On Rails

This asshole.

King Lear closes today, a three hour show that goes down at 11:00 PM has been trying for me, exhausting in and of itself and also robbing me of sleep. Marathon training and hot nights make for short hours, and catching naps has become a necessary evil.

Just yesterday I had two half-hour naps during the day. Not sure if hot sleeping is restorative, anyway, I should sleep in a cool bath.

Week Three Total: 19.15 miles
Training To Date: 56.9 miles

Podrunner: On Rails (161 bpm)

Distance: 5.15 miles
Duration: 45:40
Pace: 8:51
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 67°→70°
Climate: sunny & bright
Mood: very anxious
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Snack: banana

Anxious morning, the cat had gotten out. I mean, sometimes he doesn't come down for breakfast, but it's odd. I didn't want to wake everyone with the news, maybe he was sleeping somewhere and would show up, but after I got back from my run with Chris, not only was he gone but I found how he had escaped, a small hole in the screen on the porch was much more cat-sized and had some orange hairs caught in it.

Anyway, just as I was about to post a MISSING CAT notice on our neighborhood page, he came crying to the side door, and trotted right in when we opened it.

So, today I'm fixing screens.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 165 lbs. (-1.5)
Goal: 165 lbs. Achievement Unlocked

Here is the fact. This time last year I had worked myself down to 163 lbs., having started at 178 lbs. at the beginning of 2018, just like this year. That was not only as light as I would become, I almost immediately began putting the weight right back on.

I mean, of course I did. We visited North Carolina, a few weeks after that, Maine. Vacation, relaxation, easy calories. We are not in North Carolina now, but there will be plentiful opportunities for bingeing unhealthy foods (there always are) and I must be careful of those.

Training for a marathon always helps. But keeping a reasonable diet is a constant challenge.

The air outside will make our cells divide at an alarming rate.

USA! USA!

Several days of indulgence, including buckets of popcorn and fried items. There's a great deal of green produce in our house (thank you, City Fresh and Community Greenhouse Partners) but not enough fresh fruit.

Just last night I made Parmesan rigate with greens and seared lemony boy choy which was wildly appreciated at the table, but during the day I need to be able to grab an apple and I keep forgetting to prepare for that. Or a peach. Anything. I eat handfuls of nuts. Lots of handfuls of nuts.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 26:23
Pace: 8:47
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 71°
Climate: overcast & very humid
Mood: coming together
Stretches: yes
Water: not enough

Last night, a freak and brief torrential downpour. Another expected in about an hour. This is the new normal, devastating heat and wild rain and wind.

This morning I rose at six, as I am compelled to, but there is a different between rising because an alarm tells you to and doing so because your body say enough. I could have slept more. Perhaps later I will.

Nice run, though. The lower bpm made me feel as though I was going slower than I would otherwise choose to, but I am still breaking a nine minute mile.

The girl and I are making plans to run Bay Village on Thursday. I know, I said I never would again, but that was alone.

155 - 164 BPM Playlist
Hello City - Barenaked Ladies
You're Beautiful - James Blunt
Numb - Portishead
I Don't Want To Fall In Love - She Wants Revenge
Mexican Radio  - Wall of Voodoo
Don't Box Me In - Stewart Copeland ft. Stan Ridgway
We Will Become Silhouettes - The Postal Service

Stanard Ridgway two-fer!

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 166.5 lbs. (-2.0)
Goal: 165 lbs.

Timepiece (two)

We had a nice little get-together to celebrate out anniversary last night, and I got to bed around midnight ... which is not helpful when you need to get up at six for a four mile.

And yet, these days I am waking naturally at ten to six, every day, like clockwork. It's the time, it's the light, it's the heat. It's the encroaching old man in me.

Distance: 5 miles
Duration: 46:15
Pace: 9:14
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 68°→70°
Climate: humid!
Mood: all right
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Oof, so glad tomorrow is a day off. Chris says he's lifting tomorrow, but I will sleep, or try to. It was a lovely party last night, I had three beers, which is one over my limit, but I cut myself off several hours before bed, drinking a lot of water, which was good.

Then there was the food. Drink, eat, repeat.

We have amazing friends. I love my house, my neighborhood. I love my wife, and my children. Whatever else comes to pass, however else I am feeling, I know these things to be true. And that helps.

Podrunner: Timepiece (160 bpm)

WE DID IT! You did it! We hit my personal $2,000 TEAM CHALLENGE goal for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, and now I am officially headed for Chicago!

Many thanks to all who contributed, we made it with months to spare!

If you haven't yet and would still like to kick something in, please hit the TEAM CHALLENGE button at top right. Every little bit helps!

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 168.5 lbs. (+2.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.

Timepiece (one)

June 26, 1999

Twenty years ago today, my wife and I were married in my parents' backyard. We were wearing clothes.

Distance: 6 miles (running, sprinting & walking)
Duration: 1:02:26
Route: Forest Hill
Temperature: 70°
Climate: sunny & warm
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Instead of hitting the gym, Chris suggested some team cross-training; a run to the Rec Center to warm up (that's a mile for each of us) then do some hills in the park.

Podrunner Timepiece (160 bpm)

That was a great workout, miles there and back clocked in at about 8:45 - 8:50. We met up and took one of the trails down the hill. They were blocked with downed trees and branches which made for an interesting obstacle course but nothing unpassable.

We made it to the foot of Forest Hill Road, by the looming, abandoned apartment building. Behind that is a path back into the woods, and we sprinted that three times before heading back to the center to part.

Wish I had brought my rec pass, I would have finished up by working the machines. But then again, maybe I would be wrecked right now if I had. Time to get on with my day.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 166 lbs. (-1.0)
Goal: 165 lbs.

Correr como loco.

These folks are rehearsing a play I wrote,
and I do not even know them.
(Culver City Public Theatre)

Okay, here we go, running so often now I am running out of things to say. Or so it goes this morning. Yesterday was an indulgence, and not a good one. Cake, chips and dip, all manner of things sneaking their way into my system. That's not how we do this.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 25:40
Pace: 8:33
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 65°
Climate: sunny & nice & humid
Mood: driven
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Snack: no

Got behind laundry this week, had to locate pieces this morning, which is always stressful and puts me behind. Also, did laundry, rearranged the fridge, household things. The sun was well on its rise by the time I got out, which was visually challenging but also beautiful.

The slower pace was not as slow as I feared it might be, it's still brisk. Felt good. Tomorrow I hit the gym for upper body work, and I am really looking forward to that!

No, really!

155 - 159 BPM Playlist
Do I Have To Talk You Into It - Spoon
On the Verge - Nick Robinson
Lobo - Torreblanca
In the Waiting Line - Zero 7
Cool Places - Sparks ft. Jane Wiedlin
Whip It - Devo
Ten Duel Commandments - Company from "Hamilton"
Jaded - Green Day
The Shapes Between Us Turn Into Animals - Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians

By seven o'clock last night I was spent. That's where we are getting. Maybe if I had had a fifteen minute nap, those are extremely effective. Discovered that when I was twenty, I was doing three shows -- a mainstage, a class project and directing my own play (both firsts.)

I was also designing the set and sound for my first play. There was a lot of work, and I learned to set a timer for ten minutes, cross my arms across my chest like a vampire, and drop dead asleep. Woke like I had emerged from an oasis of cool.

Anyway, by nine o'clock I was practically comatose. Not nodding off, but as Mark noted (this was at a party) I was not as animated as usual. I was previously unaware of my animation.

There's a big world in the street outside.

KING LEAR closes June 30!

With these Podrunner playlists I have been running consistently at one speed for an entire trek. To change things up a little, I have a created playlist of swift to burning tempos, let's see how changing it up feels.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 24:57
Pace: 8:19
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: overcast & light rain
Mood: anxious
Stretches: yes
Water: not enough

Very humid, much sweat. Fast run, almost too fast, but I caught up. Tomorrow I'll take it easy?

160 - 169 BPM Playlist
La Femme d'Argent - AIR
Take a Break - Company from "Hamilton"
Praying to a New God - Wang Chung
Jockey Full of Bourbon - Tom Waits
Come & Get It - Selena Gomez
Fly Away - Lenny Kravitz
Don't Dream It's Over - Crowded House

Last night we went out for a pre-anniversary evening, it feels like forever since my wife and I have been able to just sit and talk in a restaurant. We didn't even eat that much, just drinks and small plates. Actually, I guess the small plates were kinda big. And all carbs. Not that that's bad for me at this stage.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 167 lbs. (+1.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.

The Diamond Lane

Stop snitching.

During the school year I rise at five, to write and the prepare everyone for their day. A few years ago we began feeding the acts on a regular basis. One was becoming obese, the other has always been slender, regular feeding meant I could keep an eye on them and make sure the smaller one was actually eating his food.

Week Two Total: 19 miles
Training To Date: 37.75 miles

And so, on weekends, and when the schedule is different for everyone, like now, during the summer, the cats are patient until about six, when they will start pawing at things in our room. The widow, the door, sometimes the floor, all in an effort to wake us up to feed them.

It works.

Distance: 7 miles
Duration: 58:14
Pace: 8:19
Route: Uptown Loop
Temperature: 61°→65°
Climate: sunny & bright
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Snack: banana

Dynamite run. Running, thinking, never dropping below 163. Not even up Murray Hill.

Took the Lakeview route, if I visit Pekar, Ness, and Freed it is an even seven miles from door to door. 

If you are visiting the grave of Harvey Pekar, be sure to bring a pen or pencil in lieu of stones. Ness had a toy police cruiser perched on top of his family plinth.

Chris has been in Boston, gets back today but he took advantage of the unique surroundings to take his seven mile yesterday, and good for him. I have a plan to run ten miles in Central Park next month.

I think I abraded my elbow. No idea how that happened.

Podrunner: The Diamond Lane (163 bpm)

We are only $250 shy of the goal in my TEAM CHALLENGE campaign to find a cure for Crohn's and colitis! Will you join the team, and get us to the finish line? Hit the TEAM CHALLENGE button at top right (or this link!) Many thanks!

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 165.5 lbs. (-1.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.

Also, thoughts while driving. Jokes for the Victorian era, also a new scene for the running play.

Like a rainbow.

Some kids sign their camp shirts.
This kid brought a flag.

Theater camp is closed for the season, Lear is in its fourth week. The summer begins officially.

One twenty minute session at the gym doesn't seem like much, but the effects of that go-round were felt in my run on Thursday and even this morning, before my run, I feel the tension.

There has been so much rain, yesterday and today feel like living on different planet as the sun is shining and the climate is, so far, cool and sweet.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 24:31
Pace: 8:10
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 65°
Climate: sunny & bright
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Podrunner: Teenage Kicks - Pride Edition! on The Current
Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
Praying for Time - George Michael
Save Me * - Queen
Is It Really So Strange - The Smiths
People Are People - Depeche Mode
Talkin' Bout a Revolution - Tracy Chapman
True Colors - Cyndi Lauper

From 8:00-10:00 AM on Saturdays (Central Time) The Current program "Teenage Kicks" plays an upbeat mix of happy tunes from the 70s, 80s and 90s to put a wistful smile on the faces of their largely Generation X demographic.

I mean, they could play the exact same mix for any hour during the week and no one would notice the difference, except for the noticeable absence of inscrutable, atonal white men like Father John Misty and Boney Vere.

This morning I had the opportunity to time it just right and get in a run while Kicks was live (between 9 - 11 Eastern Time) and today was treated to an edition focusing on LGBTQ+ artists.

This week at camp there were numerous young people in attendance who were open about their identities, to this middle aged man growing up in the suburbia rancid with the kind of homophobia represented in every 80s teen comedy, it was very emotionally reassuring. The kids are all right.

We are only $250 shy of the goal in my TEAM CHALLENGE campaign to find a cure for Crohn's and colitis! Will you join the team, and get us to the finish line? Hit the TEAM CHALLENGE button at top right (or this link!) Many thanks!

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 167 lbs. (-0.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.

Triskaideka (two)

KING LEAR resumes tomorrow!

Wednesday is marked for rest or cross-training, so I accompanied my ass the the gym to do some upper body work. I have always been weak, can lift much, now that I have hurt my back I don't even need to pretend that I can. But that's not good, I know that. So, to the machines.

I lasted about twenty minutes, but they were a good twenty, it felt good. Feeling it Thursday morning. Not feeling the rain, though, so slept in an extra hour. The running would come later.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 23:42
Pace: 7:50
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 65°
Climate: light rain, many puddles
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Very pleasant run, it was raining lightly the entire time, but I probably caught the only thirty minute period all day that it wasn't pouring downright.

Podrunner: Triskaideka (164 bpm)

That mix is dynamite, totally recommend. I mix, two three mile runs. What's next?

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 167.5 lbs. (+1.0)
Goal: 165 lbs.

Triskaideka (one)

h/t Nina M.

Haven't used Podrunner for four years. Since 2006, DJ Steve Boyett has issued hour-long mixes for running, spinning, what have you. I have found them particularly useful for long runs, and by that I mean ten miles and above.

It's a different groove, to be sure, but it's my kind of music. For the next few runs, I will take one mix and spread it out over several days.

No iPod, just the phone. Hands-free, too.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 24:00
Pace: 8:00
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 62°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: all right
Stretches: yes
Water: yes, not enough

Something is up with my shoulder, my right shoulder tingles sometimes. I look in the mirror, it is hard to make them even. This morning there is pain at the base of my skull, muscle pain that is directly above the place where I am holding tension, I believe they are related. Some massotherapy would be nice, what else should I do.

Podrunner: Triskaideka (164 bpm)

164 bpm is my shit! Made a neat eight-minute mile with that stuff. I had forgotten how pleasurable it can feel to listen to this podcast, an uninterrupted tapestry of club music set to my tempo.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 165.5 lbs. (-2.0)
Goal: 165 lbs.

why dont you run from me

Father's Day, I got decadent. A cheeseburger and chips for lunch, with a Coke. For dinner, an annual celebration at the Melting Pot ... it began as a celebration of the children's great work over the previous school year some five years ago, now it is a tradition. Why fondue? A Groupon. And yet, sure, why not, stale bread with melted cheese. Totally worth it.

So, that was an exception. Let us remember to make wise diet decisions.

And now, ladies and gentlemen ... 56 Playlists for 56 Years (1964-2019)

2019 Playlist
Can't Knock the Hustle - Weezer
Take On Me * - Weezer
Juice - Lizzo
seconds (electric lady sessions) - LCD Soundsystem
bury a friend - Billie Eilish
Funny Business - Alison Merton
Tempo - Lizzo ft. Missy Elliott
This Time It's Different - Heart Bones

There we go. Doesn't usually take me until June to have this many runs, if it's going to take half a year, perhaps I should abandon this tradition and just create playlists on Spotify, or go back to using Podrunner.

No idea what Podrunner sounds like in the late 10s, perhaps I should find out. I think my iPod is retired.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 25:32
Pace: 8:30
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 60°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: all right
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Good run, brisk and exciting. Killer geese, a distressed heron and one plucky deer.

Three mile runs, all week. I should find an alternate route, to pick things up. I, too, need tempo.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 167.5 lbs. (+1.0)
Goal: 165 lbs.

Watch his body writhe.

I did not mean to do this.

How is my body? Not bad. Regular running makes me back hurt, my hip hurt. But you know what? Not running does that, too. Just differently.

The nail on my left big toe has been ... well, you don't want to know. It needs attention. Also, I used to have beautiful arches, now they are falling. Sometimes that hurts.

Week One Total: 18.75 miles
Training To Date: 18.75 miles

Also, Happy Father's Day. Last night was rough, I stuttered the first line of the play, that was something new. My tongue balled up in my mouth and I couldn't speak.

This is why I hate acting, I can't trust my muscles or my brain, it's terrifying. I wouldn't trust to put me in a play, ever.

Distance: 6.75 miles
Duration: 1:04:25
Pace: 9:32
Route: Uptown Loop
Temperature: 64°
Climate: overcast, cool & humid
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Very nice run with Chris, down through Lakeview, around MOCA and up Murray Hill. We both made our way up that hill will little issues, kept chugging along, never stopped. We're both much stronger than we were at the beginning of the year.

Talking Chicago, are we going to try for four? I've done my four hour marathon, twice, and I am uncertain I will ever break my time in the Twin Cities. This is Chris's first full marathon, though, so I am following his lead. And if breaking four hours is the goal, so be it. I think we can both do that.

One so we completed our first week of marathon training! This would be an excellent day to support my TEAM CHALLENGE campaign to find a cure for Crohn's and colitis! Will you join the team, and get us to the finish line? Hit the TEAM CHALLENGE button at top right (or this link!) Many thanks!

1969 Playlist
Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Moby Dick/Bonzo's Montreux - Led Zeppelin
We Got More Soul - Dyke & The Blazers
The Acid Queen - The Who
I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
Someday We'll Be Together - The Supremes
The Chokin' Kind - Joe Simon
A Boy Named Sue (Live) - Johnny Cash

One more playlist. What will 2019 bring? Any suggestions?

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 166.5 lbs. (-1.0)
Goal: 165 lbs.

You run to the store for quick relief.

Upstart Mechnicals Improv Club

One week of camp down. Last night's performance of King Lear was off the chain (and isn't that an odd sentence.) Stayed out, rose late, and yet -- time for a brief run.

These are brief run days. I will need to make some sacrifices in the near future.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 25:01
Pace: 8:20
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature:
Climate: overcast, cool, with light spotting (i said it)
Mood: determined
Water: no!

Totally forgot to drink any water, at all, before going out. Luckily it was not a problem -- today. Adding that to my checklist. A little rushed this morning, the kids have their culminating Heights Music Camp performance. But it was a brisk, cool run. Cool, but sweaty.

1979 Playlist
Bad Girls - Donna Summer
My Sharona - The Knack
Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
She's Lost Control (Peel Sessions) - Joy Division
Rapper's Delight (12" Version) - The Sugarhill Gang
Even the Losers - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 167.5 lbs. (-2.0)
Goal: 165 lbs.

Woke up the same morning, I felt fine.

Selling hip-hop to white people.

Got a decent night's sleep last night. Driving home from camp I was seriously drowsy. Got to watch my daughter's summer league soccer game last night, when was the last time I got to do that?

Today we reached the 3/4 mark to our goal in my TEAM CHALLENGE campaign to find a cure for Crohn's and colitis! Will you join the team, and get us to the finish line? Hit the TEAM CHALLENGE button at top right (or this link!) Many thanks!

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 26:06
Pace: 8:42
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 59°
Climate: cloudy & cool
Mood: good

Nice, brisk run. Gonna rain later. Today the wife was supposed to resume her writing schedule but she was up all night coughing, poor thing. She moved into another room to let me sleep, for which I am much appreciative.

Theater camp is also going well, so far. An auspicious start to the summer. Plans are being laid, the girl and I will run in Central Park in July. Training will take place everywhere.

1989 Playlist
Freedom of Speak (We Got Three Minutes) - De La Soul
Waiting For Mary (What Are We Doing Here) - Pere Ubu
The Sensual World - Kate Bush
Jenifa (Taught Me) (12" Version) - De La Soul
Eye Know (The Know It All Mix) - De La Soul
Cuts You Up - Peter Murphy

Nineteen Eighty-Nine remains the greatest year in the history of popular music. Fight me. They say the year you turned twenty-one is the year you will thin was the best in pop music history, but in this case, it's true. After the doldrums on the mid-80s, hip-hop was making its move into the mainstream, 80s solo artists were releasing their very best work, the only person who did not succeed in 1989 was Prince.

"Throw it."

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 169.5 lbs. (-1.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.

Until the ocean covers every mountain high.

Good morning.

Today would be for either cross training or rest, but as I did not run on Monday, today I ran instead.

Rose at 5:00 am, as a nice change of pace, to write. It has been a while. rather than free writing, I used this time to gather my thoughts from the other night's reading of the marathon play. This will eventually become a blog post.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 25:06
Pace: 8:22
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 57°
Climate: no clouds, cool
Mood: positive

What a glorious morning, just as the sun was rising. End of the century tunes, cool and trouble-free. my body feels great. No pain (okay, slight pain, left hip, that's not going away, ever) clear head, strong, light, moving easy strides, things are going very well on day two.

I'm taking the month of June to remind you of this TEAM CHALLENGE campaign, and reach my goal of $2,000, to find a cure for Crohn's and colitis? Will you kick in something today? Hit the TEAM CHALLENGE button at top right (or this link!) Many thanks!

1999 Playlist
Blue (Da Ba Dee) - Eiffel 65
Machete - Moby
Thursday's Child - David Bowie
As - George Michael ft. Mary J. Blige
The Carpet Crawlers 1999 - Genesis
Cups - Underworld

Camp is also going well, in our quadrant, after two days. Energetic, enthusiastic participants, most of whom are returning after several years. That must mean we are doing something right.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 171 lbs. (+2.0)
Goal: 165 lbs.

That would be the Doritos.

Put your skills on show.

James Rankin is Pengo

Yesterday was to be first day of training. I woke at 2 AM feeling headachy and sick to my stomach, and hardly got back to sleep the rest of the night. Also, I was fretting about the first day of summer theater camp. I felt worse and worse, but I had to go in. There were too many responsibilities I was the point person for, and I had promised to drive a camper from the Heights to Berea for the camp. I had to go, I couldn't call in sick.

What was strange was that I never felt like this, a hangover, a migraine, these things give me a debilitating headache which makes me feel ill. The headache subsided, but I still felt ill. Driving across town, I thought I would vomit, or shit myself. Neither of these things happened.

I got to camp, Shaun found a place in the dark for me to lie down, I rested for a half hour just before camp started ... and I felt fine. What was that? What happened to me? Was that food poisoning? Maybe it was. No idea. Thought I might run in the afternoon, to get that in. But we had scheduled a reading of (ironically enough) And Then You Die.

Better rest. Start fresh on Tuesday. After reading a play about training, it felt appropriate to do this right.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 26:49
Pace: 8:56
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 52°
Climate: bright & cool
Mood: good

Twice around the pond, without going to the woods, and back is exactly three miles to my front door. Less chance of encountering a coyote, but I was menaced by two mother geese.

Simple run, easy breezy. It took twenty minutes to get out of the house. Even a thirty minute run takes fifty minutes, not counting making these notes.

2009 Playlist
Dance Wiv Me - Dizzee Rascal ft. Calvin Harris
Surprise Hotel - Fool's Gold
A New Error - Moderat
Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny) - A.R. Rahman & The Pussycat Dolls
Hi Friend! - Deadmau5 ft. MC Flipside
Fireflies - Owl City

Oof. That cheesy rip-off song. I'd delete it but it reminds me of my small kids. Seriously, that's what love does to a person, it makes them listen to shitty music.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 169.5 lbs. (-0.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.

I'm gonna keep on the run.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE

Training begins tomorrow, so does summer theater camp. Chris asked if we are going to do morning runs together, which is a good idea -- can I be prepared for it? Every day I think tomorrow is the day it lightens up, but it never is.

Distance: 5 miles
Duration: 44:49 miles
Pace: 8:57
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 67°
Climate: overcast & breezy
Mood: all right
Stretches: yes

Chris and I are making plans for training, comparing plans, discussing when we will meet up when we fly solo. Eighteen weeks.

1964 Playlist
Matchbox - The Beatles
Squeeze Her, Tease Her (But Love Her) - Jackie Wilson
 I Call Your Name - The Beatles
Out of Sight - James Brown
Yeh Yeh - Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
Viva Las Vegas - Elvis Presley
The Back Boys - The Beach Boys
Not Fade Away - The Rolling Stones
Do Wah Diddy Diddy - Manfred Mann
Route 66 * - The Rolling Stones
See Line Woman - Nina Simone

This is the earliest playlist, as low as we go. Six more playlists to go. This year, we took our time and it was fine.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 169.5 lbs. (+1.0)
Goal: 165 lbs.

Please help me through the crowd.

Running around on my "day off." Putting things out for the neighborhood yard sale (which we apparently didn't tell anyone we were having, oops) getting the boy to band practice with the women head off to Parade the Circle. Also, a trip to the tore to get necessaries.

Then, a run! A quick run, very quick. Goodness, "Autobahn." Where would the future be without you?

Distance: 3.25 miles
Duration: 27:46
Pace: 8:32
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 76°
Climate: sunny & hot!
Mood: good
Stretches: yes

1974 Playlist
Skin Tight - Ohio Players
Promised Land - Elvis Presley
Killer Queen - Queen
The Wall Street Shuffle - 10cc
Lilywhite Lilith* - Gensis
Autobahn * - Kraftwerk
Kung Fu Fighting - Carl DOuglas
Jackie Blue - Ozark Mountain Bluedevils

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 168.5 lbs. (-1.5)
New Goal: 165 lbs.

Welcome to conditioning.

Say hello to the Anker SoundBuds Surge Lightweight Wireless Headphones, Bluetooth 4.1 Sports Earphones with Water-Resistant Nano Coating, Running Workout Headset with Magnetic Connector and Carry Pouch!

These are my new headphones. They suit. They came recommended from the wife and the girl, and now I have my own, and they are largely trouble-free.

Distance: 3.3 miles
Duration: 28:53
Pace: 8:45
Route: Boulevard Loop
Temperature: 68°
Climate: RAIN!
Mood: GOOD!
Stretches: yes
Bandage: no

Took all night before the family was present to gather for a meal together -- our first, all together, in some time! Headed out after sundown, and about a mile and a half from home it started to rain.

Big rain! Lots of puddles! And I wasn't wearing my cap (looked for it, couldn't find it, should have looked harder) so my glasses were spotty with water and catching the glare of every street light.

Meanwhile, I was charging ... but also not charging, because this is Cleveland Heights and I had no idea what was going to be ahead of me; uneven pavement, skunk family. a large hole in the ground.

And yet. That was awesome.

1984 Playlist
Conditioning - Howard Jones
If You Were Here - Thompson Twins
Dissidents - Thomas Dolby
Walk Through the Fire - Peter Gabriel
High Energy - Evelyn Thomas
Love Is (What I Say) - INXS
Michael Caine - Madness
To France - Mike Oldfield

Maximum 1984!

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 170 lbs. (-2.0)
Goal: 170 lbs.

Yeah? Okay.

See, I've got heart like John Starks.

Tori Amos always reminds me of my ex-wife, and that's just fine.

Distance: 3.75 miles
Duration: 33:02
Pace: 8:48
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: overcast & humid
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Bandage: no

TRUE STORY! If left untreated, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) can lead to some life-threatening complications.

My brother has lived with UC his entire life ... and though it's only incidental to his story, when I was two I ate all of his medication and had to have my stomach pumped. Not actually relevant, but I wanted to tell the tale.

But! Crohn's disease also increases a patient's risk of developing colorectal cancer. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the third highest risk factor for colorectal cancer cases.

I'm taking the month of June to remind you of this TEAM CHALLENGE campaign, and reach my goal of $2,000, to find a cure for Crohn's and other IBDs? Will you kick in something today? Hit the TEAM CHALLENGE button at top right (or this link!) Many thanks!

Source: http://mentalfloss.com/article/582241/crohns-disease-facts

1994 Playlist
God - Tori Amos
Realm - Lestat
Funk Dat - Sagat
Khang Tone - Stereolab
Snail Shell - They Might Be Giants
Get It Together - Beastie Boys ft. Q-Tip
The Man Who Sold The World - Nirvana
Moon Sammy - Soul Coughing
Night In My Veins - The Pretenders

That's some Maximum 90s!


Beautiful night in the park, took the extra loop. Think I spotted my daughter and some friends existing as teen phenomena at the top of the hill overlooking the City.

No complaints in my legs or lungs. Doing all right, getting stronger, no need to walk at all. The girl runs around 8:07 at soccer practice these days but there we go. I've been passed.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 172 lbs. (+1.0)
Goal: 170 lbs.

Okay, fellah. Take it easy now.

Formulate your sentences.

"Should"?

No, I did not do The Forgotten. After opening night (which was more stressful than necessary) we got in after midnight and there was no way I was running eight miles at nine am the next morning.

So, Apple is closing iTunes. Huh. Didn't think of that. We first got the program in late 2002, it came with my wife's new laptop. We listened to the stations which were available at that time, and I loaded CDs onto that.

The idea of buying music online was nothing someone my age came to easily, but in 2004 Apple had a campaign with Pepsi, you would get a code under a bottle cap for a free download. Pepsi sold a lot of pop, and we got used to the idea of buying music online. I think my first download was actually something old, Marshall Crenshaw's Whenever You're On My Mind. It was a spring of nostalgia and of feeling big things.

No idea what happens to our purchases once the store closes. We can still use our players, I guess? Regardless, consumers are once again being told how to experience their music, and today it is streaming. Perhaps that means this will be the very last year I bother to do these annual playlists. I have the final eleven years already loaded onto my iPod, but even that will be obsolete soon. Really, it already is.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Duration: 28:25
Pace: 8:44
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 56°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: all right
Stretches: yes
Bandage: no

Big time backslide, it's been such a long week, bedtimes after midnight. Driving home I asked the wife to make me popcorn. "Make me popcorn!" I said. And then I scarfed a lot of popcorn.

Easy dog. Hitting the 170 mark is not something to be taken for granted. You know you are adding sugar, sugar and garbage. More vegetables. More fruit.

2004 Playlist
No Expectations - I Am the World Trade Center
Cobrastyle - Teddybears ft. Cobra
Ohh La La - The Ditty Bops
Air - Owls
Extraordinary Girl - Green Day
Mike Mills - AIR
Golden Touch - Razorlight
Shoot the Dog - George Michael
Tell Her Tonight - Franz Ferdinand

Yes, I bought two-thirds of those tracks on iTunes. Two were ripped from CDs, one a free download from another site.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 171 lbs. (+1.0)
Goal: 170 lbs.

Did not want to head out, so glad I did. Brisk, cool run. Ideal weather. The wife encouraged me to go, I am so grateful, thank you.