Wednesday-Thursday-Friday In The DEEP Freeze in Eastport and Camden

Each day I took to the roads of Maine the temps were below zero. I started my workouts later hoping that the sunlight would help warm the temps to a slightly more tolerable level. Here are the tails of the tape— Wednesday in Easport doing the 3 mile in town loop and the in town 2.3 plus a little extra-9.09 miles in 2:01:16 for a 13: 20 minute per mile pace with a 731 foot elevation gain with an average heartrate of 129 bpm at a temp of 6 degrees and 59 percent humidity. Thursday I did the intown 2.3 twice doing the lollipop loop and one in town 3 doing 9.02 in 2:00:30 for a 13:21 minute per mile pace with an average heartrate of 131 bpm at a temp of -3 with humidity at 72 percent and the elevation gain was not recorded. Today I drove into Camden and did Bayview Street and Beauchamp Point going by snow packed foot trail for about a mile and a half and then back doing 9.19 miles in 2:08:14 for a 13:56 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 774 feet with an average pulse of 128 bpm at a temp of -5 with 76 percent humidity. The Camden loop will Lord willing be revisited as it is quiet , secluded, and absolutely beautiful with seaside scenery— a new favorite loop now. The course is undulating with inclines and declines throughout the whole scenic route. Done for the week. Blessed to get the work in in such challenging conditions.  Have a blessed weekend and a happy new year!

Christmas Eve, Christmas

I did a workout on Sunday morning trying to get ahead if theweek ahead which promises to be unpredictable. I did the Scenic Hills, Niewood, Medford Loop yesterday doing 9.04 in 2:03:27 for a 13:38 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 333 feet with an average heartrate of 122 bpm at a temp of 37 degrees and 72 percent humidity. Today I did the Medford/Randall Loop doing 9.00 in 2:01:39 for a 13:30 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 201 feet with an average pulse of 150 bpm with a temp of 39 degrees at a 100 percent humidity. Today the weather changed from rain to sleet to snow.  It was miserable at times but it was pretty at the end. The rest of the week promises to be freezing.  Looking to the Lord to watch over me snd my precious family— and most of allto use us all for His perfect purposes.  I took Spencer on a walk yesterday at the Randall game preserve.  It was s pleasant morning. NowI am laying withmy granddaughter Ruby listening to the same lullabies thst her mother listened to. Merry Christmas! God Bless you!

Start Early to End the Same

I have hit the wall this week. I have gotten out earlier than usual, but my pace has slowed.  I am grateful to be healthy enough to workout, that always gives me perspective when I fall off on my performance. I did the figure 8 extra plus turning around at Woodlot.  I did 8.64 miles in 1:59:48 for a 13:51 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 192 feet with an average pulse of 129 bpm at a temperature of 29 degrees and humidity at 68 percent.  I had an easy commute to work thankfully. A trip to the city later. Dear Lord heal my family and do your work this Christmas season!

First Day of Winter

I woke up and was greeted by my ever diligent wife who stirs at anything that moves at night or during the day. I got out at my standard time, but I did not have my standard speed. The energy level before Christmas is never high— basically like trying to hold on the final 60 yards in a 400 meter race. I did the Randall Extra Plus loop doing 8.94 miles in 2:05:13for a 13:59 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 159 feet with an average pulse of 116 bpm at a temperature of 27 degrees with humidity of 72 percent.  I didn’t have high energy, but I did not feel lethargic.  I made it a point not to run at all today so as not to hurt my knees. Anyway, praying for a Christmas miracle.

Never Quite Falling Behind or Catching Up

My schedule is such that if there is any type of slow down the timing is jeapordized. I started behind and in spite of my efforts to catch up ny jogging I never quite caught up,
but I never quite hit the splits.  Day #3 of different routes was done on the Ridge Road Loop doing 9.28 miles in 2:00:09 for a 12:56 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 159 feet with an average pulse of 127 bpm with a temp of 46 degrees with humidity at 59 percent.  I made it on time for my commute despite a later start.  Things are a bit better than a day ago! Thank you Jesus! 

Headache Over a Heartache

I woke up in the middle of the night experiencing a headache.  I rolled over and just tried to sleep through it. I woke up at 3 something realizing that I needed to take something for my headache.  I got up , headed to the kitchen and took Tylenol.  I went back to bed, but my headache took awhile to subside. I am having some daughter problems— which is just making me sad.  I know tje Lord will sustain me— He’s promised to do so! I decided to do the Medford/Randall/Woodlot Loop. It appears that I will be doing a different workout each day this week. Here is the tale of the tape— 9.0 miles in 1:59:43 for a 13:17 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 173 feet with an average heartrate of 116 bpm. The temp was a mild 43 degrees with humidity at 81 percent.  I wad tired , but not exhausted.  I enjoyed the Christmas lights as I sauntered along the streets of Ridge with my enjoyment tempered by my fatigue.  I’m surprised to have the energy to get these standard workouts in during this time when my energy usually wains. My GNC Extreme Athlete supplements are helping— but praise goes to Jesus. Have a blessed day!

On An Upswing of Sorts

I had a mostly good weekend that ended a bit on the not so good side. Arguements in the blended family— Lord help us!  This morning I felt a bit stronger than last week so I decided to do the Scenic Hills, Niewood, Medford Loop doing 8.87 in 2:03:08 for a 13:52 minute per mile walking pace with an elevation gain of 371 with an average heartrate of 121 bpm at a temp of 32 degrees at 62 percent humidity which is funny since it snowed for the whole workout even though it didn’t accumulate.  I’m looking to Him for a blessed Christmas and a blessed New Years! God Bless you as well!

Cold and Crispy

I wike up at my usual time, gulped down my five hour energy extra and then contemplated getting out of bed. This whole week I have felt like backing off my workouts, but my instict pulled me through another workout week.  I went into the kitchen and started piling on the workout layers. I then took a hydration stop(Starbucks) before heading out the door.  I got out at my usual time, and decided that I would stick to walking the entire distance so as to keep my knees in good shape. I decided to do the Randall Loop to spell myself of the monotony of the week. I did 9.15 in 2:02:41 for a 13:24 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 164 feet with an average heartrate of 112 bpm at a temperature of 13 degrees at 77 percent humidity. It seemed cold for a December morning and it was— at least for Long Island.  I am looking forward to a weekend of not getting up at the crack of dawn. My wife and two of her friends are going Christmas shopping at the King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania.  Praying she has a great time! God Bless you my friends! Have a blessed weekend!

Snow Going

I woke up a bit out of sorts after a night with a little extra excitement, but I’m not going to get into that now.  The streets were snow covered which made the traveling slick but beautiful.  I was a bit tired  but after my coffee I was set to take off for the streets of Ridge.  I started out doing the figure 8 extra plus , but at the end of Ridge I decided to switch things up so I headed across Middle Country for Medford Road.  I was tired and I needed a change— I knew also that there would be practically no traffic on this scenic quiet road. Here are today’s stats- 8.62 miles in 1:55:50 for a 13:25 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 186 feet with an average pulse of 127 bpm. In many portions I had to slow jog just to trudge through the slush and snow with my knees being a little achy. The temp was 24 degrees with a 91 percent humidity.  I just feel blessed to get the workout in on a day when the conditions were poor and my energy and motivation were low. Praise God!

Feeling Like Winter

I had a restful night’s sleep.  I had finished up my progress reports at home and seetled down to a good night’s rest.  I woke up and within 3 minutes I was crawling out of bed.  I got around fairly smoothly.  My workout went well with no jogging at all to pick up the pace. I did the figure 8 extra plus doing 9.11 miles in 2:00:56 for a respectable 13:16 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 292 feet with a pulse of 144  bpm at a temp of 21 degrees at a dry 51 percent humidity.  In several places I could hear the deer scrambling through the woods. Occasionally I would see a leaf drifting from the trees spiraling slowly to the ground. I am truly blessed!

Tuesday— Better Performance

These next couple of weeks I will be satisfied just to get my workouts in the book. I’m glad that I did not stay up and watch the Patriots game as the finally lost another game.  I had a bad feeling about there chances. The struggle in Miami and without Gronk and others I just had the feeling that there number was up.  This morning I did the figure 8 extra plus doing 9.05 in 1:56:14 for a 12:51 minute per mile walking pace with an elevation gain of 192 feet with an average heartrate of 129 bpm. The temperature was 37 degrees with humidity at 87 percent in cloudy conditions.  When I feel tired I often do the digure 8 Loop as it keeps me near home— comfortiI guess. Praying that Kimberly feels better from her cold. Have a blessed day!

Struggling but Empowered

I got up at my usual time, but everything since then has taken greater effort. I did the figure 8 extra plus doing 8.88 in 2:04:49 for a pedestrian 14:02 minute per mile walking pace and an elevation gain of 155 feet with an average pulse of 111 bpm at a temperature of 35 degrees at 64 percent humidity, yet somehow it was flurrying at the end of the workout. Looking to Him! God Bless!

Couldn’t Put the Plow Up

I decided to leave the figure 8 extra plus loop for Friday since it is done close by my house and is slightly shorter than the other loops. I got out a little early, but it didn’t matter.  My pace was slow— I just lacked the firepower to pick my pace up. I was glad to complete five different workouts on five different loops.  I think I will do the same next week. Here are the stats 8.69 in 2:00:22 for a 13:50 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 157 feet with an average pulse of 119 bpm at a temp of 33 degrees with humidity at 59 percent.  Looking forward to snow tomorrow— have a blessed day! 

Status Quo

I got up at my usual time and got out slightly earlier thanks to things just going smoothly.  I went on the Randall Loop doing 9.39 miles in 2:00:26 for a 12:49 minute per mile walking pace with an elevation gain of 155 feet with an average heartrate of 119 bpm at a temperature of 36 degrees at 60 percent humidity.  It was a quiet morning and things just flowed together well. The work commute went well. Have a blessed day!

Mild and Drizzly

I got up earlier today, but it didn’t put me ahead.  If I didn’t get up early I probably would have been behind so that’s the bright side of things.  Day 3 of my week of different courses brought me to the Ridge Road Loop.  I had to cheat by jogging some as my walking pace was slow. Here are the stats- 9.01 in 1:59:42 for a 13:17 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 139 feet with an average heartrate of 142 bpm.  The temp was a balmy 48 degrees with a humidity of 73 percent. I am blessed and am grateful for answered prayer. God bless you in Jesus name!

Day 2

This week I am trying to do a different route each day to help me prevent boredom.  Today I had to run a bit at the end to stay within my timeframe.  I did the Medford,
Randall, Woodlot loop doing 9.2 in 2:01:09 for a 13:09 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 192 feet with an average pulse of 118 bpm at a mild temp of 49 degrees at 78 percent humidity all this with a cool southern breeze blowing.  I felt fairly focused today.  I didn’t have quite the power in my stride today, but it was sufficient.  Looking for great things from the Lord. Jesus is the reason for the season.

Rise and Shine

I had a restful weekend for the most part.  I slept decent for most of the night, but had one section where my mind was very worried.  Thankfully, I took time to pray for others and myself and sure enough I fell back to sleep— praise God.  My goal this week is to do a different route each day.  Let’s see how it goes:)! Today I did the standard which is the Scenic Hills, Niewood, Medford Loop doing 9.07 in 1:57:46 for a 12:59 minute per mile walking pace with no running at all with an elevation gain of 311 feet with an average heartrate of 120 bpm at a temp of 29 degrees and 100 💯 percent humidity.  My wife and I got a nice tree from a local nursery.  The price and service were right which made the experience a good one. My wife and I had the tree decorated in no time. Time to go! God Bless You!

Friday on Fumes

I woke up after a sound night’s sleep.  I had a not so good feeling as I had a blowup last night with my wife and said some things that I shouldn’t have said—

things that I knew hurt her.  I apologized, but yet I know that it broke her spirit.  The workout this morning was the Ridge Loop.  I did 9.2 miles in 1:57:05 for a 12:43 minute per mile pace with a 117 foot elevation gain with an average heartrate of 122 bpm at a temp of 46 degrees at 95 percent humidity.  I had to bring intersperse jogging with walking as my pace was off.  Looking forward to the weekend. God Bless!