Felt a wave, a rush of blood.

Here's the thing. 

I wanted to run every day, like I did last year. However, my knees can no longer support this. Running every day used to be all right, but these days, running without a day off means my knees hurt. And that's not good.

Also, it's been cold. And I just hate the cold now. And the wind. It's a drag, it's no fun. I'll do sit up, I'll do upper body work. But running in the cold is just out.

So, anyway. The March Mildness thing didn't go as smoothly as last year. It's been a difficult winter. But today has been a good day, how about that? Writing, cleaning, relaxing. And time for a run in the slightly less than cold weather.

I want to be good to myself.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 33:06
Pace: 10:40

Tiny steps, feels good. And then the sun came out. Lovely.

1998 Playlist

Push It - Garbage  

Let Me See - Morcheeba
St. Louise is Listening - Soul Coughing
Roygbiv - Boards of Canada
Right Here, Right Now - Fatboy Slim
Ghost of Stephen Foster - Squirrel Nut Zippers
Hesitating Beauty - Wilco
Baby Britain - Elliot Smith 
Cascades of Colour (Wamdue Black Mix) - Anada Project ft. Gaelle Adisson

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 47
Climate: partly cloudy & pleasant 
Mood: all right 

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Floating through the void.

You will know us by our head.

So, the March Mildness thing isn't as much of a "kick" as it was last year, but I'm still glad I'm in it. Probably because of the pain in my knees, which comes and goes. I have to remember to take pain reliever before bed or it can be uncomfortable.

I always scorned St. Patrick's Day when I was a teenager, the mixed messages irritated me. The Irish don't want to be categorized by drinking? Then what is up with this supposedly religious holiday where my classmates rip school to go downtown and drink cheap beer dyed green?

Freshman year at college, a number of us stayed behind once Spring Break had started for an industrial film (my first paying acting gig!) and I was lured into O'Hooley's Pub for the celebration, which included a delicious meal of corned beef and cabbage, traditional Irish music (live) and my first Guinness. It was a sincere celebration of Irish heritage and an education for me.

This weekend started with a birthday gathering at the Tav Co. and they had NA Guinness, which was not bad. It made me hanker for the real stuff, but even so, my first sip brought me right back to O'Hooley's, thirty-seven years ago. The senses are a remarkable thing.

Distance: 1 mile
Duration: 9:25

Ugh, It's gonna be cool for the next week. I mean, that's proper for late winter/early spring. But it doesn't serve my knees, uh, needs.

2008 Playlist

Black & Gold (Marcussen Album Version) - Sam Sparro 

Echoes Round the Sun  - Paul Weller

Nine in the Afternoon - Panic! at the Disco

Route: Neighborhood Loop
Temperature: 41°
Climate: big wet snow flakes
Pavement: damp
Mood: determined

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Breakfast: fettuccine frittata
Lunch: SB&J sandwich

Treat: fried plantains
Dinner: vegan Reuben, potato salad, bok choy, fizzy water

Baseline: 185 lbs.
Weight: 182 lbs. (-1.0)

Goal: 180 lbs.

Upper body: 

Core Strength: 

I'm a new superhero.

OATMEAL!!!!

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 29:47
Pace: 9:36

2018 Playlist  

Anpanman - BTS
The Spot - Your Smith
5 Out of 6 - Dessa
You Wouldn't Like Me - The Beths
Everybody's Coming to My House - David Byrne
I Like It - Cardi B ft. Bad Bunny & J Balvin
How Did This Happen? - Bodega
New Rules - Dua Lipa
Make Me Feel - Janelle Monáe
Every 1's a Winner - Ty Segall

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 57°
Climate: clear skies  breezy
Pavement: dry
Mood: good

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Friday

Breakfast: fresh fruit, granola, seeds, almonds, Greek yogurt, dried fruit

Coffee Break: nonfat latte, cream pie (a gift!)
Lunch: sushi & salad

Snack: fries (sm)
Dinner: buffalo wings (celery, carrots), NA Guinness

Saturday

Breakfast: coffee w/cream, oatmeal w/brown sugar, butter, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, species & cream 

Lunch: ramen

Dinner: fettucine w/mushroom pepper marinara, lettuce salad w/carrot, mineral water

Baseline: 185 lbs.
Weight: 183 lbs. (-0-)

Goal: 180 lbs.

I'm going to fly from side to side.

Two weeks dry. First bad night's sleep all month, but it was entirely circumstantial, work-related worrying. Nice night last night, hanging out with our son who is home for spring break.

Distance: 1 mile
Duration: 9:34

1969 Playlist

I Want To Take You Higher - Sly & the Family Stone

What Goes On - The Velvet Underground

Route: Neighborhood Loop
Temperature: 62°
Climate: overcast  breezy
Mood: all right

Not really feeling it today, so I chose a short run. I need to rest these pins a little more.  

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

I need to do knee bends, that may help. It's not enough to just stretch.

Breakfast: fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, granola, almonds, dried cranberries, coffee w/cream
Lunch: Reuben (half)
Happy Hour: Diet Pepsi

Dinner: brisket burger (half), fries w/aioli, buffalo cauliflower, strawberry lemonade

Show Bev: sparkling mineral water

Upper Body: 6 reps.

Core Strength: 20 sit-ups

Got my eyes wide open and I see the signs.

Four years ago, the world shut down. For a time. I think today would be a fine one for a morning run.

Nine days in a row. Keep pushing.

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 19:34
Pace: 9:46

Not sure what to do about my knees, except for to stop running. But that's silly. A day off would be helpful, but the weather is so nice. Maybe another day soon.

1979 Playlist

Day Tripper (154 BPM) - Yellow Magic Orchestra ft. Norio Yoshizawa  

Keep On Marching - The Meters

They Don't Know - Kirsty MacColl

I Can't Help It - Michael Jackson

10:15 Saturday Night (174 BPM) - The Cure

Dangerous Type - The Cars

Ugh. Up since 5:30 AM, not my plan. Ah, well. There's a lot to be doing.

Route: Burlington Loop (clockwise)
Temperature: 54°
Climate: perfect
Mood: angsty

There are side streets with two-way stops that I was previously unaware of.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Breakfast: gingerbread blondie, coffee w/cream
Lunch: chicken with lemon orzo

Treat: ginger ale, almonds & dried fruit
Dinner: Reuben (half), chips & tempura broccoli

Baseline: 185 lbs.
Weight: 183 lbs. (-0-)

Goal: 180 lbs.

Sit-Ups: 40

Planks: 60 sec.

Things are going to get easier.

Distance: 4 miles
Duration: 39:43
Pace: 9:56

"New" music from De La. Our reliance on streaming services means that we do not have ready access to all of our twelve inches, extended remixes and B-sides. I am grateful that De La Soul has continued to roll out non-LP tracks from the past

1989 Playlist

Freedom of Speak (We Got Three Minutes) (164 BPM) - De La Soul

Eye Know - De La Soul

Sin - Nine Inch Nails

Never Enough - Jesus Jones

This & That -Michael Penn

Ladies First - Queen Latifah ft. Monie Love

Veronica - Elvis Costello

The Feelings Begin - Peter Gabriel

Doin’ Our Own Dang - Jungle Brothers

Buddy (Native Tongue Decision) - De La Soul ft. Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, Monie Love

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 59°
Climate: sunny & beautiful
Mood: good

I do have to say my knees really hurt right now.

Stretches: yes
Water: ope

Breakfast: vitamins

Lunch: lasagna, fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, granola

Happy Hour: Cherry Coke Zero
Dinner: French onion soup, salad

Dark Room: ginger ale

Baseline: 185 lbs.
Weight: 183 lbs. (-1.0)

Goal: 180 lbs.

Upper body: TBA

Sit-Ups: 20

Muscular, but thin like springs, but not steel.

And it's spring again. We're all going to die.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 30:13
Pace: 9:44

1999 Playlist  

Deceptacon (161 BPM) - Le Tigre

Bruce Lee - Underworld

A Tab for the Holiday - Lilys

Your Redneck Past - Ben Folds Five

Let Forever Be - The Chemical Brothers

Lullaby of Clubland - Everything But the Girl

Walk Like a Panther - The All Seeing I

Livin' La Vida Loca (178 BPM) - Ricky Martin

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 50°
Climate: cloudless & bright
Pavement: dry
Mood: good

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/cream, gingerbread blondie
Lunch: buffalo chicken wrap, potato chips, Diet Coke

Treat: more gingerbread blondie, fizzy water
Dinner: popcorn, Sierra Mist

Baseline: 185 lbs.
Weight: 184 lbs. (-1.0)

Goal: 180 lbs.

Upper body: 

Sit-ups: 20

Bicycle: 20

Plank: 30 sec.

I may be bad, but I'm perfectly good at it.

Saturday had a twist, I invited a friend over for lunch. Made lunch for them and we sat around and talked, like friends. That was new.

Nine days without toxicants. Both weekend mornings I woke with a minor head pain, the result of sleeping late (I am accustomed to caffeine nolater than six) and also being overwarm. However, unlike most weekends, pain reliever works a charm, and fast.

I woke once each weekend night to go to the bathroom, which is not the norm. I have been drinking a lot of water before bed, to keep myself from the desire to snack, which has also been good for my system, though I do not like getting up in the dark.   

Distance: 1 mile
Duration: 10:05

4:00 PM "This is a fine day not to take a run."

5:00 PM "I'm taking a run."

2009 Playlist

S&M - Rihanna  

I'm Not Your Toy - La Roux

Sugar - Flo Rida ft. Wynter Gordon

Six days in a row. That's what we said.

Route: Neighborhood Loop
Temperature: 33°
Climate: flurries & wind
Pavement: damp
Mood: good

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Breakfast: leftover chicken in a pot with lemon orzo, coffee w/cream
Lunch:  fresh fruit w/granola, Greek yogurt & honey
Tea Time: Tea w/cream & honey, almonds & dried cranberries

Dinner: popcorn, fizzy water, gingerbread blondie

Baseline: 185 lbs.
Weight: 185 lbs. (+1.0)

Goal: 180 lbs.

So, I'm not actually losing weight, but that's okay?

Upper body: 10 (5x)

Too long a breath between.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 30:23
Pace: 9:48

All through with the 2020s. But then, aren't we all?

2019 Playlist

No One's Easy to Love (167 bpm) - Sharon Van Etten

Blackout (acoustic) - Frank Turner

thank u, next - Ariana Grande

Feel For You - Bat For Lashes

Funny Business - Alice Merton

you should see me in a crown (150 bpm) - Billie Eilish

Cruel Summer (170 bpm) - Taylor Swift

Summon the Fire (165 bpm) - The Comet Is Coming

That's Who's Really Pointing At Me (178 bpm) - Naked Giants

Some damn fine beats per minute.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 42°
Climate: overcast & cold
Pavement: damp
Mood: all right

Thought I'd run a mile, it's cloudy and cold. But I dressed right, stepped outside and I was like, hey. This is all right. And I'm geared for it.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Lunch: cream of tomato soup, grilled cheese & ham sandwich, lettuce & tomato salad w/creamy Caesar dressing, Diet Pepsi  

Cooking Time Beverages: ginger ale, fizzy water
Dinner: chicken in a pot with lemon orzo

Upper body: 10 (1x) 

Core Strength: 20 sit-ups

My feet are so heavy.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 30:28
Pace: 9:50

1970 Playlist  
Green-Eyed Lady - Sugarloaf

Mama Told Me Not To Come - Randy Newman

Cold Turkey - John Lennon & the Plastic Ono Band

Instant Karma (We All Shine On) - John Lennon & the Plastic Ono Band

Moondance - Van Morrison

The Knife - Genesis

Let Go *Canta De Ossanha) - Astrud Gilberto

Gimme Shelter - Merry Clayton

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 62°
Climate: overcast  pleasant
Mood: good

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Breakfast: fresh fruit, nuts, granola, dried fruit, Greek yogurt, coffee

Coffee Break: nonfat latte
Lunch: office pizza, Cherry Coke Zero
Dinner: fried sunbutter & jelly sandwich, fresh green pepper w/spicy ranch dip, mineral water

Movie time: popcorn

Baseline: 185 lbs.
Weight: 184 lbs. (-1.0)

Goal: 180 lbs.

Upper body: TBA

Core Strength: 60 sec. 

Sit-Ups: 40

I'll never be the same.

Another very good night of sleep. The weather fluctuates, cool then warm, trying to ride the warm moments. 

Distance: 1 mile
Duration: 9:16

Woof. Almost talked myself out of a run. Gray and cold. But not too cold? Anyway, wearing long pants, fuck the thermometer. Evening one-mile.

1980 Playlist  

Tell That Girl To Shut Up - Holly & The Italians

You Make My Dreams (Come True) - Daryl Hall  John Oates

Ah! Leah! - Donnie Iris

Route: Neighborhood Loop
Temperature: 46°
Climate: deep grey skies
Pavement: dry
Mood: good

Stretches: yes
Water: ope

Breakfast: fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, granola, honey

Coffee Break: nonfat latte
Lunch: mac & cheese, carrots & celery, Cherry Coke Zero
Dinner: Baked potato, butter, cottage cheese, pepper jack, roasted string beans & carrots

Packing lunch is a very good thing to do.

Baseline: 185 lbs.
Weight: 185 lbs. (-0-)

Goal: 180 lbs.

Upper body: 10 rep. (3x)

Core Strength: 40 sit-ups

Take a breath and go for yours.

Weather! Am I right? So, it was beautiful yesterday morning, then the clouds rolled in just after lunch. Rain, rainy, rainy March day. The way it should be! And yet. Love a beautiful spring day.

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 18:53
Pace: 9:27

No toxicants for five days. Resting better than usual. No melatonin no Benadryl. Just lying down and crashing to sleep.

1990 Playlist

Candy - Iggy Pop ft. Kate Pierson  

Don't Fence Me In - David Byrne

It's All Right With Me - Tom Waits

Luck of Lucien - A Tribe Called Quest

Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - C+C Music Factory

Route: Burlington Loop (counterclockwise)
Temperature: 41°
Climate: foggy & misty
Pavement: damp
Mood: good

BREAKTHROUGH! Only planning to go one mile, cold and rainy. But I hit the pavement and notice I could breathe. Like, really breathe, not winded at all. I am succeeding.

My problem is, I haven't gotten a gym membership. I should have (there's that word again) continued my regimen through the winter. But it's about time, isn't it? Ah, well. Glad I am getting back to the condition I prefer.

Stretches: yes

Water: yes

Breakfast: fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, nuts, dried fruit, granola

Coffee Brea: latte w/nonfat milk
Lunch: sunbutter & jelly sandwich, carrots & celery, Cherry Coke Zero, chocolate cake
Dinner: fish & chips w/tartar sauce and ketchup, slaw

Cocktail Hour: beach plum fizzy water

Passed on candy in the office. But accepted the birthday cake. Let us say yes to celebratory dessert.

Baseline: 185 lbs.
Weight: 185 lbs. (+1.0) 

Goal: 180 lbs.

Yeah, that baked potato serving was fucking mammoth.

Core Strength: 20 sit-ups

I looked up at the tallest building, felt it falling down.

Paul Atreidies is a bitch.

First bad sleep in days, but that was due to it being a Monday. they usually call off on Mondays (or Tuesdays). It's a fact. So I drowse but not doze. 

Anyway, March Mildness is an opportunity to take stock of how much alcohol occupies my imagination. Like social media, it is a thing I rely on as a distraction. "Alcohol will relax/inspire/entertain me."

The beer fridge is empty, I emptied it over the month of February. There is no beer to drink in the house. I have not made a "mocktail" for myself, yet. Part of not drinking is avoiding added sugar. The wife has a new interest, sparkling mineral water. I would like to indulge in that, myself.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 29:57
Pace: 9:39

Weather in the Heights was lovely once we got home, but Monday evening I chose to see Dune 2 instead of running. Besides, my knees are very sore. Not sure what I can do about that. Just stretch and compress and take pain reliever and maintain.

2000 Playlist

The Staunton Lick - Lemon Jelly  
Ms. Jackson - Outkast
Downside Up - Peter Gabriel ft. Elizabeth Fraiser
It's Gonna Be Me * - *NSYNC
Barely Legal * - The Strokes
Saginou * - Zulya
Frog - Nits

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 58°
Climate: sunny & breezy
Mood: working on it

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Monday

Breakfast: Reuben Bagel

Refreshment: bottled lemon iced tea
Lunch: sunbutter & jelly sandwich
Dinner: popcorn

Tuesday

Breakfast: fresh fruit, yogurt, granola nuts & dried fruit

Lunch: ramen w/egg, mineral water

Dinner: baked potato w/broccoli, cheddar, butter, cottage cheese

Baseline: 185 lbs.
Weight: 184 lbs. (-1.0-)

Goal: 180 lbs.

Five days! Lost nearly nothing! That's okay, though, because I feel good.

Upper body: 1 rep.

Core Strength: 20 sit-ups

Take it up a notch.

Day three. The thing about drinking, I can come in from outside and think, what will I drink? And then I remind myself -- oh, nothing! Then I don't have to think about it.

I also think of snacks, until I remind myself that I'm not having snacks, and I think of something else.

I'm not saying any of this is easy. What I'm saying is I think these things. It's amazing how much I think about snacking or drinking. I am probably bored. Not drinking or snacking probably makes me look at my phone more. I need to look at more books.

Distance: 5 miles
Duration: 48:01
Pace: 9:36

Christ, yesterday's run made me knees hurt. I finally got a second knee compression bandage. They match. It's better that way. More support for me knees helps.  

Last night we were invited to a dance part at Casa -- our child invited us to a dance party. They are so cool. We danced. But I didn't dance too much, I didn't want to tax my legs any further, and anyway, they did a poll a couple years ago that says that men should stop dancing publicly when they turn thirty and I support that. The wife thinks that poll is nonsense, but come on, no one wants to see that shit.

2010 Playlist

Dancing On My Own - Robyn

Lights - Ellie Goulding

Bang Bang - Mark Ronson ft. The Business Intl & MNDR)

Pow Pow - LCD Soundsystem

TiK ToK - Ke$ha

Change of Time - Josh Ritter

Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera

Burn It Down - Sims

Infinity Guitars - Sleigh Bells

Mr. Saxobeat - Alexandra Stan

Shake It Up - Selena Gomez

Hello (Club Edit) - Martin Solveig ft. Dragonette

Route: Hocking River Bike Path
Temperature: 58°
Climate: sunny & warm
Mood: better

Good day. Hearty brunch, visited an artist show upstairs at the Union and got a trio of candles (among others things). Relaxation has been hard for me, it's not been a great couple of weeks, mental health speaking. But today I am feeling much better.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Brunch: coffee, OJ, chicken & waffles

Happy Hour: Coke over ice
Dinner: popcorn

Gorgeous day by the river, lots of runners, walkers, cyclists. How could I not run five miles?

Feels good to make your body move.

Friday was a bigger day than I realized. This morning I woke and my keister was sore, on the left side. It was from all of the dagger fights and death scenes.

Slept eight hours, no melatonin, no Benadryl. No alcohol, no weed. Just Zoloft and caffeine this morning. I have a dry cough, which I contribute to dehydration and a lot of talking yesterday. I have to get on that.

Distance: 3.5 miles
Duration: 34:24
Pace: 9:50

Beautiful afternoon by the river, keep that head up, it's good for you to straighten your spine.

But, ooh. My butt hurts.

2020 Playlist

Murphy's Law - Róisín Murphy

Blinding Lights - The Weeknd 

Music Makes Me High - Avalanches

Model Villages - Idles

Interstellar Love - Avalanches ft. Leon Bridges

Open Relations - Heart Bones

Feels Good - Longshot ft. Tgik, Taylor Ray  DJ Serpico

Levitating - Dua Lipa

Your Love (Déjà Vu) - Glass Animals

Route: Hocking River Bike Path
Temperature: 52°
Climate: Overcast and breezy
Pavement: damp
Mood: good

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/cream, scrambled eggs w/spinach, sour cream w/salsa, buttered toast, bacon w/syrup, clementine
Lunch: café au lait, coffe cake
Dinner: white chili w/chicken, corn, avocado, onion, cheese, corn chips & crème fresh 

Dance Party: Athletic Lite NA

March Mildness II

Okay, we're doing this. March Mildness Part Two.

For the next thirty-one days I will not receive alcohol. I will refrain from snacking, paying special attention to what I eat for each meal, portion control. No dessert, little added sugar.

"No, thank you," shall be the whole of the law.

Distance: 1 mile
Duration: 9:36

Hopefully, I will also run once a day six days out of seven.

Route: Neighborhood Loop
Temperature: 50°
Climate: overcast & cool
Pavement: dry
Mood: tired

1971 Playlist

Queen Bee - David Bowie

Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers

Get It On (Bang a Gong) - T. Rex

Big, long day, teaching the final day of the Romeo & Juliet residency. Fifty-five year old Romeo. No one wants to see that shit. I also took a nap after but we need to pack up and head out soon, trip to see the eldest. And I wanted to get this first run in.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Breakfast: fresh fruit, almonds, dried cranberries, granola, Greek yogurt

Treat (a gift!): Cafe latte
Lunch: pulled pork, sausage, mac and cheese, green beans

Snack: banana
Dinner: Quarter Pounder, fries, Coke Zero

Baseline Weight: 185 lbs.

Yes, first we have to get back to the weight we were at the start of the year. Good luck, everyone.