Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Open Letter To Plain Dealer Ombudsman


Dear Mr. Diadiun,

I am disappointed with the scant coverage of the marathon to be found in Monday's Plain Dealer -- the printed edition. While I appreciate the use many papers makes these days of the infinite capacity of the internet, a printed record of complete race results is an important tradition.

Newspapers in cities like Boston and New York have recognize the importance of these international sporting events, and provide the complete results in their papers. It does not represent Cleveland well when its largest paper chooses to toss results onto their website.

I purchased a Plain Dealer yesterday as a memento of the race, not thinking it would be necessary to check for a special Cleveland Marathon section. I assumed it would be there, and instead found two or three articles and direction to the website. Next time I will be sure to avoid paying for your paper and instead go directly to the website.

David Hansen

Sunday, May 20, 2012

2012 Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon

Official time: 3:56:19
Pace: 9:01

Lucky. Lucky and fortunate. Blessed with good friends. Smart and prepared. Pengo did not merely break his Personal Record, he destroyed it. I have completed one previous marathon, in 2006. My time then was 4:15:28.

A friend had provided me with a VIP Parking pass. It also featured breakfast in the VIP lounge … which began at 7:30 and concluded at 11, so that wasn’t much use. However, driving past all those suckers into a lot right across the less-traveled street from Browns Stadium was a great time and stress saver.

Using Browns Stadium as the staging area was a very good idea on somebody’s part. Previously, the CLE have used the Galleria. Browns Stadium feels much more athletic than the Galleria, and much less like a homeless shelter.

However -- and I know New York has spoiled me for this -- but the “Cleveland Experience” is cheap. I mean, pocketbook cheap. Yesterday at the Red Nose Run, some hapless prole had to put up with the carping from one of the participants about the eight dollar parking fee at the I-X Center. I piped up that I had walked a mile not to pay it, and was informed that I was not alone in that endeavor.

Today, as in my previous CLE experiences, I was disappointed to find absolultely no free stuff at the starting line. Hey, you know what? No. It’s not NYC, they do that in Akron too -- AKRON -- there is stuff to eat and drink all over the place. This morning, however, I forgot to have coffee before departing, and realized soon after there were no coffee shops open at 5 AM. Concessions were open at the Stadium, but you had to pay for them.

In April I proclaimed -- on this blog -- that I thought, maybe, perhaps, I might try to break four hours. I followed another runner’s blog once, as he prepared to, and failed, once again, to make 4:00:00. His training was sound, was there some magic to four hours? And yet, I have been doing great. Easy on the long runs, moving swiftly, to problems (except maybe a broken foot who knows.)

The night before I had the dinner of a clown; I took the kids to Bearden’s. Belly-full of fried meat and potatoes. Even then I thought, I am screwing myself, there is no way I will sustain on this.

Yes, there was pre-race depression. I felt very alone. This is only compounded when you arrive at the staging area and see how many teams there are. In fact, I knew a lot of people racing today. There were friends who offered to run with me during training. But I don’t know. It is a solitary thing with me. Anyone who knows me well knows I am a solitary guy.

There were 20,000 racers, a CLE record. And it was challenging to cram them all into the lane behind the stadium. I stood near, but not next to the 4:00 pace guy. It took four minutes to cross the starting line, which made keeping track of my time challenging (I don’t wear a watch.) Keeping up with Pace Leader was a pain. Others clustered around him, and when he tried to make way through the pack, it became a little dangerous. I tried to stay away from him, but keep an eye on him, but finally chose to just get ahead of him -- and stay there. As long as he never passed me, I would make it.

Almost immediately I felt the need to pee, this in spite of making several trips to the bathroom prior to the race. Apparently, strain on the system made the men’s toilets on the lower level of Browns Stadium overflow, or at least fail to flush anymore. But the urinals worked fine, and I thought I was all right but I’m never all right, and I asked myself how long I could go without having to stop and take a bathroom break.

When the race began it was in the sixties, and after dawn soon began to climb into the 80s. In spite of wanting to just keep going, I stopped at every water table. In the past, I would get either water or whatever electrolyte drink offered. Today I drank one, took one, walked and drank, and several times had a third. Making sure I did this, every single time, saved my ass. The ambulances began cutting through the course before we reached Tremont.

Back at mile four, at West 110th Street (“Almost Lakewood”) my folks had brought the kids to cheer me on, and I stopped to thank them for being there. Those were easy days, the single digits, and I was calm and cool. I would see them at the finish line.

Maybe I should have worn my sunglasses, or a hat with a visor. The city streets were unforgiving, and emerging from the Edgewater neighborhood, the trees stopped. The crowds are growing for CLE and that’s nice, though many of them move from the Shoreway to Detroit -- that’s great, let them, but it gives an exaggerated sense of turnout. I think I saw Anne McEvoy six times, though I may been hallucinating.


When did handmade signs of support become so tart?

Don’t Pee Your Pants 

Band-Aids on Nipples? I’m Into That. 

Welcome to Ohio City. Please Be Quiet, We’re All Hungover. 

The sign reading “Don’t Pee Your Pants” was held by a ten year-old.

Previously I have run two CLE Half-Marathons, in 2008 and 2010. During those runs the organizers provided music every couple miles in the form of stereo units blasting excellent, classic rock artists (and also some U2) but this time there were numerous actual bands, lots of them teenagers, which was so much better, they made me really happy. There were some kids off the Shoreway who just couldn’t keep a steady rock beat, they were adorable.

I have avoided the CLE Full Marathon, in fact derided it, because of the second half. I have been dreading the second half for years. And I was not disappointed. Our paths diverged at West 6th Street, the 13.1 milers heading for their final reward as the real runners moved into the danger zone. It appeared as though, for every one marathon, there were ten halfers peeling away. And just like that the crowds stopped. There were so few of us.


Or perhaps it just looked that way, because they were surging towards a two-hour victory, while the 26.2 mile freaks were dropping like flies. Crowds picked up at PlayhouseSquare, but just as quickly trickled to almost nothing passing CSU. We were blessed with holy water at Trinity Cathedral and pressed on … down Euclid Avenue. Millionaire Row, into the sunshine, not a tree in sight.

And no more bands. And no more flags. Few water stops. Miles went by without markers or timed devices. And there very few people. East East 55th and Euclud Avenue (real precious) we cut north and turned onto Chester. The Chester I have been dreading for four years. And I was not disappointed. A desolate March into the sun. One of the traffic volunteers suggested we get onto the sidewalk for the sake of shade, but it was already clogged with slow people, I stayed in the street.

Approaching the University Circle United Methodist I wanted to make an “oil can … oil can …” joke, but didn’t know who to make it to. (Get it? Oil can?)

And so, we had made it to Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Only in Cleveland would the city commence resurfacing of a major throughway the day before an internationally attended marathon. Don’t get me wrong, the street is a mess -- they should have done this a couple months ago. As of today grooves had already been cut into it and there were scores of orange barrels and cones making what is supposed to be the most scenic part of the journey -- THE REASON WE SUFFER THROUGH CHESTER AVENUE-- something of an obstacle course. And damn if it wasn’t even shady.


Now we are on mile nineteen. I passed mile eighteen without even thinking about it. I mean, at least it was marked, but I was feeling pretty all right. Volunteer Martha was biking down that stretch, making sure people were all right. She was a force of positive thoughts and comments … it was like those emergency respondres who came to my house when I called 911 when the boy’s head was broken. They guys were calm and cool, there’s no emergency here, everything’s all right, it’s going to be fine, this will be taken care of. I loved those guys. Martha was all, “Great day, huh? You people are amazing, you look really strong.” I asked if she could do something about the large, white, hot thing in the sky.

I know this stretch. I train this stretch. Knowing Chester was behind me was such a relief, but I knew it wasn’t going to be like previous long runs. We wouldn’t just be heading out North Marginal to the Rock Hall. At East 55th we left the cool breeze of the lake and the men fishing off the piers and headed back into the blocky desert of industrial Cleveland, blinding hot light and cruely busted up pavement. And this is where my troubles began.

Some time just after passing Anne McEvoy -- (?) -- I hit the wall. At mile 22. On a hot, bleak, crushing morning, this guy -- a 43 year-old man, with a sore foot and a shameful dietary schedule -- hit the wall at mile 22. This is where luck, connections and training fall away and all that was left, for four and a half miles, was an emotional and mental determination which I am finding hard to describe. But it was mine. It wasn’t about bragging rights, it wasn’t about impressing my children. It was about being able to tell myself, I did this.

I still needed to pee. The desire to void has not subsided for the entire journey, and I never stopped. I told myself it was in my head. I wanted to stop, that was a reason to stop. And if I finished at 4:00:01 because I just had to go to the bathroom, I would never forgive myself.

Every time I slowed to drink -- had to walk then, to try and run and drink would surely have made me cough or gag -- it reminded me of stillness, and I took off again with a vengeance. Unlike in New York, where I had spent the last five miles getting passed, this time I was the one passing others.

At mile 23 I saw a young woman, in her twenties, much fitter than I, leaning againt a phone pole and vomiting. How does that happen? When does that happen? Could that suddenly happen to me? Every time I felt weary I had torn a gel from my waistband, or pulled one from my pocket and eaten it, usually a quarter mile from the next water stop. I had never taken in so many artificial food substances, or drank so much water on a run. Had I been doing the right thing, or would my abdomen rebel? Am I well right now, or making myself sick?

Chin up. Into the sun. Keep going. Over four hundred and fifty miles in training. Too much time, too much effort, to stop, to ever stop.

Heading down East 9th Street, descending towards the rock hall. Big crowds, and I knew it was almost over. Turning onto Erieside, the clock was seconds away from 4:00:00 -- which I knew was the official start time, not my start time, and that I had done, or was about to. Regardless, it was there in front of me, a clocking counting from 3:59:45 and I had to shave as many seconds as possible.

I sprinted past this guy … who just as suddenly sprinted past me. That’s okay, fellah, it’s your day, too. But I was charging flat out for the last .2 miles. They tell me I looked good.


Crossing the Finish Line at 4:00:13 I felt … fine. Tired, sore, but fine. I drank the water, ate the pretzels, took the chocolate milk for the kids. It was only rounded the corner out of the corral and seeing and speaking with Karen did I realize what was going on.

This was one of those marathons. Not as bad a Chicago 2007, for example, but a scorching run where no one made their time. No wonder I passed a lot of people, there were plenty of runners who decided, no doubt in their own best interest and justifiably so, that this was not going to be the year. Karen is working to qualify for Boston, but today was not the day for her, nor for so many others.

Time for me to rest now. Let my feet heal. Listen to my body. Eat better, I hope. Will I run another marathon? No idea. Couldn't say. Wouldn't say no.

How I accomplished my goal, I do not know, I can only guess. Foolhardy determination, training, the support of family, friends and strangers, and luck.

Week 18 Total: 10 + 26.2 miles
Marathon Training Total: 470.2 miles

Saturday, May 19, 2012

2012 Kids Red Nose Run


Cleveland Browns Stadium, 11:00 AM


Orson
Quarter Mile 1:50
What's that other kid's damage?


Zelda
Half Mile 3:58


Congratulations!

Terrified to find release.


Run this. 

The cracks begin to show now. While I am running with only mild pain in my left foot, overcompensation led, a few days ago, to straining my right calf.  Today it has reached into my right thigh.  I cannot walk without feeling this. 

Tomorrow, we race.  And then, I will not run, at all, for at least 26 days. 

It shames me that I am looking forward to that.

Distance: 2 miles
Route: Neighborhood Loop
Temperature: 62ยบ
Climate: warm
Snack: none
Weight: 166.5 lbs.
Hydration? no (what?)
Stretches? yes

The Model Genius Playlist
Do What U Like - Bad Boy Bill
Enemy - Gabriel & Dresden
Derezzed - Daft Punk
The Launch (Rollercoaster's Pumped Up Mix) - DJ Jean
Radioactivity - Kraftwerk

Cooldown:
Don't Be Shy - Spektrum

Remember me?
It's been a long road.
I am ready for this.

Friday, May 18, 2012

2012 Health & Fitness Expo

Walking is good.

I had a friend once who taught me everything I know about saving a buck. It's never about the money. It's about the fact that there are people who want you to spend money on things you shouldn't have to spend money on, and expect you to give fork it over. Then it becomes a mission to see how far out of your way it is necessary to go to make sure you do not pay them.

This year the Health and Fitness Expo is at the great, hideous I-X Center, located some fifteen miles from downtown, next to the airport. The Expo is free, and they do provide shuttle service from the Hilton downtown. However, the I-X Center charges a "standard parking fee" if you drive there. This fee is eight dollars.

The edge of civilization.

I could have taken the shuttle, but was not planning to go downtown to wait at the Hilton before getting on a bus to head to the airport. Not part of my schedule. My mother suggested I park and walk, and I assumed this would be impossible ... that would be like, well, finding free parking near the airport. Can't be done.

Well, it can. I parked at some warehouse across 237 and hoped I wouldn't get towed. And I started to walk. Crossing 237 is very dangerous, but I did that. And I walked by restricted areas, but not into them. It is a beautiful day for a walk. 

The East Entrance was guarded by a guy in a day-glo vest who said I need to go around the building to enter, and I didn't argue. It would add maybe a half mile to my trip but I'd gotten that far.

A guy in a parking lot cart pulled up while I was texting and offered me a lift, which was very, very cool. He also told me that when I left, I should exit through the Eastern doors, save myself a trip around the building.

No indoor ferris wheel today.

The Expo is like all the others, a knocked-up shopping mall for running people. But I wasn't there to shop, just get my bib number and shirt, and leave as soon as possible. I did get a few gels, jelly beans for the kids (they have their run at the stadium tomorrow) and a protein bar for the walk back. I filled my water bottle and headed out the East entry, waving a kind "see ya" to the guy in the bright vest who wouldn't let me in.

My car was right where I left it. And I saved eight bucks.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Do you know the story of Sisyphus?



Oh for Christ's sake.

Just got a reminder from the CLE Marathon about the Health and Fitness Expo, which is also where you must pick up your bib number -- no bib number, no race.

The last two times I ran CLE (Half) the Expo was at the Convention Center downtown. I could walk there from work, or drive and park on the street.  

This year it's at the I-X Center. I have to drive to Berea to get my bib number. That's not even the dumbest part -- the I-X Center is only accessible from the highway, and is surrounded by a parking lot the size of an airfield. 

Which I am expected to pay $8 to get into.

Okay. Four days to go. Bitching about how fucking stupid the Cleveland Marathon is has officially begun. Please be impressed by how I have waited this long.

3 Days to Go.

Distance: 4 miles
Route: Neighborhood Loop


Temperature: 63ยบ
Climate: cool? warm? what is that?

Snack: chewy granola bar (better than nothing)
Weight: 163 lbs.
Hydration? yes
Stretches? yes


The Model Genius Playlist
Crescendolls - Daft Punk
A Wonderful Life - Carl Craig
9 PM ('Till I Come) Signum Remix - ATB
Something About Us - Daft Punk
The Boys of Summer (Green Court Remix) - DJ Sammy
Love Bites (Valentine Club Mix) - QED
Music Selector Is The Soul Reflector - Deee-Lite

Cooldown:
Put Your Hands Up For Detroit (Club Mix) - Fedde Le Grand

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Set me out on the run.

It was the chukka boots.

My foot has been in some kind of mild pain since Good Friday. It started on the top of the foot, but has moved down that bone and into the instep. I thought it may have been caused by my new running shoes.

However, I was also now wearing chukka boots every day, for a show I was doing, to break them in and make them appear worn. Also, it's just a good idea for actors to be acclimated with their footwear.

Finally, the show in question opened with me hoisting myself into an open window, and then awkwardly climbing through it. My stage combat coach gave me great instruction for getting down from the window sill safely, and with an apparent lack of grace.

In college our movement coach taught us how to perform an AIkido roll, and there were elements of that in this. In an Aikido roll, you can propel yourself, from standing, into a graceful forward roll, from your curved forearm, touching the floor across your shoulders and back -- never touching the ground with your neck or head -- and return to standing. Lordy, that was a long time ago, but there were elements of that in this. Clambering through the window, balancing on my pelvis on the sill, I leaned over and put my left hand to the floor, bringing my left foot through the window, bending my left arm, and finally rolling across my shoulders and back, slapping the floor with my right hand for good measure.

Some asked after if I had hurt my head, and I had to say, no, my neck and head never touched the floor.

However, during the penultimate week of performance, a few weeks coping with this apparent stress fracture in my foot, I noticed that conducting this window trick made my foot hurt. And now I believe that, in addition to the arch-support-free chukka boots, I had been hitting the floor with my left foot at the same time I was slapping it with my right hand.

Do I know if this is how I damaged my left foot? No. But I can say that I have returned to my new sneakers without any additional damage to my foot. In fact, while it still hurts, and no doubt will continue to do so until the race is won, it hurts less now that the show has closed.

Distance: 4 miles
Route: Neighborhood Loop
36.2 miles to go.
Temperature: 55ยบ
Climate: cool
Snack: none
Weight: 164 lbs.
Hydration? yes
Stretches? yes

Euggh. Remember? That's what it feels like when you don't eat.

The Model Genius Playlist
Gypsy Woman (Red Hot + Dance) - Crystal Waters
Da Funk - Daft Punk
Ghosts 'n' Stuff - Deadmau5
Eleven - Gabriel & Dresden
Soma - Deadmau5
Word Problems - Deadmau5

Cooldown:
Blast the Speakers (Advanced 12"Mix) - Warp Brothers

Must stuck up on gels, get a very large track suit. 55ยบ -- Cool enough to run, awful to stand around in.

I will be running naked this weekend, which is to say, no headphones, no cellphone, just my running kit with a few gels pinned to me. That's it. I will post my bib number and provide info for following my progress in the next day or two.

THIS NEW BLOGGER/GOOGLE EDITOR IS HORRID.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

The Super Boys.


Running past Noble Library, there were a number of teenagers on the steps. On, the tallest one, big guy, is mouthing something at me. He knows I can't hear him, so he's gesturing with his arms, swinging his fists back and forth. I pull my 'phones out.

"Can I run with you?" he asks. I smile and laugh, "Ha ha!" because I think he's pulling my leg. Then I hear him coming up behind me.

I say, "You were serious!"

"Yeah," he says, "I just need to run home, I didn't get to football practice today."

"Where do you live?"

"Just up there where the bus is."

"All right." I look at him, damn he's a big kid. Tall, muscled. Large rock in his ear.

I feel the need to contribute. "I'm running the Cleveland Marathon next week."

"Really?" he says, politely impressed. "How do you get into that?"

"Just sign up. It also costs some money."

"That's cool. I box."

"What?"

"I'm a boxer."

"That's cool. And you play football?"

"Yeah, I play semi-pro for the Vikings."

"What? Oh. For real?"

"Yeah. And I play for Shaw."

"Ah. That makes sense."

"Yeah?"

"Shaw's a good team."

"It is. Okay, I'm here." And he runs across the street from me.

I shout, "Thanks for the run!"

Week 17 Total: 20 miles
Training To Date:
434 miles 

Distance: 6 miles
Route: Neighborhood Loop


Temperature: 72ยบ
Climate: warm

Snack: beer
Weight: 167 lbs.
Hydration? yes
Stretches? yes

The Model Genius Playlist

The Robots - Kraftwerk
The End of It All - John Tejada
Moaner - Underworld
Cascades of Colour - Anada Project
Sydney - Gabriel & Dresden
Somnabulist (Simply Being Loved) - BT
Blood In Pumpin' (Future Breeze Remix) - Voodoo & Serano
Funky For You (Spacehopper Mix) (172 bpm) - Deadbeats

Thursday, May 10, 2012

You can't run forever on your own.


Finding it hard to imagine I will be running a marathon in ten days. Only my second marathon. I am on track to either 1) break my previous best or 2) crash and burn.

But why? A few reminders. My training six years ago was determined, but I lacked several key points of knowledge regarding water and diet, about maintaining a long-distance run, about getting there. I ran too fast at the start, and did not have enough to eat on the journey. ALl kinds of things. My training to date has included several more long runs, which is mental as well as physical boost. Running from winter into spring has also been a big help. At least, now it is.

Distance: 5 miles
Route: Neighborhood Loop

However, I have other issues. My foot aches terribly, at odd times. Don't know how that will affect me, moving faster than usual (because of apprehension and the thrill of the race) and moving into -- for me -- extreme long-distance. Today the tendons behind my right knee are sore. Tomorrow, it could absolutely anything.

Temperature: 52ยบ
Climate: cool
Weight: 165 lbs.
Snack: none

Hydration? yes
Stretches? yes


The Model Genius Playlist
Music Sounds Better With You (Bob Sinclair Remix) - Stardust
Let Your Mind Be Your Bed - Felix da Housecat
Musik Non Stop - Kraftwerk
Loneliness (MUC Remix) - Tomcraft
Voyager - Daft Punk
Tell Me Why - Supermode
LA Ride - Tiesto
Feelings Gone - Basement Jaxx
Groove Is In The Heart - Deeee-Lite

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Can you feel me?



When the weather's nice it's so nice.

Distance: 4 miles
Route: Neighborhood Loop

Temperature: 56ยบ
Climate: nice
Weight: 166 lbs.
Snack: chewy granola bar (sigh)

Hydration? yes
Stretches? yes


The Model Genius Playlist
Tanto Tempo - Bebel Gilberto
Hi Friend! - Deadmau5 ft. MC Flipside
Never Take Your Place - Mr. Fingers
Leave The World Behind - Axwell & Ingrosso
Something Like a Mama - Underworld
The Flow - model 500
Love Don't Let me Go (Walking Away) - David Guetta vs. The Egg

Cooldown:
Neon Human - Felix da Housecat

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

I run the marathon to the very last mile.


Did not run last night because it was raining. This morning it is raining. So much for that clever plan. 

Tried one of Podrunner's Intervals on Sunday morning in Prospect Park. Intervals present an increasing bpm count, in stages, bridged by chimes announcing a sudden shift in speed. While I might find the speed trials helpful, on this occasion, trying to find my way through an unfamiliar environment, the distraction contributed to my throwing it in early. I think it's those chimes.

Distance: 5 miles
Route: Neighborhood Loop


Reminder: You like rain.
Temperature: 58ยบ
Climate: rain!
Weight: 166 lbs.

Snack: chewy granola bar (need to get bananas)
Hydration? yes
Stretches? not really


Three Things The Boy Likes About New York City:
  1. Subway trains.
  2. Large rocks for climbing.
  3. You can get a hot dog anywhere.


The Beastie Boys Playlist
Super Disco Breakin'
B-Boys Makin' With The Freak Freak
Right Right Now Now
Triple Trouble
Intergalactic
Too Many Rappers [New Reactionaries Version]
Time To Get Ill
Root Down
She's Crafty
Body Movin' (Fatboy Slim Remix)
Finger Lickin' Good
Jimmy James

Sunday, May 06, 2012

Hello, Brooklyn.

Looking for a girl, I ran into a guy.
His name was MCA. I said, "Howdy." He said, "Hi."

Week 16 Total: 14 miles
Training To Date: 414 miles 

Big day yesterday, celebrating my wife's cousin Caitlin's wedding in Central Park. We spent all Friday driving to New Jersey to spend the night with friends, left the car and took a train into the city yesterday morning. Took the kids to the Central Park Zoo. The ceremony was held at at Pine Bark Arch -- perfect weather. Cool and only slightly overcast. I was charmed by the people, strangers, who stopped on the path past the green where the assembled were gathered, to watch, to listen. There was this couple in their shorts and T-shirts, arms around each other, leaning against a fence, smiling. Public wedding, y'all!

Distance: 1 lap = 4 miles
Route: Prospect Park

Dinner was long and luxurious and there was an awful lot of wine. After we walked the Highline, I've waited two years to bring my wife there. She teared up, she thought it is so beautiful. This is the future of cities, she said. This is what needs to be done.

Temperature: 55ยบ
Climate: Overcast. Cool.
Snack: banana
Hydration? yes
Stretches? no

Spent the night with friends in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Planned on running several laps around Prospect Park, but yesterday was a bit overwhelming, and after pushing out one lap, I thought it would be best to return and rest. After all, it was early, no one else was up, either.

Now. Coffee, bagels, orange juice and another day in the city.

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Relax. Take your time.



Distance: 3 miles
Route: Neighborhood loop 

Temperature: 80ยบ
Climate: hot!
Weight: 165.5 lbs.
Snack: chewy granola bar
Hydration? yes
Stretches? yes

The Model Genius Playlist
The Model - Kraftwerk
Call On Me - Eric Prydz
Fire - Ferry Corsten
I Go Crazy (Giuseppe D.'S Euro Madness Mix) - D.H.T. Ft. Edmee
Infinity (Klaas Vocal Mix) - Guru Josh Project
Veridis Quo - Daft Punk

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

I just know that something good is gonna happen.



Okay, maybe someone can answer this question for me ... I need to make a video to introduce myself, as a runner. Kind of a try-out video. Instead, just me, being myself, talking about running.

What do I talk about when I talk about running? I mean ... that someone like yourself actually finds interesting.

Distance: 4 miles
Route: Neighborhood loop 


Temperature: 54ยบ
Climate: cool & wet
Weight: 167 lbs.
Breakfast: pancakes, yogurt & syrup
Hydration? yes
Stretches? yes

The Model Genius Playlist
Something Good - Utah Saints
Strobe - Deadmau5
Uninvited (Club Mix) - Freemasons
Children 2004 - Groove(A)Holics
She's So Damn Cool - Felix da Housecat
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger - Daft Punk

Cooldown:
Baila Duro - Maria Daniela y Su Sonido Lasser

A return to techno. And a welcome one, at this point. I got a number of extended dance mix discs in the past few years, but never really "employed" them. 

The Genius feature in iTunes is dicey ... if you choose a familiar tune, you may get the same mix every single time. You really need to pick an off-the-chart track for the algorithm to choose a unique, interesting mix.

After reading that piece about Kraftwerk at MOMA, I spun off The Model, got 100 tracks and turned them into ten different, ten-song playlists. And I am enjoying them.