I'll be good to you. You'll be good to me.

“That corner of the world smiles at me
beyond all others.” - Horace

Sorely (heh) tempted to run every day, fighting the temptation to do so. The running feels great. Walking about the rest of the time, not so much.

Lovely times, lazing about the cove. Reading, talking, drinking snacking, washing dishes. Avoiding work emails. I have received more than the usual number of communications, other years I would fret about responding to them. I just can't. Family is more important. 

Distance: 3.5 miles
Duration: 32:50
Pace: 9:22

Why does my ankle hurt after rest? Why does it not hurt when I am running? I need to remember to ice and take pain reliever -- I think of doing this, but then fail to do it.

Route: Martin Point Run
Temperature: 74°
Climate: sunny & warm
Mood: very good
Stretches: yes
Water: no

Planks: yes

Pushups: yes

The elder, their partner, have gone, also, too, my brother and his family. But we're not going anywhere! We have another week in paradise.

BorderLight | Fringe Unleashed Playlist 

The Giver - Duke Dumont

Good to You - Claptone

Kackvogel - Solomun

Kuar (Henrik Schwarz Remix) - Emmanuel Jal

Liquid Spirit (Claptone Remix) - Gregory Porter 

Happy birthday ... to me!

You better keep moving (or you'll be left behind).

My ankle feels sprained, now, every morning, every day. I passed on a hike up Mount Megundicook with my brother and his family yesterday. I just didn't think it would go well. And yet, I run.

This is such a joyful time, with both the kids and their partners on site. We have been just relaxing in the cove and even doing a little shopping. I was never big on going to places like L. L. Bean but the boy likes to stock up on fishing supplies so I took that as an opportunity to get a new pair of slippers. They are nice. 

First (Boy) Walk/Run

Distance: 1.67 miles 
Duration: 17:23
Pace: 10:25

It is a cool week on the cove -- but not too cool. First forecasts suggested rain all week, that has not been the case, not at all, in fact. But sixty and seventy degree temps have been the order, and we are loving it.

Today, a treasure hunt. It's our niece's seventeenth birthday! They are all almost adults now. On the flight here, I found a number of email drafts from years ago. Like, many many years ago, 2009, 2011, 2012, and they reminded me of how tense I was, how unhappy, back then. Like, how stressed I would become, and a lot of that was over parenting. Sometimes even over crafting treasure hunts. I didn't remember feeling that way, but now I do.

This is why I burn my notebooks. There is no practical reason for going over all that stuff again.

Second (Solo) Run

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 28:03
Pace: 9:21

Ran with the boy, headed out on my own

Route: Martin Point 
Temperature: 72°
Climate: clear & breezy
Mood: very good, you know?
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

BorderLight | Fringe Unleashed Playlist

Canoa - DJ Gregory ft. Gregor Salto

Come Back - Ninetoes

Cream - Claptone

Finder - Ninetoes

Get a Move On! - Mr. Scruff ft. Sneaky

Where you go, I'll go.

The BorderLight Festival has closed. I woke at 3:00 AM Sunday to make a 6:00 AM flight only to discover that due to reasons I had been bumped to a 6:00 PM flight. Okay, so, a little more sleep, and a day on my own to take care of end-of-production business.

Distance: 3.5 miles
Duration: 31:41
Pace: 9:03

I have not taken so many days between runs since February. Okay, since before February. And my right ankle still feels sprained, my heel tight. Doesn't matter, the running must happen.

The family is gathered in the cove. This is the vacation. Spain was an experience, this is pure relaxation.

I have not taken so many days between runs since December. 

Route: Martin Point Run
Temperature: 66°
Climate: cloudless & cool
Mood: very good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Ideal weather for running. On my journey I realized what I intend to submit to BorderLight next year. It's obvious.

BorderLight | Fringe Unleashed Playlist

Another Night - Claptone

Better Together (OFFAIAH Remix) - Hayden James ft. Running Touch

Blue Monday - New Order

Body Language - M.A.N.D.Y. ft. Booka Shade

Bonita - Ninetoes

I missed out on most of the debauchery due to obligations, and flights that did not happen, but this playlist also makes for a great workout mix. Thanks, Alicia!

Maybe that's the real punk rock.

What was on Clark Kent's iPod?

Yes, I respect James Gunn for geeking out and making playlists for each of his major characters in the new Superman movie. I do the same thing. Of course, by posting them on Spotify, he's also promoting the product. I do the same thing.

That this new movie includes a conversation about pop music made me very happy. Even better, they don't name check real bands, but the names of fiction bands which evoke the name of other real bands, and the fact that you know just what kind of bands they are talking about is very, very fun.

Because according to this film, Clark Kent was born in 1995. He was an adolescent in the late aughts. And like many of us, his taste hasn't changed since we were thirteen.  An Clark Kent is a dork. And we love him. 

Superman Playlist

Punkrocker - Teddybears ft. Iggy Pop

The Mighty Crabjoys Theme - The Mighty Crabjoys

The Middle (162 BPM) - Jimmy Eat World

Dear Maria, Count Me In - All Time Low

Shake It Out - Florence + The Machine

For Nancy ('Cos It Already Is) - Pete Yorn

I'm Not Down - The Clash

You Get What You Give - New Radicals

Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 29:53
Pace: 9:38

Headachy morning. Still, nice run. Going to take a few days off now, for several reasons. One, the festival impends, and I would just as soon reserve my strength. Two, I'd like to rest my shins. Even my left shin had pain earlier this morning. Three, I am packing my gear to go with everyone by car to Maine. I'm flying out Sunday early.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 75°
Climate: overcast
Mood: okay (head pain)
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 160 lbs.

"See you in the cove."

Run right back to

Live Aid
July 13, 1985
Were you there?
(I was not.)

Partner run to the park and back. Their playlist.

Distance: 3.53

Duration: 38:37
Pace: 10:56

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 72°
Climate: light rain
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 160 lbs.

What's That Lyric?

B2b - Charlie XCX

Just what I needed!

Why The Cars? Why not The Cars?

My anxiety rises and ebbs. How much is related to medication? Cannabis intake? Rest? Alcohol? What is happening to the world, to my world, to my work?

Showtime is in six days. A week from tomorrow I head to the cove. No wonder I don't know which way to think.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:26
Pace: 9:10

The Cars first album was released in summer 1978, just before my tenth birthday. To provide context, at that time I was much more interested in the soon-to-be-released film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Here's the thing about The Cars; in a time when you were defined by what music you liked (something which I am thankful is no longer true) be it rock, punk, new wave, prog, disco, everyone liked The Cars.

The Cars - The Cars (1978)

Good Times Roll

My Best Friend's Girl

Just What I Needed

Don't Cha Stop *

You're All I've Got Tonight

Bye Bye Love

Moving In Stereo

Moving in stereo, indeed. "Hi, Brad."

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 79°
Climate: sunny & warm
Mood: quite good, actually
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 160 lbs.

I could be your kryptonite.

Because I have not, will not run two consecutive days, I could not have hoped to run more than 182 times this year, and will run fewer, as there are times when I have not been able to run even that much. So I cannot run more than I did in 2023, or 2015.

But I have already surpassed my worst year, which was 2011. And it's only July.

Last night, Gabby asked me about "runner's high" and I wasn't sure what to tell her. Wikipedia calls it "a transient state of euphoria coupled with lessened feelings of anxiety and a higher pain threshold." I'm not sure about that. Euphoria is a pretty high bar, and I don't believe running in any way creates in me a higher pain threshold, not even a transient one.

But it makes me happy. It has been a long time since it has felt like a chore. I look forward to it. And it is that, more than the running itself, that I would suggest is the cause of any lessened anxiety.

Distance: 2.69 miles

Duration: 30:26
Pace: 11:17

Bedtime was unpleasant, I was suffering what I can only describe as "brain zaps" which is odd because I have been taking my medication consistently ... at least, I think I have been. It was highly disorienting and there was nothing to do but lie down and get the day over with. I mean, it was after ten, anyway. But. Still. You get it.

Upbeat Playlist

Brimful of Asha (Norman Cook Remix) - Cornershop

Ready or Not - Bridget Mendler

Dance Wiv Me - Dizzee Rascal ft. Calvin Harris

Lampshades on Fire - Modest Mouse

Cake By the Ocean - DNCE

Show Me Love - Robin S

Tik Tok - Kesha

SexyBack - Justin Timberlake ft. Timbaland 

Ants Marching - Dave Matthews Band  

Sometimes Ze and I share the earbuds for music. We have been discussing the possibility of a race together, possibly some time in 2026.

And I am planning to apply for the TCS NYC Marathon. What if?

Route: Forest Hill Park
Temperature: 73°
Climate: sunny

Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 160 lbs.