Out there on the run again.

What have we learned? Not sure. Where do we go from here? That either. I need to take time between runs to rest and heal. Wednesday night I was not only feeling ill but my right knee was in great discomfort. I can run, I don't need to hurt.

I look forward to a drink now and then, but I will attempt not to have one too often. Not every night. I have been enjoying myself the past week, on vacation, eating what I choose to, but not everything that is offered to me.

Not much more to say other than what has already been said. I jump started my running regimen. I made it through the month. Looking forward, never back. Right?

Distance: 3.25 miles

Duration: 31:32
Pace: 9:42

Route: Boulevard Loop

Temperature: 53° 
Climate: damp & windy

Pavement: wet
Mood: good

However, there is this. I have been very productive this month. Like, extra productive. Doing the things I tell myself I "should" be doing that I usually console myself about. How much of that relates to this period of abstinence?

 

2016 Playlist

Restless - New Order

Go! - M83 ft. Mai Lan

Rebel Heart - The Shelters

Ex's and Oh's - Ellie King

Run Sister Run - Cass McCombs

Voice In My Head - Bob Mould

Move - Saint Motel

FloriDada - Animal Collective

What was 2016? The end of the beginning. The death of father. The Secret Adversary. Hamilton. The NBA Finals, and that incredible parade. Cleveland as the center of everything, until the World Series defeat, and the election that followed. My children aged twenty years that night.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec.
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk, mango strudel

Lunch: mango lassi, pasta & mushroom meat sauce

Snack: flavored popcorn (1C.), fizzy water

Dinner: mac & cheese (1C) & broccoli w/butter & lemon 

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 184.5 lbs. (-0.5)

Goal: 180 lbs.

Went on vacay, didn't load up on calories. Good news.

I am a dull and simple lad.

Holiday Inn Express Donegal

Traveling home after dark we were sucked by a snow storm, it was hypnotic and with three hours of driving we decided it was best to pull over for the night.

I slept uneasily, my right knee was in pain. March Mildness is almost complete, taking only one day off. What will April portend?

Distance: 1 mile

Duration: 9:59

Route: one lap around the block 

Temperature: 45°
Climate: sunny & cool

Pavement: dry
Mood: good

One mile. I shouldn't run. Because I am not well. The wife likes to remind me that being cold cannot give you a cold, but I was unpleasantly cool for large stretches of the afternoon on Tuesday, and that's when my cough began.

But it's just a cough, no fever, no chills, it's not like Cincinnati. Man, so far this year I have been sick twice. Being sick is not something that happens to me that often.

1967 Playlist

David Watts - The Kinks

Bring Down the Birds - Herbie Hancock

I Think We're Alone Now - Tommy James &The Shondells

Here Comes My Baby - The Tremeloes 

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: no
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/cream, oj, biscuits & sausage gravy 

Lunch: chicken ramen w/broccoli & egg

Tea Time: Earl Grey w/honey

Treat: clementine

Dinner: pizza, carrot sticks, ranch

Ignite my energy.

One disappointment yesterday, a play we had tickets to see was canceled due to illness. Still, long day of touring, much of it spent at the Museum of African American History. We took in quite a bit and still I know my wife and I could have been there all day.

The current temporary exhibit is on Afrofuturism, and included one of Janelle Monáe's "Archandroid" costumes. inspired in part by the robot from Metropolis. It all comes together, doesn't it?

The day also included books shopping on the Wharf, and a water taxi back to Alexandria. I was chilly all day, but not miserably so. It's been a beautiful trip.  

Distance: 2.25 miles

Duration: 22:32
Pace: 10:01

Route: Commonwealth Triangle

Temperature: 48°
Climate: sunny & bright!

Mood: very nice

Three mornings, three runs. Success! What a lovely route. I would prefer crossing fewer streets, but at least the folks in Va. yield to pedestrians.

1977 Playlist

Serpentine Fire - Earth, Wine & Fire

Sonic Reducer- Dead Boys

All Around the World - The Jam

Deacon Blues - Steely Dan

Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac

Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowza, Yowza, Yowza) - Chic

More cherry blossoms.

What was 1977? The year of my global awareness. I began listening to the radio, and noticing contemporary music. Star Wars and Saturday Night Live -- I still have the vinyl.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec. (2x)
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/cream, assorted Chinese leftovers, banana

Coffee Break: earl grey tea w/honey

Lunch: sausage roll, latte

Car beverage: day-old cherry Coke Zero 

Dinner: cheese curd, crab dip on toast, fried haddock, fries, slaw

I have decided I am not lactose averse.

Anger is an energy.

Yesterday was a pleasant adventure. Our son's boyfriend wrote a poem for Ukraine, which is on display at the National Cathedral, which is really how we got the idea for the entire journey. I haven't been here in a very long time, and I have missed traveling. It is a welcome break.

We saw the exhibit, then visited the zoo to see the great pandas. I have never seen a live panda, either. We had a very good visit with my cousin and his family, too, for dinner. Today, more touring! 

Distance: 2.25 miles

Duration: 22:09
Pace: 9:51

Route: Commonwealth Triangle

Temperature: 47°
Climate: cool, sun emerging

Mood: good

 

Forgotten how great it is to run when traveling. It helps when there's a bike path right outside your AirBnB.

Wyland (1993)

1987 Playlist

Pump It Up (Lean On Me Reprise) - Club Nouveau

What's the Matter Here? - 10,000 Maniacs

Just Like Heaven - The Cure

Rise - Public Image Ltd.

Never Let Me Down Again (Aggro Mix) - Depeche Mode

That was an era.

What was 1987? Phred In My Pants. Accutane. Interning at my uncle's shop. The origns of a comic strip. Black hair dye. Becoming someone new for a while, and I don't think he was very nice.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec.
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/cream, strawberry rhubarb yogurt & granola w/fresh raspberries & banana + mango strudel

Lunch: fried chicken thighs, greens & cornbread

Dinner: General Tso's chicken, Kung Pao tofu w/asparagus, sesame chicken, rice, chicken dumplings, sugar bun, fortune cookie (all in moderation)

Mono into your stereo soul.

First day in D.C. Last night we arrived in Alexandria and walked down King Street to the river. I was amazed at how vibrant the street is, and how many people were out at 9 PM on a school night. But it's spring break, right? By ten, however, most places were closed and the street had largely been vacated.

Big day for being a tourist today. First, I will try out this route I found on a defunct running website. 

Distance: 2.25 miles

Duration: 22:33
Pace: 10:02

Route: Commonwealth Triangle

Temperature: 51°
Climate: sunny & gorgeous

Mood: excellent

That was glorious. Perfect weather, cool and still and sunny. Lovely city paths and side street sidewalks. Maybe again tomorrow?

Cherry blossoms.

1997 Playlist

Your Woman - White Town

All Mixed Up - 311

Candyman - Cornershop

Gettin' Jiggy With It - Will Smith

Loops of Fury - The Chemical Brothers

Ticker-tape of the Unconscious - Stereolab

Man, I had a "Your Woman" jag last winter. That song is hypnotic and moving. This entire playlist was stunning. The Nineties!

What was 1997? New Year's in New Orleans. The Vampyres. London and Stratford. One Step Beyond. Oh! And we visited Washington D.C.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec.
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/cream, granola, honey yogurt, raspberries, banana & a splash of cream

Lunch: pulled pork sandwich, baked beans, queso fries

Coffee Break: coffee w/cream

Dinner: Turkey meatloaf, salad, potatoes, green beans, cake & ice cream, seltzer (chips, spinach dip & tortilla chips)

Drive you to drink.

Brief pre-drive run. I have mapped a neighborhood run in Alexandria. Will I take it? I have gotten out of the habit of running in unfamiliar destinations, a habit it took great effort to get into. And it has been a while, not since Providence.

But then, it's still a while since we have done may things, right?

Distance: 1 miles

Duration: 9:33

Route: one time around the block 

Temperature: 36°
Climate: sunny!

Pavement: dry, with scattered tree bark
Mood: hopeful?

2007 Playlist

Girls & Boys In Love - The Rumble Strips

Falling Down - Duran Duran ft. Justin Timberlake

Jazzhole - Free the Robots

What was 2007? The London Tour. The Tempest. Returning to visual art. My very first XX Playlists For XX Years. Feelings of uncertainty. Not yet a playwright. Almost a playwright.

 
Stretches: yes 
Abdominals: TBD 
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk, half banana, trail mix 

Lunch: asparagus & crab bisque, Caesar salad, beans & greens (Nino’s in Laurelville, PA)

Happy Hour: Cherry Coke Zero

Also: bites of sweet things (not too much)

Dinner: ok … sliders, scotch egg, duck poutine, fried green tomato, Brussels sprouts, crab dip & chips, grilled peppers (a little bit of each) n/a Heineken

Alexandria at spring break is LIT.

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 185 lbs.

Goal: 180 lbs.

I keep a-running when the trouble follows.

Being demoralized makes me sleepy. Like, literally. when I am depressed, I just want to lie down. That was me on Friday. I did take a nap (I have really been avoiding naps) it didn't help, and then I just wanted another one a couple hours later. Luckily, we had dinner plans.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 31:20
Pace: 10:05

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 61°
Climate: it's complicated (see below)

Pavement: wet
Mood: driven

Slept in too late, again. The wife says, why not, but I know why. My head hurts. Sleeping in makes my head hurt, full stop. But I did manage to do some writing which was nice.

We're the the home stretch for March Mildness, and I am anxious about what comes next. Will I just lose my resolve? Gain the weight back? Go back to scarfing down treats and swilling booze? Abstinence is easier for me than moderation. 

 

2017 Playlist

Always Ascending - Franz Ferdinand

Plimsoll Punks - Alvvways

Want You Back - Haim

River - Bishop Briggs

IDGAF - Dua Lipa

Lucky Penny  - JD McPherson

I Give You Power - Mavis Staples ft. Arcade Fire

Across the Room - ODESZA ft. Leon Bridges (164 bpm)

 

Thought I missed my window of opportunity. Forecast said sixty degrees all week, by the time I got out the sun had gone and it was very windy, dark and thunderous. I went anyway. Running into the wind was a bear, but not unbearable.

As I was entering the woods, I could see a break in the clouds approaching, and by the time I emerged it was sunny again! It was beautiful, and totally worth it. I am much stronger! Stronger than I have been in years!

Also, I was depressed -- but now I feel much better.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec. (2x)
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk, pasta salad w/tuna (1 C.)

Pre-Run Snack: banana

Lunch: pizza, ranch, salad

Snack: clementine

Happy Hour: OJ on ice

Dinner: pasta w/mushroom & meat sauce, spinach soufflé

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 183 lbs. (-0.5)

Goal: 180 lbs.

Could you please walk a little slower?

So far, March Mildness has been a success. It has been easy to say no, just yesterday I thought hey, I'm in a coffee show, getting tea. Why not a cookie? But why a cookie, would I enjoy it? Am I in the mood for a cookie, or is it just that cookies are readily available (and not even that, I'd have to pay for it) so I just got the tea. Easy.

And the alcohol. Really. Sitting in a bar with my brother drinking a Coke (it could have been water) I was worried about what the bartender might think -- for a moment. Then I just enjoyed my Coke.

There's a week left, we are going out of town. That makes me think, ooh, dining out, won't I want to drink? Well, no, actually. I'd rather keep a clear head, thanks. It feels good.

What about the future? Stop keeping the beer fridge fully stocked, for one thing. It encourages consumption. Doing dishes is not a cause for celebration. Save it for the weekend, or special moments. Sure, a show, a movie, a dinner out. Sitting in front of the fire on a Tuesday evening, a glass of water would also taste good. Yeah, I said it. Taste.

Distance: 2.25 miles

Duration: 22:57
Pace: 10:03

Route: Horizon Loop (clockwise)

Temperature: 53°
Climate: overcast & cold

Pavement: dry
Mood: determined

1968 Playlist

Open My Eyes - Nazz

Astral Weeks - Van Morrison

A Little Less Conversation - Elvis Presley

Love Child - Diana Ross & The Supremes

Girl Watcher - The O'Kaysions

Street Fighting Man - The Rolling Stones

Glass Onion - The Beatles 

 

Know what has truly improved? My lungs. No more gasping, I should make note of whether or not I am sighing anymore. Or as much. I will always sigh.

Standing up might make me huff with exertion, but that's because my muscles ache, my knees.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec.
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk, pizza slice, ranch

Lunch: cake, ice cream

Happy Hour: raspberry fizzy water

Dinner: crab cake, latke, tuna w/sweet potatoes & mushrooms, a few bites of assorted dessert

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 183.5 lbs. (-1.0)

Goal: 180 lbs.

I may've been young, but baby that's not what I wanted to be.

Stressful couple of days at work. I'm not at liberty to talk about it. Let's just say the future of public education in American is fraught.

Distance: 1 mile

Duration: 9:54

Route: one time around the block 

Temperature: 43°
Climate: cold, rainy

Pavement: wet
Mood: better than yesterday

Brisk and fast one miler in the cold mist. I was like, could I? But why. It's been a good stretch so far this week and that was certainly enough for today.

1978 Playlist

Birdland - Maynard Ferguson

Stumblin' In - Chris Norman & Suzi Quatro 

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec. (2x)
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk and (oops) cream, bagel half w/sunbutter & marmalade

Tea Time: lavender bergamot earl grey latte (yes!) 

Dinner: pizza & salad, pomegranate juice & soda

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 184.5 lbs. (-2.5)

New Goal: 180 lbs.

It would appear I have lost ten pounds in a little over three weeks. Okay, good. Keep going.

Cross-legged on the bed.

The running continues, but the breaking down has begun. My left knee has been sore during the day, it affects my sleep. Things that have not happened; my back remains unaffected. So far, so good.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 31:43
Pace: 10:13

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 53°
Climate: cloudy & breezy

Pavement: dry
Mood: pissed off

1988 Playlist

Eye No - Prince

Flesh Number One (Beatle Dennis) - Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians ft. Glenn Tilbrook

Da Butt - E.U.

Big Hollow Man - Danielle Dax

Orinoco Flow - Enya

Five Minutes - My Dad Is Dead

Some 'Em Whatcha Got - Public Enemy

Vibrating - Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians

Hey You!!! (Remix) - The Cure

What was 1988? The Marriage of Bette and Boo, Breaking Point, Camino Real, Bye Bye Birdie, Bloody Poetry, love, anxiety, therapy, collapse, renewal.  

 
Stretches: yes, not enough
Abdominals: no
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk, banana yogurt w/clementine, fresh banana, granola & honey

Coffee Break: latte w/oatmilk

Lunch: french fries w/ketchup

Dinner: asparagus & bowtie salad w/tomatoes and tuna

Cocktail Hour: raspberry fizzy water

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 187 lbs. (+1.0)

Goal: 185 lbs.

First, we run.

This is a cartoon I drew in college.

A beautiful weekend. Yesterday was sunshiny and we went out and communed with animals and made a lovely dinner. I even had cake and ice cream last night, and that was nice. 

The non-alcoholic beer was to make me feel festive without breaking my resolve, but it's not like that stuff is low-calorie or anything. I've gotten into the habit of drinking water, in lieu of other things.

I have been through St. Pat's and Calvin's Day without feeling the need to imbibe. It's been three weeks into March Mildness now, and the wife asks how I feel. Good, I guess. Certainly no worse.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 31:15
Pace: 10:04

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 53°
Climate: partly cloudy & nice

Pavement: dry
Mood: good

 

1998 Playlist

As - George Michael ft. Mary J. Blige

Body Movin' (Fatboy Slim Remix)  - Beastie Boys

Rock Is Dead - Marilyn Manson

Misinformed - Soul Coughing

The Rockafeller Skank - Fatboy Slim

La femme d'argent - Air

You Get What You Give - New Radicals

 

So '98.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec. (2x)
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk

Lunch: latte w/oatmilk, smoothie bowl w/mango, strawberry, blueberry, vanilla granola & honey

Snack: apple, banana

Dinner: baked potato with cheese, vegetarian chili & sour cream, broccoli ww/lemon & butter

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 186 lbs. (-0.5)

Goal: 185 lbs.

Told you.

Everywhere I'm looking now I'm surrounded by your embrace.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 31:06
Pace: 10:01

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 46°
Climate: sunny, cool & windy

Pavement: dry!
Mood: grateful

 

2008 Playlist

27 Jennifers - Mike Doughty

Use Somebody - Kings of Leon

Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) - Beyoncé

Great Dj - The Ting Tings

Mercy - Duffy

Shut Up and Let Me Go - The Ting Tings

Oxford Comma - Vampire Weekend

Echoes Round the Sun - Paul Weller

A Thing For Me - Metronomy

Halo - Beyoncé

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec.
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk, banana 

Lunch: Jambalaya

Dinner: boursin cheese & crackers, kalamata olives, spaghetti & meatballs, steamed artichokes with butter, cake & ice cream, N/A Becks

Proudly in our winter coats.

Yup. Wearing scarves now.

My brother is in town, we've been having a good time. Saw a show, had some fine meals out. I guess I'm having fewer, bigger meals this weekend. 

It snowed a few inches last night, which will all melt on Tuesday. Still, short run. Got things to do to prepare for tomorrow's festivities.

Distance: 1 mile

Duration: 10:24

Route: one time around the block 

Temperature: 33°
Climate: sunny but cold

Pavement: patchy with snow
Mood: all right

 

1968 Playlist

The Flesh Failures (Let the Sunshine In) - Hair (OBCR)

The Horse - Cliff Nobles

Stay Cat Blues - The Rolling Stones

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: yes
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk, orange juice

Beverage: "subtly sweet" iced tea

Brunch: eggs benedict, hash brown, coffee w/cream

Dinner: cup of chicken noodle soup, raspberry fizzy water

Snack: banana

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 186.5 lbs. (-0-)

Goal: 185 lbs.

My heart is racing down First Avenue.

Shaved last night. It's for work, I don't want to talk about it. I seriously regret the decision. My face is fat and jowly and there's a ball of tissue below my chin that makes me look like a bullfrog. I hate my ugly, old face.

Okay, so? Let's get motivated for a cold weather run.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 32:19
Pace: 10:23

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 28°
Climate: sunny & cold

Pavement: mostly dry
Mood: all right

Wow. Yeah. Having a beard makes a difference. Running out with wind in my face, not pleasant.

2018 Playlist

Nothing Gets Me High - Bad Bad Hats

Get Out - CHVRCHES

Make Me Feel- Janelle Monáe

60 & Punk - Death Cab for Cutie

Almost Have to Start a Fight/In and Out of Patience - Parquet Courts

The Spot - Your Smith

Blackout - Frank Turner

City Looks Pretty - Courtney Barnett

thank you, next - Ariana Grande

What was 2018? Uhm. I turned 50? Directed Troilus & Cressida? Grew a beard? I have no idea what else happened this year.  Saw David Byrne?

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec.
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk, yogurt w/fresh strawberries, banana, granola & honey

Coffee break: coffee w/oatmilk

Happy Hour: raspberry fizzy water

Dinner: Reuben, onion rings (oof)

Coke, decaf w/coffeemate 

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 186.5 lbs. (-2.0) 

Goal: 185 lbs.

My throat is dry. My knees are weak.

On my own for a day. If this weren't March Mildness, I would probably have gotten intoxicated last night. But I didn't. How about that.

Distance: 1 mile

Duration:  10:11

Route: one time around the block 

Temperature: 50°
Climate: misty rain

Pavement: wet
Mood: all right!

Early morning run in the rain, before the temperature drops. It was very pleasant, more like a mist than rain. Twice I stopped to upright the large garbage and recycling bins that had blown over in the night. I live here.

1969 Playlist

Cissy Strut - The Meters

Friendship Train - Gladys Knight & the Pips

Walk in My Shadow - Free 

 
Stretches
Abdominals: 90 sec.

Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk, yogurt, fresh strawberries & banana, honey

Lunch: pasta w/corn & tomato garlic butter sauce

Coffee Break: coffee w/oatmilk, pear slices

Happy Hour: fizzy water

Dinner: Lemon spinach & orzo soup w/chicken & buttered toast

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 188.5 lbs. (+1.0)

Goal: 185 lbs.

Anybody in the audience ever get hit by a car?

Nineteen Eighty-Nine was the best year in music history. And that's it. Bent over the floor of the Little Theatre (now the Hahne Black Box) at school, making the life-size cutout figures for the stage production of Breaking Point, listening to Disintegration, Spike, Oranges & Lemons and Three Feet High & Rising.

And Paul's Boutique hadn't even come out yet.

Distance: 4 miles

Duration: 41:34
Pace: 10:23

Route: Forest Hill Park Loop (Extended Mix) 

Temperature: 53°
Climate: partly cloudy & nice

Pavement: mostly dry with patchy snow
Mood: all right

I considered running without breakfast, which is foolish. This is what I am talking about. It is very hard to lose with without depriving yourself, and I do not wish to do that. That wasn't the goal. Eat better, exercise better, live better. That is all.

 

1989 Playlist - or - "Three Feet High & Rising" by De La Soul

The Magic Number

Change in Speak

Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin's Revenge)

Ghetto Thang

Eye Know

Tread Water

Potholes in My Lawn

Say No Go

Plug Tunin' (Last Chance to Comprehend)

Buddy (featuring Jungle Brothers and Q-Tip)

Me Myself and I

Been waiting for this one, and it did not disappoint. Would be better under sunny skies, but I'll take what I can get.

The album is mostly in tact, despite all the copyright business. They cut a sample from Eddie Murphy's first stand up album from "The Magic Number" and "Cool Breeze On the Rocks" was impossible with two dozen samples so they just dumped it. I cut tracks without steady beats from my playlist anyway (see above).

 
Stretches: yes 
Abdominals: 90 sec. 
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oat cream, raising bran w/fresh strawberry, banana & soy milk

Lunch: Lemon spinach & orzo soup w/chicken, Caesar salad & buttered bread, raspberry fizzy water 

Dinner: tofu & greens stir fry over rice, fizzy water

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 187.5 lbs. (-1.0)

Goal: 190 lbs.

If you should die while crossing the street

I really don't like the cold. Even briefly, just these few days below freezing. I feel uncomfortable, unmotivated, though not (fortunately) unwell. Just a brief dip into the 20s, it's not much of a winter. But I'm not crazy about it. 

Still got some new gear yesterday, new gloves and pants, ordered what I couldn't find in stores online.

Distance: 2.3 miles

Duration: 23:50
Pace:  10:20

Route: Horizon Loop (clockwise)

Temperature: 38°
Climate: bright & cool

Pavement: dry w/some patchy snow
Mood: tired

 

"Clockwise" for the Horizon Loop means I begin with a hill for about a quarter mile. Then it's downhill for the rest of the mile and then mostly flat. Today was the first day I have felt stiff and tired, but it's an evening run not a morning run, so there's your difference.

1979 Playlist

Tusk - Fleetwood Mac

There's a Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon) - The B'52's

Video Killed the Radio Star - The Buggles

The Number One Song In Heaven - Sparks

Rise - Herb Alpert

What was 1979? One snow day we made a disco in George's basement, and tried to get girls to come over. The end of elementary school. The family visited Norway. I started middle school, and that's where my troubles began.

 
Stretches: yes ... but not enough
Abdominals: 90 sec.
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oat cream, fresh fruit smoothie bowl w/mango, pineapple & blueberry, granola & honey

Coffee Break: latte w/oatmilk

Lunch: spinch pie & baba ganouj w/pita

Dinner: Lemon spinach & orzo soup w/chicken, Caesar salad & buttered bread 

Cocktail Hour: raspberry fizzy water

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 188.5 lbs. (+0.5)

Goal: 185 lbs.

We have leveled off at 188 pounds. This is what I weight, eating modestly and with regular exercise. I am hoping that, as the weather improves, I will be able to burn more calories I do not care to consume less than I am currently.

Keeping versed and on my feet.

Now it's winter. There is a blanket of snow on the ground, which has been rare this year. I stay close to home, running around the block, because going further makes me feel "far from home." Like, if I start feeling cold or tired or just beaten down by the weather, I know I can get back home easily.

Fourteen days. Two weeks in. Feeling good, right? Not feeling bad, anyway.

Distance: 3.25 miles

Duration: 34:37
Pace: 10:39

Route: four times around the block

Temperature: 25°
Climate: cold

Pavement: an inch or so of snow
Mood: determined

I planned to run around the block one time. It was cold, there was snow. But one time around, it just didn't feel like enough. Having said, that I hope I don't regret this. My shins are already singing. Snow is slippery.

1999 Playlist

La Nouba - Cirque du Soleil

Temperamental - Everything But the Girl

Accepting Applications at University - Lily

Thong Song - Sisqo

Maria - Blondie *

Steal My Sunshine - Len

Bruce Lee - Underworld

Blue (Da Ba Dee) - Eiffel 65 ft. Gabry Ponte

What was 1999? Directed Hamlet. Got married. Visited Alaska. Feared the future. Dug those tunes.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec. (2x)
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oat cream, bagel w/lox, cream cheese & red onion

Lunch: strawberry yogurt w/fresh strawberries, banana, granola & honey

Cocktail Hour: raspberry fizzy water 

Dinner: spaghetti w/marinara & parmesan, buttered con, buttered bread

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 188 lbs. (-0.5)

Goal: 185 lbs.

Moving in elliptical pattern.

Man. The sleep has been long this month. Eight hour sleeps, but this weekend they've been nine and ten hour sleeps, with no chemical intervention.

Got a kink in my ankle. It's lasted a day. Not something I like waking up with.

And so! Sleeping in, the time change, sore ankle, it all adds up to taking a day off from running! And well-earned, too.

Distance: 2.5 miles

Duration: 25:39
Pace: 10:15

Route: three times around the block

Temperature: 32°
Climate: light snow

Pavement: wet
Mood: good, actually

Quite a weekend. Active, and stressful. Why stressful? Not sure. Perhaps because it was so active. And yet, I saw beautiful things. We had dinner out, saw a show at the CMA. I attended the premiere of a local film and last night, my son playing with a jazz ensemble.

Why stress? Is it stress? Or just the feeling of experiencing life and people in a post-pandemic world? 

2009 Playlist

Animal - Miike Snow

Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys

1901 - Phoenix

Everyone's at it - Lily Allen

Sleepyhead - Passion Pit

Gimme Sympathy - Metric

Single Ladies (Microaggressive Mix) - Pomplamoose

What was 2009? My parents' 50th wedding anniversary cruise. We took And Then You Die (How I Ran a Marathon in 26.2 Years) to the New York Fringe Festival. Our eldest started elementary school.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec.
Water: yes

Sunday

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk cream 

Lunch: latte w/oatmilk, bagel w/olive cream cheese

Coffee Break: latte w/oatmilk

Dinner: smash burger & fries

Bedtime: Tea w/oatmilk cream & honey

Monday

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk cream (and almond cream), 1 serving frosted mini wheats & soy milk

Lunch: half toasted everything bagel w/lox, cream cheese & red onion

Coffee Hour: coffee w/oatmilk cream

Snack: sliced pear

Happy Hour: Fizzy water

Dinner: stir fry w/broccoli, celery, scallions, peppers, turnip greens over rice

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 188.5 lbs. (+1.5)

Goal: 185 lbs.

Watch me run away.

Not napping during the day, and not drinking any alcohol, and exercise, these things have all contributed to healthy nights of sleep. I hope this continues.

We went out for dinner last night, an evening of dietary indulgence. So strange, to leave a restaurant entirely sober.

Distance: 2.55 miles

Duration: 26:18
Pace: 10:19

Route: Forest Hill Loop (pond only)

Temperature: 30°
Climate: overcast & cold

Pavement: mostly dry
Mood: good, you know?

Pushing through a quick morning run. Not sure I will have time for it later.

 

2019 Playlist

Black Out (Acoustic) - Frank Turner

Running Up That Hill - Meg Myers

This Time It's Different - Heart Bones

Hold On - Ames

See You at Your Funeral - Pup

Comeback Kid - Sharon Van Etten

Moderation - Florence + The Machine

No Roots- Alice Merton

 

What was 2019? My worst marathon. The boy started high school that fall, the wife her final year at that school. Mom began her decline. There were good times, About a Ghoul was a highpoint. 

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec.
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk cream, strawberry yogurt w/pineberries banana & granola

Lunch: corned beef on rye, potato chips

Dinner: popcorn

Cocktail Hour: Fresca

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 187 lbs. (-1.0)

Goal: 185 lbs.

Be a part of it all.

WINTER STORM WARNING! Just kidding, there's nothing. No snow, school's are in. Just wet, wet snowflakes.

You know, it wasn't my intention to save playlists from the early 1970s for my short runs. But it's not my favorite time for music. Then again, neither is the aughts. Anyway, short run is better than no run. And we will rock the 70s. 

Distance: 1 miles

Duration: 10:44

Route: one time around the block 

Temperature: 34°
Climate: flurries

Pavement: damp 
Mood: all right

Ten days, ten runs. Didn't think I had it in me any longer.

1970 Playlist

No Matter What - Badfinger

Snow Flower - Ananda Shankar

Your Song - Elton John 

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec. (2x)
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk cream, raisin bran w/pineberries, bananas & soy milk 

Lunch: 1C. Broccoli cheddar soup

Snack: apple slices (and not that doughnut I was offered)

Dinner Out: bean paste & toast, potato leek fritters, wagyu skirt steak with potatoes & broccolini, soda water

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 188 lbs. (-2.5) 

Goal: 185 lbs.

Johnny's always running around.

One more day, one more run. Supposed to snow tomorrow? Regardless, I can run in snow. But every day I put in more miles is more energy, more muscle work, more air. 

Distance: 

Duration: 3.1 miles
Pace: 10:44

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 36°
Climate: partly cloudy & cool

Pavement: dry
Mood: not bad

That went better than I thought. Slowed down near the end, but that's okay. I never stopped for walking.

1980 Playlist

Johnny & Mary - Robert Palmer (153 bpm)

Girl U Want - Devo

Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me) - XTC

I'm Coming Out (Original Chic Mix) - Diana Ross

Warm Leatherette - Grace Jones

Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll - Vaughn Mason & Crew

After Dark - Andy Gibb

Duke's End - Genesis (159 bpm)

Tattooed Love Boys - The Pretenders

Oh, shit. XTC is band for incels and I only just noticed.

What was 1980? Middle school. Feelings of isolation, loneliness. Losing my friends. Being ignored. Desirous of attention, love. Abandoning childhood. I really hated 1980.

 
Stretches: 
Abdominals: 90 sec. (2x)
Water: yes (fizzy water, it counts)

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk cream

Lunch: salad w/feta, pistachios & buttered bread

Coffee Break: coffee w/oatmilk cream

Snack: apple slices

Happy Hour: Decaf Earl Grey w/almond cream

Dinner: broccoli cheddar soup w/buttered bread

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 190.5 lbs. (+1.0) 

Goal: 185 lbs.

Yep. That was a large piece of bread. We must remain mindful. Seriously, though. It was a big breakfast, a big lunch, and a big dinner.

That's all there is.

Woof. Running every day is taking a toll. Calf muscles are sore. Worried I might get taken out by shin splints. Warm weather would help. Spent last night with a bandage on my leg. But these days are cold, will be cold. And I need to press through that.

Part of this is keeping my kits clean and accessible. And making sure this blog is something I prepare in advance. If I do not prepare in advance for a run, getting out onto the street can take forever, and that brings down my mood.

Like right now.

Distance: 2.25 miles

Duration: 23:51
Pace: 10:34

Route: Horizon Loop (clockwise)

Temperature: 32°
Climate: dry

Pavement: sunny, windy & cold
Mood: tired & sore

 

1990 Playlist

Raspberry Beret - Hindu Love Gods

World In My Eyes (Cicada Mix) - Depeche Mode

Vogue - Madonna

Hippychick - Soho

Ring of Fire - Social Distortion

The Sinister Minister - Bela Fleck & the Flecktones

What was 1990? Earth Day! Live-in girlfriend. Twin Peaks. Played Seymour in Little Shop. Fell in love with the person who would eventually become my life partner. Yep.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec.
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk cream, pineberries & bananas w/granola & strawberry yogurt

Coffee Break: latte w/oatmilk 

Lunch: spinach pie, baba w/pita

Happy Hour: Tea w/oatmilk cream, Fresca

Dinner: big salad w/feta, pistachios & buttered bread

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 189.5 lbs. (+2.0)

Goal: 185 lbs.

See, that's a reality check. The scale is not strictly accurate. Taking a daily read on my weight is barometer, to be sure. But what is actually going on? I believe there must be foodstuff (excuse me for getting gross) sitting in my system at all times. The level of food needs to decrease, and I am working on that. And that it's food and not non-food. Fat from chocolate, or processed and fried potato and corn. I am trying to purge myself of these things while instead consuming good things.

I didn't really eat much yesterday. The day before, however. Anyway. I was going to take a break from running today, but decided against it. Maybe tomorrow, though! Delayed gratification. And when I take a break, I want to spend it well.

I didn't take no shortcuts.

One week into March Mildness! Seven days without alcohol, seven days watching what I eat, seven days of exercise. I am going to wait before taking a day off. A day off is fine, it is earned. Maybe tomorrow.

This is also when things can go off the rails. I mean, things can always go off the rails. Last night I had a root beer with my meal of popcorn. 

Monday is five dollar movie night at the Cedar Lee, we saw Kazuo Ishiguro's film Living. I want Bill Nighy and Aimee Lou Wood to do a road picture.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 32:57
Pace: 10:37

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 34°
Climate: sunny & cold

Pavement: damp
Mood: good

I did not think that was going to go well ... but it did! Keep up those positive spirits, it will help. Dressed for cold and it was the right call. The windbreaker would have been chilly, and that would have slowed me down. Nice sweaty run!

2000 Playlist

Outer Bongolia - Stereolab *

Dirty Trip - AIR

Music - Madonna

The Tower That Ate People - Peter Gabriel

Bohemian Like You - The Dandy Warhols

Barely Legal - The Strokes *

Renegades of Funk - Rage Against the Machine

What was 2000? It was a year I spent way too much money. I directed Lysistrata, Toni premiered Angst:84. We took a three week road trip, and I got to see Graceland. Things were good. We had no idea.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec.
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/oatmilk cream, raisin bran w/fresh strawberries, banana & soy milk

Lunch: parmesan pasta w/roasted root vegetables

Snack: apple

Dinner: chicken pad thai

Happy Hour: orange juice

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 187.5 lbs. (-1.5)

Goal: 185 lbs.

I can change.

Ooh. Sore joints. Left knee, taking steps is a little creaky. Also, sugar last night. A tony dessert, the boy offered me the Kool-Aid he had just prepared, I had it with a lot of ice. It's hard to say no to things which are offered or are right in front of you.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 33:01
Pace: 10:38

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 41°
Climate: sunny & light hail (fr)

Pavement: dry
Mood: all right

2010 Playlist

Stylo - Gorillaz ft. Mos Def & Bobby Womack

Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) - Shakira ft. Freshlyground

I Can Change - LCD Soundsystem

Infinity Guitars - Sleigh Bells (157 bpm)

Derezzed - Daft Punk

OMG (clean) - Usher ft. will.i.am

Too Dramatic - Ra Ra Riot (167 bpm)

Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera

We Speak No Americano - Yolanda Be Cool ft. DCup

What was 2010? My CPAC fellowship year. First time I had the opportunity to write the outreach tour, and it was about vampires! The kids begin to learn about contemporary pop culture. I brand myself a playwright, and insist everyone call me that.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec. (2x)
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/almond cream, two pancakes, syrup, butter w/fresh strawberries & bananas

Coffee Break: More coffee, soda water

Lunch: spicy tuna roll, macaroni salad side

Coffee Break: coffee w/oatmilk cream

Dinner: popcorn, root beer

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 189 lbs. (-0-) 

Goal: 185 lbs.

There's nowhere to run.

Don't think about the pandemic.

Seriously, though! No alcohol on the weekends! That's weird! Saturday night it was like, 5 PM and I am thinking, beer? I'm passing the beer fridge -- which I was emptying over the course of the month of February -- and I'm like, there's beer in there! That would be good right now.

Anyway, no. Tea is good, too. But it sure makes the evening last longer. We went to bed at 9:30 like a couple of old people.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 31:59
Pace: 10:19

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 41°
Climate: sunny & cool

Pavement: dry
Mood: all right

Remember to wear gloves when it is below 40°. You can always take them off. But glory be! What a beautiful day.

2020 Playlist

Blue Monday - Sebastian Böhm

Heart of Glass (Live) - Miley Cyrus

We Go On - The Avalanches ft. Cola Boyy, Mick Jones & Karen Carpenter

Levitating - Dupa Lipa

Straight To the Morning - Hot Chip ft. Jarvis Cocker

TCR - Sleaford Mods (152 bpm)

Interstellar Love - The Avalanches ft. Leon Bridges

Dynamite - BTS

Crossbow - Tamar Aphek

 

Two covers and two samples from my youth. I am getting old.

What was 2020? Jesus. What wasn't 2020? My mother died, then we had a pandemic. The summer uprising, the near total descent into Fascism -- still could happen, no worries. Our eldest had their senior year canceled, and I started grad school.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec.
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/almond cream, homemade bread w/butter & sunbutter

Lunch: parmesan pasta w/roasted root vegetables

Dinner: vegan ramen & salad ... and half a vegan fruit tart

Happy Hour: Cherry Kool-Aid

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 189 lbs. (-2.5)

New Goal: 185 lbs.

Here's the thing. Recently I learned that Ewan McGregor, who was already decently fit in 1995 (and only 24 years old) achieved his heroin user weight for the movie Trainspotting by giving up beer. He claims the pounds melted away.

 I drink a beer every day, or most days. At least one. So, for five days I have not consumed beer nor any alcohol, and lost six pounds immediately. This will not continue, the rapid weight loss, I mean. But we are on our way.

I was nowhere, now I'm whole.

Distance: 1 mile

Pace: 10:23

Route: once around the block.

Temperature: 41°
Climate: sunny & cool

Pavement: dry
Mood: good

1971 Playlist

Sepheryn - Curtiss Maldoon

Rock and Roll - Led Zeppelin

Oh Yoko! - John Lennon

 

Rather than take a day off, after a strenuous day (like yesterday) will take a short tun. Yes. That is what I will do.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec.
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/almond cream, oatmeal w/dried cranberries & raisins, fresh strawberries & banana, brown sugar, butter and (yes) almond cream

Coffee Hour: more coffee

Lunch: smoothie bowl w/fresh blueberry, mango & strawberry, granola & honey 

Tea Time: Earl Grey w/almond cream

Dinner: roasted root vegetables w/creamy pasta, no-knead bread w/butter

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 191.5 lbs. (-1.0)

Goal: 190 lbs.

Do you want to take a break?

Say what you want about Spotify. The fact is, that is how folks received and consume music, certainly the young people. And if its' not on Spotify, you can't hear it. And because of copyright issues, De La Soul's first six albums have been unavailable for streaming.

My son has all my De La Soul CDs. I still have the cassettes and vinyl in the attic. We hear tracks on The Current. Otherwise they are absent, or they have been. Until today.

I can't tell you how important De La was in my young adulthood. I'm going to listen the shit out of these records.

Distance: 3.75 miles

Duration: 40:23
Pace: 10:46

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 39°
Climate: overcast & cool

Pavement: dry
Mood: driven

1991 Playlist - or - "De La Soul Is Dead" by De La Soul

Oodles of O's

Talkin' Bout Hey Love

Pease Porridge

A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays"

Bitties in the BK Lounge

My Brother's a Basehead

Let, Let Me In

Afro Connections at a Hi 5 (In the Eyes of the Hoodlum)

Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)

Pass the Plugs

For Dave.

What was 1991? The year I received my BFA, got my first job in arts education. The summer we spent on Coventry. Moving into the larger Cleveland theater community. Got engaged for the first time. And this album was released on May 14, when I was still in Los Angeles.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec. 
Water: yes

It is true. When you pull back from eating whenever you want to, your imagination always drifts back to food. For someone as well fed as I, that's kind of shameful.

Breakfast: coffee w/almond cream, raisin bran w/banana, strawberry & soy

Coffee Break: coffee w/almond milk, apple slices

Lunch: salad w/roasted sweet potato, tomatoes, fake bacon, balsamic vinaigrette

Headache Remedy: Cherry Coke Zero

Dinner: Mac & Cheese 1 C., cauliflower "wings" & sauce

The sun makes such a difference. Same temperature, but I had to walk a little, I wore long pants (I have been in shorts) and gloves. It may snow, but it will also remain mild the next several days. Winter weather is important, right now I am glad I can build up endurance in mild temps.

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 192.5 lbs. (-0.5)

Goal: 190 lbs.

I'm straight, at least I think so.

I burp, a lot. It's ben building over the past several years or more. I am wondering if I have developed a sensitivity to dairy. But I like cold cereal, so I'm trying vanilla soy instead. I also tried it in my coffee, but I don't hate myself that much. No more bowls of milk, though.

And no ice cream this month. Because it's March Mildness! 

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 33:03
Pace: 10:40

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 40°
Climate: sunny & cool

Pavement: dry
Mood: determined

1981 Playlist

Goo Goo Muck - The Cramps

Dumb Waiters - Psychedelic Furs

New Toy - Lene Lovich

Hang Fire - The Rolling Stones

Porcelain - The Pretenders

The Jezebel Spirit - Brian Eno & David Byrne

Shut Up - Madness

Working For the Weekend  - Loverboy

Charlotte Sometimes - The Cure

What was 1981? Big year, big me. First kiss, first a lot of things. I bought a lot of 45s that year, the music that summer was pretty inspiring ... but I wasn't even listening to the good stuff.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec. 
Water: yes

Man. Second day, and my knee hurts. Left knee. It's the weather.

Breakfast: coffee w/almond cream (no), Raisin Bran w/banana & strawberry w/soy milk

Coffee break: latte w/oatmilk

Lunch: leftover rice & greens

Happy Hour: tea w/almond cream

Dinner: salad w/roasted sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber, pepitas & balsamic vinaigrette

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 193 lbs. (-2.0)

Goal: 190 lbs.

That loss is just what was sitting in my system. You stop snacking for one day, and that is what you can drop.

March Mildness

We're trying something new, something radical. It has been a challenging season. Not terrible, I know terrible, it has not been terrible. But it slouches towards malaise. And poor health. Bingeing junk food. Drinking, not to excess, just consistently. And little no exercise.

Some do the "Dry January" thing, which I cannot get on board with. I respect a New Year's resolution, I have even made them. But January is a month made for drinking, and I will not compromise that.

Others "give up" things for Lent, and that is also very nice. Occasional, considered, voluntary abstinence can lead one to appreciate the world and one's place in it. But I never know when Lent begins, much less when it ends.

So, I arbitrarily decided March would be the month I do something exceptional, to see how it makes me feel. This month I will run no fewer than six days a week, and I will abstain from the consumption of alcohol and "additional food" which I qualify as snacks or desserts.

 

The wife has called it "March Mildness." She does have a way with words.

Here you go!

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 33:35

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 40°
Climate: bright & sunny

Pavement: wet
Mood: dedicated

If every morning were as beautiful as this morning, this would be a breeze. I have to prepare myself for hardship.

 

2001 Playlist

19-2000 (Soulchild Remix) - Gorillaz

In the Waiting Line - Zero 7 ft. Sophie Baker

Crescendolls - Daft Punk

Because We Can - Fatboy Slim

Star 69 - Fatboy Slim

Start the Commotion - Wiseguys

Samba Da Bencao - Bebel Gilberto

One More Time - Daft Punk

What was 2001? I mean.

 

Breakfast: coffee w/cream, carrot, frosted mini wheats w/soy

Lunch: spicy tuna roll, Cherry Coke Zero

Happy Hour: Earl Grey w/honey & almond cream

Dinner: kale stir fry w/tofu & rice, fizzy water

First time having lunch together in the conference room the rest of the staff in three years. And yes, I had to pass on ice cream cake.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec.
Water: yes

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 195 lbs.

Goal: 190 lbs.