Freezing Cold Like Maine

  I went into the day with mixed thoughts. I was wishing that I had the wherewithal to go to the hotel with Charlotte and the family, but I just didn’t have it in me. The new day however, brought new strength. I went into the 7 degree temperature glad to have the strength to walk the streets of Ridge. Although my heart is in Maine, I am in a place where the Lord has provided me with the things that I need and more. I did the Randall Route with 1 x Ryan, and 2 x Whiskey to Kastal for 7.04 miles , the fabulous 40, 2 x GP curls/presses, 1 x core trainer presses/ rows , and 1 x core trainer presses.  The day ended fine. Thank you Lord!

Randall

 I switched things up for today and it worked out just fine. I went 

To my standard Friday workout of Randall Road. I needed a change of pace and the roads were fine. I did 6.37 miles, the fabulous 40, and I did 3 x GP bench presses. I’m tired now. My wife is taking Ericka and the girls and Amber and the kids to a nearby hotel with a pool. Kind of not sure what I will do. Have a blessed day!

Status Quo

  I went into my morning thinking that I may try to do a different route, but I thought the better of it and stayed with my trusty two looper. On colder mornings there is so much prep involved, that extra time is needed. So many layers and accessories. The only change was that I changed the direction of my loop on the second lap. I noticed that the roads are clearer and that it’s slightly lighter at the end of my walk. I did 6.38 miles, the fab 40, and 3 x GP curls/presses. It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is Friday. Have a blessed day!

Better Roads

  This morning I woke up before my alarm went off. The early start was needed to make up for the lagging behind that I did in other areas. When I went out, I found that Raynor Road was  at least half tar exposed. I had a good time of prayer although I felt tired . I did the 2 x Ridge/Kastal/Raynor for 6.39 miles, the fabulous 40, and 3 x GP bench presses. I have had a good morning of teaching. Happy to be chasing my wife around. Have a blessed day!

A Walk and a Talk

   I was able to head out later than usual thanks to a 9:00 am blood draw. I took half a sick day to accommodate my appointment.. I will head in just before 11. I have a dental appointment at 6 for a filling. I chose to do the 2 x Ridge/Kastal/Raynor because of the better footing after a snowstorm. I may keep with this route for the week. I talked with Dave Schreck on my final lap. It’s get have a fellow brother in the Lord on the street. I did 6.35 miles and 3 x GP curls/presses. I am now some laundry and a little TV with some leg work. I had a McDonald’s breakfast after my blood draw. It was the perfect treat. Have a blessed day friends.

The Workout before the Storm

  I wasn’t planning on getting up early to workout, but I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep. I was still kind of bothered and stirred by the happenings last night on what should have been a happy occasion. The truth is that there is a lot going on in this country and sometimes it hits home—- in this time from both directions. There are also some bothering things going on in our family. Last night, helped by our own character flaws it all came together. The result was, that everyone departed sad and upset and in some cases crying. The silent festering aftermath seems to be lingering today. By God’s grace we will get through and learn and get better. This morning, I was afraid to go out and awake my wife. But, I just couldn’t go back to sleep and I am pretty sure that tomorrow it will be difficult to work out, so my off day will be tomorrow. Today, I did the Randall Loop with 2 x Ryan Avenue for 6.87 miles. It was cold and clear for the first 3 miles and then I felt something hit my face. When a car crossed going in the other direction I could see a light snow falling. It was then that I was thankful that I went out for the workout. I listened some to the news, I listened to my devotional Bible reading, and I listened to Bible teaching. When I went home, I did 2 sets of Core trainer presses and rows. On the second set something happened with the bar and J dropped it with it glancing my surgically replaced knee. Fortunately, my fake knee is tougher than I expected and I feel no worse for the wear. Right now I’m not sure if I will finish with a set of weights or the Gym Proloux curls/presses. Either way, have a blessed Sunday!

Cold Saturday Morning

 The weekly routine is off with a major storm headed this way hitting a major part of this country along the way. We went to a friend’s house last night with other couples also visiting. It was a good time of fellowship and a slightly later bedtime than usual. Charlotte left early to tape tomorrow’s church service. Me, I headed down the road for my old version of the Longwood Loop doing 8.44 miles and 3 x GP bench presses. I had a blood draw this morning, but despite drinking like crazy I didn’t give any blood. Back again on Tuesday. My daughter Ericka and my three granddaughters are coming along with my stepson and his family. Snowstorm and AFC Championship tomorrow. Have a blessed day.

Bright and Early on a Friday

  I set my alarm two minutes earlier on a Friday. I try to be a bit ahead of schedule if I can. What usually happens is that the earlier time is wiped out by the fatigue factor. My doctor told me not to lift weights for 48 hours because of my broken blood vessel  in my left eye. I did use my resistance band however for curls/presses. I did 6.60 miles , the fabulous 40, and 3 x GP curls and presses. We are expected to have a snow day for church and for school, so there is a lot of scurrying around in anticipation and preparation for the storm. This is a winter that might be more like winters in the past. Have a blessed weekend!

Good Workouts

 I have been trying to change little things about my daily routine in the morning. I did the Longwood Loop again doing 6.31 miles, the fabulous 40, and 3 x GP bench presses. I suffered a broken blood vessel in my left eye. It doesn’t hurt, it just draws comments from my students. Too tired to write more! Good Night!

Real Winter

  This year we are having a true winter with snow and cold weather. This morning I did 2 x Woodlot with 4 x Woodlot hill for 6.34 miles , the fabulous 40 , and 3 x GP bench presses. The streets were dry and clear after the weekend snow. I did extra praying this morning. The Lord brought to mind different people and different situations. Thank you Lord for the beauty and privilege of prayer to You!

MLK Walk

 I kinda woke up, but I was feeling very comfortable just staying in bed and enjoying the latitude of a day off from school. I waited until I heard the plow go by to consider going out. I thought of the Bible verse that says “Rise up oh sleeper” and that’s what I did. I did the Randall Loop but did 3 x Whiskey to Kastal instead of 3 x Ryan Avenue because it appeared icy for 7.04 miles, the fab 40, 1 x core trainer press/bent row, 3 x GP curls/presses. I did my leg work and did a 1.85 mile hike with my granddaughter Ruby. I was able to run some errands also. Thank you Lord for your provision!

Snowy Sunday

  This year has been a year of a true winter, or at least more like you expect out of winter. Originally, I wanted to attempt an 8 miler. I changed my thinking when I heard the forecast of black ice and snowfall. Instead I did the Longwood Loop without going on Niewood and finishing past Dunkin Donuts. I even ordered a protein Matcha which I picked up for the final half mile.  I did 6.46 miles, the fab 40, 1 set of Bulgarian one leg dead lifts, 1 weighted bench press, and 3 x GP bench presses. I was able to shovel out the driveway and put salt down. Sometimes a good thing just walks our way. Listening to Bible radio. Church canceled, now just sitting back for now. God bless you!

Good & Early

  I set my alarm literally 2 minutes early, to give myself a tiny buffer of time in the morning. My goal was to do the Randall Loop plus 1 x Ryan Avenue. I was able to get around decently on this Friday morning. I did 6.60 miles with, the fabulous 40, I did 1 x weighted bench presses, and 2 x BP bench presses. I was alert then, but am groggy now. The air was crisp and clear. Hope that you have a blessed day!

Two Loops and 4 trips up Woodlot Hill

 I was tired and a bit slower this morning, but I was thankful for quiet roads in the early morning. I know that the Lord uses even the mundane, when we leave room for Him in our endeavors. I am in a quiet transition where I am no longer in physical therapy.  So now I need to to keep up the leg work without relying on my PT sessions. I did 6.35 miles, the fabulous 40, and 2 x curls/presses with maximum reps. I try to work within my time frame and not to force the issue when I am too or behind schedule. I had a nice talk with my brother, telling him that I hoped to visit Finland. This is where my great grandfather came from. Have a blessed day!

Another Day on Longwood

  I have decided to do the Longwood Loop again today. Fortunately, things mostly went smoothly and I got out in good season. I did 6.32 miles, the fabulous 40 , and 3 x GP curls/presses. I had planned to blog more, but I was joined by a number of curious kindergarten students.

Earlier Start

  I set my alarm accidentally 5 minutes earlier than I thought. The good news with that is that I was less rushed today on a Monday. I had checked and knew that the Patriots won their playoff game. As insignificant as that may be, it made my spirits lighter. I decided to shake things up and do the Longwood Loop on a Monday. I did 6.32 miles, the fabulous 40, and 3 x GP bench presses. I feel a little sluggish today. Have a very blessed day friend!

Randall on a Sunday

  When I teach Sunday School I definitely feel a bit more pressure in the morning. I do enjoy my Sunday walks. It’s nice to have some daylight on my walks. Where the skies were overcast, there was little action on the streets. I was a little later than I wanted, but I still managed to get my workout in. I did 6.32 miles, the fabulous 40, and 3 x GP curls/presses with maybe 1 or 2 sets of core trainers presses and rows. Have a blessed day friends!

Just Do It

  Sometimes with my workouts I just do what I want instead of waiting for things to fall in place. Usually I am pragmatic and take the opportunities that present themselves. I really wanted to do the Randall loop and 2 super sets of core trainer presses and rows and I managed to get the work in. I also did o e super set of GP curls/presses, and the fabulous 40. I managed 6.35 miles along the dark quiet streets of Ridge. I am grateful for the time to pray and listen to Christian radio as I trudged along. There is a different flow to my life this year, but it is a good flow which usually ends with bedtime around 9– oh, how I love early bedtime and mornings!

Positivity

  Sometimes you wake up and just have a positive feeling about things. This was one of those mornings. The morning routine went fairly smoothly. Regardless of how smoothly things have gone, I have not managed to get that far ahead of my usual schedule. I did the figure 8 plus 1 x Ryan Avenue for 6.48 miles, the fabulous 40, and 3 x GP bench presses. I had a nice talk with my brother this morning. Usually it’s just catching up and we talk about “stuff” but it always makes you feel good. Many times it seems as if things aren’t really happening, but there is that sense of joy and that the Lord is doing something in your life. Gratitude is also a wonderful gift to have!

Longwood

 I decided to do my standard Niewood, Longwood,

Dunkin Donuts loop for 6.33 miles, the fabulous 40, and 3 x GP presses and curls. I am starting early, but staying basically on regular schedule despite it. Have a blessed day friends!

It Worked Out

  Today I started out well, but I had to take a number of pit stops which slowed me down. I did the figure 8 plus 1 x Ryan Avenue for 6.5 miles, the fabulous 40, and 3 sets of GP bench presses. Even with the it stops I still made it to work just fine. It’s tiring and a discipline to get out early, but it is always a blessing to get out early and enjoy the streets in the quiet of the morning. God bless you my friend!

First Workout in Ridge

  I woke up on time mostly excited about the normal routine once again. It is good to have a break from the usual routine, but the usual is really my preferred method. I did 2 x Woodlot with 2 extra trips up Woodlot hill for 6.32 miles, the fabulous 40, and 3 x GP curls and presses. The roads were in good shape and the streets were quiet. The deer also were out and on the move. I have PT right after school so that I need to drive directly to Rocky Point. I am looking forward to see how the Lord leads this year.

Eastport/Hope

 Eastport:Friday: I headed out the morning after the storm at around 6 am to allow for enough lighting to see the potentially slippery streets. I did a basic north end , dump road, south end and downtown loop for 7.06 miles, and then 3 x GP bench presses at the Todd house. Being in Eastport on the winter streets seems so natural. I followed up with a quick trip to Kim’s and then went to Katie’s and my parents.

Hope-Saturday: I planned on sleeping in but I couldn’t sleep, so I headed out on the basic 3 mile but headed up and down Appleton Hill an out the pastor’s road, to the pigeon house on Howe Hill, and up the hill ast my parent’s house and back for 6.22 miles. I then did 3 x GP curls/presses .  I’m so glad that I made this workout. 4 workouts in Maine is a true blessing.

Dec. 31 / Jan. 1 in Eastport

  On the last day of 25 I did the Adams Street, In-Town Loop, and the Dump Road out and back with a couple side hills added in for 7.57 miles in clear and cold weather, with 3 x GP bench presses.

Thursday Jan 1 I went out into a snow storm and just walked around including, the dump road and Lincoln Street for 7.08 miles, and 3 x GP curls/presses. The extra day has meant extra time with my daughter Kim and her beautiful family. I am looking forward to heading out of here tomorrow although I will really miss Kim and her family. I am either around my family or I am alone in my room at the Todd house. I am missing my wife Charlotte and her companionship. With the snow falling all day I am limits where I can go. Gtg. Have a blessed evening!