They think that you'll be running.

Long days, busy nights. Saw three plays this weekend, going out of town the next two weekends ... it's all just crazy. Oh, also created a second draft of my new play.

Felt a slight pain in my calf yesterday. I have not been good about stretches. I'm practically begging to mess this up.

Planning to run twelve miles tonight, at the same time as Erie Effusion. Posted this on DJBG's Facebook page:

"Taking it on the run tonight (literally.) Upbeat and extended remixes will be deeply appreciated!"

I hope she takes that to heart, and also that it doesn't rain.

Distance: 12 miles
Duration: 1:48:21
Pace: 9:01
Route: All over. It was crazy.
Temperature: 66°
Climate: overcast & humid
Mood: all right
Stretches: better believe it
Water: yes, but parched on the road

Running at dusk invokes a kind of madness. First of all, heading out in the early evening, before sunset. it ran through a cloud of crepuscular gnats -- a deep cloud of gnats. They got in my mouth, stuck to my lips, were embedded onto my shirt.

As the sun went down, I wasn't sure where to head. The cemetery was closed for the evening, so I just headed towards Cedar Road, and unfamiliar trail. As I was listening to the radio through my iPod, I wasn't getting updates through my earbuds. I checked my phone at a stop sign and was surprised to discover I had already gone eight and a half miles

That was actually my 8:50 pace I was looking at. I put in what I believed was maybe three more miles was headed for home before I checked again and saw I had only gone seven and a half miles.

So I took a turn, back to the park, which I ran through using my phone as a flashlight. It was madness. One earbud out, listening to the woods, only slightly better than blind, listening to that show Dad likes to listen to on Sundays.

Disappointingly, I didn't get the request I made before leaving played. I assume it was a malfunction of the request system, DJBG likes to remind people she only has three listeners. But the show as upbeat!

Anyway, crazy, mad, blind, twelve miles run. Time to start the week.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 166 lbs. (-0.5)
Goal: 160 lbs.

My feet to the pavement.

Headache morning. God this house is moist. Short run.

Distance: 4 miles
Duration: 33:54
Pace: 8:28
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature:68°
Climate: bright, cool (humid)
Mood: all right
Stretches: no
Water: no. oops.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 166.5 lbs. (+1.5)
Goal: 160 lbs.

What's That Lyric?
On 33 - Stereo MC's

You better run away for good.

The training continues! It does! As we taper, I have been advised not to change up my diet too much, which is fine, because I have been eating shit all month.

Just yesterday a colleague described this sexual experience she had eating a McDonald's spicy BBQ chicken sandwich while driving, so I just had to try it!

Do I regret it? Oh, fuck yes. Would I do it again? Probably.

Distance: 8 miles
Duration: 1:08:13
Pace: 8:31
Route: Forest Hill to Cain Park (and back)
Temperature: 68°
Climate: bright, sunny, awesome
Mood: very good, actually
Stretches: no
Water: yes, but I couldn't tell

What's That Lyric?
Rainy Taxi - Spoon

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 165.5 lbs. (-0-)
Goal: 160 lbs.

You run from me.

Warning: Gross.

Okay, look. I'm just not doing the work for this marathon anymore and it is really getting to me. Just Monday night (long day, no time to run) I was tending to my wounded feet. In spite of my best efforts, nails had cut into nails and I was trying to trim them and clear up some of the callouses.

The nail on my middle toe on my right foot was bruised, and I was attempting to trim that back, when it went SQUISH. The nail started emitting fluid and then blood. It had separated from the nail bed. I have lost a toe nail two weeks before the big race.

Distance: 5.75 miles
Duration: 48:52
Pace: 8:29
Route: Forest Hill-Cain Park Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: gorgeous

Mood: not bad
Stretches: no
Water: no

And yet, we run. I messaged Marc Blandin, Team Challenge Coach, immediately after it happened with a very simple question, what do I do about this? You can see his response at right, basically don't freak out, it will be fine. And don't we all need advice like that?

Thanks, Marc!

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 165.5 lbs. (-0.5)
Goal: 160 lbs.

What's That Lyric?
Oh Baby * - LCD Soundsystem

Chasing the clouds away.

Pre-Run Thoughts: The plan is to run twenty miles today. This is my final long run before tapering. And today my son will come with me, on his bike, traversing the distance between our house and his grandmother's.

I have made this journey several times, but always alone, and he has never made it so far. This will be an adventure. I hope it is a wise one.

We could have gone in the afternoon, but the temperature will blaze by noon. We will leave at 7:00 am. It will already be in the seventies.

For breakfast I've had buttery, garlicky spaghetti, and coffee. And water.

Distance: 20 miles
Duration: 3:13:56
Pace: 9:41
Route: Cleveland Heights to Lakewood
Temperature: 71° → 84°
Climate: bright, sunny & hot
Mood: very good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Energy snacks: Gatorade Prime Energy Chews, Simple Mills Soft Baked Spiced Carrot Cake Almond Flour Bar

Post-Run Realities: That was hard, and very hard. Having the boy as a companion was both emotionally satisfying, but also presented a few challenges.

He's fourteen, and has never gone twenty miles on his bike before. It took a toll on the muscles in his arms, shoulders, neck and back.

He also took two long bathroom breaks, which were opportunities for my muscles to freeze. Also, at mile three his got a flat tire, but he was also able to replace it with minimal effort, which I was entirely impressed by.

We had several additional stops to drink water, too, which were very important, too.

In fact, it was extremely good that he was along, because he carried a bag which included snacks and also water. We started shortly after sunrise, and the temperature rose our entire journey. It's a beautiful day, but hot.

The final stretch along Lake Avenue in Lakewood, was terrible. Just too bright, too hot, traversing those terrible sidewalks, and I was entirely done.

We arrived at my mom's house, but I still had to do a few laps in front of the place or I wouldn't have made twenty miles! Anyway, we had a late breakfast of bagels and I drank three glasses of water and two or orange juice.

And that was it. The time my son and I traveled across the city by foot. These days will not come again.

Week Fifteen Total: 29 miles
Total To Date: 354.5 miles

Remembering you running soft through the night.

This came in the mail yesterday.

This sucks. Not running for four days, I have a marathon in less than a month and I have that fatigue in my right thigh I get that reminds me I am not running.

We're all exhausted, which provides a neat excuse for members of the family to stop assisting with housework, only when I neglect housework, everyone notices.

Rehearsal period is always a challenge, in the old days I would get up at four o'clock just to run, today I just can't. Straight to work in the morning, straight to bed in the evening, and far too late in the evening, especially when emotions are high which they often are, and always at bedtime. All too predictable, inevitable, and apparently unavoidable.

The good news is I am writing mornings again. That's right, Writing. Why not run instead? Because fuck you, that's why.

Distance: 5.75 miles
Duration: 51:19
Pace: 8:55
Route: Forest Hill-Cain Park Loop
Temperature: 76°
Climate: sunny & bright
Mood: not good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Yes, I dyed my hair black, briefly, when I was a sophomore in college. And yet, that was a bright and sunny time. I was a strutting dick doing little work and playing all the time. It was the following summer that my heart went dark and the Goth-pop music I had been fiddling with started to really be a hook in my soul.

Hot summer, sun bigger and brighter and whiter than snow. But those short nights were a torment.

Today I chose the Dark & Gothic playlist. What a reminder. What a gas.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 166 lbs. (+1.0)
Goal: 160 lbs.

What's That Lyric?
Pictures of You - The Cure

Don't you worry about two left feet.

Thank you, Ric Ocasek.

Last night Chris and Allie came over to discuss transportation plans. We will be traveling to Chicago by TRAIN.

That's right, motherfuckers. By train.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Duration: 27:29
Pace: 8:27
Route: Boulevard Loop
Temperature: 62°
Climate: cool
Mood: stressed
Stretches: Somewhat. I need to work on that.
Water: yes

Night time run. Rushed. Not a good thing to do.

The Cars Playlist
Touch and Go
Shooting For You
Cruiser
Let the Good Times Roll (Live at The Agora)
Shake It Up
Night Spots
Hello Again

That last one goes out to Derf, who likes to imagine me dancing in parachute pants.

There's a message to your movements.

Photo image by Michael Weil

Wow, I totally did not feel like running this morning. Certainly not fourteen (scheduled) miles. We had a nice day yesterday; with in-laws in town, our daughter had a soccer match, my son played a gig at McCarthy's Downtown and then we had birthday dinner for my wife at Toast.

Lots of food, lots of alcohol, lots of talk, beautiful weather on the "patio" and not a bad bedtime hour. It was a fine family day.

This morning I just wanted to lie about and read and write and chat before my MIL, SIL and nephew returned to Athens. But running must continue so I just headed out, not knowing where I was going.

Distance: 9 miles
Duration: 1:19:00
Pace: 8:45
Route: Forest Hill to Lakeview Cemetery and back.
Temperature: 68°
Climate: overcast w/brief, light rain
Mood: improving
Stretches: not really
Water: can't remember, so I'll say no

Photo image by Michael Weil

Before I knew it, I was keeping a nice pace through the woods, enjoying the "classic punk" playlist I had chosen, and headed to the cemetery.

Across from Wade Lagoon they have posted images from photographer Michael Weil's recent project, Moonlight in the Gates: 150 Years of Lake View Cemetery in a New Reflective Light for which he spent a year of full moons skulking the cemetery and taking unique images of the park after dark.

For anyone paying attention, this is a book I would like to own.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 165 lbs. (-2.5)
Goal: 160 lbs.

What's That Lyric?
Gut Feeling - Devo

Week Fourteen Total: 21.25 miles
Total To Date: 325.5 miles

So play the resurrector and give the dead some life.

Hello, darkness.

What do you do. What do you do when your heart is no longer in it. When you are tired, and you don't even know why you are tired. When you are sad and entirely angry at the same time. When you are sad that you haven't run in three days, and entirely uninterested in running ever again. When you are so sorry and yet so resentful. When it all seems so pointless, not just running, but absolutely everything. What do you do.

It's not even a question. No one can provide answer so there's no point in even connecting. It's all fucking stupid. I just fucking hate everything because i fucking love everything but none of it matters.

There's no one home and nothing to do. I'm going for a run.

Distance: 9 miles
Duration: 1:18:05
Pace: 8:40
Route: Forest Hill to Heights High to Cain Park and Back
Temperature: 70° → 67°
Climate: cool
Mood: bad
Stretches: no
Water: yes

That was supposed to make me feel better, to energize me and make me feel alive. It didn't.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 167.5 lbs. (+1.5)
Goal: 160 lbs.

What's That Lyric?
Check the Rhime - A Tribe Called Quest

... and then I die.

Night of pain, and a sore day. I fell asleep on my left arm and when I woke up it was a world of hurt. So, of course, I thought I was having a heart attack. (I was not having a heart attack.)

So, recovery run it is.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Duration: 28:18
Pace: 8:42
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 60°
Climate: cool & humid
Mood: decent
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

In the run up to Y2K, there was a theory that the date 9/9/99 might also cause havoc as "9999" was a shutdown code in older computer systems.

This did not happen. January 1, 2000 also arrived without incident, and nothing bad has happened ever since.

To commemorate the "little y2k" I made a mix tape. This is what I was into twenty years ago today.

Now it's a Spotify playlists. Enjoy!

(Missing: "Cinnabar" and "Oops!" by Tipsy, "Comfy Club" by Pnu Riff.)

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 166 lbs.
Goal: 160 lbs.

Evening run. Gotta run in the evening so you can write in the morning.

New shoes, Under Armour. Like running on clouds.

What's That Lyric?
The Sky Is Broken - Moby

Endorphins make me cry.

Pre-Run Thoughts: The schedule demands eighteen miles, which I feel entirely unprepared for but I did complete sixteen miles two weeks ago, so anything is possible. Running to Dead Man's Curve and back (which is, my friends, eighteen miles) is not something I want to do, it feels arduous and I am not in the headspace for that.

Instead, I made plans to run across town, to mother's house. The last time I attempted this it was also my father's house, alas. But the city was different then, the Cultural Gardens not as grand, fewer people living in the city, fewer other runners. Edgewater not yet the Metropark which thousands flock to. What will I see on a warm Sunday afternoon, heading from one side of town to the other?

Next year!

Last night was Pandemonium, a scene I wrote premiered, but I left shortly after the dance party kicked into gear. I was asleep before midnight and just kept sleeping until I was finished. This morning I have eaten carbs, a bagel and later some buttery pasta. I have energy, if not the strength I was hoping for.

Still have no idea what I am going to listen to.

Distance: 18 miles
Duration: 2:42:47
Pace: 9:02
Route: Rec Center to Mom's House
Temperature: 68° → 65°
Climate: overcast & cool w/light rain
Mood: all right
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Energy snacks: Gatorade Prime Energy Chews

Post-Run Realities: Perfect day for it, I'll tell you that. And a lot of beautiful everything to look at. I can barely remember the first half, maybe because it is so familiar. I will say, running along the lake on a cloudy while Annie Lennox sings Whiter Shade of Pale was a truly introspective experience and one I enjoyed a great deal.

It was the home opener at Browns Stadium (we were spanked by the Titans 43-13) and I arrived just as everyone was leaving, which was a thrill, dodging the crowds. Detroit Avenue from the river to West 65th is such a different experience than when I first did it in 2006, and Edgewater was also extremely pleasant.

But fall is fast approaching, there were a lot of people at the beach, but not the crush of people you would find on a beautiful summer's day.

The major win for the day was my hydration and energy consumption, as I was able to spread out energy chews and hit water fountains roughly four or five miles apart, the longest stretches with hydration were from the East 55th Marina to Lower Edgewater, and from Upper Edgewater to mom's house. But I never felt dehydrated or depleted.

Amusingly, I was on Lake Avenue, the homestretch, when Carrie called my phone. When I answered she yelled "WE'RE BEHIND YOU!" and I turned and saw she and her friend David running up the street. They'd been trying to catch up when they'd seen me several blocks back, but even after running sixteen miles I run faster than the average human.

Stopping to talk to them, however, made my legs freeze up and the final two miles were hard going. Alas. But I did finish strong, about a half mile short of mom's house, which was good because it meant I finished walking, and didn't immediately sit down.

And I listened to 90s music the entire way.

What's that mondegreen?
"The dolphins make me cry."
- "Only Wanna Be With You" by Hootie & the Blowfish

Week Thirteen Total: 32.5 miles
Total To Date: 304.25 miles

I'll run the gun for you (and so much more.)

Today I have run as many times as I had last year (two of my posts this year were about recovery.) Every additional run until December 31st is a bonus.

Yet. My training schedule is not perfect. I continue to run, but not as often nor as hard as the schedule dictates. Should have run nine miles yesterday, but when I got into bed on Wednesday night my head was spinning. I don't know what that was about.

I may know what that was about. The truth is, I have been eating garbage for days. In the rehearsal hall we have large bags of candy and chips and I will spend several hours abstaining, but the moment I have a little snack it's off to the fucking races.

Seriously, I have no idea how much processed sugar I have eaten in the past week, but my tongue has been damaged by it. Yesterday I had terrible indigestion. I have to get my shit together or this is going to be a miserable race.

When I go out this morning, the plan is to run for one hour. Because they need me back at home by 6:30 am. I have no idea which direction I am headed.

Before I go, I remind my self of one thing. I really like running.

Distance: 6.5 miles
Duration: 59:18
Pace: 8:56
Route: Heights High-Monticello Middle Loop
Temperature: 55°
Climate: cool & clear
Mood: all right
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Good run, back in time for the house to wake. Long sleeves today, which was fine. Steady run, not too fast but a good pace.

What's That Lyric?
I'll Tumble 4 Ya - Culture Club

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 163.5* lbs. (-4.5)
Goal: 160 lbs.

*This cannot be accurate.

The Debate

Podcast morning, listening to The West Wing Weekly. This week they are discussing "The Debate," a live episode from season seven. Just thinking of the upcoming political season brought up my heart rate.

But I just realized something. In spite of everything, I feel better when there is something we need to gain in stead of fearing what we might lose. We've already lost so much, and there's so much worth fighting for.

Distance: 4 miles
Duration: 35:31
Pace: 8:52
Route: Cain Park Loop
Temperature: 72°
Climate: humid!
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 167 lbs. (+0.5)
Goal: 160 lbs.

The holiday weekend left me packed with processed beef. That, and all the snacks in the rehearsal hall. I hope I am able to get control of this before the Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year's Food Death Spiral.

So you run down to the safety of the town.

Perfect day, cool, after the rains. But oh, how stiff, how weak, at least starting out. Lots of runners on the path this holiday morning. Middle age, students, the entire women's track team.

By the final mile I was warmed up, broke eight minutes. Pet Shop Boys, I thank you.

Distance: 4 miles
Duration: 36:17
Pace: 9:04
Route: Hocking River Bike Path
Temperature: 66°
Climate: over cast & cool
Mood: all right
Stretches: yes
Water: no, coffee

Ohio University Playlist (1986 - 1990)
Lonesome For a Place I Know - Everything But the Girl
Panic - The Smiths
I Get a Kick Out of You - Jungle Brothers
Lunar Bay - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
I Got It Goin' On - Tone-Loc
Don't Believe the Hype - Public Enemy
Life With the Lions - Billy Bragg
Ladies First - Queen Latifah ft. Monie Love
Like the Weather - 10,000 Maniacs
Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money) - Pet Shop Boys

You glorify the past when the future dries up.

First week of rehearsal is always a busy week, and the days are even more full with activate, teenage children. Cross-training and short runs fall by the wayside in favor of weekend rehearsal, orchestra parent meetings, and the desire to be present as children and spouse prepares for a day in school.

Meantime I have my own business, writing or preparing applications. We enter September, move into fall. And travel to Athens. My business has kept me from here since Christmas, I think. Memorial Day I had Lear rehearsal, my wife and son came to town to see my nephew (now three and a half months old) while the girl and I were in New York.

But we are here. A cool morning, after the rains. And it's another long one. On the drive down I said I had to run twelve miles today and my wife said she just can't comprehend that. Running that far, it's simply an impossible thing she could never physically accomplish.

Maybe not, but there's a first time for everything.

Distance: 12 miles
Duration: 1:47:41
Pace: 8:58
Route: Hocking River Bike Path
Temperature: 70°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: all right
Stretches: yes
Water stops: plenty
Snack: banana

Good day on the bike path, feeling strong. Not winded, not sore, not slow. Weather was perfect, and there were several water fountains along the way. Got to use a bathroom. So it was relaxed, not arduous, no worries. Listened to a playlist of songs from my college days. I have tried, throughout the years, to keep up with popular music. I haven't turned against it, but I have found nostalgia to be soothing. I mean, right?

O.U. Playlist (1986-1990)
God Part II - U2
La Bamba * - Los Lobos
Girlfriend In a Coma - The Smiths
Waiting For the Great Leap Forward - Billy Bragg
Rhymin' On the Funk - Digital Underground
Christopher Tracy's Parade - Prince
Channel Z - The B-52's
Wild Thing - Tone-Loc
Globe of Frogs - Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians
I Hope You're Happy Now - Elvis Costello & the Attractions
Domino * - Genesis
Something to Save - George Michael
The Cactus - 3rd Bass
Kiss (Aon Mix) - The Art of Noise ft. Tom Jones
Don't Disturb the Groove - The System
Driving - Everything But the Girl
Merely a Man - XTC
World In My Eyes - Depeche Mode
Route 66 - Depeche Mode
Elephants & Flowers - Prince
Free Fallin' * - Tom Petty
Summer of Love - The B-52's
Blood & Roses - The Smithereens
Twisting - They Might Be Giants
Things That Make You Go Hmmmm ... - C+C Music Factory
The Sensual World - Kate Bush
Buffalo Stance - Neneh Cherry

Week Twelve Total: 23.5 miles
Total To Date: 271.75 miles