Not to Work

 One of the blessings of living here on Long Island is the ability to not have to earn an extra paycheck in the two months of summer. For me, the grind of the commute the other 10 months is a killer for me. It means that I have time for work and that’s about it. In the summer I can do little projects around the house, visit my parents and daughters, work at camp, and be a listening ear for others(but mainly my daughters and family). My wife works her normal busy work schedule. I see both of our roles as essential. I am also able to do the day to day tasks around the house that my wife and I usually do after work. Of course this summer I am doing my physical therapy and rehab. I think that somehow my wife looks down on me because I don’t have an official job, but perhaps it’s me be over sensitive. My wife is a fair woman. I see it that my family needs me not to be distracted for a couple of months. I look to the Lord. Striving for unity in purpose is always a work. Lord help us in this endeavor!

After

 I am not doing any sort of walking training right now that I am rehabbing my right knee after my Wednesday’s right knee replacement. The surgery itself happened without me hardly noticing. I left around 7 hours after entering the hospital. It was a bang, bang operation. Registration, admittance, bathe, change into my hospital gown, vitals, anesthesiologist, anesthesia, coming too, walking, up and down stairs, leave hospital, and my trip home. I have been able to move around fairly well from the beginning. My range of motion has improved in my right knee thankfully. Recently, I have graduated from the walker to the cane. Thankfully I have also been able to do some band resistance strength training. The Lord gives me ideas. I will share more later. Have a blessed day friends!

Just Hanging On

  Today has a different feeling about it. There is a good chance that this will be my last time doing my conventional workouts and daily routines for awhile. Today is also the day that I find out if I am medically cleared and the I find out the time of my surgery tomorrow. I have tried to both prepare and to try to get ready for this surgery and then the recovery. This morning the weather was perfect. Dry, sunny, and comfortable. I did 8.30 miles in 2:39:10 for a 19:10 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 117 bpm with an elevation gain of 219 feet at an average cadence of 114 spm at an average power of 109w at an all out effort of 9 at a comfortable 64 degrees. I was able to get my strength work and breakfast in. Hoping to take Ericka to Suffolk farms today. Here is to uncertainty, but I feel like my leg really needs this operation. Have a blessed day friends!

Monday on The Greenway: PJ to Setauket

  I had my blood draw at 9. I decided not to workout before the draw since it could elevate my creatinine levels which were too high and could prevent my medical clearance. So I got my blood drawn, got a protein bar, hiked, got a flat white, and finished hiking. On the way back I had a number of interruptions that slowed my pace considerably. I did 8.17 miles in 2:39:03 for a 19:28 minute per mile pace at an average cadence of 111 spm at an average power of 112w with an average heart rate of 73 bpm with an elevation gain of 510 feet at a moderate effort of 4 at 75 degrees. The shade of the route made it bearable. I don’t seem to be doing well with the heat this year. I am feeling a bit out of sorts. I do feel prepared however. Thank you Lord for your provision.

Friday in Ridge

 I knew that we had a couple of workmen coming to do some work so I chose to save the 30 to 40 minutes of travel time to the trail. I got out and back in good season. I was even able to see my wife off to work. I then grabbed a bowl of cereal and headed outside to mow the lawn. I did a couple other small chores mixed in there. Now my leg is sore. I found out that I’m not medically cleared yet for my surgery. I have to get another blood test on Monday with a normal result. Here are the stats for the Randall loop with an out and back to Middle Country: 8.57 miles in 18:26 miles in 2:38:01 at a cadence of 115 spm at an average power of 111w at an easy effort of 3 at 73 degrees. The air was more clear and not so humid. So today was not as burdensome. I plan on taking this weekend off from walking. We have company over tonight. Have a good weekend!

Earlier Start

 I was able to get out at my usual time, but I attempted a bit of a change. The air was heavy and still when I headed out. I dreaded being miles away from the starting point should the humidity cause me to stop things short. My goal was to head 2 miles west, and then to head back and go two miles from the starting point in an easterly direction and then to go a bit extra past before returning. It didn’t take long before a little breeze kicked in. The clouds hid the sun which with the breeze made today’s walk more tolerable. I did 8.27 miles in 2:35:52 for an 18:50 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 69 bpm at an average cadence of 115 spm at an average power of 109w at an average effort of 3 at 75 degrees and 92 percent humidity. I definitely had a bit more energy today. I have a few little projects ahead. Have a blessed day friend!

I’m Weak in the Heat

  I headed out later than usual due to the people putting in our heat(and air conditioning)pump at 6 am. My wife came out a bit later so that I could go for my walk. The conditions today were miserable. The stats cannot explain how depleted I was of energy. I did 8.40 miles in 2:37:19 for an 18:42 minute per mile pace at an average heart rate of 71 bpm at an cadence of 115 spm at an average power of 110w at an easy effort of 3 at 74 degrees and 95 percent humidity. By the end of the workout it was closer to 80. Now we have a full house and I’m just laying low avoiding the heat. Have a blessed day! One week before the surgery, Lord willing!

Headed to East Setauket

  I did a repeat of Saturday’s walk. The walk was mostly quiet. I just wanted to change up the routine. The hills on the route also make it easier to reach my move goal. I did 8.12 miles in 2:35:42 for a 19:10 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 72 bpm with an elevation gain of 521 feet with an average cadence of 113 spm at an average power of 115w at a moderate effort of 6 at a humid 72 degrees. I’m blessed to do things at my pace right now. Thank you Lord, you always supply what I need.

Monday: Counting Down

 Mondays just seem to naturally lend themselves to being behind schedule. I started by leaving my keys and wallet in the car, forcing me to return to my car. This was my head west day. My pace was slower and I seemed to have a number of minor interruptions. I did 8.58 miles in 2:45:11 for a 19:15 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 80 bpm at an average cadence of 112 spm at an average power of 107w at a hard effort of 8 at 71 degrees. I’ll try to maintain as much normalcy until my knee surgery. Have a blessed day!

Saturday: Port Jefferson/East Setauket

 My plan, Lord willing, was to do the Greenway trail headed west from Port Jefferson. I was out of bed to get tea for Charlotte, and then I kind of just kept going. I had a nice walk my first time with my replacement watch. It seemed good to have my watch back after being without it on my Tuesday to Friday workouts before picking it up Friday night. Here are the stats, 8.10 miles in 2:28:01 for an 18:16 minute per mile pace at an average cadence of 116 spm at an average heart rate of 72 bpm at an average power of 120w at an easy effort of 3 at 73 degrees with an elevation gain of 521 feet. I consider myself truly blessed in many ways! Thank you Jesus! Excited for next week!

Thursday-Friday

 Thursday: I headed west again on the Rocky Point Greenway Trail. Again I am using my phone with the MapMy Run app. I was a bit slower doing 8.41miles in 2:41:09 for 19:10 minutes per mile pace at a 114 spm cadence with an elevation gain of 161 feet at a mostly cloudy more comfortable temperature. It’s a little weird working out knowing that I won’t be able to work out for an indefinite amount of time, but knowing that Lord willing I will eventually come out of this thing ahead of schedule. Through my medical appointments I also found out that I am borderline diabetic. So I need to make some dietary changes. Most likely, when I go back to my doctor, I will be put on some glp-1 medication to help regulate my blood sugar. Have a blessed day.

A Little More Comfortable

  We have been having some typical hot and humid weather here on Long Island. I don’t necessarily like the summers here, but I like that I don’t have school and the daily traffic grind. Day 2 of being without my iPhone watch, so my stats are from MapMyWalk. I did 8.22 miles in 2:34:34 for an 18:47 minute per mile pace with an average cadence of 116 spm with an elevation gain of 172 feet. It was a bit more overcast this morning. Rebekah dropped another delicious coffee off on her way home. Grateful that I don’t have to be a world beater right now. God bless! Miss Maine!

Friday-Tuesday, Camp,Camden-Hope-Ridge-Rocky Point

 Friday- Camp GN: : 4.15 miles in 1:14:39 for a 17:58 minute per mile pace.

                                   2.03 miles 

Saturday-Camden, night: 3.11 miles 

Sunday- Hope: 6.34 miles 

Monday: Ridge: 7.01 miles in 1:56:14 for a16:34 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 293 feet with an average heart rate of 128 bpm at an average cadence of 121 spm at an average power of 134w at an all out effort of 9 at 72 muggy degrees.

Tuesday: Rocky Point: 8.41 miles in 2:38:28 for an 18:49 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 161 feet at an average cadence of 114 spm . Using map my walk since my iPhone watch is having a new battery installed.

I am not dealing well with this heat, but I am getting stuff done thank the Lord. Even when I’m out of sync He is in control.

Camp Good News-

 Sunday- 5:07 miles. In 1:38:20

Monday- 3.00 and 2.01 miles 

Tuesday- 3.00 and 2.02 miles

Wednesday- 3.14 miles and 2.02 miles 

Thursday- 4.16 miles and 2.04 miles

I am just trying to finish my rings while still serving the Lord here at Camp Good new. I have also done 2 sets of 30 reps of pushups and one set of 15 reps of presses. Thank you Lord!