Calm

 The start of every week is a mix of excitement and dread. This weekend was overall a good weekend to recharge. Sunday I stayed with my mother in law during the morning as she wasn’t feeling well and needed attending as she has Alzheimer’s. The fact that I have changed my morning routine slightly causes the OCD part of my personality doubt and anxiousness, while the logical side of me is glad to see improvement and less stress in my morning routine. I did the 7 x Raynor Hill workout doing 6.49 in 1:41:22 for a 15:36 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 92 bpm with an elevation gain of 300 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at 43 degrees. It was a good start to the week. Look forward to the Lord moving!

Saturday Walk on the Beach

 My wife and I made a weekend trip out to Orient Point State Park. We went there after having lunch in Jamesport. We really didn’t have a plan, but just started walking on the beach. I was enjoying the race and quiet and time with my wife and the wind in my face. There aren’t many places on Long Island where you can get away from it all( or at least feel that way). So we kept going and I was feeling good striding down the beach. Char and I ended up at the point across from the lighthouse. Here are the stats— 5.44 miles in 1:50:26 for a 20:17 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 76 bpm at an elevation gain of 15 feet at 49 sunny degrees. Sometimes the best walks are the unplanned ones and doing it with Char was an extra blessing.

Reserve

  I learned a lot about training from a man named Robert Hillgrove back when I trained with him in high school. He was a middle aged man with a son around my age who was training to get back in shape. Me, I was training to win the State Class C championship in either the 800 m or the 1600 meter race. One thing he always said, was to stay “on top” of your workouts and training. That is to never let yourself get so worn out that the workout was dictating to you. What had been happening to me is that I was training so close to the edge, that I had little to no energy reserve remaining. Thankfully I desperation I changed up my training as I have been talking about. I am noticing that I am a bit more optimistic and looking forward to things. When you have an energy reserve you make better less rushed decisions, including food choices. My weight has gone down despite the lower mileage. Thank you Lord. Here are my results: 7 x Raynor: 6.46 miles in 1:41:51 for a 15:46 minute per mile pace at an average heart rate of 87 bpm with an elevation gain of 335 feet at an average cadence of 128 spm at 51 light rainy degrees. I hope to start my weights next week if my back feels better. My wife and I may head to Montauk tomorrow. Have a blessed day.

Blessings and Challenges of Change

  A couple of weeks ago I was a bit anxious as I knew the house would be all disorganized due to the renovations going on in our house. This of course would disrupt this very OCD person’s routines which help me to deal with life. I was already just making it, as my energy was dwaining under this current routine. How would I make it to work on time while keeping my routines. The answer was changing to intervals. This more intense workout is allowing me some buffer time in the morning. Fortunately, my weight is dropping also. Thank you Lord. Sometimes when you have to change, the Lord is actually directing it to help you. 

Here are todays stats: 6.39 miles in 1:42:18 for a 16:00 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 131 bpm with an elevation gain of 270 feet with an average cadence of 128 spm at 38 degrees. I was able to do a couple of sets of preacher curls as my back is slowly improving. Long day today with parent/teacher conferences until 8. God bless!

The Stars

 When I head out it is very dark and the main outside is the starts. I did my 7 x Raynor hill again with warmup and cooldown doing 6.41 miles in 1:39:10 for a 15:28 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 107 bpm with an elevation gain of 303 feet at an average cadence of 130 spm at 37 degrees. Supper tonight at my in-laws. Have a blessed day!

A Bit Faster

 This morning I got out a couple minutes early and was a bit faster. The result was that I got a head start on the day. I did the 7x hill repeats workout again, and hope to stay with it as my regular workout. Even with the change, which makes for a less rushed morning, I still find that the day is a grind. I’m here for longer, and I feel it. Here are my stats- I did 6.40 miles in 1:43:21 for a 16:08 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 99 bpm with an elevation gain of 294 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at 39 degrees. I’m grateful for the blessings to train and work. Have a blessed day!

Change

  I definitely have been feeling the stress of work more with the renovations taking place in our kitchen and dining room. It’s just such a grind. The pressure to make the 57 mile one way commute every day is over 100 miles combined with the time clock and no parking space available. Even when you arrive early, it’s just a longer day at an already long school day. My adjustment has been to do hill repeats. This shortens the workout, but increases the intensity. I’ve noticed that I have a bit more energy and the stress on my body is lessened. My strength work has changed since I hurt my rotator cuff. What started out as a rehab workout, has become my mainstay along with some supplemental work. Right now, I am also dealing with lower back tightness. Here are my stats on the warm-up down Apple Court and cooldown including 7x Raynor hill. 6.28 miles in 1:43:41 for a 16:31 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 87 bpm with an elevation gain of 383 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at 33 cloudy degrees. On another note, I like my new Kia K5 rental car. Love the wireless CarPlay. Thank you Lord for helping me through the injuries. God bless my friends!