Shortest Day of the Year

 I am a little off. Not quite feeling 100 percent. A little congestion and a little cough. I forgot to start my watch until a little past the mile mark. Fortunately I remembered to get the watch going. My measurements are estimates — I did 8.7 miles in 2:20:00 for a 16:12 minute per mile pace with a 180 foot elevation gain with an average heart rate of 166 bpm with an average cadence of 128 spm at 29 degrees. Looking forward to after Christmas. God bless!

Tired but Still Moving

 This time of year is both glorious and tumultuous.  The fatigue level is high with teaching, life, and workouts. There are times when you must be patient with others— but also, be patient with yourself. There are divisions, but sometimes it’s better to focus on today and let God work on tomorrow. Something’s He has to fix. Today I did the 3 x Woodlot with a shortened 3 rd lap and a short out and back on Woodlot’s biggest hill. I did 8.64 in 2:19:00 for a 16:05 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 156 bpm with an elevation gain of 240 feet with an average cadence of 128 spm at 33 degrees. Fighting off some sickness and the Lord is helping me to keep going. The thank you Lord!

Okay With Slow

 I have been battling fatigue and a mild cold. Thankfully I have been able with the Lord’s help to keep moving forward. I did the new usual Woodlot, Kastal, Randall Loop doing 8.74 in 2:24:05 for a 16:29 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 136 bpm with an elevation gain of 233 feet at an average cadence of 125 spm at 32 degrees. I’m grateful for the strength the Lord provides. My Christmas’s are so different here in New York. No singing solos or in groups, no youth group, no coaching. Seemingly the things that I am best at I no longer do. I’m trusting in the Lord’s plan . His way is best. God bless you!

Thursday/Friday

 Thursday: Everything I did on Thursday took a lot of effort. I had a lot of curveballs thrown my way. Thankfully, I was as able to persevere with the Lord’s help. I did the usual workout doing 8.70 miles in 2:19:40 for a 16:03 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 170 bpm with an elevation gain of 195 feet with an average cadence of 129 spm at 35 degrees. The funny thing is the day after my physical I felt kind of poorly although not sick.

Friday: I did the Medford/Randall Loop doing 8.88 miles in 2:25:41 for a 16:24 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 163 bpm with an elevation gain of 318 feet at an average cadence of 126 spm at 44 rainy degrees. Life is good , but it has been challenging. Looking to the Lord for his help with my car.

A Little Rest, A Little Better

 I got to sleep fairly early last night due simply to being really tired. I’m OCD about my routines and having company in the house definitely changes your routine. Thankfully I’ve done okay with everything.  I got out at the usual time and did 8.63 miles in 2:17:34 for a 15:56 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 88 bpm with an elevation gain of 252 feet with an average cadence of 130 spm at 27 degrees. I saw another falling star. This usually is the time of year for falling stars. Some of these stars seem to be so close. I have my physical tonight. Char is at Foxwoods with her cousin Mandy. It will be an active yet quiet night tonight- Lord willing. May God bless you my friends!

A Falling Star

 I woke up, tired again. I woke up anyway and got the work in. I saw a falling star on Woodlot as I was near the beginning of my workout . I did 8.65 miles in 2:20:11 for a 16:12 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 121 bpm with an elevation gain of 188 feet with an average cadence of 128 spm at 27 degrees. The Lord be praised!

Snowy Morning , 2 More Weeks

  It was a good but hectic week with nonstop entertaining. It was equally good and fatiguing. This is what must be done to keep the family ties together. We might have different levels of connection with different family members, but love and the Lord must be our guiding source. Some family members I feel close to and other members it’s rather superficial even though we have known each other for years. You can only go as far in a relationship as the other person wants.

Today I did my new standard route. It’s nice this time of year seeing all the lights and decorations. The days are short and the darkness reigns in this late fall season. Here are the stats: 8.67 miles in 2:20:41 for a 16:13 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 91 bpm with an elevation gain of 198 feet at a cadence of 127 spm at 32 light snowy degrees. Thank you Lord for good health and your presence!

Again

 I felt like yesterday deserved a repeat, so I did the same course. I like this course because it’s well lit and quiet. I felt slightly more energized and things went smoothly today— so I’m grateful for that. I did 8.64 miles in 2:17:29 for a 15:54 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 171 bpm with an elevation gain of 220 feet with an average cadence of 129 spm at around 50 degrees. I’m grateful that even though I can’t do some things that I used to be able to do, I am blessed to be able to get out in the mornings and stay healthy. Thank you Jesus!

Dec. 5,6,7 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

 Monday- 3 x Woodlot with Shortened Trail Lap: 8.66 miles in 2:20:25 for a16:13 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 100 bpm with an elevation gain of  186 feet at an average cadence of 128 spm - it was cold.

Tuesday- The 2 x Woodlot Ridge plus loop for 8.6 miles in 2:20:19 for a 16:18 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 82 bpm with an elevation gain of 194 feet with an average cadence of 128 spm on another cold morning.

Wednesday- I did Apple Court, Kastal, Woodlot, Randall, with 1 x Ryan on the way back for 8.64 miles in 2:15:03 for a 15:37 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 119 bpm with an elevation gain of 7 feet at an average cadence of 129 spm on a rainy 57 degree morning with a lot of slow ups occurring.

It is wonderful how Jesus provides each day. Though things change, He wants our sufficiency to be in Him!

Later not Late

 I had a blood draw this morning which means half a day at work. I slept in until 4:03. I was very sleepy despite a bit more sleep. I got around slightly more leisurely which is very nice. I did the Longwood Loop doing 9.05 in 2:28:23 for a 16:26 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 82 bpm with an elevation gain of 234 feet with an average cadence of 129 spm at 34 degrees. My arthritis was bothering more than usual today. I am great for a good fitness level. I am seeking to better my performance. Hiking on uneven ground bothers my knees a lot and slows me down big time. I can’t run without pain. I have little speed or quickness which used to be my strength. I’ve been settling for about 15 years now. I am in the belief that I can do better with His help. I’m not sure if that means injections in my knees or some sort of surgery. Maybe I just need to tough it out a bit longer. Enough of this for now.  Have a blessed weekend!

Wednesday, Thursday

 Wednesday- I forgot to set my alarm. Decided to go for it anyway. I did the Ridge Route doing 8.73 miles in 2:14:35 for a 15:25 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 135 bpm with an elevation gain of 187 feet with an average cadence of 132 spm at 44 degrees. I made decent time all things considered— not too late to school.

Thursday- I was back to my regular schedule doing the Medford/Randall Loop doing 8.88 miles in 2:20:22 for a 15:48 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 174 bpm with an elevation gain of 271 feet with an average cadence of 130 spm at 39 windy degrees. Tomorrow I miss school in the morning for a blood draw for my physical. Have a blessed day!