Surprised

  Here on February 29 th of leap year I was surprised to see that my monthly total was just under 190 miles since I took a day off this week and last week due to sickness.  So I am happy at that result. It has been a hectic struggle, but God is faithful. This morning I did the Red Maple version of the Longwood Loop doing 8.50 miles in 2:19:56 for a 16:28 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 102 spm with an elevation gain of 354 feet at an average cadence of 125 spm at 31 breezy degrees. With the day off I noticed that I felt slightly more optimistic and energized. God is faithful through the aggravation and struggles!

A Change

 Today I only did my ab and strength work before heading out the door. Last night was a late night at Elevation Worship and between my fatigue and my still recovering stomach, I just took it kind of easy. I was just too beat to try an early morning on almost no sleep. Now my stomach is playing up a bit. Lord,help me. Have a blessed day!

Modified 2 Loop Route

 Today, I felt a bit apprehensive knowing that I have a concert tonight and many changes in the next three weeks. I think the Lord will be re-enforcing the lesson of one day at a time. I did the modified 2 loop workout with a short out and back just to change things up. You begin to mark time by cars you see and buses and at what time in the workout, unknowingly putting extra pressure to perform. I took a little pressure off, by not doing hexbar deadlifts. I was tired, crunched for time, and my stomach was hurting at the moment. As it were, I clocked into work with no time to spare. I did 8.51 miles in 2:21:05 for a 1634 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 109 bpm with an elevation gain of 226 feet at an average cadence of 124 spm at 34 degrees. There was an icy glaze over certain places, so I had to watch my step. I had to take a quick pit stop just before lap 2. Thank you Lord for your provision.

Back to Health

  After a few days of having the stomach virus and feeling extremely lethargic, I felt like I was getting back to health today. I had a period of time last night having some flashbacks of some struggles that I had been through in the past. Thankfully the grace of God saw me through. I did the Longwood loop doing 8.48 in 2:21:32 for a 16:40 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 133 bpm with an elevation gain of 284 feet at an average cadence of 124 spm at 34 degrees. I have a concert to attend tomorrow after school— I don’t do well with a lot of extra’s after school— Lord give me strength. Have a blessed day friends!

Peace and Quiet

  I am laying on my bed here in Hope, Maine with some sort of stomach virus. It’s snowing outside and my two healthy granddaughters are playing in the living room. Ruby is sick like me. I am laying here grateful in Maine my happy place. My parents’ house has been a refuge for so many years. A place to feel the warmth, love, and security of my parents— a place to recharge. I have been fortunate enough to be able to help my parents out by taking care of the yard as my father has been sick from time to time. I realize at this moment how much I need downtime and quiet. A time when there is no immediate plan or expectation. This is how me and my wife are different. My wife gets lost when there is no plan and I often get lost in the busyness when there is no time to reflect. So here I am thankful for this quiet time here in Hope, Maine— thankful for my many blessings on this my mother’s 80 th birthday.

Back In Ridge— For a Moment

  We landed in LaGuardia last night at just past 5. As soon as I got home, I was making preparations for my trip to Maine today. Thankfully, I did the Longwood Loop this morning doing 8.46 miles in 2:18:03 for a 16:19 per mile pace with an average heart rate of 123 bpm with an elevation gain of 274 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at an overcast 28 degrees. I am grateful for health and strength. There are always aches and pains and obstacles to overcome, and I am so grateful for today’s workout. Lord willing, I am getting Ericka and the girls at around 10:30 am and then catching the 12 Orient Point ferry. My mom turns 80 tomorrow. Praying for her, my dad and his cancer treatments, and Char and her headache. God bless!

Last Workout in Texas

  I headed out early this morning to allow for my wife to do my laundry so that I have clean clothes for my trip to Maine, Lord willing tomorrow with my daughter Ericka and my granddaughters. It’s been a vacation of change of pace. The warmer temperatures here in Texas have been nice. The slow pace down here and family visits have been nice. Thankfully my right leg is doing a bit better. Still praying for healing there. This morning I covered the whole trail with a number of repeats and going a bit off the trail. It’s nice to not have to worry about traffic, but the trade-off is monotony. Here are the stats- 8.07 miles in 2:30:37 for an 18:40 minute per mile pace with an heart rate of 71 bpm with an elevation gain of 396 feet at a cadence of 117 spm at a nice 57 degrees. Thank you Lord for a nice relaxed visit here in Bedford!

Day 2 in Bedford

  I got out slightly earlier this morning here in Texas. I start out alone and end with people coming on and off the path. I was a bit sore and achy this morning in my legs. Working out consistently, you learn to deal with aches and pains. Some days you just don’t have it. Today was one of those days. The walk is pleasant, but boring. At least I don’t have to deal with traffic. The change of pace and scenery is good. The temps are summer like today. Today is our last full day in Texas. I did 8.21 miles in the 2:35:37 for a 18:57 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 71 bpm with an elevation gain of 386 feet at an average cadence of 116 spm at 42 degrees. I don’t have a set rout. I just kind of take different loops and out and backs until I get to 8 miles. I also did 100 pushups. Lord willing one more workout here. I have been dealing with some tendinitis in my righ lateral collateral ligament. It feels better in the evening. Have a blessed day friends!

Time in Bedford, Texas

  I decided to stay with the plan of taking weekends off to rest my aches and pains. We’ve been here since late Friday night. We’ve spend most of our time visiting with our niece and nephew. We also have visited the older niece and nephew. This neighborhood is definitely more pleasant than his other houses which were in supposedly more high end areas. I went out on a walking trail along with a few minor departures from the trail. Here our the stats 8.06 miles in 2:30:29 for a 18:39 minute per mile with an average heart rate of 74 bpm with an elevation gain of 295 feet at an average cadence of 114 spm at 37 degrees. Looking forward to Lord willing another beautiful workout.

Up Up and Away

 This morning brought a challenge waiting for me when I woke up. I had to get my usual work in and at the same time get my final pieces for my trip to Dallas tonight and be ready for my ride to work. It was all kind of daunting, but thankfully it all worked out. Now I commit the rest of the day to the Lord. I did the Red Maple version of the Longwood Loop doing 8.52 miles in 2:18:03 for a 16:12 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 143 bpm with an elevation gain of 319 feet with an average cadence of 127 spm at 36 degrees. There was a brisk breeze blowing with a few flurries blowing in the air. I’m grateful for the work getting done this week! Have a blessed day!  Next, Lord willing, a few days in Dallas 

Good start ends in a crash

 My morning schedule was going well this morning. I got my workout and strength work in and was scheduled to arrive in plenty of time for work. I did the Longwood Loop doing 8.57 miles in 2:17:52 for a 16:05 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 129 bpm with an elevation gain of 260 feet at an average cadence of 128 spm at 25 degrees. 

On my way to work about a mile from exit 46 on Sunrise, I was rear-ended. My car needed to be towed. This incident started a chain of phone calls and communications that ended up with me at work on an easy day because of concert preparations. Lord willing, headed to Dallas tomorrow. God bless you!

All Things Considered…

  Today it went fairly well. I was a few late for work, but it just didn’t bother me. I was able to get my workout and strength work in, even though I got out a bit later. Tonight, Lord willing, I have Bible Study. I did the out and back and two loops doing 8.58 miles in 2:21:08 for a 16:26 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 140 bpm with an elevation gain of 249 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at 32 degrees. There seemed to be less traffic out on the roads thankfully. This was a day when I felt like pulling back— but I’m glad that I didn’t! Jesus is Lord!

Snow Day

 This morning was pleasant. I was able to start an hour later due to working remotely today since it is a snow day. I did the Medford/ Randall Loop. It was a light mix when I started out. The roads were mostly clear when I started out, but ended up being snow covered by the end of the workout. I loved not being rushed and not having to commute today. I did 8.88 miles at a slow 16:47 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 97 bpm with an elevation gain of 273 feet at a cadence of 124 spm at a temp of 33 degrees. I am able to get strength work in between zoom sessions. So far, it’s a good day! God bless you!

Anticipation

 This week brings with it something kind of rare— positive anticipation. Lord willing, we will fly to Dallas in the evening after school Friday followed by a quick trip to my parents on Thursday to Saturday. This morning I headed out on this post Super Bowl workout doing the Red Maple version of the Longwood Loop doing 8.46 miles in 2:19:03 foe a 16:26 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 128 bpm with an elevation gain of 259 feet at an average cadence of 125 spm at 33 degrees. The weekend was a combination of activity and rest. I went on a couple of walks with Violet and Ruby. It’s important to take advantage of opportunities while they exist, because time passes by so quickly. Chance of a snowstorm tomorrow. Hopefully it works out. Have a blessed day!

Pretty Skies

 I’ve noticed that the past few mornings the skies have been beautiful with bright colors shining through the clouds. Fridays are pleasant because I usually have a couple of restful mornings ahead. As much as I enjoy getting up early on weekdays, I also enjoy sleeping in on the weekends. Today I did the Medford version of the Longwood loop. I did the modern day version of a fast workout. I did 8.58 miles in 2:17:33 for a 16:01 minute per pace with an average heart rate of 107 bpm with an elevation gain of 276 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at 36 degrees. I am looking forward to vacation and heading to Texas and Maine— Lord willing. Have a blessed weekend!

It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad World

 My parents are enjoying their 60 th Anniversary today and my wife enjoys her 52nd birthday tomorrow. I’ve felt happier going into birthdays, but I guess I’ve failed to do an adequate job with this birthday.

    I woke up and despite knowing I was on the bad side of my significant other I had a decent workout and commute to work. I did 8.48 miles in 2:20:01 for a 16:30 minute per pace with an average heart rate of 80 bpm at a cadence of 125 spm with an elevation gain of 327 feet at 28 degrees. I can’t stand it when my wife is angry at me/( . Have a blessed day!

Crescent Moon 🌙

  The mornings the past few days have been welcoming. I have been just early enough and just fast enough not to be rushed on my workout or on my commute. I don’t have a lot of margin for error, but enough. In the mornings, whenever I head in a southerly direction I see the crescent moon 🌘. Long Island is not rural like Maine, but in the mornings Ridge has a quiet country feel to it. This morning I did the usual Longwood/Niewood, and Red Maple Loop doing 8.44 miles in 2:19:03 for a 16:28 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 122 bpm at a temp of around 23 degrees. I do not have all the stats now. Grateful to get the work in and looking forward to Bible Study tonight. 

 Strangely enough, when I woke up aI remember that today was hump day and it somehow helped!

Relatively Fast

 Today’s pace would be super slow a few years ago, but by today’s standards it is relatively speedy. I headed out a bit late, but thankfully made it home in decent time. I did all of my strength work and made it to school in decent time. I did 8.48 miles in 2:17:15 for a 16:10 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 126 bpm with an elevation gain of 263 feet with an average cadence of 127 spm at 28 degrees. Picking up Jon and Roger at the airport tonight.

It’s a Start

 Today everything went as planned, it just seemed to take extra effort. I was a bit tired. My stomach was a little off. I was on the slow side. I was emotionally a little off. I did the Red Maple Version of the Longwood Loop doing 8.44 in 2:19:47 for a 16:34 minute per pace with an average heart rate of 91 bpm with an elevation gain of 306 feet at an average cadence of 125 spm at 31 degrees. 

Today is my last night without Char and my last night of Bible reading. I’m a little weary and look forward to February vacation. Have a blessed day!

Another Drizzly Day

  I woke up alone for the second day. Even without Charlotte being here, my daily schedule pretty much goes as scheduled. I was a bit tired, but things went ok. Knowing that today was the last workout of the week definitely helped. I was slower today, but I got out a bit earlier. I made it to school in good season as well. I did the Red Maple version of the Longwood Loop doing 8.48 miles in 2:20:56 for a 16:36 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 17 feet and an average heart rate of 93 bpm with a cadence of 124 spm at 38 degrees. Tired today, looking forward to the weekend! Thank you Jesus!

Focus

 It seems as if I’ve gotten into a groove where I wake up and have to keep strictly to my schedule in order to meet my goals. The start of the day sets the tone and prepares me for the day. For the next 5 days my wife is staying at my in-laws to take care of her mother who has Alzheimer’s disease. I will probably spend a night or two on the weekend to help my wife. 

I noticed a little tightness in my right hip last night, so I have been avoiding movements that irritate it. It’s more or less something I have to be aware of and take care of it so that it doesn’t become an issue. I did the Red Maple version of the Longwood Loop doing 8.37 miles in 2:17:41 for a 16:26 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 87 bpm with an elevation gain of 320 feet at a cadence of 125 spm at 35 degrees. I feel a bit out of sync, but the Lord is guiding me. Have a blessed day!