Maxing Out on the Minimum

 Each year the end of the school year brings a combination of fatigue and nostalgia. For as many years as I have been teaching each year had its own identity and feel. This has been a good year, but I also feel like it takes all my strength to get through the day. This means that I plan on taking my rest when I am home and not doing much extra work. I am doing the 2 x Woodlot/Ridge plus my short out and back most likely most mornings. I did 8.63 miles in 2:19:33 for a 16:10 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 162 bpm with an elevation gain of 203 feet with an average cadence of 128 spm at 49 overcast degrees. I am grateful to get the work in even though it has been a bit of a struggle. God bless my friends!

Burnt Out on Fun

 Yesterday it seems as if things for the most part went smoothly. There was a skip in my step and a bit of optimism coming with a day off from work. Today was a step into the fog. My legs were stiff and I just mentally felt a bit off. Family get togethers are great, but often require a lot of effort. My wife of course put tremendous work into everything and I less joyously joined in. The result was a day of fun and a day of exhaustion for today. I did the Randall/Medford Loop doing 8.89 in 2:22:11 for a 15:59 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 164 bpm with an elevation gain of 241 feet at an average cadence of 130 spm at 48 sunny degrees. No buses out from Ridge , but they are back tomorrow. Grateful for the opportunity to workout. Thank you Lord!

Memorial Movement

 I headed out a bit after 5 am. I was simultaneously looking forward to the workout and the future family time, and not looking forward to all the work of putting a get together, together. I did the Longwood Loop doing 9.19 miles in 2:18:05 for a 15:01 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 171 bpm with an elevation gain of 294 feet with an average cadence of 129 spm . The Celtics play the Heat tonight in game 7 - deal like it could go either way after winning 3 straight. God bless!

Pleasant Morning

 I headed out the door full of optimism and joy as I bound out the door for my morning power walk. I did the Medford/Randall Loop again. It was a very quiet morning in which I came upon no one else. I did 8.90 miles in 2:17:41 for a 15:28 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 74 bpm with an elevation gain of 217 feet with an average cadence of 130 spm at a pleasant 48 degrees. It was a good finish to the week with the rest and medicines helping me feel better. Thank you Lord.

Back At It

 I have a sinus infection which has stymied my voice and lessened my energy stores— so I took yesterday off from my workout.  Today I hit the roads and definitely felt better, but my voice is still about 50 percent. I did the Medford/Randall Loop doing 8.89 miles in 2:14:36 for a 15:08 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 101 bpm with an elevation gain of 276 feet with an average cadence of 130 spm at a cool breezy 51 degrees.

 Some random thoughts. There are lots of rabbits out and around this time of year. The streets of Ridge were quieter with no school until next Wednesday in Ridge. I’m glad that I went to the doctor as soon as I started feeling poorly. The medicine has definitely helped me feel better, praise the Lord. My shoulder has been feeling a bit better also. I increased my bench by 5 pounds. I have an active teachers workshop. I will try to stay practical with protecting my shoulder and knees. God bless you!

Off The Roads

  I took the morning off as I am tired with this sinus infection. I woke up at the same time with the usual feel of urgency, but I rejected the impulse to get up and stayed in bed. I am such a creature of habit that it is difficult to change, but I’m learning that test is as important as work and today I needed a break. I did my kettlebell leg workout of rdl’s and goblet squats and then headed out the door. Lord willing tomorrow I will resume my workout— always subject to change. Have a blessed day my friends!

Struggles

 This has been a year of struggle and a year of blessing. I have definitely felt age effecting me in a more noticeable way. I have to cut back in some areas and prioritize my efforts. I don’t have the energy to do my workouts and then do additional physical activity like I used to. At times extra activity is needed, but I can no longer do the extra activity very often. I also have had many little ailments and arthritis. I have had to change my workouts a bit but thankfully I can still workout. The bench slingshot has enabled me to get back benching. I am so grateful for that. This morning I did Apple Court/Woodlot/Randall doing 8.77 miles in 2:20:34 for a 16:01 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 167 bpm with an elevation gain of 216 feet at an average cadence of 129 spm at 49 degrees. I saw Kevin and Elaine getting in their car to leave for the airport at 4:06 am. I’m only a half a day at work as my voice is tenuous and I have an afternoon doctor’s appointment. God bless you my friends!

Regrets

 The workout wasn’t the regret, it was the weekend. I was at a boiling point of fatigue and I took out my frustrations with sarcasm to the end’th degree directed at my wife. So today my wife is exasperated and I’m wondering where my blame ends. I felt like we each had some fault and my wife seems to think I’m fully at fault. The Lord will direct me. I did the 2 x Loop with the modification of going down Raynor with an out and back to the car and back, 1 x  Ryan, and 1 x Whiskey to Kastal and back Ridge for 8.81 miles in 2:17:51 for a 15:39 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 111 bpm with an elevation gain of 211 feet at an average cadence of 128 spm at 54 degrees. 

       I’m grateful for my workouts going pretty well. I just feel mentally a bit off. I don’t feel like I have much of a reserve. I haven’t been reacting well when I’m off schedule. I’m hopeful that today is a step in a restorative direction. God bless you my friends!

Early Start

 I had to get up even earlier today as I am going to work with my coworker as my wife is coming to my school for career day. I was out the door before 4. I was even able to get in a set of benches and core trainer two hand presses. I did 8.62 miles in 2:10:44 for a 15:09 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 133 bpm. It was a beautiful cool clear morning. It was a good week of training. Looking forward to the weekend. Thanks for reading and God bless.

Wednesday/Thursday

 Both days were very decent training days. Wednesday I did the Medford/Randall/Woodlot in 2:14:40 for a 15:08 minute per mile pace with a distance of 8.9 miles with an average heart rate of 152 bpm.

Thursday I did the Ridge Loop for 8.70 miles in 2:12:08 for a 15:04 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 154 bpm at a 42 degree temps. 

It’s been a good busy. God bless you my friends!

Doing it without much thought!

 I’m usually a “deep” thinker while the miles roll by— but not lately. I’ve just focused enough to get what I have to done. Today I did the Apple Court, Kastal, Ryan, Woodlot, and Randall doing 8.71 miles in 2:17:37 for a 15:48 minute per mile pace at 57 degrees with an average heart rate of 150 bpm with an elevation gain of 217 feet at an average cadence of 131 spm. I will be glad when my shoulder is better. God bless!

Surprisingly Good

 I was surprised at how well my workout went today. I don’t have a lot of motivation, but I have some faith. Waking up at 3:35 am seems kind of nuts, but I do it five days a week. I ask myself why almost every day, but I head out anyway. I always am glad that I took the time to get the workout in. I still feel out place at my church. This too is an exercise of faith and acceptance. There are so many things that I would like to comment, but I rarely do. I’m trusting God even though this “way” seems very odd to me. I’m trusting that God is working through my questions and awkwardness. I did Woodlot/Ridge, Raynor (out and back) Kastal, Ryan 2x out and back for 8.74 miles in 2:13:26 for a 15:16 minute per mile pace at 49 degrees. 

  Other notices: lots of aches and pains this year, slower pace this year, cut back some this year. The key is to keep going. My right shoulder has been an issue, but with the help of a benching sling shot I can bench plus use the core trainer hinge. Have a blessed day!

Thursday/Friday

 I did 3 x Woodlot/Raynor with 3 x the steep Woodlot hill for approximately 3.79 miles. Once again my watch shut off partway through the workout. I felt good and the pace was decent at approximately a 15:40 minute per mile pace. 

On Friday I did 2 x Woodlot/Ridge with a short out and back for approximately 8.55 miles. My left hip was fairly sore and stiff. Praying that it feels better. Have a blessed day my friend!

Some Thoughts

 This morning was another of a perfect spring morning. It was a cool 43 degrees. I did the Apple Court, Kastal, Ryan, Woodlot, Randall, Whiskey, and a short hill out and back on Raynor for 8.76 miles in 2:15:15 for a 15:26 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 263 feet with an average heart rate of 60 bpm with an average cadence of 130 spm .

I don’t know what workout that I am doing until I hit the road. I haven’t been as motivated as other times , but the workouts have not been a struggle. I just try to stay in the moment. As a parent I have tried to put the spiritual ahead of the material. The Christ centered values have been the most important aspect to me. I leave the results up to the Lord. Lastly, I don’t like the alcohol factor in Christians down here. I’m not judging them, but I can’t personally have no use for alcohol. I don’t like going to weddings and get togethers and having alcohol. I wish that people would at least be sensitive to my personal convictions on alcohol. Oh well. Have a blessed day!

Repeat

 I did exactly the same workout as yesterday except in the opposite direction. I did 8.79 miles in 2:16:03 for a 15:28 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 111 bpm with an elevation gain of 222 feet at an average cadence of 129 spm at 55 degrees. I was tired starting out , but gained a little steam by focusing on the moment. Happy to get the workout in. God bless!

Back at It

 Today I did the usual routine feeling somewhat different because of all the traveling this weekend. Char and I got back just before 9 which meant rushing around to get ready for the morning. I was looking forward to having my Kia Soul back as my means of transportation. I started out doing my out and back and Woodlot/Raynor, but I had to retrace back home for a quick stop on lap 2. I needed up doing lap 2 with Ridge/Kastal/2 x Ryan plus a short out and back on the lower hill of Raynor for approximately 8.7 miles at around a 15:45 minute per mile pace. I was able to get a little strength training and make it to work on time. Started out feeling discouraged and finished feeling better. Have a blessed day!

Longwood Revisited

 Thankfully I had a little flexibility this morning as I did not go into work as I’m headed to Maine for my father’s 80th birthday. I set my alarm for 15 minutes later than usual. I just enjoyed being able to take my time getting around without being rushed. I decided to try the Longwood Loop finishing going through the woods trail at the end. I did 9.01 miles in 2:22:52 at a 15:50 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 154 bpm. I was happy with the workout. It was a beautiful morning and I felt fairly good. In fact this was probably one of my better workouts of late. In Rhode Island heading for Maine. I am planning on doing No walking workouts in Maine— just strength training. God bless !

Not Clicking

 Today everything was off. The technology didn’t work properly. I was kind of slow moving. My commute to work was bad. Everything was off. I did the 3 x Woodlot/Raynor with 3 x the steep hill on Woodlot. My timer went cuplooy so I’m guessing I did around 8.6. Thankfully the Apple Watch still keeps track of distance. Lord willing a trip to Maine tomorrow. God bless!

When It Clicks

 Today is as a day that things were better because thing’s simply went as they should. My Nike Running App finally worked and thus I have all my stats. I finally made it to work on time. There was also slightly less congestion as I worked out. I have found one of the secrets to working out is doing a workout that challenges without making you dig into your reserves. Or as a former mentor once said “Stay on top” of your workouts. I did 2 x Woodlot/Ridge with a short out and back for 8.58 miles in 2:14:29 for a 15:40 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 146 bpm wean average cadence of 129 spm with an elevation gain of 221 feet at 42 degrees.

Finally, I’m going to share a thought with you. One of my hopes is that I would be asked to be a guest speaker at church, or a former school to share some thoughts. It’s not that I think I am attention grabber, but I have had some life experiences that have taught me much. I guess it would be nice if people other than my parents thought that I had something worth sharing. For now I will just do what the Lord has put in front of me. God bless you my friends!

TechNOlogy

 Some trends—- much more local traffic and tech failures. My music fades in and out, my watch stops and starts when it wants, and fatigue is a trend. I did the 3 x Woodlot/Ridge with 2 short hill out and backs and a shortened trip through the trail on the third lap. I did 8.6 miles give or take. I had to do some jogging to make up for my slow pace. I just can’t seem to get my legs moving much. I saw the 7/11 worker walking to work. A guy stopped and said “hello” mistaking me for some else. Anyway, have a blessed day.

Lost

  There are times in your life when you just feel lost. It’s not that you are without purpose it’s just when you can’t see the purpose. I just feel like a visitor at my current address in life. There is a lot of good in where I am right now, but I just feel like a visitor. I can’t put my finger on it or quite articulate it, but I am hoping to find myself someday amongst my brethren. 

Last Friday I was feeling the effects of a stomach ailment. Since I’m always in a state of fatigue, I often push through the initial time of being sick. Saturday was a do nothing day and Sunday was only slightly better. Today I did the 2 x Woodlot Ridge with a short out and back. For some reason my watch stopped during my workout so some distance is missing. Here is that rough distance- probably 8.5 miles in around a 16:17 minute per mile pace— slow. Off to work. God bless!