Slightly Better

I got to bed a little earlier and was up earlier. I decided on doing the Scenic Hills, Longwood, Medford Loop doing the workout while cutting back on my intensity so as not to aggravate the right hamstring. I felt fairly positive as I did the workout. Here are the stats—9.45 miles in 2:12:32 for a 14:01 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 326 feet and an average heartrate of 117 bpm at a temperature of 74 degrees and 100% humidity. It was cloudy out as if it would rain, but it never did thankfully. Have a blessed day!

Soaked Through

I decided to do the Greenway trail plus some extra. I wanted to get a workout while at the same time taking pressure off from my hamstring. So I walked the trail as opposed to power walking. I think the hamstring issue goes way back to my anniversary day when I did my workout and then went on a long walk of 8 miles in the blazing sun on the beach. I think that started the hamstring issue which from time to time pops up. I like the solitude of this workout which is all off road but crosses several roads. I did an extra 1.5 miles going up Possum road.  I did 9.36 miles in 2:31:46 for a 16:11 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 565 feet with an average pulse of 102 bpm at a temp of 74 degrees and 99 percent humidity. I saw quite a few people out and about. I brought my alkaline water in one bottle and cold brew coffee in the other bottle. I saw a mother deer with a couple of fawns at the beginning of the loop. There were many deer including a couple of young bucks with velvet spikes. This was a good change of pace availability thanks to summer vacation. May God Bless you!

Feeling Beat in the Heat

I woke up and reluctantly headed out the door after reading my Bible. Here are the stats combined from two different readings thanks to a technology misfiring. I did 9.37 miles in 2:11:27 for a 14 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 148 feet with an average heartrate of 116 bpm at a very humid 78 degrees at 94 percent humidity. My water bottles filled with alkaline water is what is saving me. My right hamstring twinged slightly after putting in a sub 13 minute walking mile. I did the Ridge Loop. I saw a lady walking at a good clip heading out in the middle part of Ridge Road. I saw in passing after the turnaround. When I head back to school I will see noone out on the roads— only seldomly. There is a part of me that really likes the early morning workouts when it feels like I own the streets. Right now I am enjoying the sleep and not being rushed. Thank you Lord for your many blessings. Have a good day!

Change

First of all I did an active recovery workout yesterday on the Greenway Trail doing 7.51 miles in 2:00:57 for a 16:05 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 492 feet with an average pulse of 107 bpm at a temperature of 76 degrees at 84 percent humidity. I enjoyed a donut and trente size ice coffee at Starbucks at the midway point. I place my order on my phone and then pick it up in East Setauket and then turnaround and continue on my way down the trail with my treat. I then showered and picked up my daughters and granddaughters for church.
  Today I did my combination route starting out as if to do the figure 8 extra plus and finishing on the Randall Road loop doing 9.15 in 2:05:49 for a 13:44 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 160 feet with an average heartrate of 117 bpm at a temperature of 73 degrees and 99 percent humidity.  I did this route because I was feeling like I needed a change. Off to mow in this humidity. May God richly bless you! 

Reality

The hope of yesterday thankfully was carried over to today. Once again the conflict between being a spouse and being a parent are evident. Anyway— the humidity was once again rearing it’s ugly head. It’s no fun at all to be outside. The only redeeming quality is that there has been a nice breeze at times. Today I did the flat Ridge Road loop doing 9.61 miles in 2:11:18 for a 13:39 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 145 feet and an average heartrate of 119 bpm at a temperature of 76 degrees and 100 % humidity. I saw several walkers and a runner out on Ridge Road. I love this loop with it’s surroundings of trees and a big meadow. Not a bad week! God Bless you!

Contentment

Yesterday, I took a look back at some of my old blog posts— to reminisce and reevaluate. There was a stretch of about a year where I mentioned that I was tired about every day. I noticed that I get especially happy when training in Eastport. My parents house is the place of refuge where I can always go to feel grounded and supported. Here in Ridge is my normal for now. Ridge is so familiar with it’s variety of loops and workout routes. I often don’t have time to be reflective since strangely enough Maine is the place where my mind still seems to live. I get more reflective there in Maine. I’m learning to seek to enjoy where you are at the moment. To seek the beauty in whatever place you are at the time. Most importantly, I found that being positive and purposeful are keys to being joyful. God is always working in our lives to those who serve Jesus. Waiting for His answers can be difficult. Being faithful in prayer can be difficult, but the rewards are enormous.
 Now for the workout:) I did the Longwood Loop again doing 9.35 miles in 2:10:51 for a 13:59 minute per mile pace with an elevation gain of 301 feet and an average heartrate of 118 bpm at 77 degrees and 95 percent humidity. I was soaked today through and through with the intense humidity. I made it a point to just enjoy the workout. I allowed myself to be satisfied that I am power walking and not runner. The best thing with power walking is that my body can tolerate the workout without feeling beaten down. I mean the soreness and fatigue are there, but it is manageable. I’m grateful for today! God Bless!

Cloudy and Humid— First Day of August

I woke up after a good night’s sleep. I woke up around 5:15 and started on my cup of coffee. I then read my devotions before getting out of bed. I looked outside and noticed it had rained the night before. I then checked the forecast and was pleased that the rain was only supposed to be spotty. I went out the door and headed out the Longwood loop doing 9.35 miles in 2:07:51 for a 13:40 minutes per mile pace with an elevation gain of 333 feet with an average heartrate of 119 bpm at a temperature of 73 degrees with humidity at 100%. I was soaked through on arrival home due to the extreme humidity . It’s been a good start so far. Thank you Lotd for being a good Father!