Can you still walk back to happiness when you've nowhere left to run?

"The 'Batman' soundtrack?"
"Throw it."
Leadfoot today. Spoke too soon about shin splints, my left has been acting up all week, in spite of the exercises. Will wear a brace for Saturday's long run. 10 miles on Saturday, if the weather holds and there is no snow or ice, I plan to make the journey to see the India Cultural Garden, which is exactly five miles from my house.

Distance: 4 miles
Route: To Parkside Blvd. and back.

Traveling this new route -- out to a fixed point and then right back again, for weeks -- has been very interesting. Almost zen. That doesn't mean it doesn't have its share of pitfalls, and I do think the sudden gain and loos of elevation at all of the street crossings (and they are steeper than normal) is not good for my ankles. Or shins. But just heading in one direction, and then turning around and heading back, it just seems shorter than the loop I usually take. And it's a mile longer than that.

Temperature: 37º
Climate: dry pavement, cool air.
Weight: 176.5 lbs.
Snack: banana
Hydration? yes
Stretches? yes

Okay. So? We got a Wii. The girl turned nine, it was a good excuse, the wife really wanted it because time and space was making it utterly impossible to commit to regular exercise. And the kids wanted a video game console because all their friends have a video game console and blah blah blah. On Monday, we got a Wii Fit.

For three days now, the kids have been waking up without complaint, doing their chores without a sound, and then taking turns for about a half-hour, chatting and playing on their feet games. Breakfast has become a wide-awake affair, with conversation and good manners.

The wife has gotten up every morning for exercise and yoga.

Meanwhile, I have been hitting the road for almost three weeks. I have had long days, from 5 AM to 11 PM and I am not tired. I am productive. Time spent running is time recreated through higher productivity. And since January 1, I have lost four pounds.

This exercise is a good thing.

1989 Playlist
About A Girl - Nirvana
No Myth (Damascus Mix) - Michael Penn
Funky Cold Medina - Tone-Loc
King For A Day - XTC
The Cactus - 3rd Bass
Trust - Prince
Pet Sematary - The Ramones
Waiting For Mary (What Are We Doing Here?) - Pere Ubu
Get Up! (Before The Night Is Over) - Technotronic ft. Felly
The Beat(en) Generation (170 bpm) - The The

Cooldown:
Pictures of You - The Cure

Thank you, 1980s. For everything.