Remember the Maine

I knew that this morning was going to be very cold. Having lived in Maine I learned that with the right clothing I can workout in almost any temperature. The key is coving your face and keeping the hands, feet, and my head warm. Tonight my wife and I have to catch a flight to Dallas, Love Airport. I was kind of pumped up. I did my usual loop doing 8.49 in 1:50:51 for a 13:03 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 206 feet with an average heart rate of 124 bpm at a temperature of 5 degrees at 45 percent humidity. Some prayer requests close to my heart. Have a blessed day!

So Slow I Had to Jog

On weeks that I travel, I often condense my strength work into a shorter time frame. This often makes for greater fatigue. I did my new usual route and found that as expected, the roads were kind of icy. Thankfully, the salt trucks were out before 5 making the roads passable. I checked at mile three and I could see that my pace was laboring so I jogged for a good distance. Even with the jogging my pace was off. Doing leg work with weights definitely slows the pace . Here are the stats—8.39 in 1:55:49 for a 13:48 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 203 feet with a 120 pulse. My weight was down to 193 again at a temperature of 31 degrees at 73 percent humidity. Had a good time at Bible Study last night. God has a plan. Have a most blessed day!

Tired yet Motivated

I woke up after a good night’s sleep still feeling like sleeping.  I remembered however that Friday morning I will be sleeping in, in Texas. With this in mind I got out the door with a little extra motivation. I did the usual loop doing 8.48 miles in 1:55:40 for a 13:38 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 206 feet with an average heart rate of 118 bpm at a temperature of 21 degrees at 82 percent humidity. Looking forward to tomorrow! Be blessed!

New Start Monday

Monday is both a day of apprehension and expectation. My job and it’s commute require a certain amount of energy and gearing up. I have decided to try to stick with my short route this week with my trip to Texas coming up Thursday evening. Here are my stats —8.51 miles in 1:52:43 for a 13:14 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 243 feet with an average pulse of 119 bpm at a temperature of 33 degrees at 52 percent humidity.It was a good commute this morning. Have a blessed day!

Sunny Winter Sunday

I hit the Greenway trail for another Sunday adventure. I did the usual race walk without going full strength. There were the usual list of characters out on the trail. In the winter time there are fewer people out on the trail—and I like it that way. Lord willing, next Sunday I will be out in Dallas. I hope to get one workout in good ole Texas. It’s pretty country down there this time of year. Stats for the day— 7.48 miles in 1:46:13 for a 14:11 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 585 feet with an average heart rate of 110 bpm with a temperature of 30 degrees at 93 percent humidity. The plan is to stick with my usual shorter route the next four days— Lord willing. God is good! Go Patriots!

Saturday in the Woods

I intended to hit the trail when Char went to get her hair done. At first I wanted to head to the Greenway Trail, but an errand put me slightly behind so I headed to Wertheim. The conditions were bright and beautiful. Lots of folks out on the trail this morning. This is a great place to listen to podcasts and listen to music as I enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the wetlands of Mastic. I did 7.55 miles in 2:17:08 for an 18:09 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 115 feet with an average heart rate of 95 bpm at 28 degrees at a dry 36 percent humidity. A blessed morning! Have a great day!

Friday in the Books

My stomach has been playing up this week. I can make it through, but it’s just uncomfortable. I did my new staple the Woodlot, Whiskey, Randall Loop doing 8.47 miles in 1:53:17 for a 13:22 minute per mile pace , with an elevation gain of 189 feet with an heart rate of 115 bpm at a temperature of 31 degrees and 62 percent humidity. Date night tonight with Char! God Bless!

Positive Attitude

I’m thankful that God has helped me to remain positive. Tgis morning I woke up very tired and my stomach was playing up. Despite these hinderences I was able to thankfully get through the workout. The reward of getting up so early is that I have the roads mostly to myself. I decided this morning that I’m going to my new workout shoes a week early. My North Face shoes hirt my feet almost every day. These shoes never stretched out. They have been uncomfortable for the three months that I’ve worn them. I’m switching to LL Bean quick hiking shoes which are waterproof. Here are my stats- 8.83 in 1:54:19 for a 12:57 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 271 feet with an average heart rate of 125 bpm at a temperature of 50 degrees at 89 percent humidity. I saw a bunch of Suffolk County police just off Medford Avenue. Have a blessed day!

A Change of Route

Today I made the decision to change my route doing the Medford/Randall/Woodlot Route. I also decided to power walk the whole way rather than include some jogging. I was feeling it in my knees a bit too much. Fortunately, I still made it to work on time. Here are my stats- 8.89 miles in 2:02:52 for a 13:48 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 235 feet with an average heart rate of 115 bpm at a temperature of 28 degrees and 73 percent humidity. A change is helpful at times. Looking to the Lord for His strength!

Dressed for Success

The temps were cold , but I was dressed to meet the challenge. I did 8.25 in 1:48:40 for a 13:10 minute prr mile pace with an elevation gain of 154 feet with an average heart rate if 120 at a temperature of 14 degrees at 54 percent humidity. Have a blessed day!

Feeling Like Maine

When I woke up this morning I noticed that the temperature was colder here in Ridge than in Eastport. Fortunately, I know that I can endure about any conditions with the proper clothing— which I possess.  I decided to do the Scenic Hills, Niewood, Longwood, Medford, Kastal, and Ryan route doing 9.35 miles in 2:12:53 for a 14:13 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 396 feet with an average pulse of 112 bpm at a temperature of 8 degrees and 56 percent humidity. I had a hard time sleeping last night due to being so excited about the Patriots win over the Chiefs last night in Kansas City. Brady/Belichik plaing in their ninth Super Bowl together. I will be watching the Super Bowl while flying on a plane from Love Airport in Dallas to LaGuardia airport in New York. Have a blessed day on MLK day.

Rainy and Stormy Sunday

I decided to venture out into the storm as I was really looking forward to venturing out on the Greenway Trail on a day when most people would just stay home. I was surprised that it was still raining so hard. I was just hoping that I would not get too soaked. I did 7.69 miles in 1:50:32 for a 14:22 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 595 feet with an average pulse of 112 bpm at a temperature of 38 degrees and 95 percent humidity. I was glad when I made it to Starbucks whete I had a clover venti iced Italian and a donut. I then headed back towards the car. Even though I was soaked I was pleased to be out on the trail enjoying nature and solitude. Now I’m back home awaiting the championship football games. Go Patriots!

Peppy

I got a turbo charged coffee at Seven/Eleven and it worked it’s trick. I went from dead to awake in about 5 minutes. I got out at about the same time as yesterday and the workout lasted about the same duration. Here are today’s stats— 8.28 miles in 1:50:55 for a 13:23 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 190 feet with an average heart rate of 116 bpm at a temperature of 26 degrees at 50 percent humidity. Good start! Have a blessed day!

About The Same

Today’s routine was almost a mirror image of yesterday’s routine. I am enjoying not being rushed as much. My mindset has improved since making this small change. I am still getting used to the gadgets and gizmos of my new car. Strange as it seems, I feel a bit off as I have to think about the various controls of my car and where they are located. It’s interesting how accustomed you become to the things that you use and how using them is almost automatic. When you have to think about things that are usually automatic it can be a little stressful. The stats for today- 8.22 miles in 1:49:27 for a 13:19 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 180 feet with an average heart rate of 121 bpm at a temperature of 20 degrees and 78 percent humidity. A potential winter storm coming this weekend. Hope your day is blessed!

Slow Down

It was a good start to the day.  I woke up, had my cup of coffee, and read my Bible before heading to the kitchen to get ready for my workout. A subtle change I have made is cutting back around a mile on my workout. I have found that not having to push every morning to get back in time has been so helpful to my mental health. Also, with my old car dying I find that God is telling me to slow down. Even on my commute, I am finding a still small voice telling me to slow down. By His strength I will slow down. Today I did 8.27 miles in 1:50:42 for a 13:23 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 191 feet and an average heart rate of 117 bpm at a temperature of 20 degrees at 73 percent humidity. I made it to work driving more slowly on time. Thank you Lord for a good start!

Good Start

Each week I seem to start with a sense of reluctance. Fortunately, years of habit get me out the door and I find myself in a more positive frame of mind. I was a bit tired, but after my coffee I had a bit more zip in my sails. I did my new usual rout again doing 8.28 miles in 1:52:16 for a 13:33 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 187 feet with an average pulse of 116 bpm at a temp of 26 degrees and 74 percent humidity. The skies were overcast with some moonlight and starlight shining through. Have a blessed day!

It’s Kind of Funny

I got out the door after my wife decided to get ready for church. I go to the second service so that meant Lord willing a hike on the Greenway trail. I got out there a little later than I wanted so I decided to speed walk and jog some as I was feeling well. There weren’t a lot of people out on the trail so it was nice and quiet as I listened to Tony Evans on podcast. I did 8.09 in 1:47:09 for a 13:14 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 597 feet with an average heart rate of 119 bpm at a temperature of 25 degrees with humidity at 49 percent. I was planning on a recreational stroll, but I ended up with a respectable workout. It was a good day at church and all my granddaughters were there with my daughters Bekah and Ericka. I felt rested after a restful Saturday. Enjoying having my brother in law Jonathan here. Have a blessed day! God is good! Btw Patriots dominating the Chargers in the divisional playoff match.

Good Going

I got out a little later, but thanks to a quicker pace I managed to get back earlier. I did jog some as my hamstring was threatening to act up(but actually never did). I did 8.25 miles in 1:49:46 for a 13:18 minute per mile pace with a 180 foot elevation gain and a 117 bpm heart rate, at a temperature of of around 24 degrees. Kind of tired now. Have a blessed day!

Snowy Start

I got out at about the same time as yesterday. I had a faster pace today so I made it back a bit earlier.  I was a bit surprised to feel snow slap me in the face as I headed down Raynor. It was the type of smow that is pretty, but it was not collecting on the grass or road. I am enjoying my slightly shorter new route. I like the fact that I am not pressed for time even if I get out late. The route is well lit and flat with a couple of ponds on the route. Here are today’s stats- 8.23 miles in 1:54:06 for a 13:52 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 191 feet and an average heart rate of 113 bpm at a temperature of 32 degrees and 58 percent humidity. The hamstring is holding up ok, but I’m holding out on my leg work until Friday. It was a good morning and I am so blessed!

Slightly Better

I had pretty much the same routine as yesterday, I just forced
myself out of bed a couple minutes earlier. That combined with a bit of a faster pace got me home a few minutes earlier. The only negative was that the deposits can fell over and I had to pick up some plastics after finishing my workout. I did the same route as yesterday, but I somehow managed to add some distance. Here are my final stats—8.27 miles in 1:56:47 for a 14:07 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 192 feet with an average pulse of 110 bpm at a slightly breezy 43 degrees and 90 percent humidity.  The hamstring has been ok the past teo days. Thank you Lord!

Rockin It Like Grandpa

Today I woke up with a sense of expectation, but I ended up just being grateful for the status quo. I got an early text from a friend in the hospital with pneumonia. I ended up with a little back and forth with him which put my schedule behind— but that’s ok. I did my new usual loop, but I backed off my pace so as not to aggravate my hamstring— it worked, but my pace was slow. It was a drizzly morning with some sleet mixed in. Fortunately, it wasn’t too wet. Here are the stats of the day- 8.11 miles in 1:58:37 for a 14:37 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 188 feet with an average pulse of 111 bpm at a temporary of 36 degrees at 79 percent humidity. On a random thought— the older I get the more aware of my flaws I become .  Have a blessed day!

Sunday/Monday

On Sunday I went to the Wertheim Game Preserve for the two trail loop doing 6.42 miles in 1:49:29 for a 17:03 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 46 feet with an average pulse of 96 bpm at a temperature of 37 degrees at 84 percent humidity. It was nice to get back down here after a couple of weeks off. Today I did my new loop. I felt my hamstring issue again on Whiskey Road. I stopped and stretched. I jogged and walked the rest of the root. This change seemed to alleviate the hamstring issue.  It was a beautiful quiet morning, I felt peaceful. Here are today’s stats- 8.19 miles in 1:47:32 for a 13:07 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 212 feet with an average heart rate of 123 bpm at a temperature of 25 degrees at a dry 49 percent humidity. Off to a good start. God Bless you!

Topping Off

This week I just have not felt full strength, so my goal has been to continue the routine while cutting back a bit on the mileage. So I looked at today as topping off my workouts for the week. I did the same loop that I have done the last two days, with the exception that I went down Kastal and turned back around at the first intersection instead of doing a partial Apple Court. Here are my stats- 8.14 in 1:53:23 for a 13:56 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 175 feet with an average heart rate of 112 bpm at a cooler 28 degrees with 80 percent humidity. Have a blessed weekend!

A Bit More Rested

I got to bed early last night which left me feeling slightly more energetic and positive. I’m looking forward to going to the game tonight at the Nassau Collisium watching the Blackhawks and Islanders. This morning I did the same loop as yesterday doing 8.16 miles in 1:51:24 for a 13:39 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 181 feet with an average heart rate of 118 bpm at a temperature of 37 degrees and 100 percent humidity. The shorter workout gets me back earlier making for a more relaxed time of getting ready for work. My commute has been more enjoyable. Right now I think I am doing the right thing by cutting back on the distance. Probably will cut back tomorrow as well. Have a blessed day!

Back Home

It was nice to get a couple of workouts in my home state of Maine. Today I found myself back in Ridge where I have 9 years worth of workouts behind me. Today I did the route that ai did Thursday night with the addition of a little put and back down partially Apple Court. Incut
Back on the mileage to rest my hamstring and rest my body from the little cold that I have right now. I did 8.13 in 1:49:25 for a 13:27 minute per mile pace with an elevation climb of 133 feet with an average pulse of 119 bpm at a temporary of 34 degrees at 61 percent humidity. I made it to work in time and got a set of benches in . Have a blessed day!

Slip Sliding on New Year’s in Hope, Maine

I have been fighting off a small cold, so I felt a little drained at first upon waking. I had my GNC energy shot and cold medicine and threw my workout clothes on. I was committed to the workout even when the wind and sleet hit my face as I approached the road. The roads were a bit slick but fortunately the temperatures were relatively mild at 36 degrees. I decided on doing the Seacoast/Barnestown Loop 3 times. I just felt more confident staying close to my parents. One side of the road was far superior to the other side. When a car came and I was forced to the bad side , my pace slowed considerably. The good thing is that on New Year’s morning the traffic was scant. I did 9.14 miles in 2:10:09 for a 14:14 minutes per mile with an elevation gain of 985 feet with an average heartrate of 121 bpm at 36 degrees and 99 percent humidity. It was a good day as I also got some good strength work in at my parents. It was a good time here in Hope including a supper at Moody’s Diner last night. Happy New Year and God Bless!