Perspective

 Today would have been a dud workout 6 months ago, but it also is way better than not being able to workout. I still get the thrill of the autumn air hitting my face in the morning. I see the beauty of a pink sky just before a late sunrise. I still get the think time in the early morning hours. Thankfully I made it to 200 miles for the month.  Perspective is important. Yesterday we received official word that my mother-in-law Gill has Alzheimer’s.  Sobering, but not surprising.

This morning I did 8.61 miles in 2:22:23 for a 16:32 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 158 bpm with an elevation gain of 190 feet at an average cadence of 124 spm at 56 degrees.  Looking forward to the weekend and the possibility of getting the end of the hurricane. God bless you!

Feel Good Thursday

 This morning I went about my morning workout and preparations with a positive attitude.  Instead of overthinking and analyzing, I just kept moving and going forward. I didn’t go fast , but things worked out okay. I did 8.61 miles in 2:23:42 for a 16:41 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 154 bpm with an elevation gain of 173 feet at an average cadence of 124 spm at 57 degrees. I had a good talk with my brother this morning on the way to work. God bless!

Tuesday/Wednesday

 Tuesday marked my last day of vacation:  It turned out to be a busy day with Jace stopping by a couple of times to get rid of brush behind our fence. I did the Longwood Loop doing 9.12 miles in 2:38:09 for a 17:20 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 166 bpm with an elevation gain of 259 feet at an average cadence of 123 spm at 61 degrees.

Wednesday: I did 8.65 miles in 2:23:54 for a 16:38 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 161 bpm with an elevation gain of 191 feet with an average cadence of 125 spm at 57 degrees.

I’m somewhat reconciled that I am slower with more aches and pains.  On occasion I will rip off a good time, but that is the exception. I’m grateful for the ability to still workout. I have to embrace the now and forget the past. Easier said than done. God bless you!

Holiday Early Workout

 I didn’t set my alarm, but I did wake up early. I leisurely bided my time until I actually got out of bed. My pace was definitely moderate paralleled to my attitude. I did the Medford/Randall loop doing 9.27 miles in 2:40:05 for a 17:16 minute per mile pace with a 169 bpm heart rate and an elevation gain of 192 feet at an average cadence of 123 spm at 61 degrees. A blessed day! My wife’s relatives are heading home today. It’s been a good visit. God bless you my friends!

The Day After Dead

 Yesterday, I was hit by extreme fatigue. It ended with me calling it an earlier than usual night. Thankfully in the morning after my five hour energy and small coffee I was off and going. I did my new loop in reverse.  The new direction was refreshing as well as the cool autumn air, reviving my spirits. I did 8.59 miles in 2:18:58 for a 16:11 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 118 bpm with an elevation gain of 254 feet at an average cadence of 126 spm at 55 comfortable degrees. This weekend we will be entertaining Charlotte’s cousin and maybe her uncles. Have a blessed weekend!

Before the Rain

 I got out early and did the Medford/Randall loop with no out and back on Raynor. I was tired and thirsty this morning. Thanks to the early start I persisted. I even did my deadlifts a day early. I did 8.90 in 2:25:01 for a 16:17 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 164 bpm with an elevation gain of 308 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm.  Lord willing I can get rested up today. God bless!

Productive and Mundane

 I didn’t get to bed as early as I wanted and to, but my energy was okay. A few aches and pains and stiffness kind of kept me at a usual speed. My first mile has been my fastest the last two days and then it’s kind of a downhill slow slide.  I did 8.57 miles in 2:19:48 for a 16:19 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 153 bpm with an elevation gain of 228 feet at an average cadence of 126 spm at 64 degrees.  Looking forward to what the Lord is going to do today!

Day After Blues

 I was a bit slower on my workout this morning as is often the case the day after mowing the lawn. Fortunately, I got out early so I made it back in okay season.  Lately, I’ve seen God answer prayers in such a way that I feel His love.  I was getting so discouraged with family situations and other things as well. God is answering prayers in such a way that I can hear the “See Eric, I really do love you”.  I’m so grateful and these answered prayers gives me hope for even greater things. 

The workout: 8.55 miles in 2:20:11 for a 16:23 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 159 bpm with an elevation gain of 216 feet at an average cadence of 126 spm at 68 degrees. Have a blessed day!

Sunday/Monday

 On Sunday Morning I hit the roads and did my most common in-town loops which loops by North End, South End, and the Drummond Road. Even though I usually don’t work out on Sunday’s I took advantage of being back in my beautiful Eastport. I did 9.64 miles in 2:30:41 for a 15:38 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 164 bpm with an elevation gain of 605 feet at an average cadence of 126 spm at 56 cloudy degrees. There were some drops in the air. So many thoughts that flood me when I go back there that I can’t begin to express them all.

Today in Ridge I did 8.52 miles in 2:17:22 for a 16:07 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 147 bpm with an elevation gain of 225 feet at an average cadence of 126 spm at 69 degrees. My wife’s cousin and Uncle are staying with us for another week. Good times— God bless you!

And There It Is

 I went out this morning with my wife upset that I was working out early on the day of a long trip to Maine. I understand her, but I went out anyway. My schedule is a bit easier today as my classes run straight, with prep at the end of the day. The air was more like autumn today. My knees are definitely feeling better. Just trying to get that big right toe better. I did 8.54 in 2:11:23 for a 15:22 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 145 bpm with an elevation gain of 224 feet at an average cadence of 131 spm at 59 degrees.  Did presses with my weight sleeve and a set of deadlifts with my chains. Even watered the flowers. Sleepy now. God bless!

A Little Better

 I got up this morning a little tired , but without the dread that accompanied most days last school year. Yes, I’m slower and constantly dealing with some minor discomfort— but with the Lord’s help I’m getting the work in.  When you’re young you take so much for granted. Now, I find more gratitude for the everyday and even the mundane.  Today I did 8.58 miles in 2:22:49 for a 16:38 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 155 bpm at an elevation gain of 277 feet with an average cadence of 125 spm at 67 degrees. It seems as if I’m trading one complaint for another, but I am grateful that my knees are doing better. I am happy with my new job( or at least a different grade assignment and site for teaching PE).  Thank you Lord for your goodness!

Tuesday/Wednesday

 I have been feeling better with my knees the past few days. I’ve been putting athletic tape on my big toe to support that injury.  I am first of all very happy to be feeling more normal. My walking times haven’t necessarily improved, but that’s okay.

Tuesday- 8.56 miles in 2:24:01 for a 16:49 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 16:49 with an elevation gain of 271 feet at an average cadence of 124 spm at 70 humid degrees.

Wednesday:  8.55 miles. Not sure how fast that I went as my watch went dead. Fortunately I was able to get in around 7 miles before it went dead. The workout for the day was not able to be retrieved, but I’m grateful that I did get credit for steps and distance. I was having problems with my Nike app , so I had to delete it and then add it back. I am grateful that ai got most of my information back. Have a blessed day!

Delete

Moving at at 58 not as Great

 I was slow this morning, but slow seems to be who I am these days. I did 8.55 in 2:25:31 for a birthday 17:01 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 165 bpm with an elevation gain of 285 feet with an average cadence of 124 spm in a varied rain at 69 degrees. I’m grateful, but I notice the decline. Have a blessed day!

Thursday/Friday

 My knees and big toe were really aching yesterday. They were a bit better today. I’m finding that at this juncture in my life, I really need to avoid harmful movements that irritate my injury. If I’m attentive, I can persist.

Thursday: 8.78 miles in 2:27:08 for a 16:45 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 90 bpm with an elevation gain of 284 feet at an average cadence of 125 spm at 64 degrees.

Friday: 8.54 miles in 2:22:36 for a 16:42 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 160 bpm with an elevation gain of 231 feet with an average cadence of 126 spm at 62 degrees. 

Thankfully things went a bit better today on my 58 th birthday! God is good!

Different Route: Better Start

 I did the out and back and then 2 x Ridge/Woodlot Loop. My pace was a bit better and I didn’t feel the aches and pains so much. Today things just clicked better. I did 8.74 miles in 2:22:34 for a 16:18 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 171 bpm with an elevation gain of 288 feet with an average cadence of 126 spm at a cooler 66 degrees. Feeling better about things today. Thank you Lord for perseverance. Have a blessed day!

Fl Monday- Tuesday

 Monday: I did the Ridge/Woodlot Loop twice plus an out and back at regular walking pace. I did 8.92 miles in 2:50:27 for a 19:06 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 72 bpm with an elevation gain of 241 feet at an average cadence of 113 spm at 72 degrees.

Tuesday- I did the Raynor hill workout at a slow race walk speed on the first day of school doing 8.45 miles in 2:21:46 for a 16:46 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 174 bpm with an elevation gain of 366 feet at an average cadence of 125 spm at 72 degrees.   I was fortunate to get the work in before the rain. So blessed to be teaching back at Pleasant with the younger students. Thank you Lord!

Little Victories

 Today I started out thinking kind of negative. I’ve been focusing on my limitations rather than focusing on the fact that even with aches and pains, I can still get my workouts in. I did the same workout as yesterday doing 8.71 miles in 2:43:37 for an 18:46 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 72 bpm with an elevation gain of 215 feet doing an average cadence of 115 spm at 64 degrees. It’s Labor Day weekend. It’s Friday here today at work. Thank you God for your goodness!

Cooler Temps

 Today marks the first day of school for our local students including my 3 granddaughters.  This means seeing both buses and students out and about. This is day 3 of easy walking. Gradually, I think it is working. I did 8.7 in 2:40:10 for an 18:24 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 73 bpm with an elevation gain of 240 feet at an average cadence of 115 spm at 70 degrees. Changing things brings a bit of anxiety. There is comfort in familiarity conversely there is anxiety in change.  I am confident that this is the right plan, but it does take time to adjust to a new plan.  Here’s to looking to the Lord for success!