Your pulse would start to rush.

Kraftwerk, 5/29/2022

I need to drink more water, flat water, and all the time, all summer. Hydration should be a big deal for the moment. It's hot!

Distance: 4.5 miles
Duration: 45:25
Pace: 10:05
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 80°
Climate: sunny &hot
Mood: better

Stretches: yes
Weight: 188.5 lbs. (+0.5)

Okay, that was a banger. Can't do that every day, but I don't need to do that every day. Maybe five miles some day soon? Haven't gone that far in a while.

Intake

Breakfast: , pancakes (3) w/butter, syrup & cottage cheese, juice, coffee (3x)

Lunch: tuna sushi, Oreos (3)

Snack: almonds, apple

Dinner: TBA

When the boy makes pancakes, you eat the pancakes.

Summer is here, and we have two Guardians games scheduled for June!

Seventeen runs in May. Not bad.

1993 Playlist

U Got Me Up - Dajae ft. Cajmere

Just Keep Me Moving - k.d. lang

Fuck and Run - Liz Phair

Rump Shaker - Wreckx-N-Effect

Walking In My Shoes - Depeche Mode

Big Time Sensuality - Bjork

Tribal Dance - 2 Unlimited

Numb - U2

Rhtyhm Is a Dancer - SNAP!

Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms

Deeper and Deeper - Madonna

DID YOU KNOW ...? Pharrell Williams wrote the lyrics for "Rump Shaker." That's right, he's our age.

Standing there but never ever talking sense.

Depression can really affect your physicality. What a fucking pointless day. And I was looking forward to it. Here goes nothing.

Distance: 2 miles

Duration: 21:14
Pace: 10:37
Route: Neighborhood Circuit
Temperature: 80°
Climate: sunny & hot
Mood: very, very, very bad

Stretches: yes
Weight: 188 lbs. (-1.0)

Very hot, very bright. The 70s mix was just the right mood, tomorrow I may go further, with the 1993 mix. Because, you know. That's the greatest year in the history of popular music. 

Intake

Breakfast: chocolate chip cookies (3x), coffee (3x)

Lunch: leftover pizza, Mtn Dew Flamin Hot

Snack: two more cookies

Concert: old fashioned, beer

Dinner: cheesburger, onion rings

What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?

1973 Playlist

I Can't Stand the Rain - Ann Peebles

Right Place Wrong Time - Dr. John

What Is Hip - Tower of Power

5:15 - The Who

I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) - Genesis

Paris 1919 - John Cale

It seems farther than ever before.

My high school crowd.

Fun Fact: Running Up That Hill? Not actually about swapping places with God.

Such an awesome run on Friday, but we went out that evening and I was a little uncomfortable in my theater seat and now my thigh hurts in a really odd way. I'm thinking blood clot.

No, not really. But really? It could be a blood clot (not really.)

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 31:04
Pace: 10:01
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 68°
Climate: sunny & bright
Mood: all right

Stretches: yes
Weight: 189 lbs. (+0.5)

I do love the smell of cannabis in the park

Intake

Breakfast: coffee (2x)

Lunch: big, beautiful salad

Dinner: popcorn, beer (1x)

Nightcap: old fashioned

Also: Fizzy water (2x)

2003 Playlist

Heartbeats - The Knife

Emerge - Fischerspooner

Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes

Transatlanticism - Death Cab for Cutie

Let's Get It Started (Spike Mix) - Black Eyed Peas

All Wrong - Kaada

Such Great Heights - Postal Service

We Will Become Silhouettes - Postal Service 

Not a bad year for music.

It's got me running and I just can't brake.

Three years ago the eldest and I were home on our own when the third season of Stranger Things was released. We watched the whole thing together in two days. They came over today and we watched the first two episodes of season four together.

Big Carrie energy in those first two episodes.

I'm glad I'm watching it with Z. This is a thing with us, creepy 80s teen series. The repetition, with them. It's reassuring. 

This season takes place in Spring 1986. Crazy, right?

Distance: 4 miles
Duration: 38:37
Pace: 9:39
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 69°
Climate: rain
Mood: better

Stretches: yes
Weight: 189.5 lbs. (+0.5)

Wow. What a difference a day makes. I feel light and free as I started out and it didn't really change. I'm thinking midday naps don't really help they just make me groggy and feel bad. But I do get tired. How do I not get tired? How can I make that not happen during the day?

Intake

Breakfast: mac & cheese (1c.), coffee (2x)

Lunch: Coca-Cola (1x)

Dinner: Lots of veggie plates, cocktail

Nightcap: old fashioned 

Also: fizzy water (2x)

1983 Playlist

Mama* - Genesis

The Greatest Thing - Elvis Costello & the Attractions

Our House - Madness

I'll Tumble 4 Ya - Culture Club

Who Do You Want To Be - Oingo Boingo

A Ray of Sunshine - Wham!

Cooky Puss - Beastie Boys

Owner of a Lonely Heart - Yes

Let Them All Talk* - Elvis Costello & the Attractions

Temptation - Heaven 17

Der Kommissar - Falco

As you smugly walk past you ask yourself, "How did this happen?"

I have been exhausted since four pm. I lay down on the couch and slept for (at least) an hour and I was still exhausted. Nothing to do about it but take a run and see how that makes me feel.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 30:41
Pace: 9:53
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 75°
Climate: beautiful, you know?
Mood: leaden

Stretches: yes
Weight: 189 lbs. (-0.5)

Remarkable. At the start I could barely move my feet. By the end I was running. I still felt heavy, but I was running.

Now I am going to a candlelight vigil for nineteen slain children. I fucking hate it here.  

Intake

Breakfast: coffee (2x), whole bagel w/cream cheese 

Lunch: onion rings, cheesburger, Coke

Dinner: yesterday's pitza, old fashioned

2018 Playlist

Slide - Naked Giants

The Middle - Zedd ft. Maren mOrris & Grey

Love It If We Made It - The 1975

Chity Looks Pretty - Courtney Barnett

This Is America - Childish Gambino

Superstar - Brandon Victor Dixon & Company

New Rules - Dua Lipa

Get Out - CHVRCHES

How Did This Happen? - BODEGA

The closest to heaven that I'll ever be.

Fucking horrible. This nation is fucking horrible. Except for right here, in my city. Last night I attended an outdoor celebration of musical achievement for my son, and the crowd was beautiful. The weather was beautiful. Even the orchestra was beautiful.

That last was a musical theater reference. If you know, you know.

Distance: 3.3 miles
Duration: 31:24
Pace: 9:31
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 62°
Climate: Sunny & nice
Mood: not good

Stretches: yes
Weight: 189.5 lbs. (+1.5)

Intake

Breakfast: coffee (2x)

Mid-morning: banana bread, latte

Lunch: ramen w/broccoli

Snack: small bowl of cheesy poofs

Dinner: pesto pita pizza w/artichokes, olives, mozz & slivered almonds

1998 Playlist

La femme d'argent - AIR

The Way  - Fastball

One Week - Barenaked Ladies

Outside - George Michael

Iris - Goo Goo Dolls

Body Movin' (Fatboy Slim Remix) - Beastie Boys

The Rockafeller Skank - Fatboy Slim

Bangers.

Trying hard to piece together a broken dream.

So, we're back to the thing where my ankles hurt or feel weak after runs. The wife thinks I need new kicks and she's right, I do. Because summer's here and the time is right for running the street!

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 29:33
Pace: 9:31
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 57°
Climate: cool & sunny - perfect!
Mood: angsty

Stretches: yes
Weight: 188 lbs. (-0.5)

It is a drag to run and obsess about someone you are pissed about. Such a waste. Feeling good, though, catching runs between the rains. Also? Wore ankle braces. We'll see if that makes any difference.

Intake

Breakfast: bagel w/cream cheese, coffee (2x), orange juice

Lunch: leftover vegetable sushi, banana

Cocktail hour: Old fashioned, chevre plate

Dinner: TBA

Also: fizzy water (1x)

1978 Playlist

Scenes From a Night's Dream - Genesis

Heart of Glass - Blondie

Going Under - Devo

(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea - Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? - Rod Stewart

Every 1's a Winner - Hot Chocolate

I'm Every Woman - Chaka Khan

Rasputin - Boney M.

News from today's Brooklyn Half Marathon is that a runner died after crossing the finish line, with fifteen others injured. This is all due to the heat. It's a terrible tragedy, and one that will no doubt repeat itself in the years to come.

Together we'll mend your heart.

Oh, my. This day is not working out as I had anticipated. I have a pain in my chest like I haven't felt since late 2019. It's filling me with dread and fear.

Seriously, this is what is happening to me today. Some of this is circumstantial, but seriously. Am I going to have chest pains now, is that what I have to endure?

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 31:19
Pace: 10:06
Route: Forest Hill Run
Temperature: 78°
Climate: overcast & humid
Mood: well?

Stretches: yes
Weight: 188.5 lbs. (-0-)

This day has been very difficult. And yet, I did it. And it felt good. But two hours ago I was lost, the earth was dragging me down. So I let it. And then I ran.

Intake

Breakfast: pancakes with butter, syrup & yogurt (2x), coffee (2x)

Lunch: beef & spinach soup, ice cream (2 scoops)

Dinner: baba, cauliflower, tuna steak rolled, beer

Cocktail hour: ginger ale

2008 Playlist

I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab for Cutie

Great DJ - The Ting Tings

Umbrella - Rihanna ft. Jay-Z

That's Not My Name - The Ting Tings

Nine In the Afternoon - Panic! at the Disco

Black & Gold - Sam Sparro

American Boy - Estelle ft. Kanye West

Active with the activists.

Wet weather kept me off the street, which is good as I needed an enforced break. This morning the skies have cleared and it is time to get out there again.

Toni has noticed that I sigh a lot. Is it emtional? Is it physical I do not know. I have a slight pain in my chest and I do not know what it is. It does not cause me distress but I'm like, who knows? Every time I go to the doctor he's been like, you're fine. Your heart is fine.

But one day it won't be. I am going to have a heart attack, eventually. I mean, that is what is going to eventually kill me, I am sure of it. The only thing to postpone that fact is running.

Then I can die of cancer like everyone else.

Distance: 4 miles
Duration: 40:11
Pace: 10:01
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 62°
Climate: sunny & cool
Mood: good?

Stretches: yes
Weight: 188.5 lbs. (-1.5)

I have been keeping to meal time eating only. No snacks, no cheese and crackers, no handfuls or almonds. And yet, the meals have been extravagant -- pizza, and last night, a steakhouse. But I just got a new pair of pants from Stich Fix which would fit so much better if I were just five pounds lighter. It's an inspiration.  

Intake

Breakfast: coffee (2x)

Lunch: mac & cheese & bacon

Tea time: tea, banana

Happy Hour: Bourbon Barrel Ale

Dinner: leftover pizza (2x)

Cocktail Hour: Old fashioned

1988 Playlist

Beat of Love - Voice of the Beehive

Straight Outta Compton - N.W.A.

Fast Car - Tracy Chapman

She Drives Me Crazy - Fine Young Cannibals

Under the Milky Way - The Church

Alphabet St. - Prince

Waiting For the Great Leap Forward - Billy Bragg

Birth, School, Work, Death - The Godfathers

Baby Don't Forget My Numer - Milli Vanilli

You Got It (The Right Stuff) - New Kids On the Block

The real lesson of Milli Vanilli is that a few white people made millions and two people of color had their lives ruined.

The nature of my game.

Since the semester concluded, I have fallen into a post-project malaise. It's not like I don't have a lot to do at the moment, but I lack the endorphin-generating pressure of reading and writing for a grade and the approval of my professors.

Last week I was able to focus my energies on staining the deck, but that is complete and today it is rainy and cool, which is contributing to my mood.

BUT, now that classes are over, I am going to try to see a movie at the Cedar-Lee theater every Monday evening.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Duration: 31:42
Pace: 9:45
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 61°
Climate: sunny & warm
Mood: good?

Stretches: yes, but not enough

Oh, boy! Three fast, hot runs in three days! And now my shins are sore and my back aches a little. Maybe take tomorrow off? Maybe? Maybe not?

Intake

Breakfast: empanadas (1 sweet, 1 savory), coffee (2x)

Lunch: sunbutter & jelly on cranberry bagel

Dinner: popcorn, beer

Cocktail hour: Old fashioned

Also; fizzy water (2x)

1968 Playlist

Licking Stick - James Brown

Grazing In the Grass - Hugh Masekela

Sympathy for the Devil - The Rolling Stones

Astral Weeks* - Van Morrison

Say It Loud (I'm Black and Proud) - James Brown

Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)* - John Fred & His Playboy Band

Born to Be Wild - Steppenwolf

Classical Gas* - Mason Williams

Mony Mony - Tommy James & the Shondells

Sunshine, she's here.

Same energy.

Yesterday I ran with the eldest, today with the youngest! Lucky, lucky me! We both took it easy, it was sunny and hot, and he has some foot issues that were troubling him. At the end he asked if we could walk up the street and back, to warm down, which was an excellent suggestion.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 30:51
Pace: 9:57
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 78°
Climate: hot!
Mood: very good

Stretches: yes

2014 Playlist

Dangerous - Big Data ft. Joywave

Tourniquet - Jeremy Messersmith

Style - Taylor Swift

Dancehall Domine - The New Pornographers

Let 'Em Say - Lizzo & Caroline Smith

Batches & Cookies - Lizzo ft. Sophia Eris

Happy Idiot - TV on the Radio

Happy - Pharell Williams

Talk Dirty - Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz

2022 Heights Tiger 5K

2022 Heights Tiger 5K
Start: 9:00 AM 
Official Time: 29:20.7

Place overall: 47/232 (Tied with Z.)

Place Mens 50-54: 5th*

Beautiful day for a race, and a wonderful turnout in Cleveland Heights. I had nothing to provie in this race and neither did Z, we were just there for each other, pacing each other, and we never stopped.

The course was a gentle route through the Heights, it was great to see so many familiar faces, teachers and parents and friends, as well as the mayors of both Cleveland Heights and University Heights in attendance -- our mayor even ran the race!

I wonder how those unfamiliar with the city reacted when there was a hill leading out of Cain Park, which was around mile two. That was something we could aniticipate. What no one anticipated was that the city chose this fine, beautiful, not too hot spring morning to pave the street outside the stadium where the race began an ended. Hot tar fumes! Thank you.

After the race we headed to the Inn on Coventry which was packed, though we were seated and served without much of a wait. I recalled to my kid how it was six years ago (tomorrow) that Chris F. and I came here after running the Cleveland Half Marathon -- in the snow.

I was there. I heard of them first.

Dirtbag Brutus.

Okay! The eldest and I are going to do the Heights 5K together on Saturday, so I'm doing a relaxing run today, and tomorrow off.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 31:12
Pace: 10:02
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 85°
Climate: sunny & HOT
Mood: very good

Stretches: yes
Weight: 190 lbs. (+5.0)

I wasn't actually 185 the other day, no way.

Intake

Breakfast: Life cereal & milk, coffee (2x)

Lunch: kebab wrap, baba, pita

Dinner: big ass salad

Also: Fizzy water (2x)

Wow! Hot run! Hot tunes! Need to stretch those calves better. But man, I feel good today!

1994 Playlist

Dead Souls - Nine Inch Nails

Missing (Little Joey Remix) - Eveything But the Girl

Basket Case (BBC Live Session) - Green Day

The Sign - Ace of Base

Shoop - Salt-N-Pepa

Blueeyed Devil - Soul Coughing

Voodoo Lady - Ween

Welcome to Paradise - Green Day

They all stopped breathing.

Allergies. Or Covid. Who knows? It is the change of the season. I had a headache overnight, sleeping too warm. Also, allergies. Maybe Covid. I have been very tired. Because I have been running, and doing housework. 

Exercise as the seasons change, the evenings conclude and I am exhausted, I was nodding off during class last night. Thank goodness! The last class of the semester. My final project has been completed and turned in, school is out for summer. 

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 31:36
Pace: 10:14
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 61°
Climate: sunny & bright
Mood: good, right?

Stretches: not really

I hereby proclaim it is summer. Running slowly, feeling weak lately. Don't like that.   

Intake

Breakfast: orange juice, coffee (2x), ham & pancakes

Lunch: ham & pancakes (yes, again)

Snack: Life cereal

Dinner: grilled cheese, broccoli cheese soup, bread

Snack: potato chips, slice of cake

Cocktail hour: Old fashioned

Also: Fizzy water (3x)

So, I'm not really being careful about what I eat. Not really. But! I discovered I am thirsty as fuck, which may contribute to  why I have been so exhausted.

1974 Playlist

Do It ('Til You're Satisfied) - B.T. Express

Living For the City  - Stevie Wonder

No-No Song - Ringo Starr

Lady Marmalade - LaBelle

Ballroom Blitz - Sweet

Lilywhite Lilith - Genesis

Takin' Care of Business - Bachman-Turner Overdrive

#9 Dream - John Lennon

TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) - MFSB ft. The Three Degrees

This game will save us if we don't die young.

We are having a lovely mom's day. Both kids home, the boy and I worked together to make egg florentine, he also made a caprese salad, we poured mimosas. The eldest helped clean up and make the table -- and had made a ceramic coffee mug for TKT.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 31:19
Pace: 10:05
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 69°
Climate: sunny & bright
Mood: very good

Stretches: yes

Intake

Breakfast: (see photo)

Lunch: Cheerios & milk

Dinner: Turkish side dishes w/pita & beer (1x)

Also, fizzy water (1x)

2004 Playlist

Hoist That Rag - Tom Waits

Sunrise - Simply Red

Toxic - Britney Spears

All Night - Sam Phillips

Yeah! - Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris

Romantic Rights - Death From About 1979

Musicology - Prince

Walk Away - Kelly Clarkson

Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day

Running around to get away.

Summer aproaches. The boy had his first Jazz Night last night, as a junior. Quarantine killed his first two opportunitites. Let's just say he has not been wasting time. Last night they started with Sing Sing Sing, and he Krupa'ed the living shit out of that. I wish my dad could have been there, he would have had the time of his life.

The eldest has been home (we ran together last time, remember) and their partner and it has been a beautiful happy week with both of them here. Laughter and events and movies and good food.

Distance: 3.75 miles
Duration: 36:16
Pace: 9:40
Route: Forest Hill Loop 
Temperature: 62°
Climate: sunny & cool
Mood: very good

Stretches: yes
Weight: 185 lbs. (-5.5)

Intake

Breakfast: granola, dried fruit, yogurt, seeds, nuts & honey, coffee (2x)

Lunch: Whopper, fries & Coke

Beer Hour: beer

Snack: apple

Dinner: Spanish omelete

Cocktail hour: Manhattan, popcorn

Big, strong springtime run. Lots of helpful bpm. Goslings in the park. The weather will not be an excuse this next week, and neither will school.

1984 Playlist

Robert Deniro's Waiting - Bananarama

Dance Hall Days - Wang Chung

Like a Stranger - Psychedelic Furs

Time the Avenger - Pretenders

 I Will Dare - The Replacements

Hot For Teacher - Van Halen

Wake Up - XTC

Aeiou Sometimes Y (full version) - Ebn-Ozn

Cue Fanfare - Prefab Sprout

Saw children run.

Second day in a row, running. Took it easy the rest of the night last night, and I mean consumption. Alcohol should be my only source of sugar. There was pizza at an event the wife and I participated in, so I had one slice of pizza. Not two. That was dinner. One slice, not two. I could have had two. I had one.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration:30:25
Pace: 9:49
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 67°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: good

Stretches: yes
Weight: 190.5 lbs. (-3.5)

Did I say second day in a row? I meant third day.

Intake

Breakfast: coffee (2x)

Lunch: pepperoni pizza (one slice)

Snack: baba & pita, baklava, beer (1x)

Dinner: heirloom tomaties & arugula, butter bean salad with pistachio ducca, bread, butter

Dessert: carrot cake cupcake

Also; fizzy water (1x)

2019 Playlist

Boys - Lizzo

Saw Lightning - Beck

Uneventful Days - Beck

That's Who's Really Pointing At Me - Naked Giants

Over You - Seratones

Old Town Road - Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus

thank u,next - Ariana Grande

Summon The Fire - The Comet Is Coming

Freelance - Toro y Moi