Salvage

 It was pouring out and my wife told me to stay in bed. I told her that I would try and see what happened. I did the Woodlot loop and would cut across the trail on the third lap. The weather didn’t cooperate and it was dark— so on three I went to about 1/4 from home and reversed direction cutting across Kastel and up Ridge. I did 8.62 miles in 2:09:09 for a 14:58 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 338 feet with an average heart rate 100 bpm at 72 rainy degrees at 94 percent humidity. Today was a blessing to get in.

Tuesday

 I was a bit tired after a lot of activity yesterday. My times were slightly slower despite my efforts. I did have a good commute and have an easier day ahead of me. I got some strength work in before leaving. I did 8.66 miles in 2:09:09 for a 14:54 minute per mile pace with a 167 foot elevation gain and an average heart rate of 95 bpm at 65 degrees and 95 percent humidity. Kind of tired now , have a blessed day.

Friday-Saturday-Monday

 Friday morning got off to a good start. Despite the congested situation because of our floors, I was able to hit the road in decent time. I did 8.64 miles in 2:07:59 for a 14:48 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 116 bpm with an elevation gain of 193 feet at 58 degrees and 89 percent humidity.

  On Saturday I did my active recovery workout in Calverton for probably the last time in awhile because of hunting season. I did 9.41 miles in 2:48:07 for a 17:51 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 210 feet with an average heart rate of 80 bpm at 63 degrees and 92 percent humidity. I was hoping for a sparse number out on the course, but improved weather made for an inviting environment for a workout.

  Today(Monday) I did the Longwood Loop doing 9.68 miles in 2:22:17 for a respectable 14:42 minute mile pace with an elevation gain of 343 feet with an average heart rate of 95 bpm at 67 degrees and 95 percent humidity. It was breezy but humid. The workout went better than anticipated.  I am grateful for the results, because the motivation has been waning. Faith and routine have been the guiding factors. I am grateful for an easier day with the day off from school in recognition of Yom Kipper. I am so looking forward to my trip to Maine. God Bless you all!

Amidst the Chaos

  I did the usual, which fits my schedule perfectly. The furniture is still in the Kitchen and I am unable to go through the living and dining room finish hardens on the floor. I did 8.67 miles in 2:05:18 for a 14:27 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 194 feet and an average heart rate of 99 bpm at 55 degrees and 90 percent humidity. Thank you Lord for your many blessings.

Tuesday/ Wednesday

 Tuesday:  8.71 miles in 2:07:38 for a 15:38 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 103 bpm with an elevation gain of 207 feet at 43 degrees and 84 percent humidity.

Wednesday:  8.66 miles in 2:06:44 for a 14:38 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 200 feet with an average heart rate of 96 bpm at 58 degrees and 59 percent humidity.

Good workouts in a busy time of my life. Thank you Jesus for strength even when I fail You!

Monday Morning

 I got out a bit later than I wanted.  Thankfully my commute was very fast making up for a late start. I did 8.72 miles in 2:10:29 for a 14:58 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 192 feet with an average heart rate of 99 bpm at 44 degrees and 70 percent humidity. Have a blessed evening.

Thursday/Friday

 I have been busy, with little time to reflect. Thankfully I have been able to get the work in. I did not do active recovery this weekend, bit that’s okay. Recovery is as important as the workout.

Thursday— 8.66 miles in 2:09:51 for a 15 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 200 feet with an average heart rate of 137 bpm at 59 degrees and 90 percent humidity.

Friday—8.83 miles in 2:12:05 for a 14:57 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 151 feet with an average heart rate of 97 bpm at 64 degrees and 96 percent recovery.

Have a blessed day. Back at it tomorrow ( Monday)!

Wednesday

 Not taking much time to reflect right now. I did 8.68 miles in 2:09:24 for a 14:54 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 203 feet with an average heart rate of 98 bpm at 50 degrees and 92 percent humidity. I wore long sleeves and sweatpants. The feeling of fall which will officially be here soon. Some good workouts. Good route considering my schedule. God bless!

Monday/Tuesday

 Monday-8.71 miles in 2:10:17 for a 14:57 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 129 feet and an average heart rate of 93 bpm at 70 degrees and 88 percent humidity.

Tuesday— 8.62 miles in 2:08:17 for a 14:52 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 95 bpm and elevation gain of 182 feet at 56 degrees and 56 percent humidity.

I’m pleased to be on schedule even though the work is hard. God Bless!

Thurs.Fri. Sat.

 On Thursday and Friday I resumed my early morning workout regime. I enjoy it as it is a return of normalcy.  There are drawbacks though. Those who teach remotely don’t have to check in and don’t have duties or a commute.  Here are the stats.

Thursday— 8.89 miles in 2:14:43 for a 15:10 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 95 bpm with an elevation gain of 162 feet at a temperature of 72 degrees and humidity at 94 percent.

Friday—8.89 miles in 2:11:57 for a 14:50 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 189 feet with an average heart rate of 93 bpm at 74 degrees and humidity at 90 percent.

Saturday— Active Recovery— 8.85 miles in 2:45:22 for a 18:41 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 160 feet with an average heart rate of 80 bpm and the temp at 59 degrees and humidity at 79 percent. 

Next week looking to the Lord for strength at work and for my family!

Birthday Jaunt

 I woke up thankful and at the same time apprehensive. For me, this has been a year of adjustment. The adjustments go beyond the coronavirus. I feel like we all feel things in a similar way. I am aging and am feeling it a bit. That’s okay, because life is about adjustment.  Getting used to medications takes some getting used to. Thankfully I do seem to have recovered from my sickness. I am thankful. My mother called me and talked to me for the last two miles of my walk. I’m blessed to hear from her. I did 9.54 miles in 2:25:22 for a 15:14 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 146 feet with an average heart rate of 96 bpm at 60 am 100 percent humidity. Have a most blessed day!

Back In Ridge

 After going away for a few days there is the adjustment to “normal “ life. It seems that there is no normal so to speak, but there is daily life there to be lived the best that you can do it in God’s strength. Today I did the Longwood Loop. There were lots of buses once again— and teachers and students at school. I started out slowish and then improved it to a more normal pace. I did 9.68 miles in 2:28:13 for a 15:18 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 359 feet with an average heart rate of 98 bpm at 61 degrees and humidity at 98 percent. Looking to You for strength!

Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Monday

 Thursday(Ridge)- 9.56 miles in 2:24:57 for a 15:09 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 232 feet with an average heart rate of 92 bpm at 75 degrees and 94 percent humidity.

Friday(Ridge)- 9.79 miles in 2:28:16 for a 211 foot elevation gain at an average pace of 15:08 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 97 bpm at 71 degrees and 94 percent humidity.

Saturday (active recovery Ridge)- 8.78 miles in 2:35:06 for a 17:40 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 183 feet with an average heart rate of 82 bpm at 65 and 63 percent humidity.

Monday (Wellsboro, Pa.)- 8.82 miles in 2:11:56 for a 14:57 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 101 bpm with an elevation gain of 545 feet at 61 degrees and humidity at 83 percent.

It was a good week of training last week. Finally getting back to somewhat normal. Today(Monday) I went on a nice workout in western Pennsylvania. I was fortunate to find a decent route without doing much research. On Sunday we had a fairly active day off totaling 5 miles spending time in PA’s Grand Canyon and then heading up to Watkins Glen. Heading home from visiting Jace. God bless you my blog reading friends.

Tuesday/Wednesday

 Wednesday—— 9.57 miles in 2:24:40 for a 15:06 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 168 feet with an average heart rate of 99 bpm at 68 degrees and humidity at 94 percent.

Thursday —- 9.56 miles in 2:24:57 for a 15:09 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 232 feet with an average heart rate of 92 bpm at 75 degrees and humidity at 94 percent.

Both days had periods of showers. On Thursday, the showers turned a warm humid morning into a comfortable albeit wet workout. I am thankful that I am gaining strength. Thank you Lord!

Getting Weaker

 I woke up, not my best but okay.  I got out a bit later, but still allowing to get back in time for my Zoom meetings of the day. I did the Longwood Loop. I was surprised that today was the first day of September. I was not pumped up or motivated, but I am motivated knowing that doing the work always accomplishes the job. I did 9.66 miles in 2:28:27 for a 15:21 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 331 feet with an average heart rate of 99 bpm at a temperature of 65 degrees with humidity at 90 percent.  I realize that in many ways certain things are declining. My speed, my strength, my recovery etc. The fact that I’m not as proficient doesn’t discourage me. I am motivated by accomplishing the goal even though it may not be what it once was— thank you Lord that I can keep going. There is something special knowing that the 25 plus year habit of going out in the early morning habit is still taking place. I do miss my workouts in Eastport, it is special to me. I do miss those days when my daughters lived with me— when we had each other amidst the turmoil.  Somehow in remarriage we have lost the feeling of family.  I’ve gained a lifetime partner, but the feeling of family seems to have been lost. I pray that I can get that back. It seems as if we are part of a family (with the exception of my wife) that has never truly accepted or even try to understand us. It’s a hurt that I have tried to deal with, but a solution has not been found. Looking to you Lord.