Half Marathon Training Week Nine

Sunset run with Chris. Perfect weather, much more pleasant than running cold in the rain. Since I was not cold, however, I was much more aware of the discomfort. But also, I was hungry, so that was also inconvenient.

Still and all, our pace had improved. So that's a good thing. I think it's going to be warm from here on out.

Distance: 10 miles
Duration: 1:33:48
Pace: 9:11
Route: MLK to Dead Man's Curve & Back
Temperature: 63•
Climate: cool and nice
Pavement: dry
Mood: all right

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 163 lbs. (-1.0)
Goal: 160 lbs.

Things'll get brighter.

"The Courtyard if the Doge’s Palace
with the Papal Nuncio Stoppani
and Senators in Procession”
by Antonio Joli (detail)

Chris and I planned a ten mile today. But it's in the thirties and forties today, and I am sick of it. Just sick of it. I have had two, cold, long runs in the past two weeks and I am not having another one. The forecast says sixties and seventies for the next week, after today. That I can deal with.

1969 Playlist
Ooh Child - The Five Stairsteps
A Boy Named Sue (Live) - Johnny Cash
Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show - Neil Diamond
White Light White Heat - Velvet Underground
Everybody's Talkin' - Harry Nilsson

Seeing Infinity War tonight. No spoilers.

Distance: 2:35 miles
Pace: 8:08
Route: Horizon Loop
Temperature: 40•
Climate: breezy, cold
Pavement: dry
Mood: not good

Hard run. Unenthusiastic. I charged though, into the wind, in the cold. Sick of it. Two miles, I'm just not into anymore.

But nothing feels better than an eight-oh-eight.

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 164 lbs. (-0-)
Goal: 160 lbs.

Entering a dietary danger zone. Some days too much, some days too little. Yesterday it was bagels and poutine. Eating makes me happy. But other things make me happy, too. I just need to find out what they are.

Gonna leave this world for awhile.

Matthew Campbell (right) and Tom Peters,
Sunday morning. "Let's do this!"

Wasn't sure if I would run this morning, until Nina pointed out this piece in Runner's World. A young man, Matt Campbell (29) and contestant on the program Master Chef collapsed during the Virgin Money London Marathon last weekend, and died. He was 3.7 miles short of the finish line.

Campbell was not a casual runner. Earlier this month he broke three hours in the Manchester Marathon. However, last Sunday's race in London was the hottest on record.

His father passed away a year and a half ago, and with this run he was raising money for the Brathay Trust, a charity for youth programs. He hoped to raise £2,500 but donations have now exceeded £175,000.

People are also running his final 3.7 miles for him. Today would be a good day for me to do that. You can support his campaign for the Brathay Trust here.

1989 Playlist
Free Fallin' - Tom Petty
King For a Day - XTC
Poor Skeleton Steps Out - XTC
They'll Need a Crane - They Might Be Giants
The Beat(en) Generation * - The The

My Brave Face - Paul McCartney
Biting My Nails - Renegade Soundwave
Next Episode - Tone-Loc
Buddy - De La Soul

Thank you, Mr. Petty.

Distance: 3.7 miles
Pace: 8:05
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 37•
Climate: bright & cool
Pavement: dry
Mood: good

Beautiful day, sun shining and cool. You can run in your shorts in the thirties when the sky is like this and the air is still. Grateful to be alive, missing those who cannot be with us.

Stretches: yes

There is something about weighing in at 163.5 lbs. that makes a guy get a big breakfast sandwich in the morning, Chinese buffet in the afternoon and breakfast again for dinner with bacon, eggs and pancakes. Or maybe it's that running ten miles makes you soul hungry.

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 164 lbs. (+0.5)
Goal: 160 lbs.

Half Marathon Training Week Eight

Just kidding.

Chris and I made up for Sunday with an evening run down to the lake. It was cool and rainy, but much more pleasant than last week's endeavor. And we made ten miles!

I am cold now, and wet, and need to take a shower.

Distance: 10 miles
Duration: 1:38:04
Pace: 9:32
Route: MLK to Dead Man's Curve & Back
Temperature: 52°
Climate: rain
Pavement: wet
Mood: good

Running so far, so long in the wet is murderous on your feet. Hate to be graphic, but there's something Brundlefly going on with my toenails. My big toes never really recovered from the Twin Cities, the left one in particular looks all kinds of gnarly. I wish they'd just fall off so we can start again.

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 163.5 lbs. (-3.0)
Goal: 160 lbs.

Yeah?

Run fast for your father.

Blew off a ten-mile yesterday, chose instead to relax in bed. That's a euphemism, but not the one that you're thinking of.

Getting that scrawny old man look back in my face.

2009 Playlist
Dance Wiv Me - Dizzee Rascal ft. Calvin Harris & Chrome
Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
One Day - The Juan MacLean
Good Life - OneRepublic
Not Fair - Lily Allen
Dog Days Are Over * - Florence + The Machine
Fascination - La Roux

This time last year, I was through with running. My hip hurt too much, and I had started physical therapy. This did not work out as I had hoped, so I abandoned the sessions.

They cost too much and my therapist had stopped checking in on me, leaving his assistant to just watch me while I went through the exercises. This went on for weeks, so I just stopped going.

What I found is that I can live with the pain, if I do the exercises my self -- and run. I must run. Without running, I get depressed. I go a little crazy.

I missed the spring last year. It is my intention not to let that happen again.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Pace: 8:12
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 55°
Climate: bright and cool
Mood: good. right? good.

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 166.5 lbs. (+2.5)
Goal: 160 lbs.

Ok. Is it the scale ..?

The sun is up. The sky is blue.

1968 Playlist - or - "The Beatles"
Back In The U.S.S.R.
Dear Prudence
Martha My Dear
Savoy Truffle
Revolution 1
Mother Nature's Son
Glass Onion
Happiness Is A Warm Gun
Blackbird
I'm So Tired
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
I Will
Julia
Helter Skelter *
Good Night

Ultimate Classic Rock has a feature called the 45-Minute Album Police. It is not a unique opinion that there is not a single double album in the history of popular music that needs to be that long, that could not have been improved upon through some common sense editing.

Blood, Sugar,Sex, Magik comes to mind. Sign O' The Times. Even George Harrison himself knew he was being a dick when he released his first solo record as a three-album set and named it All Things Must Pass.

The White Album (which any prig will tell you is really titled simply, The Beatles) is certainly too long, a disjointed mess which includes numerous beautiful tracks lumped in with novelty songs, Paul's old-timey music hall bullshit and "Revolution 9" which no one has ever listened to in the presence of another human being.

I chose the edit by Nick DeRiso, because I liked it well enough, and because it was the first list on the page.

I chose to listen to this album for this run because in July I turn fifty, and a few months later, so will the The White Album.

Distance: 5.5 miles
Duration: 46:19
Pace: 8:25
Route: Forest Hill/Cain Park Loop
Temperature: 48°
Climate: just gorgeous
Pavement: dry
Mood: apprehensive, but forward-looking

What I most remember about this album is that I first listened to it when I was nine or ten, when I was first introduced to the Paul is Dead legend. I have no doubt that John put in one or two, but at the time, I was hearing clues everywhere, and this record -- according to legend -- is full of them.

As a result, it wasn't until I was an adult that I could listen to "Revolution 9" at all. Even today, whatever John and Yoko were intending it to sound like, it plays for me like a long, creepy seance.

Stretches: yes

Just a perfect day for a run. Welcome, spring. Clear, blue sky, light breeze, smiling faces in the park, on the street. And I run, I am running. No, it's not perfect. I am not without pain. But still, I run. The running is happening.

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 164 lbs. (-0.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.

Put a wiggle in your stride.

shame (SHām)
n. 1. a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.
synonyms: humiliation, mortification, chagrin, ignominy, embarrassment, indignity, discomfort
v. 1. (of a person, action, or situation) make (someone) feel ashamed. 

1988 Playlist
Do You Believe in Shame - Duran Duran
Not Alone Any More - Traveling Wilburys
Mr. Jones - Talking Heads
Touch Me I'm Sick - Mudhoney
All She Wants Is (U.S. Master Mix) - Duran Duran
Baladi We Hetta Hossam Ramzy

Big Thing is the most underrated of Duran Duran albums.

However, it is a terrible album for someone depressed, alone, and between girlfriends. Or its the perfect album. Not sure.

Also, Naked is not Talking Heads' last studio album. True Stories is Talking Heads' last studio album, Naked is most obviously David Byrne's first solo album. I can't be the first person to say this.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Pace: 8:15
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 35°
Climate: sunny, beautiful & above freezing!
Pavement: dry
Mood: troubled

Brisk run, good one. I feel pain down both legs, there's a new string that hurts in my right calf. But heading out was totally fine, took what felt like forever, though. Probably because I have had little sleep this week, rising at five every morning to read. Thank God it's Friday.

Stretches: yes

Very painful stretches this morning, which means I have probably been doing them wrong.

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 164.5 lbs. (-2.0)
Goal: 160 lbs.

Ok.

Back to the streets where we began.

Man, when will the cold weather end? Just killing my hip, my thigh. I want warm weather and physical freedom.

Brisk run! Slow at first, into the wind, but by the second mile it was picking up. Hit a lot of boss bpms, closing out with Lin-Manuel. Good times, we'll make it.

2008 Playlist
Nine In The Afternoon * - Panic! at the Disco?
Disturbia - Rhianna
A Thing For Me * - Metronomy
Hometown Glory *  - Adele
Three-Way - Magnetic Fields
Walcott * - Vampire Weekend
Pony (It's OK) * - Erin McCartney
In The Heights * - Lin-Manuel Miranda & Company

Distance: 3.35 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 32°
Climate: light snow
Pavement: wet
Mood: good!

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 166.5 lbs. (+2.0)
Goal: 160 lbs.

Ok.

Half Marathon Training Week Seven

We parked and ran MLK and onto the Shoreway to Aviation High School and back. It was pleasant, until it wasn't, but it was an adventure, and Chris is always good company.

Distance: 9 miles
Duration: 1:27:58
Route: MLK & Shoreway
Temperature: 43°
Climate: rain!
Pavement: lots and lots of puddles
Mood: good, dammit!

Jesus, I never thought I would feel warm and dry again.

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 164.5 lbs. (-0.5)
New Goal: 160 lbs.

Running folks in ditches.

Lord! What a run. Just wanted to get two miles in --we have a long run tomorrow -- and I dressed for the weather, but I did have shorts on.

Heading out was great, then I had to walk for a few minutes to take a show-related call. But halfway through the rest of the run, the wind picked up and the temperature started dropping fast!

Anyway, I'm fine, I feel great regardless.

What am I going to do when I can no longer run?

No, seriously. What am I going to do?

1974 Playlist
Skin Tight - Ohio Players
September Gurls - Big Star
Riding the Scree/Carpet Crawlers - Genesis
Dancing Machine - The Jackson 5

Run/Walk: 2.35 miles
Route: Horizon Loop
Temperature: 40°→36°
Climate: cold & rain
Mood: driven

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 165 lbs. (-1.0)
Goal: 165 lbs. Achievement Unlocked

We'd walk behind while you would run.

Oh, shit ...

Sometimes depression is closely associated with anxiety and doubt. Sometimes it is manageable until someone is not nice to you and suddenly all of your worst fears feel justified, that you don't deserve to be treated well. Sometimes it even worse to be told that you weren't actually being treated poorly, that you didn't see or hear what you thought you did.

And then it's Friday.

1994 Playlist
A Girl Like You - Edwyn Collins
Missing (Todd Terry Remix) - Everything But the Girl
Realm - Lestat
13 Steps Lead Down - Elvis Costello
Jane - Barenaked Ladies
Long View - Green Day
Possession - Sarah McLachlan
Gentleman Who Fell - Milla Jovovich
Violent Mood Swings (Thread Mix) - Stabbing Westward

Beautiful day, spent most of it in the office, though. Came home with enough time to get out into this windy day.

Excellent playlist, just kept me moving. Flying the last leg, just picking them up and putting them down. The weather makes a difference. Tomorrow it should be warm and rainy. By Monday the temperature will drop and it will snow.

Distance: 3.6 miles
Temperature: 77°
Climate: beautiful, warm & windy
Mood: driven

Tickets to Hamilton went on sale today. So many thrilled, so many disappointed. Social media was fascinating today, so was the mood in our office. No one got any work done.

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 166 lbs. (-1.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.

A backless dress and some beat up sneaks.

Pizza In A  Bowl™

Four runs in four days? Is that a good idea? After all, I didn't even have the opportunity to stretch yesterday. Still cold. That may change soon. May. Meantime, I think I am desperate to move. The last few weeks have left me feeling uneasy.

2014 Playlist
BoJack's Theme  - Patrick Carney
Cheap Sunglasses - RAC ft. Matthew Koma
Birth In Reverse - St. Vincent
Nothing But Trouble - Phantogram
Light Will Keep Your Heart Beating In The Future - Mike Doughty
After the Disco - Broken Bells
Can't Break Me Down - Billy Idol
Shut Up And Dance - WALK THE MOON

I think I hated 2014. I can't remember why.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Pace: 8:25
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 29•
Climate: cold, cloudy
Pavement: dry
Mood: perked up real good!

What happens if I don't eat before a morning run? Does it matter? Is this about weighing in? Maybe it is.

Stretches: yes!

By mile two I was flying! What happened? I felt good, really good! The music was so inspiring -- maybe I don't hate 2014 after all!

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 167.5 lbs. (+1.0)
Goal: 165 lbs.

Jesus. I will never be 165 pounds again.

Half Marathon Training Week Six

Last night the boy and I went for a long-postponed visit to Chicago Chicken & Waffles downtown where I ate more in a single sitting than I believe I have in some time. We had a great time, there was even a live trio playing instrumentals of R&B classics (Stevie Wonder, "On Broadway") and we relaxed and talked and it was great.

He said he knows he eats too much, and I blame myself for some of this. Since he was very small we would "celebrate" all the time by going to interesting restaurants or getting ice cream. I worry I was the one who created in him an association between eating high calorie food and happiness. But at least we talked about it.

Distance: 6.35 miles
Duration: 58:45
Pace: 9:15
Route: Chagrin Valley Parkway
Temperature: 30•
Climate: partly cloudy
Pavement: trail run!
Mood: not bad

A trail run with Chris is a damn good time. We were both bitching about the cold. Sick of this. And yet! Partner run, it's a good thing. Lot of variety in grade, occasional stream to cross, walked very little mostly ran.

Stretches: no

I would love for next Sunday to be nice weather, I'd like us to do the bike path on the Shoreway. Maybe Dike 14!

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 166.6 lbs. (-1.0)
Goal: 165 lbs.

Broken branches trip me as I speak.

#NewDayNewPlay

I worked really hard to avoid running today. Chris and I are supposed to do six tomorrow, I did three yesterday, why run?

Because it's Saturday, that's why.

But he ran today, and I had to help encourage him to do it. So I felt an obligation. To him, and to myself.

2003 Playlist
Sunrise - Simply Red
It's My Life - No Doubt
Boombox - Mosquitos
Superstar - Jamelia
There There (The Boney King) - Radiohead
Comfortably Numb - Scissor Sisters

The Queer Eye Years!

Distance: 2.5 miles
Pace: 8:18
Route: Horizon Loop
Temperature: 33•
Climate: cold & sunny
Pavement: dry
Mood: not sure

That was hard. Hard at first, just getting out the fucking door. Then hard, as I felt winded and weak. It was cold, but sunny. Beautiful day. So I pushed. The music helped me push. I pushed all the way up a steady incline, walked for a bit and powered through, down a hill and home.

I was gasping when I returned. If my phone is to be believed, I was going faster than I am used to. So? No wonder.

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 167.5 lbs. (+0.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.

My legs too weak to stand.

Why yes, I do like Huey Lewis and the News!

Apparently it will be in the fifties in about ten days. It always says it will be in the fifties in about ten days.

Seriously. The doldrums. Running in the cold. I cannot deal anymore. I drag my feet out the door. I am not happy about this.

1983 Playlist
I Want a New Drug - Huey Lewis & the News
Is There Something I Should Know? - Duran Duran
The Flirting Kind - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Modern Love - David Bowie
Automatic - The Pointer Sisters
Fake Friends - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Wrapped Around Your Finger - The Police
The Fanatic - Felony

And yet, we persevere. Not so cold, that was nice, actually. Lots of guys around the pond, must be first day of fishing. I didn't know there was an opening day for fishing, but it must be today. There were a dozen folks around that pond.

Many downed trees in my path, too. Nothing enormous, not like last year.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 37°
Climate: cool & partly cloudy
Pavement: wet
Mood: not bad

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 167 lbs. (-0-)
Goal: 165 lbs.

I got to move.

How Neuroscientists Explain the Mind-Clearing Magic of Running
By Melissa Dahl, The Cut (4/21/2016)

I haven't read this, but I will eventually. Right now, I have to run.

1970 Playlist
No Matter What - Badfinger
Super Bad (Parts 1 & 2) - James Brown
Moondance - Van Morrison
Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours - Stevie Wonder
Little Green Bad - George Baker
Mama Told Me Not To Come - Randy Newman
Gallows Pole - Led Zeppelin
Your Song - Elton John

Distance: 3.38 miles
Route: Boulevard Loop
Temperature: 58°
Climate: rain -- but only at the very, very end
Pavement: wet
Mood: good, really.

Night run. Sometimes you just say ... if not now, when? Besides, this is the warmest it will be for several days. God, I am sick of cold this year.

The leg still pulls, and the knee hurts, the left knee. I feel like I am running wrong. I am trying to manage my strides, but it is not easy. It felt better as I went along. A great night for running, perfect. Cool, a little humid. I saw lightning flashes around mile two, and just as I turned onto our street it started coming down.  And that was fine.

Stretches: yes

I have been backsliding, putting things into my mouth I should not. Cookie here, handful of something there. I need to restrain myself.

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 167 lbs. (-1.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.

This is end of the day weight, no idea if it is relevant.

I'll heal your wounds. I'll set you free.

Happy Easter, all. This evening we will have dinner with my mom and watch Jesus Christ Superstar Live, which I hope will be inspiring.

Also, I will strive to read one play each day of the month of April.

1990 Playlist
World In My Eyes - Depeche Mode
Policy of Truth (Beat Box Mix) - Depeche Mode
Suck - Pigface
Enjoy the Silence - Depeche Mode
Where Are You Baby - Betty Boo
I Am Stretched On Your Grave - Sinéad O'Connor
Never Enough - The Cure

Violator is a really good album.

Distance: 4 miles
Pace: 8:41
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 36°
Climate: sunny & cool
Mood: good

It hurts. These past two days, it's felt like it did months ago, like an old man, hobbling along. I mean, I am making speed, but it's not fluid, every stride, I have to pull my left leg forward. It's not comfortable. Will warmer weather change this, or is this something which will come and go, and then never go?

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 168.5 lbs. (+1.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.