Not So Fun

I headed out the door for my usual Sunday hike. It was a beautiful morning. Since quarantine, every trail has been very busy. Today, with the later start and beautiful weather— so many people were out and about. I miss the solitude. It’s the one thing I enjoy about my regular morning workouts. Here are the results of my Calverton hike— 9.28 miles in 2:48:15 for an 18:07 minute per mile pace with a 168 foot elevation gain and an average heart rate of 107 bpm at 59 degrees and 53 percent humidity. Not quite as many mask wearing hikers. Many bikers on the trail. Hoping for worse weather next Sunday.

Wed.-Thurs.-Fri.

I have been getting the work done, but I just haven't posted the work.  This week I had the experience of being slow through 5-6 miles and then picked it up to get my workouts near or under 15's. Wed,-9.44 miles in 2:20:24 for a 14:52 minute per mile pace with a 381-foot elevation gain with a 117 bpm heart rate at 58 degrees and 94 % humidity.Thurs.-9.36 miles in 2:18:56 for a 14:50 minute per mile pace with a 301-foot elevation gain with an average heart rate of 116 bpm at 64 degrees and 95 percent humidity, Fri.-9.48 miles in 2:23:14 for a 15:06 minute per mile pace with a 392-foot elevation gain with an average heart rate of 110 bpm at 94% humidity at 63 degrees. I will be so glad when Char gets home--Lord willing tonight!  I'm not meant to be alone this long:) May God richly bless you!

Foggy Morning

This was a morning where I did not have the energy that I thought that I did.  I did 9.23 miles in 2:18:23 for a 14:59 minute per mile pace with a 387 foot elevation gain and an average heart rate of 119 bpm at a balmy 59 degrees.  I did the Longwood Loop doubling back on the Longwood Hill.  I felt positive even though I was a bit tired.  have a blessed day!

Sat.-Greenway, Sun.- Calverton, Mon. Longwood

 I am keeping on the move to forget how lonely that I am.  I am thankful--but I miss Charlotte.  I never realized how much energy that I draw from Charlotte until this hiatus of Char helping a family member.  Saturday the forecast was for rain, but it ended up being a hike wear I was overdressed and surrounded by too many others on the Greenway trail.  I did reward myself with a coffee, muffin, and a jelly donut at the East Setauket Bakery. I did 8 miles in 2:17:49 for a 17:13 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 106 bpm with a 531 foot elevation gain at 64 degrees and 92 percent humidity. Sunday I did 9.45 miles in 2:43:30 for a 17:18 minute per mile pace with a 214 foot elevation gain at a comfortable 50 degrees and 79 percent humidity. Today I did 9.52 miles in 2:19:11 for a 14:37 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 112 bpm with a 362 foot elevation gain at 54 degrees at 94 percent humidity and it light rained for almost the entire workout. Tomorrow I start back up with school. Have a blessed day!

Surprise--Kind of!

I hit the road powered by my SevenEleven Coffee. I'm a bit out of sorts, basically living in an empty house.  Friday's are usually a slow day, so I decided not to look at my watch until the end. I saw the local runner who reminds me of who I used to be.  Still, it was a beautiful spring morning doing the Scenic Hills-Niewood version of the Longwood Loop. I am thankful for the lack of issues--Praise God! I did 9.34 miles in 2:14:20 for a 14:22 minute per mile pace with a 345-foot elevation gain with an average heart rate of 123 bpm at a warm feeling 49 degrees at 94 % humidity. Looking forward to the weekend, even though Charlotte won't be here. God bless you all!

Mundane Beauty

My routine is not exciting, but it is rewarding. It was was 37 degrees. Surprisingly cool for a Long Island mid-May morning. I love this weather though. The part of this quarantine that I enjoy is my workout and the people that I see. Today I did the Longwood Loop doing a backtrack on Medford to add a little elevation and distance.  I did 9.57 miles in 2:20:23 for a 14:40 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 394 feet with an average heart rate of 116 bpm at a temp of 36 and humidity at 94 percent.  I miss my Char! She is wear she needs to be, but I miss her dearly. Have a blessed day!

Catching Up

Tues. May 12-- 9.25 miles
Wed. May 13-- 9.30 miles
Thurs. May 14--9.56 miles
Fri. May 15--9.52 miles
Sat. May 16-- 9.24 miles
Sun. May 17-- 8.02 miles
Mon. May 18-- 9.43 miles
Tues. May 19-- 9.53 miles
Wed. May 20--9.24 miles
In summary, I have been overwhelmed with the workload.  Charlotte had to go to Texas to help in an emergency situation and will remain there until next Friday.  The workouts have been good, but the Remote teaching is so challenging. The list of obstacles seem to pile up daily.  Trying to do school in an emergency situation. God is able. I know that He will give me the strength. I am trying to keep busy to keep from thinking about how much I miss Charlotte-- I need her, but her brother needs her more at this time.  Have a blessed day!

More Like Spring

Today was not as unseasonably cold as it had been. Truth is that I actually miss the cold temps. I've always been kind of a late fall type of guy. I did the Longwood Loop with a bit of a different twist retracing the last hill on Medford instead of going up and back on Ryan ave. I did 9.56 miles in 2:20:49 for a 14:43 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 359 feet with an average heart rate of 120 bpm at a temp of 45 degrees and 90 percent humidity.  I hit some raindrops the last 2 miles. My heart rate was more variable today.  Usually it is steady with the exception of hills. Always interesting. I am grateful that my hip is doing pretty decent. I am so thankful for my workouts.  Thank you Lord for your goodness. Some days I feel more positive and motivated than others, but I am always glad to be out on the road in the early.  I  Hope that your day is filled with His presence!

Saturday Noon

Saturday’s hike occurred later as Sunday morning will be spent with my wife. It was unseasonably cold for a May morning.  I did 9ish miles. I had watch problems. The route is usually 9.3 miles. There weren’t many others out on the trail. Looking forward to Monday! God bless you!

Wednesday-Thursday-Friday

Wednesday- 9.41 miles in 2:21:43 for a 15:03 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 351 feet with an average heart rate of 110 bpm at 43 degrees and 74 percent humidity. Thursday- 9.24 miles in 2:16:37 for a 14:47 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 329 feet with an average heart rate of 113 bpm at 42 degrees and 88 percent humidity. Friday- 9.41 miles in 2:23:34 for a 15:15 minute per mile pace with a 350 foot elevation gain and an average heart rate of 111 bpm at 49 degrees and humidity at 46 degrees. I’ve been dealing with a bit of a hip situation. My walking workouts seem to actually help it.  Find the long days in the yard seem to take its toll on my body. The key is managing the issues.  The weather has been cooler thankfully. My daughter Rebekah cut my hair on Wednesday. She did a great job.  Thankfully no Zoom meetings today:) Have a blessed day!

The Morning After a Panic

I went to bed with a weird feeling in my right hip.  This was strange as it came out of nowhere. The feeling got worse.  I was awake through portions of the night.  My mind raced to worry thinking about missing a workout or workouts during a time when I need them so badly.  I thought back to my childhood and the period of time when I couldn't walk because of an unknown hip problem.  My Uncle Andy has had two hip replacements.  I thought of many bad possibilities.  Then, as usual the Lord reminded me that there are many people struggling and I had failed to pray for them.  I'm learning that interrupted sleep usually means that it's time to pray.  I woke up at my usual time. I thought of taking the day off--or possibly just going 3 miles--but I decided to at least give it a try.  Thankfully, I made it through the Longwood Loop.  The surprised blessing made the cool morning workout special.  The sun was bright and the breeze was cool.  I had to dress in my usual cool clothing. I did 9.44 miles in 2:23:52 for a 15:14 minute per mile pace with a 109 bpm heart rate with a 360 feet elevation gain at a coolish 44 degrees at 67% humidity.  My hip is still a little off, but it's not painful.  I am so grateful for these little blessings.  Thank you Lord.

Sunday/Monday

I did the Greenway trail Sunday doing 9 plus miles, but I had technical issues.  I will record what was captured by my watch. 8.74 miles in 2:28:21 for a 16:58 minute per mile pace with a 550 foot elevation gain and an average heart rate of 112 bpm at 53 degrees and 88 percent humidity.Today I did the Niewood version of the Longwood Loop doing 9.27 in 2:15:30 for a 14:37 minute per mile pace with a 319 foot elevation gain and a 112 bpm pulse at a pleasant 55 degrees and 74 percent humidity.  Tired after a long tiring day yesterday!  God bless!

Warmer

I headed out the door and was greeted by a shower. The temp was 55 which can feel hot or cold depending on humidity and the wind. Today I slightly overdressed— occasionally I don’t get the right call on my workout apparel. I knew that I would have a busy day with Zoom meetings. The home working is good and gives me a a sense of purpose while I am at home. I did the Longwood loop doing 9.47 miles in 2:21:47 for a 14:59 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 358 feet and an average heart rate of 116 bpm at a rainy 54 degrees and 92 percent humidity. I was resigned to go over 15 minute miles , but the running segments that I incorporate towards the end made the difference. So I ran a little extra to try to dip to or under 15 minute miles. I just squeezed it in. The workouts have also given me a sense of purpose during this strange time of existence. Saturday has served as a rest day doing only abs and strength work. Sunday had been active rest with a nice long hike in the solitude of the morning before I listen to church services. I use this time to listen to Christian podcasts and Christian music. I’m blessed! Have  good day and may you know the power and peace of Jesus!