First Official Workout 2022

 I woke up early. First day back to school after Christmas break and first day working out in 2022. I am grateful for health in the midst of this pandemic with so many close to me sick with Covid. I did the Longwood Loop doing 9.13 in 2:19:56 for a 15:19 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 118 bpm with an elevation gain of 313 feet with an average cadence of 130 spm at 33 cloudy very dark degrees. Have a blessed day!

Finale in Hope/Hello to Ridge- Goodbye to 2021

 Thursday- I woke up and was enjoying the peace of the quiet in bed. I quietly transitioned to my workout. I was afraid of a few slick spots, but the footing was fine. I did the Howe Hill Loop. I thoroughly enjoyed the peace and quiet of Maine even though the hills are challenging. I enjoyed the trickle of brooks and streams as I walked along the country streets of Hope and Camden. The time with my parents was precious as well. We must never take for granted the time with loved ones. I did 9.04 miles in 2:19:59 for a 15:29 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 90 bpm and an average cadence of 129 spm with an elevation gain of 701 feet at 30 cloudy degrees. 

Friday I did the Randall/Woodlot workout doing 9.18 miles in 2:22:23 for a 15:30 minute per mile pace with a 164 bpm average heart rate with an elevation gain of 212 feet with a cadence of 127 spm at 45 drizzly degrees in Ridge. I enjoy and have peace about being in New York— I just don’t feel like it is home even with my love Charlotte being here. I think 2022 could be the beginning of change. Thank you Lord that you are always with me.

Farewell For Now Eastport

 It was a beautiful downeast early winter morning! The bed felt so comfortable, but the good feeling after a workout can only come by doing a workout. I read my Bible, prayed, and then started my day. I did mostly the same workout as yesterday, but I did a loop around custom street and finished on the tracks and then up to The Motel East. The wind was strong out of the north, but the horizon was clear and bright. I came across a good number of deer and a man walking his dog on the end of the Deep Cove Road. Here are the stats, 9.63 miles in 2:27:02 for a 15:16 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 88 bpm with an elevation gain of 664 feet with an average cadence of 129 spm at 25 degrees. Life seemed perfect and still for today. Thank you Lord for this place that still feels like home.

Monday(Hope), Tuesday(Eastport)

 I started the weekend with a Covid test which was negative. On Sunday I headed to my parents in Hope. I made it there after a pitstop in Gardiner to exchange Christmas gifts. On Monday I did the Howe Hill loop. I had a surprisingly good workout. I did 9.07 miles in 2:18:35 for a 15:16 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 112 bpm with an elevation gain of 732 feet with an average cadence of 129 spm at 24 degrees on a beautiful Maine morning. This morning(Tuesday) I did 9.42 miles in 2:23:38 for a 15:14 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 98 bpm with an elevation gain of 522 feet with a cadence of 129 spm at 25 degrees on a cloudy downeast morning. I was so pleased to see my son-in-law Antonio at his work site. He’s such a hard worker with incredible ambition. God bless him!

Snowy Conclusion

 I woke up worrying a bit about my fighting off a cold. I lingered in bed, finally deciding to venture onto the roads. Even though my pace was moderate I realized that I was fine. I am glad that I have not needed to press the pace. The roads were covered with a coat of snow. The snow seems as if a Christmas gift. I decided on doing the figure 8 loop, but changed it doing the Randall road rather than traversing to the Woodlot loop. The distance is almost identical. I did 9.26 miles in 2:25:23 for a 15:42 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 127 bpm with an elevation gain of 197 feet with a cadence of 130 spm at 31 degrees. Thank you Lord for your blessings.

Day 1 of Vacation

 Today was a bit odd. I just feel a bit off. There is a lot of expectations and a lot of unknowns. I pray that I remain healthy and I make it to Maine. I headed out later and headed to the Ridge Loop. I did 9.41 miles in 2:18:28 for a 14:43 minute per mile pace with an 88 bpm average heart rate with an elevation gain of 237 feet with a cadence of 131 bpm at 31 degrees. I’m looking to you Lord.

Shortest Day/Last Day

 Today is simultaneously the shortest day of the school year and my last day of school for 2021. I did 9.07 miles in 2:25:08 for a 14:53 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 130 bpm with an elevation gain of 243 feet with an average cadence of 133 spm at 44 drizzly degrees. This year just feels different, but I am thankful for good health . Thank you Lord for your many blessings!