Not Feeling It

 This was a morning where I just was not feeling any positive vibes at all, but vibes don’t carry you— faith in action does. I did the Apple Court, Kastal, Ryan, Woodlot, Randall, Whiskey Loop doing 8.67 in 2:14:13 for a 15:28 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 158 bpm at 40 foggy degrees. I’m grateful for the ability to workout. Through the aches and pains of my 50’s the Lord has given me the gift of perseverance. Thank you Lord!

Keeping It Moving

 Through the years you always have periods of time when you question why you work out. The drudgery seems so torturous. But, you remember the truth— the working out is truly worth it. It enables you to maintain your weight, sleep great, and have a positive attitude. Today I did the usual 2 x Woodlot/Ridge with a short out and back for 8.54 miles in 2:12:32 for a 15:31 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 98 bpm. My workout data is still not coming out on my Nike App. Thank you Lord for your strength!

Boogie with the Bunnies

 This is the time of year when the buds on the trees explode across the horizon. It’s also when animals have their young. This morning I noticed an inordinate number of rabbits hopping along the side of the road. I decided to try a slightly longer route, and I was able to complete it and make it to work on time. I just needed to change up my route this morning as I have been doing a couple of routes almost extensively. I did the Medford/Randall/Woodlot loop doing 8.88 miles in 2:17:20 for a 15:27 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 159 bpm. I will be glad when all of my data comes in a timely manner. Have a blessed day friends!

Tuesday Flow

 I have had some good times of reflection lately. There is always that bit of pressure to get things done as work follows working out. The pressure is equally exhilarating and annoying. You just have to remind yourself of how good it feels when the work is done— very satisfying. I did the 3 x Woodlot/Raynor with two hilly out and backs for 8.79 in 2:15:50 for a 15:27 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 158 bpm. My apps are working slowly so I do not have the other stats at this moment. My pace has been decent the last couple of weeks, so I am happy with that. I’m blessed!

Friday/Monday

 Monday - I did  2 x Woodlot/Ridge with a short out and back. I did 8.65 miles in 2:15:21 for a 15:45 minute per mile pace .

Friday: I did 3 x Woodlot/Raynor plus two short out and backs up the steep hills of Woodlot. I did 8.65 miles in 2:11:42 for a 15:13 minute per mile pac.

The Nike App has been playing up and I don’t feel like monkeying around with it. I am having a slightly more positive and energetic attitude towards my workouts. Every day out there is a blessing. I use this time to pray! Thank you Lord!

God Woke Me Up

 This morning I woke up at exactly the time my alarm is set for— good thing too, I forgot to set my alarm. This week everything has been a little off. All sorts of little problems, thankfully the Lord has helped me get through this barrage with little impact other than annoyance. This morning I did 3 x Woodlot/Raynor with an extra hill on Woodlot. I did 8.67 miles. The other stats are not coming through at this moment. Maybe I’ll add then later. God bless! I did 8.67 in 2:16:22 for a 15:43 minute per mile pace at 40 degrees.

Tuesday/Wednesday

 Tuesday: I did the Ridge Loop doing 8.76 miles in 2:19:09 for a 15:52 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 150 bpm with an elevation gain of 320 feet with an average cadence of 129 spm at 51 degrees.

Wednesday: I did 2 x Woodlot/Ridge plus the short out and back for 8.56 miles in 2:12:42 for a 15:30 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 161 bpm with an elevation gain of 186 feet with an average cadence of 130 spm at 40 degrees.

Thank you Lord for helping me through some minor tribulations!!

A Different Variation in Hope

 It has been a good week here with all 5 sessions in Maine. I have been laboring with my energy, but thankfully I have gotten in 5 nine mile workouts. This morning I did 3x Pastor’s Road, the loop, plus up and down the back side of Howe hill for 9.12 miles in 2:32:45 for a 16:44 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of about 139 bpm with an elevation gain of 569 feet at an average cadence of 125 spm at a comfortable 53 degrees. Maine is my home and where my heart is, but I am looking forward to recovering in my own house. The visits this week were meaningful. Connecting in simple and ways with the people that I love. In my old school a number of people asked me if I was coming back, in my heart I wish it were true. This is the place where people value me. In New York my wife and family love me, and God has purpose, but it does not seem like home. I look to the Lord who gives me purpose and meaning even in this place where I just feel so out of my element. God bless you my friends. Back to RCA and the usual next week- Lord willing.

Another Day in Paradise

 I have not been the most motivated lately. I have been a bit tired. I do find that once I get going I’m fine. This being vacation week I’ve been able to take my time. This morning I headed out on route 190. I needed a day with relatively easy walking and 190 is easy and very beautiful. It was a sunny bright morning. I took a good number of pictures and talked with my brother. Here are the stats: 9.21 miles in. 2:29:32 for a 16:14 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 254 feet with an average heart rate of 93 bpm at an average cadence of 128 spm at 39 degrees. Eating breakfast now with my daughter Kaitland at Dastardly Dicks today. Have a blessed day!

Hope/Eastport

 Hope: I did 2 x Barnestown/Robbins Road and Howe Hill to the top and down for 9.01 in 2:32:07 for a a 16:53 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 125 bpm with an elevation gain of 583 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at 44 mostly sunny degrees.

Eastport (Todd House): I did my two in town loops with my Drummond Road out and back for 9.06 miles in 2:27:02 for a 16:13 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 113 bpm with an elevation gain of 505 feet with an average cadence of 128 spm at 46 mostly sunny degrees. So much I could say as this is my favorite place, but I have places to go. Thank you Lord!

Maine Squeeze

 Today I did 3 x Barnestown/Robbins Road loop. It was a beautiful sunny morning on my first day here in Maine at my parents in Hope.  I did 9.06 miles in 2:22:39 for a 15:45 with an average heart rate of 109 bpm with an elevation gain of 605 feet at an average cadence of 130 spm at 32 degrees. I saw a couple of runners and a walker out in my travels. I worked all day trimming apple trees and working on the wood pile with my dad. What a terrific day!

Blast from the Lass

 This morning found me struggling a bit. I was tired, and was finding it hard to muster the courage to start my workout. I wasn’t even sure which route to go. Thanks to today being a vacation day I headed out 30 minutes later than usual— still early though. I decided to just start moving and let my habits guide me through another workout. I started out with 3 routes in mind— by the time I arrived where the different routes diverged I decided to do the Medford/Randall Loop. I just kept the pace moving just at a moderate pace. It was a quiet Good Friday morning doing 8.86 miles in 2:26:21 for a 16:31 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 133 bpm with an elevation gain of 199 feet with an average cadence of 126 spm with a temperature of 51 degrees. When I arrived home my blasted me do for getting up early. This exchange didn’t break me, but it was discouraging. Grateful to survive. 

Just Barely

 This week I have been off a bit. Today I got out early, but I was slow and I did as sore. Thankfully I made it to work on time. I did a version of my two 3 laps on Woodlot workout which included 2 laps Woodlot with one out and back on Woodlot, the second lap I reversed the direction and finished by going down Ridge and by Kastal and Ryan. I did 8.61 miles in 2:21:48 for a 16:28 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 89 bpm with an elevation gain of 239 feet with an average cadence of 127 spm at 52 foggy degrees. I’m glad that I don’t have school tomorrow! God bless!

Waiting

 Each morning brings a different perspective. Just a slight difference in the weather, the traffic, or other happenings make each day unique. This morning it was a drizzly one. I did the same loop as yesterday as it is my shortest loop and I’m feeling tired and slow. It was quiet out on the streets and I made it home in good season. Regardless of my early arrival I still made it out at the same time as the other three days.  Thankfully  traffic had been slightly lighter and I have made it to work in time. I did 8.57 miles in 2:18:10 for a 16:07 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 164 bpm with an elevation gain of 206 feet at an average cadence of 126 spm at 52 degrees. 

For many years Easter meant singing in a choir or doing special music at church. This was the time of year that coaching basketball was winding up for the playoffs. Now, these are just memories. I trust that some day the Lord May use me in these capacities again. I do miss those opportunities even though I am grateful for the present opportunities. God bless you my friends!

Lacking Sizzle

 I was going into the week excited that I wouldn’t have to worry about the local school buses and students wait by the road this week. I was looking forward to the quieter roads. My energy however is lower and my ambition and optimism is waning a bit. Thankfully the lighter traffic makes for a quick arrival to work. I did the short out and back plus 2x Woodlot/Ridge for 8.59 miles for a 16:01 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 162 bpm with an elevation gain of 182 feet at an average cadence of 129 spm at 47 degrees. A bit tired, but blessed!

Friday-Saturday-Monday

 Friday: I did the Kastal, Ryan, Woodlot, Randall Loop doing 8.76 miles in 2:13:56 for a 15:17 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 92 bpm with an elevation gain of 223 feet at a cadence of 131 spm at 27 degrees.

Saturday- An easy loop around Vets Park in Calverton doing 9.34 miles in 3:01:43 for a 19:27 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 65 bpm  with an elevation gain of 411 feet with an average cadence of 112 spm at 55 drizzly degrees.

Monday- I did the 3 x Woodlot/Raynor doing 8.72 miles in 2:19:09 for a 15:57 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 151 bpm with an elevation gain of 201 feet at an average cadence of 129 spm at 29 degrees. 

Ruby’s birthday today! Happy 8th Birthday ❤️