Change

 This pandemic means that your daily schedule is changing from time to time. Today I am teaching from home and heading to Pennsylvania, Lord willing, after work with Char’s ex Mike. I did the Medford/Randall Loop adding a bit to get it over 9 miles. We got a surprise snow event with blowing snow and cold temps. This event was unexpected— seems to be the way things are these days. I did 9.12 miles in 2:15:30 for a 14:51 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 101 bpm with an elevation gain of 277 feet at a windy 19 degrees with 51 percent humidity. The slightly later times meant that the sun was beginning to rise as I approached home. I’m grateful that my daughter Kaitland has been talking to me. It seems that very few people value my advice, so it’s nice to have someone with confidence in me. I’m also grateful for my friends and of course my precious wife. Thank you Lord!

A Little Change

 I kind of like the pace of life in this pandemic. Things are a little less hectic and you appreciate your social contacts more. I did 8.9 miles in 2:08:37 for a 14:27 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 96 bpm with an elevation gain of 192 feet at 30 degrees and 69 percent humidity. I was pleased with the workout. I will miss traveling to work tomorrow as I’m working from home with a trip to PA planned to move Jace and fam home. God is good!

A Rare Workout in the Snow

 I woke up kind of excited to see it snowing lightly out. The snow brings back many memories of snow workouts mainly in Maine but several on Long Island. The early morning gives me time to reflect on the Lord and on prayer. I’m grateful that God is providing in many ways. Today I went back to my usual workout loop. I did 8.79 miles in 2:11:26 for a 14:57 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 95 bpm with an elevation gain of 189 feet at 33 degrees and 94 percent humidity. Grateful for the ability to workout. Have a blessed day!

Woodlot/Raynor Loop

  I decided to do the three loop workout again. I decided to do something a bit different and I wanted to stay close to home. I did 9.08 miles in 2:10:47 for a 14:24 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 209 feet with an average heart rate of 99 bpm at 31 degrees at 53 percent humidity. Have a blessed day!

Okay, For a Monday

 I was doing okay for a Monday— not completely smooth, but okay. I did the usual workout in the peace of the morning. Thinking and praying and looking to the Lord . I did 8.86 in 2:10:08 for a 14:41 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 193 feet with an average heart rate of 102 bpm at 24 degrees and 42 percent humidity. The winters down here aren’t so bad. Possibly snow tonight- light . May God bless you today!

Couldn’t Recreate the Magic

 Yesterday, I had my best pace in quite sometime and it felt easy. Today it felt the same, but it wasn’t nearly as fast. Even though I got out 5 minutes earlier I still met the bus at about the same time passing me on Kastal. That’s okay, I still managed to get two sets of bench presses in before I left. Here are the stats— 8.81 in 2:09:50 for a 14:43 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 98 bpm with an elevation gain of 201 feet at 34 degrees and 70 percent humidity. I’m blessed. Not looking forward to some of the things coming my way, but this is the test of a man and his trust in the Lord. God bless you all!

Blessed

 I am grateful to be in the situation that I am in. God has blessed me in so many ways. Despite the conflicts, aggravations, and unresolved issues— I am truly blessed. I did my usual route. I like the predictability of this route, which helps make things less stressful. I even surprised myself with the pace— I did 8.85 miles in 2:05:43 for a 14:12 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 224 feet with an average heart rate of 98 bpm at 22 degrees and 62 percent humidity. 

  I am grateful to be on a medication that helps me with my blood pressure and helps to take my stress level down. Thank God for all blessings!

Blur

 I’m just kind of going through my routine without much thought, just trying to get through the day. I’m blessed, because I see the positive in the routine. Less traffic on the roads, better commute, quieter days at school. Today I did the usual doing 8.81 in 2:07:58 for a 14:31 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 97 bpm with an elevation gain of 206 feet at 31 degrees and 71 percent humidity. Have a blessed day!

Back at It

 I did my usual doing 8.81 miles in 2:10:02 for a 14:46 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of of 95 bpm with an elevation gain of 188 feet at 32 degrees and 69 percent humidity. That’s it for today. God bless you!

Adjustments

 I was awake for about an hour in the middle of the night— dreading my stepson, dog, girlfriend, baby, and big toys. I’ve been able to handle a lot of things, but this and the obsessive closeness of the relationship is making things difficult. I’m not complaining. I certainly have had a lot of family issues of my own to deal with— but somehow my girls “assumed” their role of guest and not the roll of entitled inhabitant. When you move into someone else’s house — you forever feel like a tolerated guest regardless of all the feigned Christian platitudes. When you remarry things are never fully us, more like an us, them, and shared interests on occasion. I say this knowing that my wife is my love. She does nice things for my daughters. Maybe it’s the being surrounded by my married family. God will help me as I surrender and look to him.

  Today I did the Longwood Loop doing 9.63 miles in 2:24:40 for a 15:01 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 380 feet with an average heart rate of 96 bpm at 37 degrees and and 67 percent humidity. Have a blessed day!

Right Direction

 The Lord directs my steps. I heard Pastor Michael Usef point out in the Bible that Paul called himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ. The term resonated with me. God is looking out for me, but I find I am in a church and with in-laws where I feel totally ineffective and of no value(not valued by). I was reminded that I am in this circumstance, because my Lord has placed me here. I have to remind myself that God is in control and things happen because He allowance them to.

Today I did my usual route doing 8.99 miles in 2:08:12 for a 14:15 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 101 bpm at 31 degrees and 100 percent humidity. Thank you Lord for your strength and provision!

Late but Not Late

 Everything about this morning started out delayed, but thankfully I made it to work early. The pandemic has lightened the traffic significantly. My last morning with the dog to contend with this morning— until Jace moves anyway. I did my usual route doing 8.90 miles in 2:08:55 for a 14:28 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 99 bpm at 31 degrees and 82 percent humidity. I’m grateful for my many blessings!

Give Me Strength

 This has been a tough stretch for me. In addition to going back to school on site, I have my step-son and his dog and family at my house the past week. So in addition to my normal routine, I have to navigate around the dog. Removing his gate, letting him out, letting him back in. To top this off , the toilet was clogged before I got there.— another headache. I did my usual loop doing 8.86 miles in 2:08:13 for a 14:28 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 100 bpm with an elevation gain of 200 feet at 27 degrees and 84 percent humidity. Have a blessed day!

Tired but Back at It

 My alarm went off, almost to my surprise that it was time again to begin. I now have Jace’s dog to contend with in my morning routine. It’s not a huge deal, but every little thing matters on a tight schedule. This morning I did the Medford/Randall/Woodlot Loop. My demeanor was calm, so the workout went fine. I did 8.89 miles in 2:09:38 for a 14:34 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 181 feet with an average heart rate of 103 bpm at 25 degrees and 84 percent humidity. A better day yesterday. Thank you Lord!

Day 1 Back on Site

 I woke up after a night of awkward silence, that happens more often than I like. I woke up, half excited and half relieved. Excited to be back at school, relieved not to deal with the awkward that currently exists. I did my usual loop for going to school on site. I did 8.82 miles in 2:07:46 for a 14:29 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 204 feet with an average heart rate of 112 bpm at 21 degrees and 84 percent humidity. Grateful for today! God bless you!

Good Finish

  The Christmas break kind of refreshed me. Up to vacation, I was kind of dreading each workout— just surviving. During break, I found myself getting refreshed. Maybe training in three other places including 2 workouts in my beloved Eastport, helped. I did a slight variation of the same route as yesterday. Apple Court and back with the Woodlot, Ridge, Randall loop doing 9.35 miles in 2:20:17 for a 15:00 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 101 bpm with an elevation gain of 218 feet at a temperature of 28 degrees and 76 percent humidity. Body weight just under 200. Looking forward to the weekend. God bless you!

Kinda Bummin

 First of all, I’m always grateful for what the Lord has given me. I have more than I need and more than I deserve. That said, life always has it’s struggles. Right now, I’m having a few of my own— keeps me looking to the Lord. I did 9.55 miles in 2:26:47 for a 15:22 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 99 bpm with an elevation gain of 202 feet at 31 degrees and 67 percent humidity. I slept not so great last night. God bless.

Figure 8 Plus on a Wednesday

 I decided to stay close to home in getting the miles in this beautiful morning. I did 9.24 miles in the 2:19:53 for a 15:08 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 99 bpm with an elevation gain of 152 feet at 34 degrees and 75 percent humidity. It wasn’t the fastest workout, but somehow I’m alright with being slower for now. God is good!

Monday/Tuesday

 Thanks to our administration, we are teaching one more week remotely. Yesterday I did my standard Apple Court and back plus Woodlot and 2 x Ryan us Ridge, Randall for 9.52 miles in 2:27:26 for a 15:28 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 193 feet with an average heart rate of 99 bpm with a temperature of 35 degrees and 93 percent humidity. Today I did the Ridge Loop doing 9.55 miles in 2:25:00 for a 15:10 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 209 feet with an average heart rate of 100 bpm at 28 degrees and 86 percent humidity.  Thankful to get the work in. Grateful to be in the right circumstance when I’m tired. God bless you!

Day 1 in 2021- Last day in Wellsboro

 Surprisingly, I enjoyed each workout here in PA. I did each workout without dread. The time seamed to go by quickly. This route has a lot of flat with one extended climb and other sporadic climbs. There weren’t many people out on New Year’s day morning, so my workout was very peaceful. We went to Knoebles last night to see the light show, but I got in bed in plenty of time. Thankfully Charlotte stayed asleep as I got around in the morning. It was a bit chilly out, but my outfit was perfect for the conditions. I did 9.04 miles in 2:15:42 for a 15:00 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 113 bpm with an elevation gain of 611feet at 14 degrees and 100 percent humidity. It was funny that although the humidity was high, this was the only clear morning in our three days here in PA. Just said goodbye to Jace, now we are heading for Long Island. God bless you my friends in 2021.