New Explorations in Good Ole Eastport

I got out a bit before 6 am. It was awesome to hit the road again especially the old familiar streets of my old home Eastport. It was dark at first with a hint of light in the pre-dawn hours. It was around 14 degrees when I headed out the door , but fortunately there was no wind. I did the North End loop and the Dump road loop and the in town 3 mile loop. I deviated at the end bu heading past Sherm Camick’s house an past Hewlet Avenue down to the tracks and then up to the Motel East stopping my watch at the top of the steps on the second floor by room 18. Here are the final stats 9.51 miles in 2:08:53 for a 13:33 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 631 feet with an average heartrate of 127 bpm. This isn’t where I grew up , but it feels like home. Have a blessed New Year!

Take Two

My wife has asked me not to go out tomorrow. I hate to give up a workout withthis being vacation and me eating a good amount. I decided to head out the door when my wife went to Weight Watchers. I decided that I would tryto do about 6 miles doing the figure 8. I ended up doing Woodlot then continueing down Whiskey for the Randall Loop. Instead of doing Raynor Road I looped down Ridge to Whiskey and up Raynor making a quick jaunt down Kastal to the intersection then back home. I did 8.21 miles in 1:53:04 for a 13:46 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 177 feet and an average heart rate of 112 bpm. I started out leisurely, but ended up doing the last 4 miles in under 13 minutes per mile. I was blessed to get the workout in! God bless!

Great Britain

The vacation week is going by quickly. I am enjoying time with my daughter and grandson. I think that we have hit the post Christmas blues. For weeks it has been push push along with heightened expectations and now there is a void. The blended family like any family is a beautiful unique animal. At times it seems like a “regular “ family— getting along caring about each other. Then when internal conflicts arise we splinter into competing entities. The us turns into us and them. This morning I did the Woodlot twice with an Apple Court out and back and a third reverse Woodlot loop coming back on the trail rather than Whiskey road for a total of 9.34 miles in 2:09:44 hours for a 13:53 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 160 feet with an average pulse of 113 bpm at a temperature of 34 degrees and 77 percent humidity. My hamstring was feeling a little bit better. Have a blessed day!

The Day After

I woke up a bit before 5, but I lingered around to a bit before 6. I tried my Bluetooth headphones, but forgot to properly charge them so I had to bring them back. I started out thinking I would do the Ridge Road Loop, but I decided on the Scenic Hills, Niewood, Medford Loop doing 9.53 miles in 2:09:14 for a 13:33 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 363 feet with an average heart rate of 115 bpm at a temperature of 27 degrees and a cloudy 71 percent humidity. I felt good until the 7 1/2 mile mark where my hamstring tightened up a bit. I changed my foot placement on the crown of the road and changed my gait. I finished ok. Have a blessed day!

An Early Christmas Workout

I got up at my usual workout time which is early— 3:45 am. I read my Bible, got ready, and headed out the door. I did the Medford/Randall Loop doing 8.82 miles in 1:58:12 for a 13:23 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 197 feet with an average heart rate of 121bpm at a temperature of 33 degrees at 67 percent humidity. My goal was to get my workout in and back before anyone was awake.  I definitely accomplished my goal thanks to the Lord. The goal is guilt free eating:). I heard
an owl near the intersection of Randall Road(Shoreham road) and Whiskey . I was able to walk right down the middle of the road. The moon was bright providing the light necessary to get around in the morning. I was very fortunate to get a workout in. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Morning Workout

I got up a bit before 5 and then slowly worked my way out the door. There was snow on the ground which had turned to rain for my workout. I did the Scenic Hills, Niewood, Medford Loop doing 9.24 miles in 2:08:23 for a 13:53 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 344 feet with a heartbeat of 117 bpm at a temperature of 33 degrees at 96 percent humidity. It was another rainy dreary morning. Christmas tomorrow! God Bless!

New Route in My Old Home

I had an exhausting day yesterday and a short night in Eastport at the Motel East. I woke up around 4:30, had my coffee, and lingered around for over an hour. I found that even though I was tired, I just couldn’t pass on the opportunity to train in my old home area. I did Adams Steet, High Street , County StreetRoad then to Route 190 to the old 4 mile marker by the yellow sign before Carlow Island, back 190, out Kendell’s Head and back,down 190 to Clark Street, Dog Island, Water Street, and finish up by trail off Water Street, Up the Hill to the Motel East, and up the stairs for 10.21 miles in 2:15:45 for a 13:17 minute per mile pace with a 600 foot elevation gain with a 123 average pulse st a balmy 50 degrees and 100 percent humidity.Exhausted. Good Night! 

Feeling A Bit Like Job

I’m grateful for God’s provision and good health. I am truly blessed and I say that without equivocation.  Still, the family trials and dealing with my daughters’s depression has been taxing. The bad phone call no longer shocks me.  God has placed me in the situation that I deal regularly with problems that I am not good at dealing with. I am confronted at dealing with issues from a standpoint of weakness rather than strength. I believe however that this is exactly what God wants. God exchannging my weakness for God’s strength. Probably the biggest change in my life since becoming a Christian is the fact that I am compassionate as opposed to hardened. I am grateful for the change that Christ makes. Today I did the Medford, Randall, Woodlot Loop doing 8.71 miles in 2:04:13 for a 14:16 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 370 feet with an average heart rate of 113 bpm at a balmy 56 degrees at a rainy 88 percent humidity . Looking forward to my trip to Eastport. Praying for God’s watchcare over my family. Have a blessed day!

Feeling OK, But Going Slow

 I did the Ridge Loop and felt good despite being very tired and a little down. I did th Ridge Loop doing 8.98 miles in 2:07:22 for a 14:11 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 194 feet with an average hear rate of 109 bpm at a temp of 27 degrees and 84 percent humidity. Lord willing the same loop tomorrow and then off to Maine. Despite disappointment I am thankful and hopeful. Have a very blessed day!

Longer than I Wanted

I had three routes in mind that were under 9 miles, but I was wrong on one of them. Today I did my combination Figure 8, Randall route. For this week my pace was faster even though my knee was a little sore( I think the squats last night had an effect).  I did 9.17 in 2:04:03 for a 13:31 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 195 feet with an average heart rate of 113 bpm with a temp of 23 degrees at 68 percent humidity.  I’m happy with my training with the goal of staying on top of the workouts and stay ahead of the injury curve. Really looking forward to going to Eastport and bringing Kaitland and Keon here for a week. God Bless!

Cooler Temp

Today marked a back to winter sort of feel with the temps dropping to a more seasonal level. I felt decent and more energetic today. I think the slight cutback is a good thing. I don’t have to push so hard to make time. My knee was a little better. The working on a cement floor is not the best thing for your body. Still I’m feeling better than last year. It was a clear morning and the dark late fall skies were pretty. I’m thinking to myself that next week at this time our days will be increasing in length. Here are today’s stats- 8.82 miles in 2:00:30 for a 13:39 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 205 feet with an average heart rate of 117 bpm at a temp of 33 degrees at a dry 47 percent humidity. There was a good breeze blowing this morning slapping the face and keeping me alert. I’m blessed!

Cutting Back

I’ve decided to keep my workouts under 9 miles a day.  There are three reasons effecting this decision-1. My energy level is low and I have a long trip on Friday. Lord willing, I hope to get a workout in Eastport on Saturday. Thus, I have a need to conserve energy. 2. I want to have plenty of time in the morning to make it to work on time. 3. My right knee is off a bit. It got irritated during the hill workout a couple of Tuesdays ago. I did the Ridge Loop doing 8.85 miles doing an average pace of 13:52 minutes per mile with an elevation gain of 211 feet with an average heart rate of 113 bpm at a temperature of 37 degrees at 92 percent humidity. Looking to the Lord for grace and strength. Praise His name!

Sunday at Wertheim

I am grateful for my weekend hikes with my younger two daughters basically doing their own thing without going totally off the Reservation these hikes are therapeutic. I listen to podcasts and Christian  music. God is faithful. I did Wertheim doing both sides of the inlet . I did 6.26 miles in 1:52:35 for a 17:59 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 122 feet with an average heart rate of 90 bpm at a temperature of 41 degrees at a drizzly 88 percent humidity. One more week before Katie and Keon visit us. My granddaughter Ryleigh is visiting with us today. Nice little treat after church. Jesus is Lord!

Unexpected Saturday Romp

It’s not that Saturday has been an unusual dayfor a hike, it’s that I did not expect to hike today.  My wife told me mid-morning that I could go for a hike. I quickly got ready and headed out the door towards Port Jefferson Station. I drove over, got out of my car, turned on Dr. Charles Stanley podcast and hit the trail. There definitely fewer folks out with the later start and the drizzle. I did 8.14 miles in 2:29:08 for an 18:18 mpm pace with an elevation gain of 585 feet with an average heart rate of 94 bpm at a temperature of 49 degrees with 91 percent humidity. I’m truly blessed and was so pleased to get this workout in. In one week Lord willing , Kaitland and Keon will be here. God is good!

Different but the Same

This week has been challenging, yet productive. There are so many things that I am unhappy and unsure about, but God has given me a peace. Yesterday was another long day. The busier a women gets the astronomically lesser the likelihood of romantic rendezvous. To speak of such a thing could make a man seem uncivilized (which he undoubtedly is of course)— yet the facade of civility is strived for to maintain a peace. I did the Randall Loop doing Randall first before Woodlot. It’s amazing how reversing a route makes the route seem totally different. Here are the stats—9.27 miles in 2:05:50 for a 13:34 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 201 feet with an average heartrate of 114 bpm at a dropping temp of 35 degrees at 93 percent humidity. Looking forward to the weekend and the arrival of my daughter and grandson in a little over a week. God Bless!

Feeling Good

Sometimes just a small change can make a difference. Today I decided to do the Scenic Hills, Longwood, Medford Loop — had been taking Niewood Road and doing the side road off Kastal— but stuck to doing Longwood and foregoing the hill off Kastal. I did 9.15 in 2:01:30 for a 13:16 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 344 feet with an average pulse of 120 bpm at a temperature of 30 degrees and a dry 57 percent humidity. There were a few flakes in the air on my commute this morning. Good start to the day. God Bless!

Walking Hard on Fumes

Yesterday was the typical Christmas Season busy day. My daughter Kim who sadly has moved out with her boyfriend , spent the evening with me. It’s always good to have Kim who was singing the whole evening— which means that she is happy. I had tons of laundry to put away, including putting on the clean bedding.  My wife got back just before 10 from her women’s paint night at the church. This morning I did the Ridge Loop doing 9.16 miles in 2:04:37 for a 13:36 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 185 feet with an average heart rate of 119 bpm at a temperature of 32 degrees at 64 percent humidity.  It was an overcast dark morning in contrast to yesterday’s bright morning where I saw a falling star. This was a morning where I felt like turning around and heading for home. It is times like this where daily habit kicks in and I keep on trucking. I’m trying to embrace the darkness of these short days. Be blessed!

Even From Behind

Today was the day that I managed to stay on schedule even though I was running behind schedule. My workout started late for various reasons so I did my shortest route the Medford/Randall Loop doing 8.86 miles in 1:57:17 for a 13:14 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 193 feet with an average heart rate of 134 bpm at a temperature of 21 degrees with humidity at 83 percent.  I made it to work on time too thanks to nearly perfect timing .  Have a blessed day!

In The Cool of the Morning

This December has been on the cold side. This morning I got out at the ususal time doing the Scenic Hills, Niewood, Longwood, and Medford Loop doing 9.3 miles in 2:06:28 for a 13:35 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 360 feet with an average pulse of 116 bpm at a temperature of 30 degrees at 64 percent humidity. I felt decent. Looking forward for what Jesus has in store!

Saturday/Sunday

I got up early on Saturday and lounged around before doing the Greenway Trail doing 10.04 miles in 2:55:32 for a 17:28 minute per mile pace with a 679 foot elevation gain with an average pulse of 90 bpm. at a temperature of 20 degrees and 73 percent humidity. Today I did 6.39 in 1:52:47 for a 17:38 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 17:38 minute per mile pace at a temporary of 23 degrees at 76 percent humidity. The scenery was beautiful and the traffic was light. This has been good therapy for my life. Have a blessed day! Jesus be praised!

Change of Course

I woke up this morning expecting to go to school for a typical Friday. I checked my phone and saw a message that my daughter needed me to take her to court for what we thought was a formality. It has since turned out that it is a good thing that I came. I changed my original plan which was for the Ridge Road Loop again, and instead did the Scenic Hills, Niewood, Longwood, and Medfors Loop doing 9.18 miles in 2:05:07 for a 13:38 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 348 feet and an average heartrate of 120 bpm at a temperature of 35 degrees and 63 percent humidity. Here at Suffolk County Family Court. It looks as if this is going to be a good day. God is good!

Cool and Brisk

Today was a good typical morning.  Everything was pretty much on schedule. I had a positive mindset— so I thought to myself this is a good start. I did the Ridge Loop workout again doing 9.05 miles in 1:59:42 for a 13:14 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 189 feet with an average heartrate of 141 bpm at a cool temp of 24 degrees at 73 percent humidity. I had a good commute again this morning. Had a nice talk with my brother thos morning. Last night I took time to look at clips of the President Bush funeral service. Have a blessed day!

Hooting at The Crescent Moon

 I woke up kind of tired. It was a long day yesterday with a couple of nightly interruptions from daughters 1 and 3. I contemplated a day off— just briefly— and then started my day. My stomach has been off a bit at times the last couple of days. Just enough of a problem to be a nuisance.  I did the Ridge Loop with a couple of pit stops.  I did some jogging to try to offset the time in the pits. My final milage left me .02 miles below 9 miles— slightly annoying, but a good workout nonetheless. The owls were hooting up a storm on Whiskey Road. I could distinguish 3 owls, each with a varying deepness to their sounds. I did 8.98 miles in 1:54:05 for a 12:42 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 203 feet with an average heart rate of 122 bpm at a cool 24 degree at 73 percent humidity. I noticed the moon wad crescent as I entered the end of Ridge road. My commute to work was a combination of fast and slow. Slow won today. Have a blessed day!

One Step In Front of ...

Lately, I have been pleased in my workouts even though it seems as if every day I am just getting by. I am working this week at getting my weight back into the low 190’s. I kind of let my weight slip back up into the solid mid 190’s. With a little bit of discipline I can get
it down. I find that I eat as a stress relief— anyway.  I did the new Ridge Loop doing 9.02 in 2:00:10 dor a 13:19 mpm pace with an elevation gain of 185 feet with an average heart rate of 119 bpm at a temporary of 39 with humidity at a dry 57 percent. Have a blessed day!

Friday/Monday

Friday I did my new version of the Ridge Loop going all the way to the end of the road until 25A doing 9.01 in 1:57:32 for a 13:02 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 215 feet and an average heart rate of 120 bpm at a temperature of 29 degrees and 81 percent humidity. Today I did the Randall extra plus loop doing 9.3 miles in 2:04:43 for a 13:24 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 190 feet with an average heartrate of 116 bpm at a balmy 53 degrees and 98 percent humidity. Have a blessed day!

Soaked

I have been blessed to get in another weekend workout of active recovery. I did the Greenway Trail with with nery a person in site for the majority of the workout. The Lord has truly blessed me through this tumultuous time of my life. I am truly blessed and grateful for my workouts. I did 7.56 in 2:00:26 for a 15:55 mpm pace and an elevation gain of 554 feet with an average heart rate of 98 bpm. I was soaked but glad to get the workout in. Jesus be praised.