Early Workout on Route 190

 I had to workout really early as I have to take my daughter Kaitland to work today and tomorrow. It is a blessing to be able to help my daughter Katie. I got up at 3:30 so that I can get out early. I’m trying to get in approximately 8 miles before I pick Katie up. I’ve decided to do route 190 because it’s relatively flat , allowing me to get in some miles before I have to pick up my daughter for work.  I did 8.20 miles in 2:02:39 for a 14:57 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 168 bpm with an elevation gain of 273 feet with an average cadence of 132 spm at 59 degrees. The beauty here is something to behold. This place still feels like home!

Comfortable Tuesday in Hope

 I got out a bit after 5.  I’ve enjoyed my time in Maine. I have been a bit tired and have been missing my Charlotte. Today I spent time with my daughters Kim and Katie and grandson’s Keon and Oliver. I did the Howe Hill loop this morning, the bug net allowed me to escape the horseflies. I did 9.01 miles in 2:24:07 for a 16:00 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 137 bpm with an elevation gain of 638 feet with an average cadence of 127 spm at 62 degrees. Praying for the Lord’s strength and hope to encourage my daughters. God bless you my friends! A beautiful day here in Eastport, Maine.

Early Start in Hope, Heading to Greenville

 So far I’ve stuck to the 3 plus a little loop. I had a drink of water each lap. Today I tried out my bug net to ward off all the horse flies flying around my head.

I did 9.12 miles in 2:21:36 for a 15:31 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 161 bpm with an elevation gain of 758 feet with an average cadence of 129 spm at 73 degrees.

I saw the triathlete running, a biker biking, and a walker walking. I caught the walker and then kind of lost him. God bless you!

I’m Back

 It’s been a busy period of time. I came to Maine a week ago Friday. I didn’t workout that day, but I did last Saturday. Last Sunday I went to Camp Good News and worked there until Friday night.

Saturday- July 16: I did 9.06 miles in 2:16:13 for a 15:02 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 168 bpm with an elevation gain of 672 feet with an average cadence of 128 spm at a temperature of 59 degrees.

Sunday- July 24: I did 9.11 miles in 2:25:48 for a 16:00 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 158 spm with an elevation gain of 728 feet with an average cadence of 123 spm at 66 degrees. 

I did 4 miles a day at camp consisting mainly of a 3 mile morning walk and a one mile walk doing disc golf at morning break. I enjoyed the quiet tranquility at camp even though most mornings there were a lot of horse flies.

Lord willing two workouts tomorrow and Tuesday before heading to Eastport. Really missing my Charlotte. Have a blessed evening!

Return to Ridge

 Today most likely will be my last workout in New York for a little over 2 weeks. Lord willing I am heading to Maine tomorrow. A couple days at my parents and then 5 days and night’s at Camp Good News. The following week will be split between my parents and Eastport.  Trusting that God will keep us safe from Covid— not that I’m afraid to get it, but rather I believe that I have things to do in Maine. 

I headed to the Ridge Road loop as there is construction on Longwood right now and I want to avoid it. I headed for this loop for the first time in awhile. This is the loop where my mother told me that my father had been sent by ambulance to Maine Medical because of his oxygen getting dangerously low from Covid. This loop seems like a country workout during the school months, but more people out this time of year. It’s funny how a workout loop can seem like a different spot during a different time of year or even a different time of day. I did 9.34 miles in 2:18:23 for a 14:49 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 137 bpm with an elevation gain of 248 feet at an average cadence of 129 spm at 71 degrees. Next week I more than likely not blog. My mileage will be way down, but I will try to get a few miles in during my small amount of down time. Working out is not my priority at camp especially as a counselor in his later 50’s. I try to keep my energy for my campers. The games and stuff definitely make for sore muscles, but I do have the energy to play. Just not nearly as fast as I used to be. Have a blessed day. Lord willing will blog Saturday in Hope. God bless.

Feeling the Heat

   I slept a bit later today due to a poor night’s sleep the previous night.  When I stepped outside my door I noticed the temps were hotter and the air was still. I’m glad that I still workout early even in the summer. I did 9.15 miles in 2:22:35 for a 15:35 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 156 bpm with an elevation gain of 305 feet at an average cadence of 126 spm at 72 degrees.  I started out very slow over a 16 minute per mile pace.  Overall it was a pleasing workout— learning to find the joy in the day. God is good!

Warming Up

 This morning there was a nice breeze blowing, but I could also feel the temps were warmer than yesterday.  For some reason I could not sleep last night, but I woke up at the same time anyway.  I had a decent workout for a Tuesday, which for whatever reason is usually a slow day. My spirits were surprisingly positive today.  

  I am so grateful for my wife.  We are so different, but we get along so well.  I mean we have some good arguments at time since we’re both strong minded in our opinions, but we always respect each other even when we disagree. I know that we will be apart for two weeks, and I will miss her.

I did the Longwood Loop doing 9.13 miles in 2:22:08 for a 15:34 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 159 bpm with an elevation gain of 308 feet at an average cadence of 126 spm. I have been incorporating some short sprints to prepare myself for some of the games at camp. Have a blessed day.

Continuing Comfortable

  The theme of this summer has been comfortable morning temperatures.  Low 60’s is always a good temperature when the humidity is low. My morning workouts are usually think time. Think time is the things that concern you that you can’t directly think about when you are doing something.  There are a lot of concerns in our lives that subconsciously are effecting us, but we never take the time to address them. My morning workout affords me the time to pray and to think. I count myself blessed to have this time.  Lately, I have been thinking about how invisible I feel at church or with my wife’s friends and acquaintances and family.  Sometimes people politely give you some lip service, but you know deep down they do not respect you. I wish I felt differently, but I don’t. That said, I would not want to change who I am. God creates us all with a purpose— despite my feelings— I know that God loves me and has wonderful plans for my life. But being human, I do have my struggles— then, don’t we all.

  Today I did the Longwood Loop doing 9.15 miles in 2:21:08 for a 15:25 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 155 bpm with an elevation gain of 318 feet with an average cadence of 126 spm at 66 degrees. I felt like this was a good start to the week.  Looking to the Lord for good health so that my trip to Maine will go well at the end of the week. Have a blessed day!

Friday

   I forgot to blog yesterday, so I’ll catch up today on an off day. I did the Longwood Loop doing 9.16 miles in 2:22:03 for a 15:30 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 174 bpm with an elevation gain of 283 feet with an average cadence of 126 spm at 66 degrees. I did my lawn and hedges right after. Thank you Lord for a productive week. Thankful for a little extra in my legs today, Last week in New York for a few weeks. Thanks Lord for the opportunities you provide.

Early Start

 I got out earlier today as I just happened to open my eyes earlier. If I can get myself around, the early morning is the best time to work out. I like the darkness and stillness of the early start. The roads are almost silent. I did the Longwood loop doing 9.17 miles in 2:24:19 for a 15:43 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 154 bpm with an elevation gain of 339 feet at an average cadence of 124 spm at a comfortable 69 degrees.  There has been a nice breeze most mornings. I’ve put an effort to appreciate the positives of now rather than to look ahead.  Missing my Maine family! Thank you Jesus!

Slow and humid!

 I woke up in good season, but I got around slowly.  Being able to take my time is one of the good things about the summer.  My weight has been on the high end of my normal.  I think the abundance of sweets available is a culprit. Today I did the 3 x the Woodlot loop doing 9.25 miles in 2:29:48 for a 16:12 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 142 bpm with an elevation gain of 289 feet with an average cadence of 123 spm at 72 muggy degrees.

   I felt okay, I just didn’t have an abundance of energy. Lord willing, I’m going on a hike with the youth group this afternoon. Had a great time with the girls last night at the movies. God is good!

Little Projects

 This summer I feel like I need to step back a bit. My life is busy enough with what the Lord brings my way and the business that my wife spreads like a painter with a paint brush.  I have been doing little projects around the house. I don’t advertise them, because somehow my lovely wife would add to my travails with extra demands. This is not a complaint, but simply an honest fact. Today Lord willing, I hope to paint the small deck. Little projects give a sense of accomplishment without exhausting all my energy reserves.

Today I did a modified version of the Longwood Loop which ended up being slightly longer.  I saw several people on Medford Road, so I hit a side road which took me(to my surprise) to the end of Smith Road. I decided to go down Woodlot instead of traipse down to Ridge Road. I did 9.54 miles in 2:31:53 for a 15:55 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 84 bpm with an elevation gain of 294 feet with an average cadence of 126 spm at 69 overcast degrees. I had a nice time with family yesterday by our pool having a backyard barbecue. Have a God blessed day!

Happy 4th of July

 The good thing about major holidays is that usually the early morning hours are extremely quiet and today was no exception. The streets of Ridge were very quiet.  I only saw the dog walker out on my last lap. We both were out slightly later this morning. The weather was perfect. Working out reminds me of the life of faith. I haven’t been “feeling like working out”, but I know that if I start the workout faith will finish the job.  The key is to start. I did the 3 x Woodlot doing 9.14 miles in 2:22:25 for a 15:35 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 159 bpm with an elevation gain of 195 feet with an average cadence of 127 spm at 66 comfortable degrees. Starting out this day a little lazy. Have a blessed 4th of July!

Thursday/Friday, June/July

  I’ve had a fairly active couple of days. I am blogging from Peddler’s Village in Lahaska/New Hope, Pennsylvania with our anniversary happening tomorrow.

Thursday- Longwood Loop: 9.32 miles in 2:27:08 for a 15:47 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 156 bpm with an elevation gain of 317 feet with an average cadence of 124 spm at 67 degrees.

Friday- Woodlot/Randall for 9.27 miles in 2:25:39 for a 15:42 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 155 bpm with an elevation gain of 291 feet with an average cadence of 125 spm at 69 degrees.

 I went to a men’s retreat of sorts yesterday afternoon at Camp Dewolf in Wading River. Added 20 plus flights of stairs going up and down the steps to the water and back.  Today I did the lawn and some pool work before getting in the car through the City to Pennsylvania. I am blessed to have the Lord bring me my wife Charlotte. It’s a pleasure living life with my Char! God bless you my friends!