Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 19:32
Pace: 9:46
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 75°
Climate: sunny & warm
Mood: all right
Weight: 184 lbs. (-1.0)

Noble Loop Run

The girl and I took an early evening run around her old elementary school. Heading up one of the sides streets is a steady incline for a quarter mile, then a hill. After that, it was all easy.

I was more sore today than yesterday. This will no doubt continue.

Distance: 2.14 miles
Duration: 21:51
Pace: 10:12
Route: Noble Loop
Temperature: 75°
Climate: HOT
Mood: all right
Weight: 185 lbs. (+1.0)

Running the streets.

Woke sore, of course. Thought it would be best to run than not to. Work those sore muscles. On another day I would have gone to the park but I don't want to injure myself.

My heart hurts.

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 19:20
Pace: 9:40
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 72°
Climate: sunny & bright
Mood: complicated
Weight: 184 lbs. (+1.0)

What's That Lyric?
Rough Boys - Pete Townshend

I will survive.

Conversation with the wife the other day. About my hip. My thigh. The last few runs have aggravated my right leg, it is (I understand) all related to a herniated disc. Sometimes it hurts here, sometimes over there.

She says I need to stretch more, or take some positive action in order to alleviate the irritation and pain. I said the positive action I planto take is to live with it without becoming depressed.

The body is a machine, she says. It can be fixed. The body is a machine, I agree. Machines break down. The stop working properly. This is all right.

This is what I was dealing with last year, training fro the marathon. Long runs, overdoing it. I love running. I would prefer to run pain-free. I think I just need to live with who I am. This is me. This is what I have to work with.

Workout: Cross-Training
Temperature: 70°
Mood: very good
Weight: 183 lbs. (-2.0)

So, the girl and I are on our own for a week. She invited me to join her for a free "cross-fit" workout in the parking lot, and I will never pass up on an invitation like that. But oh, my. Oh, oh my. Six reps of squats, sit-ups, lunges, burpees and 200m runs.

Well. I did them, I just didn't do all of them every time. I can't even do one sit-up. I was trying, it was pathetic. She said, "just do crunches." Do you see what's happening here? She's already starting to take care of me.

Anyway, that was thrilling, and I am going to be in pain all day. I hope we get to do that again!

What's That Lyric?
I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
(Happy PRIDE!)

I want to run and hide right now.

Late night with friends on the deck. Late morning, but a beautiful one. For those who follow this blog (and I am not sure anyone does, and that is all right, too) I have chosen not to spend time composing entries, just logging the run. Especially when it is brief and unremarkable, like a couple laps around the block.

And this is a shame, because this blog has become quite a document of my life, and that of my wife and children. I was able to pinpoint the year when my wife lost her glasses in the ocean because I had written about it here. Details get lost when they are not recorded.

Still. It takes time, and I would rather run than fret having to write about it.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 29:55
Pace: 9:38
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 72°
Climate: sunny & warm
Mood: good
Weight: 185 lbs. (-0-)

Glorious day.

What's That Lyric?
Ship of Fools - World Party

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 18:03
Pace: 9:01
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 64°
Climate: partly cloudy & nice
Mood: all right
Weight: 185 lbs. (+1.0)

Pain in my right hip, ran down my thigh. Repetition? Need a rest? Or keep going?

What do you think?

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 18:41
Pace: 9:20
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 70°
Climate: overcast & humid
Mood: all right
Weight: 184 lbs. (+1.0)

Run fast for your mother. Run fast for your father.

It is a nice thing, to have your family pay special attention to you on a certain day of the year. I mean, I am blessed with a wife and children who pay special attention to me every day of the year, but on Father's Day I get breakfast and gifts, too.

For the past several years my mother has remembered me on Father's Day, abent my own father. This year I am missing that. I should be thinking of him, but I am thinking more of her.

Visited the house yesterday, walked through its many rooms, and sobbed uncontrollably. I cried this morning, too.

Just feeling sad today. Maybe it will pcik up as we go.

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 18:30
Pace: 9:15
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 75°
Climate: not a cloud in the sky
Mood: mourning
Weight: 183 lbs. (-1.0)

Lost ten pounds. I'll gain it all back today.

What's That Lyric?
Dog Days Are Over - Florence + The Machine

You'd watch my heart burst. Then you'd step in.

It's still there, below the surface. The trembling. And it's not the allergy medication, because I stopped taking that weeks ago.

It may, indeed, be the alcohol, because the drinking has returned. Because I'm bored. Because I am unsure. Because I like to drink.

I also like to run.

Distance: 5 miles, door-to-door.
Duration: 49:52
Pace: 9:57
Route: Forest Hill to Boulevard Loop
Temperature: 73°
Climate: sunny & HOT!
Mood: all right
Weight: 184 lbs. (-1.0)

Easy run. Feeling good. Five miles! Not my plan, but hey. It's Saturday!

Teenage Kicks 06/20/2020
God Save the Queen * - Sex Pistols
I Need to Know * - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Rat Trap - Boomtown Rats
Rio  - Duran Duran
The Look of Love - ABC
Vacation* - The Go-Go's
California Uber Alles * - Dead Kennedys
Sally McLennane - The Pogues
Birthday - The Sugarcubes
Come Undone - Duran Duran
Ladytron * - Roxy Music
X Offender - Blondie
My Brave Face - Paul McCartney

Bite your teeth into the ass of life.

Thank you, Mr. Holm.

Ian Holm was 48 years old when he played Sam Mussabini in the film Chariots of Fire, younger than I am today. Check out the old age make-up in that picture, which I had never noticed before.

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 18:49
Pace: 9:25
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 70°
Climate: sunny, bright
Mood: all right
Weight: 185 lbs. (-1.0)

Started a bit slowly, picked up as I went along. Running makes me feel good.

What's That Quote?
Ian Holm as Pascal, Big Night (996)

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 18:02
Pace: 9:00
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 70°
Climate: bright, sunny & hot
Mood: thirsty
Weight: 186 lbs. (-0-)

Amongst the walking wounded.

We're drinking again. This obsession with diet, I keep sipping sugar instead of eating food. But then I'm also eating food. But I was writing a lot yesterday, and alcohol was a companion. It could as easily be seltzer. So seltzer it will be.

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 17:38
Pace: 8:49
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 64°
Climate: clear & cool
Mood: wound up
Weight: 186 lbs. (-1.0)

These short daily runs, the two-milers, they keep me moving. A commitment. Some summers I am unable to run, in pain, or injured. I want to take advantage of good weather as long as is possible. And no more marathons!

What's That Lyric?
Walking Wounded (Dave Wallace Remix) - Everything But the Girl

Later, the girl asked if I wanted to take a six mile run. Mid-day, warm run. These distances you really need to have water, but we neither brought any nor passed any fountain. Then again, I think all public fountains have been shut off for the duration.

We both thought five miles was a totally fine distance, and walked the rest of the way. We got to talk a lot. These are the good things.

Distance: 5 mile run/1 mile walk
Route: Noble-Cumberland-Forest Hills Loop
Temperature: 73°
Climate: sunny & hot
Mood: good

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 29:12
Pace: 9:25
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 59°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: agitated
Weight: 187 lbs. (+1.0)

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 18:11
Pace: 9:04
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 63°
Climate: perfect
Mood: all right
Weight: 186 lbs. (+2.0)

Watch the humans trying to run.

A crisp Saturday morning. Last night we were all emerging into the world of art and culture. A jazz performance on a doorstep in my neighborhood, the girl took her boyfriend to a drive-in movie (a drive-in movie!)

We strive for normalcy. I will strive to the park.

Distance: 3.65 miles
Duration: 34:19
Pace: 9:24
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 59°
Climate: bright & sunny
Mood: determined
Weight: 184 lbs. (-1.0)

Okay. I am again a runner.

Teenage Kicks 06/13/2020
Fascination Street - The Cure
Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode
These Are Days - 10,000 Maniacs
Real Situation - Bob Marley & The Wailers
Kick * - INXS
Down In The Park * - Gary Numan
Justice Tonight / Kick It Over * - The Clash

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 18:12
Pace: 9:06
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 63°
Climate: bright, sunny, perfect
Mood: all right
Weight: 185 lbs. Achievement Unlocked

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 19:03
Pace: 9:30
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 63°
Climate: very nice
Mood: angsty
Weight: 186 lbs. (-0-)

We're feeling so good just the way that we do.

This is the very best song to run to.

When I started this blog, my daughter was not yet three. She is now seventeen, and working as a hostess at a local restaurant. (Yes, she gets to wear a stylish, branded mask at the hostess stand.)

Just something I thought of.

In spite of everything else going on, I am in a good physical place. I run, daily. The two miles run keep my engine running, and when I am motivated, I will go to the park. Today was one such day.

It's hot, it will be a very hot day. But I set out at one tempo, and was unsatisfied with it. I boosted it to 160-164 and even that seemed like taking it easy. I mean, it was brisk, but it was not taxing. I did not walk, which is always a great sign.

Distance: 3.65 miles
Duration: 35:24
Pace: 9:41
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 77°
Climate: overcast at first, then the clouds broke
Mood: not bad, you know?
Weight: 186 lbs. (-2.0)

What's That Lyric?
Nine In the Afternoon - Panic! at the Disco

Bless you, all of you pretty girls.

How fast to run, and how far? That is the question which has made me sit and add to playlists for the last twenty minutes. And I still don't have an answer.

Got new earphones because the earlier ones fragged, surprisingly early. I like these better for a number of reasons (same company, different model) except they don't stay in my ears. I swapped out the ear molds from the previous model and will try those today. Should do the trick.

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 17:13
Pace: 8:36
Route: Two times around the block

Oh my. Chose the 165-169 bpm mix today, and after a couple hundred yards I regretted it. But then, I am always defeated and exhausted by the first turn. So I kept going. After a mile and a half, I was fine. Better than fine. I'll take it easier tomorrow, but maybe I can run that fast all the way to the park and back. Once. Maybe.

I used to run that fast all the time. Who knows? Maybe I will again.

Temperature: 68°
Climate: sun rising, birds singing.
Mood: good?
Weight: 188 lbs. (-0-)

Wrote a piece that made me happy today. And I was thinking of giving up this short play project just before I wrote it. Keep going.

What's That Lyric?
All You Pretty Girls - XTC

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 18:21
Pace: 9:11
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 57°
Climate: lovely
Mood: excited (for camp)
Weight: 188 lbs. (+2.0)

I see a line of cars and they're all painted black.

Sippin' on gastric juice.

I have abstained from alcohol on many days (not last night) in an effort not to have "the feeling" as I have come to call it. But I am still developing these feelings -- when I lie on my right side. I can no longer sleep on my right side, or on my back, without developing this unpleasant feeling.

But it's not gastric, as this graphic above indicates. And God, that is an upsetting image.

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 19:21
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 66°
Climate: gorgeous
Mood: shaky
Weight: 186 lbs. (-1.0)

Yesterday's protest march left me incredibly dehydrated, I drank water all night in an effort to make up the difference to no avail. I had a slight headache this morning, which I have mostly recovered from. But a slice of cold pepperoni pizza was also in order.

What's That Lyric?
Paint It Black - The Rolling Stones

You can blow out a candle, but you can't blow out a fire.

See you there.

Teenage Kicks 06/06/2020
Biko - Ptere Gabriel
U.N.I.T.Y. - Queen Latifah
You're Wondering Now - The Specials
Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black) - Neil Young & Crazy Horse
The Message - Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
Ghost Town - The Specials
Shot By Both Sides - Magazine
Murder By Numbers - The Police

Distance: 3.6 miles
Duration: 34:31
Pace: 9:35
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: sunny & bright
Mood: not good
Weight: 187 lbs. (-1.0)

Got what you wanted, lost what you had.

The "feeling" returns. I rise in my chest. Not the buzzing, but a feeling of muscular (?) unpleasantness. Running seems to help, so does not drinking. I think. I didn't drink yesterday, but had a not so good night's sleep. My plan is not to drink today either.

Made "friendship bread" yesterday. That thing is like cake, I will strive not to consume too much. It's like all sugar, milk and flour.

Distance: 3.6 miles
Duration: 33:40
Pace: 9:21
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 77°
Climate: sunny & sweaty
Mood: all things considered ..?
Weight: 188 lbs. (+1.0)

It was a really big lunch. It was a heart dinner. I have to be careful.

What's That Lyric?
Puzzlin' Evidence - Talking Heads

Also, I bought new headphones, which I am hiding from everbody.

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 17:30
Pace: 8:45
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 68°
Climate: sunny & hot!
Mood: driven
Weight: 187 lbs. (+0.5)

How can you say that you're not responsible?

Today I run.

My core strength increases.

My diet has improved.

I am doing better work.

Running feels good today.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 30:24
Pace: 9:48
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 79°
Climate: sunny & hot
Mood: determined
Weight: 186.5 lbs. (-1.0)

Summer is upon us. Hot runs will happen. Looking forward to it.

What's That Lyric?
Driven to Tears - The Police

This is a (short play) I wrote way back in October, about "Sugar Season." It was recently turned into a video performed by Aron Long and Megan Medley.

When I am king you will be first against the wall.

Not drinking was an interesting experiment, and one which bore fruit. Having one drink an evening (as opposed to say, three) is something that is all right, I guess. I had a glass of wine put in my hands Sunday, an online cocktail party last night. There will be social time this evening, too. I should be careful. I can always have La Croix, right?

Everyone has really been into La Croix, for years, but not me. Now I'm into La Croix. What a racket.

Running every day was good, too. I should keep that up. Even the two miles each day is great.

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 17:40
Pace: 8:49
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 61°
Climate: overcast and ... cool?
Mood: riled
Weight: 187.5 lbs. (-1.0)

Deceptively cool. Also humid, I feel like all the sweat was sucked out of me. But a day off, and I was flying. Upbeat. Speed. These headphones are dying, though. Too many people borrow them. I need to get new phones and keep them hidden.

What's That Lyric?
Paranoid Android - Radiohead

Time to get to work.