Good Start

 I was a bit tired , but the optimism was there. I was a bit behind all morning, but not far behind. My prayer this morning is for a common family direction. Today I did 8.89 miles in 2:08:54 for a 14:29 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 95 bpm with an elevation gain of 184 feet at 29 degrees and 66 percent humidity. Looking forward to the weekend. God bless!

Sunny Thursday

 I woke up a bit tired, yet relaxed and prayerfully ready to tackle the day. I did 8.80 in 2:07:29 for a 14:29 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 98 bpm with an elevation gain of 170 feet at 47 degrees and 56 percent humidity. I am a little tired partially because of an increase in one of my meds. Have a blessed day!

Grateful

 This was another morning where things didn’t go quite right, but it’s alright anyway. I did the Medford/Randall/Woodlot workout doing 8.88 miles in 2:11:41 for a 14:49 minute per mile workout including one pitstop and not pausing the time. It was truly a beautiful morning. The elevation gain was 173 feet with an average heart rate of 95 bpm at 40 degrees and 64 percent humidity. I saw two girls outside of Strathmore getting ready to street fight with a crowd of two girls and a tall dude watching then beside their parked car. This new living arrangement means that my wife often gets pulled into helping her son with one of his “projects “. The us time has become “family “ time. Still praising God!

ICE

 I headed out the door knowing that there was an ice warning, but according to my phone the temp was well above freezing. Upon heading out the door I realized that the icy roads were a reality. I decided to go out and give it my best shot and I did. The last month or so the weather has proved a challenge in making for challenging surfaces. Thankfully the Lord has given me the strength. I did the same route doing 8.79 miles in 2:11:47 for a 14:59 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 198 feet with an average heart rate of 95 bpm at 35 degrees and 77 percent humidity. God bless you!

A New Start

 The week away from Ridge, made today an adjustment workout even though I’ve done it hundreds of times. I was able to do my standard workout thanks to good road conditions doing the Woodlot, Ridge, and Randall loop. My weight is slightly over the Mendoza line. Got ti get it back down. I did 8.81 miles in 2:06:27 for a 14:21 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 95 bpm with an elevation gain of 235 feet at 24 degrees and 74 percent humidity. I’m back at work rather than working remotely from home. I’m blessed! 

Saying “See You Later Maine”

 Today I decided to do a bonus shorter workout. I have been feeling good and I wanted to enjoy the peaceful streets of Hope one more morning before heading back to Long Island. I am looking forward to seeing Charlotte, but not so much the rest. I talked with Ericka on the way down and she needs a bit of help. Glad that I am able to do so. This morning I did the 2 x Barnestown loop doing 6.09 miles in 1:29:26 for a 14:40 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 102 bpm with an elevation gain of 584 feet at 20 degrees and 75 percent humidity on mixed bare and slushy roads. Waiting for the ferry now. Love you Lord and miss you Maine.

A Nice Morning in Hope

 I headed out planning on doing 6 miles, but I felt strong enough and did the complete loop. I did 8.8 miles in 2:07:05 for a 14:26 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 102 bpm with an elevation gain of 832 feet at an overcast 21 degrees at 63 percent humidity. I also did my bench workout and did my arm work last week. I am grateful for this time in Maine. God bless you all!

Cold Ending to My Stay in Eastport

  My body and spirit are still kind of running on Eastport time. The pace of life and the feel. I always feel kind of sad when I leave this place. First, I am leaving behind two daughters and two grandsons. It’s hard being away, but I know that they have each other and the Lord. 

   I have had beautiful and comfortable accommodations. I was concerned that the weather would interfere with my workouts, but thankfully I got in three wonderful workouts. I had two nice evening walks, one of them with my daughter Kaitland. I am blessed. I have enjoyed the peace and quiet, but I am ready to be once again with my beautiful wife in this time of adjusting to sharing the space with a small family.

   Today I did another variation of the same workout that I have done each day. The 5 k loop and dump road have been the staples of the workout with other variations each day. Today I did 9.28 miles in 2:21:59 for a 15:17 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 97 bpm with an elevation gain of 670 feet at a cold 14 degrees and 64 percent humidity.

  Lord willing off to Hope later today. Lord use me today!

Sunny, Icy, but Thank the Lord..

 ...for dirt and gravel. Fortunately, the town crew dropped loads of gravel on the roads to make for sure footing. I have done variations of my routes to accommodate my need and mood. I headed out later than usual to allow the trucks plenty of time to treat the roads. The sun was bright on this cool and breezy downeast morning.  I start out skeptical, like a caterpillar comfortable in its cocoon— not wanting to peak out. Too comfortable to attempt the workout. But as I get around, I come to life. When I hit the roadsI am so glad to be alive and around. My whole life since getting married and moving has involved travel and lodging. Being alone a lot. The being alone is okay and serves a purpose. I just wished that there was a common direction in my marriage. There is unmistakable and wonderful love. I just pray for that common family direction. I did basically 2 times the 5 k loop plus down and back on the dump road with a few minor variations. Here are the stats— 9.58 in 2:24:19 with an average heart rate of 100 bpm with an elevation gain of 574 feet with an average pace of 15:04 minute per mile at 24 degrees and 76 percent humidity. I found out that I had to find another place to stay since I only had the room for two nights with no vacancy for Wednesday night. So I ended up at the Todd House. I have a beautiful room— just have to traipse through the house to get to it. I am thankful though. Last night in Eastport. Have a blessed day! God is good!

Like The Old Days in Eastport

 I headed out this morning in familiar downeast conditions—-sleet,freezing rain, and snow. I did a variation of my new Eastport Standby. I avoided a couple of inclines because my hamstrings and gluteals were digging in the snow to trudge through. I ended up circling the tip of south end and heading down Lincoln street avoiding the slippery and steep High Street hill. I headed by my former house 19 Lincoln Street— so many years ago when Ericka was around 2 years old.  Here are the stats- 9.55 miles in 2:32:27 for a 15:58 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 100 bpm with an elevation gain of 619 feet at 30 degrees and 87 percent humidity. I’m enjoying not being in the rat race of home now, but I do miss Charlotte. I will be sharing my Char for now with her attention in so many places. Looking forward to see the Lord at work. God bless you!

Give Me Hope

 I drove my daughter Kim to Maine to spend a month. I will miss her, but I think for reasons that I won’t write about, a great thing for her and her son Ollie. I did my new route 2 times Barnestown Loop plus an out and back up Howe Hill road. I did 9.01 in 2:25:32 for a 15:02 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 99 bpm with an elevation gain of 854 feet at 19 degrees and 74 percent humidity. I’m writing this in my room at The Motel East in Eastport, Maine on the eve of a winter storm. I did an arm workout at my parents. God is good. Good Night!

Clear Sailing

  I went out this morning with some apprehensions. I have been concerned with the footing in certain places on my main route. I have been dodging cars with the narrow roads- due to snow. In Maine the roads may be bad, but the traffic is so minimal. I sometimes worry about getting my workouts in, but God has been so gracious. Today I headed not knowing where I was going. I started out on the Longwood loop, but noticed that Woodlot looked very clear — so I decided on doing the Woodlot loop 3 times. The thing I liked was that there was very little traffic. It was a peaceful morning with me deep in my thoughts. I did 9.07 in 2:17:54 for a 15:12 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 92 bpm with an elevation gain of 204 feet at 20 degrees and 54 percent humidity. God is so good . Looking forward to what He is going to do in this week in Maine.

Another Snowy Morning

  The past couple of weeks have been a struggle with the road conditions. With all the snow that we have, the roads are narrow. That means a lot of dodging. The road surface has been either icy, slushy, or snowy. Yesterday, the surface was decent, but the snow today negated that. I am grateful to get the work in. What adventures await me in Maine next week? Lord willing, not any bad ones. Today I did the Medford/Randall/Woodlot loop. I literally did not know which route I was going to do until I hit route 25. Sometimes I just head in a direction and then let my instincts take over. I did 8.90 in 2:27:23 for a 16:33 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 93 bpm at an elevation gain of 178 feet at 26 degrees and 91 percent humidity. It was nice to have my brother call me at the very end of my workout. Have a blessed day!

Another Longwood Day

  I was concerned as the roads were laden with black ice last night. I took my chances and made out okay. Most roads were salted thankfully. It was slick enough where caution slowed my pace. I did 9.35 miles in 2:25:37 for a 15:33 minute per mile pace and an average heart rate of 92 bpm with an elevation gain of 384 feet at 24 degrees and 71 percent humidity. Have a most blessed day. I know that I am truly blessed.

Longwood Again

 I did the Longwood Loop shortening it slightly. I did 9.35 in 2:20:02 for a 14:58 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 430 feet with at 13 degrees and humidity at 86 percent. Lind of tired.  God bless you!

Haze

 I feel like the issues of my life a are creating a haze in my mind. I don’t feel at ease until I am finished with my workout. Today I did the Woodlot/Randall Loop on snow covered roads. It snowed yesterday so we went remote today. The pace was slow due to the road conditions. I did 8.74 miles in 2:18:03 for a 15:37 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 198 feet with an average heart rate of 94 bpm at  19 degrees and 62 percent humidity 

Finished

 It has been a hectic time. Moving Jace in and then days of shoveling. Just grateful and blessed to get the work in. Today I did the Medford/Randall Loop doing 9.05 miles in 2:11:46 for a 14:33 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 97 bpm . My phone was charging so this is all the data that I have . Have a blessed day!

Back at It

 Today was the first time in a week that I was back at RCA. I am glad to be back. This morning was the first time this week that the roads were mostly good. I did my usual loop, but found that I was just a little behind schedule— fortunately, I made it to  work on time. I did the new usual route doing 8.86 miles in 2:12:12 for a 14:55 minute per mile pace with a 98 bpm average heart rate and an elevation gain of 194 feet at 30 degrees and 64 percent humidity. I had a good productive talk with my brother this morning. He is driving my niece down to a track meet in Virginia Beach. What a great dad! Have a blessed day!

Another Snowy Morning

  Snow has been light but consistent. The roads were once again snow covered. When the snow is on the roads the workout is more challenging. So once again the pace was slow— due to the snow and extra effort exerted due to shoveling and dog walks. I did the Randall/Medford Loop. It was beautiful with the snow covered roads and light snow falling. The downside was all the snow plows and vehicles out with much less area to workout in. I did 8.94 miles in 2:30:59 for a 16:53 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain with an elevation gain of 179 feet with an average heart rate of 91 bpm at 28 degrees and 82 percent humidity. Have a blessed day! 

Not Making Up Ground on Groundhog’s Day

 I headed out hoping to do the standard loop, but the unplowed roads of Raynor/Woodlot changed my thinking. I was a bit tired so I changed things to guarantee mostly good footing. Ridge road was good with Kastal looking unplowed and bad. I did 5x Whiskey to the inlet road to Ridge Elementary and then back to Raynor and back home. I did 8.76 miles in 3:34:35 for a 17:38 for an average heart rate of 90 bpm with an elevation gain of 317 feet at 35 degrees and 87 percent humidity. I was truly surprised at the distance. Have a blessed day!

Feb 1

 Today was a day of firsts. First day of February and the first day of Jace and family living with us. I’m noticing the difference in attitude and treatment living in our house depending on if your name is Pendleton or Engel/Blackmore. It’s the difference between first class and coach. We are having our first snowstorm of the year. My pace was slow, but I just kind of enjoyed the scenery and had to make a couple of short pit stops. I did 8.92 miles in 2:36:30 for a 17:32 minute per mile pace with a 276 foot elevation gain and an average heart rate of 94 bpm at 30 degrees and 90 percent humidity. I am blessed, I know God is working. Lord I acknowledge your wisdom and power. Have a blessed day!