Randall Loop doing 8.84 miles in 1:58:43 doing around a 13:26 minute per mile pace with an average pulse of 123 bpm.  I accidentally hit my stop button, so I had to restart my watch.  It is much darker with the time change
, which means it will take another 3 weeks to regain the daylight that we lost.  Off to the salt mines, most likely a day off tomorrow with snow. God Bless!

The Calm Before the Nothing

I got out expecting snow to fall at some point during my workout , but nothing happened. I ended up doing the Longwood/Medford workout doing 8.78 miles in 1:54:40 for an elevation gain of 287 feet and an average pace of 13:09 and an average pulse of 129 bpm. I was pleased and even made it to work in good time. Btw, I think I am an on the go DD app addict. Have a beautiful day!

Sunny Thursday

I got up in good time , but I had to do a few extra things so that I got out at 4:30. I did The Randall Loop doing 8.87 in 1:59:57 for a 13:24 per mile pace and an average heartrate of 119 bpm and an elevation gain of 167 feet.  There eas a nice breeze with the temp at around 50 degrees.  There is supposed to be 3-5 inches of snow tonight and tomorrow so we will see how that effects things for tomorrow.  I do enjoy my snow workouts here on the island.  Not much to say, have a blessed day. 

Rainy Wednesday

I got out of bed a couple minutes early which made for a more relaxed workout. I did the Longwood Loop doing 8.91 miles in 1:59:54 for a 13:27 minute per mile with an elevation gain of 360 feet and an average heartrate of 115 bpm.  I felt a little more alert and a little more at ease as I walked on this rainy morning. Have a blessed day!

A Little Drizzle

I got out a couple minutes earlier and did the Longwood/Medford road.  I did 8.85 in 1:59:36 for a 13:30 minute per mile pace with a pulse of 113 bpm. I felt ok and there were a few more cars on the road.  I like this route , but I enjoy the quietness of the other routes. Kind of busy, have a blessed day!

Cold March Monday

When I woke up this morning after another shortish night of sleep the temp was a chilly 18 degrees here on Long Island.  The key to the cold weather is to dress in layers, and my years of training in Eastport, Maine have prepared me for about any cold weather situation.  I did the figure 8 as I was on the later side of the start time so I did 8.72 in 1:47:44 for a 13:29 minute per mile pace and an average heartrate of 122 bpm.  The streets were quiet, and a pleasing development is the appearance of daylight occurring during the workout. I just feel blessed to be able to get the work in here in Ridge, NY.  Have a blessed day! Happy Birthday to my mother in law Gill Blackmore!

Good Friday

I am going through some trials, and I am struggling to see God in it-- but I know He is with me.  Today when I woke up I remembered the last dream that I had with my wife telling me she was getting a divorce. The dream sent a chill up my spine since we went to bed not on the best of terms. As usual for the week , I got out a bit on the late side so I stuck to the figure 8 extra plus route. I ended up doing 8.71 miles in 1:57:50 with a pace of 13:30 and an average pulse of 115 bpm.  The thing that I like about this loop is the tranquility of it. I have found myself battling through problems in my mind as I march along the roads of Ridge. Off to the racea-- God  Bless!

Windy and Warm

I woke up just seconds bedore my alarm went off.  I grabbed my 5 hour energy and quickly scanned the weather and the sports scores.  I then made my way out of bed to the kitchen.  It was 57 degrees and windy so I could get by with fewer clothes which was less burdensome.  I did the Randall/Kastal loop doing 8.97 miles in 2:00:53 for a 13:28 minute per mile pace and a heartrate of 133 bpm. Due to the energy drink and small cup of coffee I felt more alert and I did not have to run to push my walking times down. There are a couple of small ponds on this route which were especially more beautiful with the morning sun glistening on them with the strong winds creating some decent waves. I have stuck to the north side of route 25 this week for more solitude with a lot on my mind. Have a blessed day!

Fog and Drizzle

I was tired when my alarm went off this morning, but I onew that a workout was foing to be done. I have nit been quick getting around so I have done the slightly shorter figure 8 extra plus workout doing 8.64 in 1:57:02 for a 13:31 minute per mile pace with an average heartrate of 122 bpm.  My true walking pace has been over 14 minutes per so I had to interject some running in spots to get the pace down and to get me back to the house in a decent time. Foggy commute to work,
Looking to the Lord.  Hopefully I can get out a bit earlier tomorrow and pick up the pace a bit . Be blessed!