Finishing/Beginning

 This week I have been doing the end of the school year things as my 36th school year comes to an end. At the same time I am preparing- Lord willing to leave North America for the first time in my 58 years. My workouts have been good, thankfully. I have been at a fairly decent pace and getting back in decent season. I’m looking forward to my next adventure and trying to simultaneously be prepared, but also being willing to change to take advantage of the circumstances. Today I did the Raynor, Kastal, 2 Ryan version of the 2 x Woodlot/Ridge loop with a short out and back. I did 8.75 miles in 2:15:37 for a 15:29 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 152 bpm with an elevation gain of 259 feet at an average cadence of 129 spm at a slightly drizzly 59 degrees. So much of what I do is on a whim. I’m not sure exactly what my workout will be, I just adapt to how I feel and keep plugging. Lord willing off to England tonight. Will try to do some blogging in the King’s country. God bless you!

The Same Seeming Different

  The morning routine is the same, but it seems kind of different. I have learned the art of preparing in advance for long trips away from home. It’s important to plug away so that when the time comes, most of the difficult work is mostly finished. I have been finishing up a he school year and simultaneously preparing for my departure to England the same day— Lord willing. I have been getting in a lot of steps the last two days— today I will try to keep it more reasonable. I did the Randall/Medford Loop doing 8.74 in 2:20:08 for a 16:02 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 9 feet with an average cadence of 128 spm at 58 degrees. Looking forward to my trip to England with my Char! Lord use and bless us both!

Up and Adam

  I woke up at my usual early time. Kind of nice knowing that my summer is rapidly approaching and that this mandatory early time is about to pass for a few months. Today I did the Medford/Randall Loop doing 8.90 miles in 2:17:00 for a 15:23 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 114 bpm with an elevation gain of 213 feet at an average cadence of 129 spm at 59 degrees. I’m doing field day today at the Middle School and checking out for school, although I have to be here another day and a half. I am grateful for this year. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness!

Juneteenth 2023

  I hit the roads a little bit later on this day off from school this last week of school. The weather has been perfect this June. I went past nine miles on this non school day. I saw the lady walker on Smith Road and runner Chuck on Raynor. Chuck told me that he is coming off from having both knees scoped. He is doing 2 1/2 - 3 miles a day now as opposed to his former 6 miles. Me, I chose to keep the distance and get up earlier and walk. The thing I have learned is to adapt, but keep moving forward without overthinking. My strength work I have learned the value of staying disciplined with minimal training. The minimal training has helped me maintain strength, recover from injury, and to prevent injuries. God is so gracious and I praise Him that I can still train. I give Him the glory.

  Today I did 9.22 miles in 2:25:00 for a 15:43 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 101 bpm with an elevation gain of 274 feet at an average cadence of 126 spm at 61 degrees on the Longwood Loop. Lord willing I am looking forward to England!

Last Friday….

in the US for a few weeks. Today was one of those days where everything went smoothly. I usually have a Five hour energy drink on Fridays to give me an extra lift along with a small cup of coffee. A little bit of overkill I know, but it definitely helps. The prednisone that I take for my shoulder tendinitis also helps take away those typical aches and pains of the over 50 fitness enthusiast. I did the Medford/Woodlot Loop again— I certainly enjoy the peace and solitude of this loop. The high school buses are on a different schedule because of the Regent’s tests. I did 8.90 miles in 2:14:25 for a 15:06 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 230 feet with an average heart rate of 139 bpm with an average cadence of 130 spm. I didn’t see anyone else out this morning. Looking forward to the weekend. May God bless you and your families!

Needs Met

 The problem with complaining is that it distracts us from recognizing our many blessings. I am grateful how the Lord meets my many needs and how He provides for me and my family. This morning I got out a couple minutes early. It was a comfortable spring morning with a nice little breeze. I did the Medford/Randall loop doing 8.91 miles in 2:18:43 for a 15:34 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 86 bpm with an elevation gain of 235 feet at an average cadence of 128 spm at 59 degrees. Just a perfect workout this morning. Very blessed!

Surprised

 This morning was beautiful, but I just felt slow. I was surprised at the end of my workout that I had gone further and faster than I thought. I did the 3 x Woodlot Loop with 3 x hill and last loop cut through on the trail. I did 8.97 miles in 2:20:58 for a 15:42 minute per mile pace with an average heart of 115 bpm with an elevation gain of 261 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at 59 degrees. Once again I am grateful for the workout and good health. Doctor’s appointment tonight to gauge my blood pressure. May God be magnified in my life today!

The Secret

 There are periods of time in training and life when you do something with zero gung ho. This is when you are driven by your goals and beliefs and not your feelings. So much in life is about perseverance— which means you will be successful if you just finish what you are doing. There are always obstacles and most days there is no groove. Your habits, goals, and perseverance are what drives you. Today was one such day. I did the two loops plus the short out and back for 8.61 in 2:17:29 for a 15:57 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 77 bpm with an elevation gain of 217 feet at an average cadence of 125 spm at a comfortable 65 degrees. Thank you Lord!

Good Thing

 It’s a good thing that I got out there n decent time this morning, since my pace was slow. I think the active weekend took its toll as it usually does at age 58. I did the Apple Court, Kastal, Ryan, Woodlot, Randall Loop doing 8.76 miles in 2:24:21 for a 16:29 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 94 bpm with an elevation gain of 237 feet with an average cadence of 124 spm at 65 degrees. Lord willing, I hope this coming weekend is more restful. Have a blessed day! 

Thank You Lord

 This week saw a bit of a resurgence of energy and enthusiasm. I had extra things to go to and do and yet thankfully I had enough energy to complete the tasks. The smoke covering our area has many scampering around in masks again. I decided wisely or not to get my workouts in despite the unhealthy air warnings. I did the two lap plus the short out and back with the adaptation of cutting across the trail on loop two and doing another short out and back. Here are the stats- I did 8.68 miles in 2:17:05 for a 15:47 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 2 feet with an average heart rate of 130 bpm at an average cadence of 128 spm at a more clear 53 degrees. Looking forward to the weekend. God bless you.

Smoking

 The last couple of days we have had smoke filled skies from the forest fires in Canada. Despite the alarmists I decided to go out and do my workout without the good ole mask. I felt okay and did my two loops plus out and back for 8.60 miles in 2:12:21 for a 15:22 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 93 bpm with an elevation gain of 193 feet at an average cadence of 131 spm at 50 degrees. It was a very quiet workout and an easy commute to work. Good workout with the weights as well. Thank you Lore for strength and health!

You Never Know

 For the most part I have been dragging most of the school year. I have had enough energy to complete the required tasks, but I have not had much more than that. Thankfully, today I seemed to get a little extra of energy and a bit of optimism. I am grateful that today has been a bit more encouraging. I did the Apple Court, Kastal, Ryan, Woodlot, Randall Loop today. I did 8.71 in 2:18:11 for a 15:51 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 204 feet with an average heart rate of 151 bpm  with an average cadence of 128 spm at 53 degrees.

   Of note, today there was smoke blanketing the area from Canada. There a wildfires causing poor air throughout the northeast US. We have Bible Study tonight at church. God is so good! 

Slow, but Still a Go

 This was a day when my body just moved slower than I thought that it would. I did the MedfordRandall Loop doing 8.88 in 2:23:40 for. 16:10 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 135 bpm with an elevation gain of 233 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at 54 degrees. Strength work in, a bit slow to work— still going. God bless you!

A Good Thing Out of a Bad Thing

 There are times in your life when you are just pushing to get all that you can out of life and your endeavors. I have been blessed to have a lot of fun with my training and it has provided much fulfillment. This year I have noticed that pushing in my workouts was just taking too much energy from my everyday life. Some injuries and age related ailments have forced me to make some workout changes. I no longer try to get in 9 miles and I almost never do a regular walking workout on the weekend. I’m too slow and it takes too much mental energy to push to get the distance and extra distance in. Secondly some injuries and knee ailments have forced me to change and cut back on my strength workouts. I have maintained a full body workout, yet I have cut back and minimized it to maintain my strength while changing so not to aggravate my injuries. The minimization has helped revive me and helped me to maintain enthusiasm. I am grateful for the change. The Lord put it in my mind to purchase a bench press support device just before I hurt my shoulder. The Lord knew. Today I did a different version of the two Lap and out and back workout— cutting across the trail to Raynor down the hill and retrace across Kastal for 8.75 miles in 2:18:22 for a 15:49 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 95 bpm with an elevation gain of 212 feet at an average cadence of 126 spm at 51 degrees.

  I was wiped this weekend, but thankfully I have strength for today. Thank you Lord for your provision for me and my family!

Away With Apprehension

 When there is a lot on your plate and your energy isn’t at its peak you can become apprehensive. It was a long day yesterday and I wasn’t sure how my body would respond today with field day on the agenda. Thankfully my body responded well. I did the 2 loop plus workout doing 8.62 miles in 2:16:49 for a 15:52 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 85 bpm with an elevation gain of 218 feet and an average cadence of 128 spm at 57 degrees. I got my reactive sling shot yesterday for training.  This has allowed me to train through an injury. A lot I could say , but I have a bit to do. God bless and have a great weekend!

You Don’t Know

 This time of year you aren’t quite sure what type of day you will be having until you get out there. I was assuming that I would feel beat, but fortunately I was about average. I’m trying my best not to overextend myself. This morning I did the 3 x Woodlot/Ridge with 3 x the hill and a shortened last loop. I did 8.79 miles in 2:18:28 for a 15:46 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 150 bpm at an elevation gain of 226 feet at an average cadence of 128 spm at 52 degrees. So far I would put today in the favorable category. God bless you!