Thursday/Friday

These two days were busy days. I am grateful that they were also productive days. On Thursday I finally got my schedule and class list and this recorded all the names of my students in my grade books. I also mowed the lawn. Friday was equally productive with marking the individual classes for easy sorting. I also followed up with my visit to the doctor last year and got my physical. It’s amazing how worked up I get. Such is my personality both highly emotional and still pragmatic. Things went well in spite of my angst. I realize that even though I enjoy good health that I should get on track with the medical aspect of it. I’m grateful that I went. It just makes you feel better when you know that you are doing the right thing.

I did the Longwood Loop on Thursday doing 9.31 miles in 2:21:00 for a 15:08 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 314 feet with an average heart rate of 109 bpm at a temp of 68 degrees and 94 percent humidity. On Friday I did the Randall Loop doing 9.61 miles in 2:27:21 for a 15:19 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 184 feet and an average heart rate of 110 bpm at a comfortable 59 degrees and 86 percent humidity.  I feel do blessed right now in spite of my hardships. Yesterday Char and I took my oldest granddaughter Ryleigh school shopping and went for a bite of pizza. So blessed. Have a God Blessed day!

Short Sleeves

The temperature this morning rebounded back into the sixties, still comfortable nonetheless. I slept slightly shorter due to watching the movie Overcomer at Island 16 with the folks of Genesis church. I was a little bit slower, but added a couple of runs at the end to get the pace under 15s. I did 9.61 miles in 2:23:13 for a 14:54 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 141 feet with an average heart rate of 111 bpm at a temp of 63 degrees and 95 percent humidity. Just grateful for the workout and the consistency. Have a blessed day!

Long Sleeves

  Today I was pleasantly surprised to see the temperature in the low fifties. I wore a light long sleeved shirt with my shorts. I found that I moved along better this morning. I was in general more positive. I did the Longwood\Medford Loop doing 9.26 miles in 2:16:57 for a 14:47 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 349 feet with an average heart rate of 110 bpm at a temp of 53 degrees and 95 percent humidity.  Going to the movies with my church family tonight at Island 16. Another day of training with some time to get work done. Have a blessed day!

Feeling Like Fall

I don’t feel the sense of purpose in my life right now although I know I have purpose. I seem to be functioning on habits and routines. I am blessed to have a loving wife, loving parents, and good friends at school. I mean I have these things as a support system. Obviously I am blessed with my daughters and grandchildren, but right now I seem to be the service rather than the served. It is here and as a husband that I feel my strongest responsibilities.
The weather was comfortable and cool this morning . I did the Longwood/Medford Loop doing 9.3 miles in 2:18:29 for a 14:53 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 530 feet with an average heart rate of 112 bpm at a temp of 61 degrees and 83 percent humidity. Wading River Hollow Road was kind of challenging to travel since it is grooved for paving. The lighting was also difficult. Thankfully I got the work in . God bless!

I May Be Slow...

but at least I go. I went out on another uncomfortable hazy morning. According to the weather this is the last of the hot and humid mornings- at least for now. I did the Randall Loop doing 9.62 miles in 2:25:59 for a 15:10 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 217 feet with an average heart rate of 110 bpm at a temp of 74 and 97 percent humidity. God Bless!

Early Starts Again

Thankfully I don’t have to get up quite as early as when I teach, but I am out approximately an hour earlier than vacation hours. Once I get out there I find that I prefer the early hours. I love that there are no people and very little traffic. I am pretty much just in my thoughts. I did 9.22 miles in 2:18:15 for a 14:59 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 348 feet with an average heart rate of 116 bpm at a temp of 74 degrees and 93 percent humidity. I mowed the lawn tonight and am enjoying the peace and quiet of an almost empty house. Able to clean things up a bit. Feeling a little lazy. God bless and good night!

The End/The Beginnings

Knowledge at times gives you perspective, but does almost nothing to help with certain situations. Right now, I know that my wife is emotional because her little boy is going for his second and last year of college. I understand it fully. She’s a loving and caring mother. Jace meanwhile is finishing up the summer the same way he lived the summer— having friends come over and have their run of the place. I realize that it’s my job to keep my mouth shut even when he runs his rude and disrespectful mouth. I’m spending this last week on my wife’s crap list because of a very few in my perspective reasonable statements about his friends leaving parking space in my driveway so I can park my car. Anyway. I start my first day of school and Char, Jace, and my father-in-law will be gone for three days. Looks like we’re starting our time off starting tonight.

My workout I did the Randall Road 9 plus miler doing 9.47 miles in 2:21:24 for a 14:56 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 195 feet with an average heart rate of 117 bpm at a seemingly cool 70 degrees and 96 percent humidity. Tomorrow I will start an hour earlier Lord willing. God Bless!

Annoyed

I wrote a long post, but the stupid thing reloaded and effectively wiped out many minutes of writing. I did Longwood doing 9.20 in 2:15:20 for a 14:42 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 340 feet with an average heart rate of 116 bpm at 75 degrees and 92 degrees humidity. I saw a lot of folks out (which annoyed me). My friend Chuck passed me going the opposite direction on Ridge commenting about how miserable the conditions were. My last night of summer vacation.I am not looking forward to the commute. Well, good night and God Bless!

Sunday Stroll

I knew Charlotte planned on leaving a bit earlier for church, so I drank my strong SevenEleven coffee. I felt ok and decided to do my previous summer standard workout. I did not power walk, but just walked normally on my neighborhood figure 8 plus course. I listened to my Tony Evans and Charles Stanley podcast along with Air1 and Skillet music. Here are the results— 8.53 miles in 2:30:59 for a 17:42 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 164 feet with an average heart rate of 106 bpm at a temp of 72 degrees and a sweltering 96 percent humidity. I wasn’t necessarily planning on going this far, but I am happy that I did. Last summer vacation Sunday off. God is good!

Just In Time

I was wondering what I would do when school started up, since I had not power walked for any distance since pre-injury back in April. Back then I could work out, but I found discomfort in the back of my knee whenever I would get up from being seated. If I stood for a few moments before moving, then I could usually manage although I experienced discomfort as I moved about. Kind of by accident I ended up power walking again. Last Thursday a lady started talking to me for quite some time, until I realized that I would not make it back to the house in time at my current pace. I decided to stick to my current route and power walk the rest of the scheduled route. The distance was a little over four miles. So on Friday I decided to power walk the whole route and did so successfully praise God. This week I tried doing the Longwood Loop 9 miler. Today I did the Randall 9 miler. I know that my pace is slower than pre-injury, but it is definitely progress. When I do around 9 miles I don’t try to meet my movement goals on the weekend, but use the time to recover. I also only do my ab work 5 days a week rather than every day. Yesterday the Lord answered another request— Thank you Lord for helping me. Next week I will begin my 32 school year as a teacher.
Stats for the day- 9.57 mile in 2:23:06 for a 14:57 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 302 feet with an average heart rate of 110 bpm at a comfortable 64 degrees and 94 percent humidity. Have a blessed weekend.

Feeling Almost “Normal”

 If you’re not careful it’s easy to feel discontented about your life. Either you’re too busy or you’re bored. You either have no privacy or you’re lonely.  You get what I’m saying perhaps? These last few days I have had a lot of time alone, and actually I have really enjoyed that time. I have had time to think and pray and gain perspective. That’s been important for me since I have felt as if I have been drifting along, dealing with the everyday, and my many personal emergencies. I’m endeavoring to be grateful and make these days count and have meaning. I can only do this with the Lord’s help.

I have found that my love and longing for Maine have never ceased. Three of my daughters now live down here so being near them takes precedence. My family is my life, yet my love for the quiet and beauty of Maine have not stopped. I just try to take advantage of the advantages of living down here. Thankfully my parents, daughter, and grandson still live in Maine giving me an excuse to go up to frequent Maine. My week at Camp Good News was tiring, but I truly enjoyed every minute of it. For now, I look to my Lord for his will and way in my life which I find when I obey him.

To the workout. I did 9.21 miles in 2:16:20 for a 14:47 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 338 feet with an average heart rate of 113 bpm at a temp of 66 degrees and 95 percent humidity. In a few days my blog will be back to the short entries thanks to my return to school. For now, have a blessed day!

Diary

I have kept this blog for 10 years now. Years of reading my friend Andy’s blog inspiring me to do the same. Times have changed, with blogs no longer being the “in” thing. That’s fine with me. Facebook and the like have taken over, but the blog still serves a purpose. For me it’s my trail that I lead and will one day leave behind. I’m hoping that one day my daughters or my wife may take the time to read my short little excerpts. Even though I recounting my workouts, I’m also sharing little bits of myself. So even if only one person reads this on occasion, that’s fine with me. I’m not interested with my morning experiences being on social media. It’s more private than that. On occasion I will read my blog, to pick my own mind of sorts.

Today I did the Longwood Loop again, but I did not read my splits. I have been feeling a slight hamstring thing. I backed off my pace slightly, so as not to put stress on my hamstring. My knee compression sleeves have been helpful, and I actually finished the workout feeling fine. I did 9.21 miles in 2:19:30 for a 15:09 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 339 feet with an average heart rate of 111 bpm at a temp of 69 degrees and a muggy 98 percent humidity. My last day of free time. It has been productive. I have been able to get my head on straighter with a lot on my mind and in my heart. Thank you Lord. Char to arrive soon!

Day 3- Day 2

 Today marked the third day of workouts doing speed walking and day two of the Longwood Loop. I didn’t realize how much I missed speed walking until I started back. I am grateful that I am able to do this as the beginning of school approaches. Power walking means more miles, but also allows me to reach my move goal much sooner in the day as intensity is a key factor.  I know my pace is slower than pre-injury, but is also faster than previous walking. Thankfully, patience paid off. The Lord gave me the speed when I needed it. I did 9.15 miles in 2:16:44 for a 14:56 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 299 feet with an average heart rate of 115 bpm at a warm 74 degrees at 80 percent humidity.  Char and the family still in PA. God is good!

Getting There

Today I did something that I haven’t done in over 3 months— The Longwood Loop power walking. It was a comfortable morning with the temp just above 60. My wife Charlotte and Jace are with my daughter Ericka and my precious granddaughters in Bloomsburg, Pa for a couple of days. I’m staying behind in kind of a supporting role. My hamstrings definitely get worked harder when I power walk. When my wife is away in allows me to operate without stealth— that’s basically the only positive. Here are the stats— 9.16 miles in 2:14:26 for a 14:40 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 368 feet with an average heart rate of 117 bpm with the temperature at 60 degrees and humidity was 88 percent. This route I see more cars , but almost zero people on the street. The thing I like about the summer is seeing my daughters more often.  My daughters are the best thing that came out of my first marriage— God Bless them all. Have a blessed day!

New Beginnings

I have found that in a couple of times after praying for God’s help that the next thing to happen is something bad. In the past I would keep praying for an answer, but I’ve grown to know God better. I realize that God always hears and answers us—but often we fail to see His answer because we already have our own desired answer to our own prayer. This is where I need to trust that this “bad” thing is actually an answer to prayer. It is the thing that needed to happen for God’s desired change to happen. It was a long night, but today I walk with Jesus.

Even though I was tired I got my workout in praise God. I have decided to start with power walking again. Here are the stats after a trying night- 8.14 miles in 1:55:22 for a 14:10 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 264 feet with an average heart rate of 120 bpm at a temp of 66 degrees and 92 percent humidity. With the speed walking I achieve my movement goal with fewer steps. First time all summer seeing my weight at 193. Have a blessed day!

Tues-Wed-Thurs Interruptions

Tuesday- 8.76 miles in 2:28:59 for a 17:00 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 171 feet with an average heart rate of 100 bpm at 66 degrees and 96 percent humidity. Medford-Randall -Woodlot Loop
Wednesday- 8.74 miles in 2:21:02 for a 16:08 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 173 feet with an average heart rate of 108 bpm at a temp of 71 degrees and 96 percent humidity on the standard route going Kastal and Ryan.
Thursday- 8.19 in 2:23:15 for a 17:28 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 381 feet with an average heart rate of 108 bpm at a temp of 68 degrees and 93 percent humidity on the old standard Woodlot/Ridge/Randall/Kastal and 2 x Ryan. I had two major interruptions and I forgot to pause my watch. I speed walked the last 4 plus miles. I think that I may be able to try speed walking again . The speed is definitely not there, but at least I can do it. I took two weeks off from bench pressing. Week 1 cost me two reps and week 2 cost me another rep. Shows me how important strength work is. Have a blessed day!

Recap

Saturday- July 27, Hope, Me: 9 miles. Probably around 6-800 elevation gain. I charge my phone, but the connection was bad. My phone died after 5 miles and a bit. Did the Barnestown loop twice with the second loop adding a 1 1/2 mile out and back(for 3 miles). Beautiful morning. This is my best for stats. Pleased to get workout in Maine. My daughter Katie and my grandson came for Saturday night.
Sun- Off. Arrive at Camp Good News
Monday-2.5 miles in 46:35 for an 18:37 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 40 feet with an average heart rate of 106 bpm at a temp of 78 degrees and 73 percent humidity.
Tuesday - 2.66 miles for an 18:35 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 53 feet. Average pulse of 93 bpm. In 49:28.
Wednesday- 2.55 miles in 48:28 for an average pace of 18:56 minutes per mile with an elevation gain of 46 feet with an average heart rate of 98 bpm.
Thursday- 2.57 miles in 48:06 for an average of 18:40 minutes per mile with an elevation gain of 53 feet with an average heart rate of 98 bpm
Friday- 2.08 in 41:25 for an average pace of 19:52 minutes per mile with an elevation gain of 141 feet with an average heart rate of 97 bpm .
* To note. Monday through Friday I did the Campground Road on my break time in my camp clothes as I had to teach an activity directly after. That was my only free time of the day. I met my activity goals 3 almost 4 days at Camp. I think I did at least 20 thousand steps each day. Lots of recreation with the campers made for a sore 54 year old. What a blessed week though.
Saturday- Shackford’s head. 2.59 miles in 1:16:57 for a 29:39 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 521 feet with an average heart rate of 101 bpm. I did the perimeter, Ship’s Point and Scenic Overlook while waiting for Kaitland to get home from work. This is always a special experience no matter my pace. The solitude and memories are precious.
Sunday- in Eastport starting at Harris Point. I did 9.63 miles in 2:40:32 for a 16:40 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 602 feet with an average heart rate of 109 bpm at a comfortable 60 degrees and 94 percent humidity. It’s beautiful here, but leaving my daughter and grandson and Maine is always difficult.
Monday- in Ridge. 8.5 miles in 2:18:03 for a 16:13 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 122 feet with an average heart rate of 104 bpm at a temp of 67 degrees and 70 percent humidity.
So much to say , but will leave it unsaid for now. May Jesus be praised!