Going With It

 I usually don’t know what route I am going on until my feet hit the road. My intention was to go my usual route, but I ended up doing the Longwood Loop. I gambled on keeping a good pace and it paid off. Some days things just fall into place and today was one of them. I did 9.30 miles in 2:22:35 for a 15:19 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 80 bpm with an elevation gain of 311 feet with an average cadence of 131 spm at 36 degrees. When I first stepped out of my house I saw some snow flakes in the air. Simple things change an average moment into a magical moment— thank you Lord!

The Reward of Persistence

 Many of the great things that we do don’t seem so great at the time. Usually it doesn’t even feel great at all. The temptation is to cut things off because we lack the vision to see the good thing that we are doing simply because it doesn’t feel right. My daily habits of reading my Bible and working out often don’t seem that productive at the time, but over time these habits are powerful. Having the time just to pray and reflect is so valuable and therapeutic. 

      Today I did the 3 x Woodlot/Raynor with a short out and back on Woodlot and a shortened loop on the third cutting across the trail. I did 8.69 miles in 2:13:07 for a 15:18 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 162 bpm with an elevation gain of 194 feet at an average cadence of 130 spm at 34 degrees. Thank you Lord for strength and health!

Keep on Marching

 Life is relentless. We have to keep on moving everyday. The challenges never stop coming and they come regardless of how weak we may be at the moment.  This morning I decided on the Ridge Loop doing 8.68 miles in 2:18:34 for a 15:58 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 165 bpm with an elevation gain of 175 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at 41 overcast drizzly degrees. There is very little traffic on this route. A cat spooked me running across the big field on upper Ridge Road. Key word of the day— Forgiveness. People fail us and let us down. Sometimes people look down on us and our family because they misjudged us by judging us. Still, forgiveness is the standard of our Savior to set us free!

Last Monday of March

 Today was the start of a new week. Usually Mondays are a bit stressful due to the fact that it’s the beginning of another week of the rat race. I am grateful for making it to work in good season and making it to the staff meeting in time. I did the short out and back and 2 x Woodlot/Ridge in 2:16:14 for a 15:51 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 174 bpm with an elevation gain of 172 feet at an average cadence of 128 spm at 37 degrees. I am grateful for the Lord’s strength. Life is not easy, but it is fulfilling with Christ. Some of the greatest gifts that God gives us are our family and friends. Thank you Jesus for your many blessings and for the Salvation that you provided by shedding your precious blood for me!

Good Start Change of Route

 I got out slightly early this morning. Just being a tad bit early helps for a more positive feeling about the day. I did the Ridge Route doing 8.71 miles in 2:17:56 for a 15:50 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 161 bpm with an elevation gain of 162 feet at 47 degrees with an average cadence of 129 spm. Thank you Lotd for a good start to Friday!

Fatigued

 I was really tired this morning, but I’ve learned that if you persevere that you can successfully complete your workouts. You just keep going and try to think on positive things. I did the Woodlot/Ridge Loop doing 8.62 miles in 2:15:10 for a 15:41 minute per mile pace with an average rate of 161 bpm with an elevation gain of 191 feet with an average cadence of 130 spm at 42 overcast degrees. Still kind of tired. I’m grateful to get the work I !

Got It Done

 This has been a stretch when the pillow has had a magnetic pull in the morning. I’ve been sleeping so comfortably. Habit pulled me out of bed like a blind force. I did the 3 x Woodlot with an out and back on Woodlot and cutting across the trail on the final lap. I did 8.71 miles in 2:18:25 for a 15:53 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 158 bpm with an elevation gain of 209 feet at an average cadence of 130 spm at 39 degrees. Kind of tired but knowing that I’m blessed!

I’m Just So Comfortable but…

 I woke up and I just felt so comfortable in my early morning bed. It would have taken very little to close my eyes and drift back to sleep. But one thing I know, the road to weight gain can happen with a change n regular habits. I never regret having finished a workout. I did the Apple Court, Kastal, Ryan, Woodlot, Randall Loop doing 8.74 in 2:20:02 for a 16:01 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 113 bpm with an elevation gain of 199 feet with an average cadence of 131 spm at 34 degrees. My right shoulder is slowly getting stronger and healing. God

Is g!

Starting Another Week

 Today was a very standard sort of a day. Pretty much status quo all the way around which is good. Thankfully I had a good pace for this time of life. I did 8.59 miles in 2:14:00 for a 15:35 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 160 bpm with an elevation gain of 192 feet at an average cadence of131 spm at 29 degrees . I made it to work in good season. It was a good morning all things considered. God bless you my friends!

Over 100

 This is Sunday that I’m recording Saturday’s workout in Eastport. I usually make a plan in my brain and see how it works out. I was tired during the week and tired anticipating my quick trip to Maine. I didn’t work out Friday and it was a good thing since the day was very long. Thankfully it all worked out. I did the 190 route starting out through town and up Adams Street before coming back down Shackford Street. This workout with the exception of Adams Street is flat and scenic— surrounded by the ocean on both sides. I love the waterfowl as I go past the Eastport sign as they swim and land in the bay over the clam flats. I did 9.11 miles in 2:23:48 for a 15:46 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 171 bpm with an elevation gain of 359 feet. I hurried around when I got back to the Motel and quickly cleaned up and headed out to pick up Katie and Keon to go to Urban Trampoline Center. Kim and I shared a hamburger together before I headed to my parents. I’m so glad that my son in law Antonio asked Jesus into his heart. My grandson Oliver is so precious. 

I had a good time at my parents church. Maine still feels like home. It’s the place where people see my abilities and respect me. Maine is where I breathe oxygen that fuels my confidence and purpose. In New York I just feel out of place other than of course my beautiful wife and my precious family. God sees it all and is in control of it all. Praise His name.

Oh, I passed over 100 training miles for the month.

Surprised

 Yesterday was a long day and I finished tired and scrambling to get everything ready for today. I had a follow up doctor’s appointment followed by supper at Chick Fil- A then Bible study.  Lord willing I’m heading to Eastport tomorrow for Keon’s birthday. A trip to Maine is always something that I look forward to. I’m grateful for a decent workout and making it to work on time. I did the Apple Court, Kastal, Ryan, Woodlot, Randall loop doing 8.67 miles in 2:17:34 for a 15:52 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 122 bpm with an elevation gain of 196 feet at an average cadence of 130 spm at 33 degrees. I’ve noticed a scraggly looking guy on Whiskey Road the last couple of days. Anyway, have a blessed day! Day off tomorrow and Lord willing a workout in Eastport on Saturday!!!

A Little Slick

  Each morning brings a little apprehension, a little hope, a little faith, and a little doubt. In the midst of all these things there is the faith in Jesus and that He is going to get you through if you just keep going. Today I did the slight out and back plus 2 x Woodlot/Ridge. I noticed that the roads were slick in places. It was another cool, quiet, and dark morning. At one point a low flying plane lit the immediate horizon. I did 8.60 miles in 2:18:08 for a 16:04 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 96 bpm with an elevation gain of 333 feet at a temp of 34 degrees with an average cadence of 130 spm. I managed a little strength work before heading to work. Thank you Lord for getting there safely and on time!

Cold, Damp, and Dark

 On this late winter morning the threat of snow coming later in the day makes one hope that the snow comes earlier. I decided to do the Medford/ Randall Loop as I got out a tad bit early and I have no strength or a work to do today. That said, I just made it to work on time: I did 8.90 miles in 2:23:14 for a 16:05 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 168 bpm with an elevation gain of 266 feet with an average cadence of 128 spm at 39 degrees. I’m just happy to feel good and healthy enough to work out. Thank you Lord!

Doing Better

 After a weekend of feeling really off and not well, I was more like my old self today— just suffering from a cold. I did the Apple Court, Kastal, Ryan, Woodlot, and Randall Loop doing 8.67 miles in 2:19:05 for a 16:02 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 171 bpm with an elevation gain of 213 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at 39 drizzly degrees. I am grateful for the outcome because yesterday I wasn’t feeling so well!

A Quiet Victory

 Fatigue wise I have been a bit off this week. The workout times were faster than last week, but boys I have felt a bit tired. The pressure of getting in the workouts and then getting to work on time is tiresome. This has been a decent week, minus the stomach bug— but it sure doesn’t feel like a Victory. I did the 3 Loop workout that I did yesterday doing 8.66 miles in 2:17:10 for a 15:50 minute per mile pac with an average heart rate of 101 bpm with an elevation gain of 2 feet with an average cadence of 130 spm at 30 degrees. Got a lot of entertaining to do this weekend. Lord giv me strength! 

Back

 I had some stomach issues Tuesday night which meant I got almost no sleep with a lot of time in the bathroom. I had decided to take the day off from working out and going to work. I stayed in bed most of the day, getting up at 3:00 pm. My brother in law Jon and my nephew Ben arrived and will be staying with us. This morning I did the 3 x Woodlot/Raynor with an out and back up the hill on Woodlot. I got out in good season and maintained a decent pace doing 8.72 in 2:19:10 for a  15:57 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 169 bpm with an elevation gain of 224 feet with an average cadence of 127 spm at 33 degrees. Thank you Lord for the strength that you provide. It’s not always fun at the time, but the workout is always satisfying.

Scaling Back

 I find that with getting older I need more recovery. In fact recovery is as important as work. Due to a few minor nagging injuries I have scaled back parts of my workouts. I have the basic workout, but with few supplemental elements of the workout. I am thankful that with scaling back that I can maintain consistency in my workouts. Thank you Lord! I did the standard out and back and 2 x Woodlot/Ridge for 8.60 miles in 2:15:42 for a 15:46 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 168 bpm with an elevation gain of 200 feet with an average cadence of 130 spm at 35 degrees. There were snow flurries in the air this morning adding to the beauty of the workout.

   

Better than Expected

 I went out this morning with little in the way of sleep. I rested, but didn’t sleep a lot. I did this workout with faith that my hip would be okay, and praise the Lord it was fine. I did 3 x Woodlot with a short up and down the steepest Woodlot hill and a shortening 3 rd lap cutting through the path. I did 8.64 miles in 2:18:44 with an average heart rate of 132bpm with an elevation gain of 195 feet with an average cadence of 128 spm at 37 degrees at a 16:03 minute per mile pace. I am grateful that some of my injuries are slowly healing up and allowing me to do a bit more. I am truly grateful on this day of my mother in law’s 78th birthday. Have a blessed day!

Aint So Hip

 Ever since Tuesday my right hip has been sore like someone kicked me in the butt. Lord willing the weekend rest will help the hip feel better. I have been a little slow on the roads, but thankfully I was able to get the workouts in for which I am grateful. I did the out and back and 2 x Woodlot/Ridge in 2:20:48 for a 16:16 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 114 bpm with an elevation gain of 182 feet with an average cadence of 131 spm at 32 clear degrees. Working out over the years is a lot about overcoming obstacles. You don’t notice the obstacles until you try to be dedicated to achieving something. The obstacle might be a sore foot, sore hamstring, an abrasion that irritates, diarrhea, not finding something that you need, or waking up late. This is why I am so grateful for being able to do what I have done over the years. I can’t beat many people, but I have been consistent. Thank you Lord! Have a blessed weekend.

Slow Going but Grateful to be Going

 Last night I received news from my daughter that a guy that I’ve known most of my life died suddenly yesterday— Robert Patterson. His passing is a reminder that this life is brief and my relationship with Jesus is the only thing that I will take with me out of this world. This morning I did the 2x Woodlot/Ridge with a short out and back doing 8.58 miles in 2:22:37 for a 16:36 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 115 bpm with an elevation gain of 248 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm. So thankful to get the work in and get some strength work in and make it to work in good time.

Feeling My Age

 This has been the year of aches and pains. It seems as if I’m always dealing with some sort of ache or ailment. Thankfully I have been able to maintain some sort of consistency with some adjustments. This morning my right hip felt really sore and kept me from getting some sleep just before I was scheduled to wake up. I was questioning whether I should work out or not, but decided that I could get the work in . I’m grateful that put the work in. I think the right decision was made. I hope that my hip and shoulder feel better soon though. I did the Apple Court, Ryan, Woodlot, Randall Loop doing 8.69 miles in 2:21:09 for a 16:14 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 79 bpm with an elevation gain of 180 feet with an average cadence of 128 spm at 30 degrees. With all said and done I think that the workout went okay. I even made it to work in good season. 

I’m so blessed to have seen the movie Jesus Revolution last night.  It’s nice to be reminded of how God has worked powerfully in the past!