The Burden and the Blessing

 Getting out the door at around 4 five days a week is definitely a challenge. The funny thing is that it is also the best part of my day. The sacrifice is not without reward and the reward is not without sacrifice. I’ll take it. The prayer and reflection that is accomplished at this time are very rewarding. I did 8.54 miles in 2:16:33 for a 15:59 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 94 bpm with an elevation gain of 221 feet at an average cadence of 129 spm at 32 degrees.  It’s been a blessed day and may God bless you!

Back at It

 Today it was a short trip into the usual routine. Thankfully I did alright. I was able to do a few small extra things since I was a bit ahead of schedule. I even made it to work on time. I did my usual modified loop doing 8.54 miles in 2:15:08 for a 15:49 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 218 feet at an average heart rate of 90 bpm and an average cadence of 129 spm at around 29 degrees. I lost my gloves at a pitstop. I will try to retrieve those on my morning walk on Sunday. Thankfully my wife is doing a bit better from her procedure yesterday.Kind of sleepy this morning thanks to my cold medicine for a cold for patients with high blood pressure. Have a blessed day friends!

Operation Operation

  Today I stayed home from school to take my wife to her medical procedure. This meant that last night I could be more relaxed. In order to get my workout in and make it to work on time requires a lot of preparation. I enjoyed my day , but I definitely felt sorry for my wife. The procedure was not pleasant and it took a lot out of her.

   I got up 15 minutes later and took extra time getting around. I did the Medford/Randall workout doing 8.89 miles in 2:25:33 for a 16:22 minute per mile pace with a 96 bpm pulse at an average cadence of 127 spm at an elevation gain of 225 feet at 31 degrees. I was able to mow the lawn, take the leaves, take my daughter home, and other small chores.Thank you Lord for a restful day!

Back to the Grindstone

 It doesn’t matter how many years that I have been teaching, but it is always an adjustment when coming back from a vacation. The pressure to perform and get to work on time definitely is demanding and requires some fortitude. I did my usual workout again this morning. I have been fighting off a respiratory issue, but besides being slow— I did alright. I did 8.56 miles in 2:22:37 for a 16:39 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 89 bpm with an elevation gain of 252 feet at an average cadence of 126 spm at 50 degrees. I made it to work on time so that’s a positive. I’m trying to be more calm and positive with the Lord’s help. Have a blessed Monday!

Recovery/Easy Yardwork/Reflection

 I did 3.45 miles on the Sunday recovery loop. I have been fighting a cold/respiratory issue. For the most part, for me, I have been handling it decently. I usually don’t do well with these things, but I am trying to be more positive and proactive. I did some mulching in my backyard along with some raking and blowing. I have tried to stay consistent on my strength work which has been the same workout that I have done since I hurt my shoulder in the spring. My shoulder has been okay, but definitely not what it was before I hurt it. I’m just thankful that I can workout and progress. I still feel out of place here in New York and at church. I try to do the good that the Lord puts in front of me. I know the Lord is not limiting by the circumstances. I just have to trust Him even though I don’t feel like anyone down here has much confidence in my abilities. I can’t even articulate properly how awkward I feel in these circumstances. But yet the Lord has met my needs and has blessed me with a great mate, family, and good health! Thank you Lord!

Thursday/Friday in Hope

 Maine will always be my home and this area is where I grew up. It’s the place I always visited when I was in distress or needed comfort. Through my divorce and depression— legal battles— the Camden area has been a place of physical and emotional protection. In my recent years I love coming here to get away from the bustle of Long Island. I did my new loop that I started this summer going to the end of the pastor’s road and back and then I do the Barnestown Loop up to the top of Howe Hill(the woodpile) and back to my parents. It was great not being rushed even though I have a very mild cold. Here are my stats: Thursday- 8.66 miles in 2:22:06 for a 16:25 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 83 bpm with an elevation gain of 532 feet at an average cadence of 126 spm at around 45 degrees. Friday: 8.66 miles in 2:22:54 for a 16:30 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 83 bpm at an elevation gain of 502 feet at an average cadence of 126 spm. Thankfully I can also do my an and strength work here at my parents. Today we went to Port Clyde and Boothbay Harbor with Ryleigh. We saw the star in Camden which sits atop Mt. Batty. Thank you Lord for these good days. I’m sitting here with my beautiful wife, Ryleigh and my mom and dad. God bless you all!

Slow and Steady into the Storm

 This was of those mornings when the pitter patter of the rain seemed to whisper stay in bed, but the blindness of faith got me out of bed and onto the road. It was raining steadily, but thankfully not too heavily although the wind was blowing incessantly. I don’t have all my stats as my workout shut down just 2 miles plus into my workout. Thankfully the Apple Watch keeps track of overall mileage, so I know that I did around 9.4 miles at a pedestrian 16:45 minute per mile pace somewhere around 2:35 minutes at 50 stormy degrees. I’m grateful for good health and am looking forward to the peaceful pace of Maine and Lord willing a couple of workouts. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!