Saturday, February 22, 2025

I feel hot and cold.

Crises big, crises small. And I remain so cold. Just walking around, even at work, even at home. Cold feet. cold head. Still stuffed up. Had a bit of a relapse, though I may chalk it up to a steady diet of Benadryl.

The next week will be spent on my own. I need to make plans in advance, where I'm going to eat, how I am going to spend my evenings.

And when, exactly, I will gym.

Distance: 1.6 miles
Duration: 14:31

TIL on Saturday the gym closes at five. No matter, I was feeling not so great and was going to stop at two miles, anyway. No, really.

Mood: okay
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

1973 Playlist
I Can't Explain - David Bowie
All the Way From Memphis - Mott the Hoople
Right Place Wrong Time - Dr. John
Paris 1919 - John Cale
20th Century Boy - T.Rex

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Sundown on the Union

It took illness to break up a very respectable every-other-day visit to the rec center. I suppose it was inevitable. I have been eating less mindfully, it's a slide, that's okay. It's so cold outside (which is a good thing, winter is necessary) and comfort food is a thing. But I need more fresh vegetables.

Fresh vegetables are by their very nature cold. And it feels counterintuitive to consume something that is cold when you feel cold, or have a cold. Why not some fried starch thing instead?

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 23:30

Yes, that was my pace. A rare after work run at the rec center, just as I started a runners group took the track. I was instructed to get into the slower lanes. Even though I was faster than most of them.

Faster than I usually am.

I was sick for a week. I am already starting to regret this.

Shit, that was fast.

I hope I never see those people again.

Mood: malaise
Stretches: yes
Water: not enough
Weight: 161 lbs.

1983 Playlist
Stand Back - Stevie Nicks
Wrap It Up - Eurythmics
Union Sundown - Bob Dylan
Home By the Sea - Genesis
On the Dark Side - John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band
A Ray of Sunshine - Wham!

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Move it nice and sweet and sexy.

The other night I had a lovely conversation with the wife, and for some reason I mentioned running and how much I love it. We were talking about our general health and I recalled that day's exercise and I was overcome with how much I enjoy moving through space like that. And it's silly, to just run. "What is the point?" folks ask. And it is truly an end unto itself. Just being ambulatory in that way.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 25:22
Mood: Driven
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 161 lbs.

1993 Playlist
If - Janet Jackson
Are You Gonna Go My Way - Lenny Kravitz
Where I’m From - Digable Planets
Jump Around - House of Pain
Show Me Love - Robin S
Who Am I (What’s My Name) - Snoop Dogg
I Like To Move It - Reel 2 Real ft. The Mad Stuntmen

Monday, February 10, 2025

Tragic youth was looking young and sexy.

The rec center membership is paying for itself. This winter has been a proper one, first in ages it seems, with freezing temperatures and icy sidewalks. 

I have a feeling that spring will bring with it a national disaster the likes of which we have not yet seen. I don't normally like to point to the fences like that, but there's no way this continues without horrific repercussions.

You see? I am paying attention.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 25:39

Things in the running lane this morning:
Conversation between three people
Someone taking a photograph
The feet of a guy doing sit-ups 

Also, young person walking the wrong walk up the walkers lane then sprinting like a crazed person (in the correct direction) weaving through all the rest of us like an asshole.

Route: rec center 
Mood: maintaining
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 160 lbs.

2003 Playlist
Molly's Chambers - Kings of Leon
Go Brown - Kaada
Kernkraft 400 (DJ Gius Mix) - Zombie Nation
Tour De France - Kraftwerk
Reality - David Bowie
Running Up That Hill - Placebo
Beware - Jay Z ft. Punjabi MC

Did two miles without stopping for water, that's new. It was the music, friends!

Saturday, February 08, 2025

You just had a salad today.

It's just cold. I'm just cold.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 26:31
Route: Rec Center
Mood: distant
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 162 lbs.

2013 Playlist
Tangled Up (Lokee Remix) - Caro Emerald
Donatella - Lady Gaga
Little Talks - Of Mice and Men
Hot Cheetos and Takis - Da Rich Kidzz 
Goodbye Horses - Q Lazzarus 
Chocolate - The 1975
Love Somebody - Maroon 5
******* ***** - ***** ******

My year playlists are long. For 2013, it's 4 hours and 17 minutes. The lists from my teen years are four time that long. They're played on shuffle, you may assume, but I try to start with a song that I have added since last year. Every year, new songs, for every year.

I've said this before but it bears repeating. Doing this, going through every year of my life, year by year, has motivated me (more than I might have otherwise) to keep up with contemporary music. And that keeps my young and healthy and much less of an asshole about music than guys my age usually are.

Thursday, February 06, 2025

My heart runs on gasoline vapors.

Saw PARADE on Tuesday night. I have thoughts.

Those cats. My familiar is not doing well, and sleeps with me, without moving, every night. Just an old man cat. And the little one won't leave us alone. I haven't had unbroken sleep in I don't know when. 

Just keep running.

Distance: 3 miles 
Duration: 26:31

160 is really the sweet spot. I feel so much better. At the same time, I also feel as though my bones appreciated the additional padding.  

Route: Rec Center
Mood: all things considered …
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 160 lbs.

To the threes.

2023 Playlist
There You Are (Beautiful) - Kiss The Tiger
Hot To Go! - Chappell Roan
The Smoke - Nabaté Isles
An Arrow in the Wall - Death Cab for Cutie
Personal Jesus - Iggy Pop ft. Trevor Horn & Lambrini Girls
Girls Talk - Tegan & Sara
$20 - Boy Genius
Lipstick Lover - Janelle Monáe

Tuesday, February 04, 2025

Why do they run away?

Monday would have been a lovely day for a run (mid 50s) but there' only so much you can do in a week.

On my own a few days this week. The cats woke me Monday morning at 12:30 AM and I knew it was pointless trying to go back to sleep, so I watched I Saw the TV Glow. And that was the perfect time of day to watch that.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 25:31

Yesterday, I created a special household surprise for my love (I don't know if she visits the blog so I'm keeping what I did a secret) but I think she's going to be very pleased.  And I went to see Emelia Pérez, and just in time, I guess. Why do so many people have to be so racist?

Route: Rec Center
Mood: angsty
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 161 lbs.

2019 Playlist
Spooky Coochie - Doechii
Seconds - LCD Soundsystem
I’ll Be Back Someday - Tegan and Sara
Hold On - Ames
Ants - Tang and the Bangas
Blackout (acoustic) - Frank Turner
Moderation - Florence the Machine
Saw Lightning - Beck

Sunday, February 02, 2025

Put on a smile and it will be all right.

The other day Andrew Hickey referred to the Civil War as the Slaveholders Rebellion, which I had never heard before.

It took a quick Google search to discover that this term as coined by Frederick Douglass in 1862. All right, then. I have learned something new.

Let's make this Black History Month one to remember.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 25:41
Route: Rec Center
Mood: all right
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 164 lbs.

2009 Playlist
S&M - Rihanna
Surprise Hotel - Fool’s Gold
Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix) - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Sea of Heartbreak - Roseanne Cash ft. Bruce Springsteen 
Something Good 08 - Utah Saints
The Fear - Lily Allen
The Rain - Calvin Harris

Friday, January 31, 2025

Bubble fast. Slow down.

Little back pain after Wednesday’s workout. Pushed it to four miles because of the playlist. 1989 was the best year in the history of popular music.

The other day I listened to a podcast about the 90s Swing Revival, which was mostly spent by 1999. I remember it as being a good time, we dressed up to see Squirrel Nut Zippers in early 1998. But the host of this show emphasized how stupid it all was, which is not surprising coming from a Millennial.

This isn't the first time this particular host has looked into the recent past and failed to connect the subject to the time period. She got as far as the 1990s being a time for fun and affluence, and I suppose it was. But it was also the end of the century, and the so-called "swing" revival was just one part of a complete regurgitation of the previous one hundred years.

Every era had its own revival that decade. I guess this one appeared stupider than most. Believe me, it wasn't.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 26:34

Tingling in my right pinky. In bed last night, tingling in my right thigh, too. Knee pain, thigh pain. Because I ran an extra mile? It may have been how I ran it. James suggests I not go so hard. I think he's right.  

Route: Rec Center
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 164 lbs.

Ten runs in January. Well done.

1999 Playlist
Mixed Bizness - Beck
Lullaby of Clubland - Everything But the Girl
Blue (Da Bah Dee) - Eiffel 65
Livin’ La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin
The Generator - Lilys
Cups - Underworld 

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

I hope it’s going to be all right.

"And all the words we said yesterday
That's a long time ago"
It has been several years since I ran this many times in January. I am very glad I have returned to the Rec Center, but I'm also looking forward to spring and running through the park.

Running at the Rec Center, I take a very short walking break after each mile, and take a healthy drink of water before continuing. That also makes a difference in my ability to keep going.

Distance: 4 miles
Duration: 33:01

Man. Walkers in every lane today.

Route: Rec Center
Mood: "alright"
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 164 lbs.

The art-work continues. I need to practice being artistic ... even though that is not what I would call myself. Isn't that odd?

1989 Playlist
Mr. Cab Driver - Lenny Kravitz
We Didn’t Start the Fire - Billy Joel
Rock and a Hard Rock Place - Rolling Stones
See a Little Light - Bob Mould
Get Up (Before the Night is Over) - Technotronic
Asking Me Lies -The Replacements
Higher Ground - Red Hot Chili Peppers 
It’s Alright - Pet Shop Boys
Doin Our Own Dang - Jungle Brothers

Monday, January 27, 2025

It's all too much.

What a shitty weekend for Cleveland Heights.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 25:44

The goal is to hit the gym every other day. This is our fourth bidiurnal session in a row.

Today I learned the word "bidiurnal."

Route: Rec Center
Mood: managing
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 161 lbs.

1969 Playlist
Black Mountain Side - Led Zeppelin
On Her Majesty's Secret Service - John Barry
Grazing In the Grass - The Friends of Distinction
Hey Bulldog - The Beatles
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? - Chicago
Ramble On - Led Zeppelin
Sugar, Sugar - The Archies
It's All Too Much - The Beatles
Go To the Mirror!  - The Who

Saturday, January 25, 2025

I'm me. I'm cold.

Bouncing back and forth between 160 and 165 lbs. I make dinner earlier than my wife does (she works later) and making it to suppertime without snacking is a challenge. Anyway, it's a good place to be.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 26:11

Route: Rec Center
Mood: anxious
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 163 lbs.

Now to the nines.

1979 Playlist
Theme from "The Warriors" - Barry Vorzon
Goodbye Girl * - Squeeze
Cars - Gary Numan
I Feel For You - Prince
52 Girls - The B-52s
I’m Cold - The Cure
Knock On Wood - Amii Stewart
I’m The Man * - Joe Jackson
I Want You To Want Me (Live) - Cheap Trick

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Whatever it is.

When you go to the gym in the morning, you don't spend the rest of the day obsessing over whether or not you will get to the gym.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 27:08

Route: Rec Center
Mood: good 
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 160 lbs.

Oh, hell yes.

1974 Playlist
How Long - Ace
Killer Queen - Queen
Chameleon - Maynard Ferguson
Bless the Lord - Joanne Jonas
Boogie Down - Eddie Kendricks
Takin' Care of Business - Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Lilywhite Lilith - Genesis
Do It ('Til You're Satisfied) - B.T. Express

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

I'll be there to watch you run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run.

You might assume I run less frequently during the month of January due to the cold weather, but I realize this is not the case. It's the residency rehearsal schedule and the test week. There's just little time for exercise. But at least I am active.

Very, very active. I get anxious when I am so active. We saw a movie last Monday, I went to Dark Room on Tuesday, and attended a high school playwriting event in Canton on Wednesday. A lot of driving in the snow and cold and little time at home last week. Then there was the science fiction marathon, and we saw another film last night.

I should be excited about this. Life is to be lived, you know?  

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 28:51

Also, man. The cold. Makes my knees hurt, even when I am not exerting myself. I’m just. Older.

Route: Rec Center
Mood: I mean
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 163 lbs.

Cooling down, there’s a dude in the running lane who is literally slower than I am walking in the walking lane.

I’ll be that guy someday, but I’ll stay in the walking lane.

1984 Playlist
New Way of Life - The Sound
Beat City - The Flowerpot Men
Cue Fanfare - Prefab Sprout
Black Diamond - The Replacements
Talking In Your Sleep - The Romantics
Hold Me Now (12" Extended Mix) - Thompson Twins
I Love You, Suzanne - Lou Reed

Sunday, January 12, 2025

A solar superman.

Last month, I developed a rash down both arms which I can only attribute (at that time) to the costume I was wearing. However, while the irritation has calmed down since then, it has not entirely gone away and I continue to have daily bouts of scratching, in spite of whatever medicine, lotion, or treatment I provide -- or even if I leave it alone entirely for a time.

My mother also had s skin condition which affected her forearms, and I assume this is also that. I need to check in with a dermatologist.

Am I disgusting? I think I might be.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 26:52
Route: Rec Center
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs.

Yes, thanks to Noom I have lost ten pounds. The question is whether I can keep that weight off. My compulsions can be great. This is a good weight. If I could lose (and keep off) another five pounds, that would be perfect. But it is good to be here. I feel so much better. And I feel no pain.

1994 Playlist
Doctor Worm (173 BPM) - They Might Be Giants
Get the Message - Electronic
You Gotta Be - Des'ree
The Becoming - Nine Inch Nails
Supernova - Liz Phair
Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago - Soul Coughing
Cornflake Girl - Tori Amos

Friday, January 10, 2025

The only thing that I pray is that my feet don't fail me now.

More illness, saddled by neck pain and fatigue. Is this winter? Is this ageing?

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 27:24

Another go round the track. Noonish on a Friday, the place is full of walkers. Some of them were even using walkers. I felt a little pain in my neck and shoulders, perhaps that is how it happened in the first place. Holding my phone, to better manage the stopwatch, and counting on my fingers so I don't forget how many laps I've taken, that could certainly cause tension in my shoulders.  

Route: Rec Center
Mood: all right
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs.

2004 Playlist
Jesus Walks - Kanye West
TKO - Le Tigre
Holiday - Green Day
Musicology - Prince
Me Plus One - Annie
Toxic - Britney Spears
Air - Owls
Ch-Check It Out - Beastie Boys
Decent Days and Nights - The Futureheads

Monday, January 06, 2025

As long as I am with you my heart continues to beat.

Sometimes I wonder why my tummy is queasy. Then I remember I have grown accustomed to having yogurt every morning. I have yogurt with granola and fresh fruit every day. Like some health nut, or old person. When we're out I will have a small amount of oatmeal with fresh fruit, which is a fun change of pace, but then I wonder why I feel a little ill. Got to have those good bacterium.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 25:46

Watched Magnolia with the boy last night. Hits different when you've already watched your parents die. Man, Tom Cruise used to make interesting project choices.  

Route: Rec Center
Mood: good
Stretches: no
Water: yes
Weight: 162 lbs.

Man. First week of January. Time to make plans. And to avoid eating a lot of sweets in rehearsal.

2014 Playlist
Rather Be - Clean Bandit ft. Jesse Glynne
Home (Leave the Lights On) - Field Report
Easy Money - Johnny Marr
I'm Not the Only One - Sam Smith
Talk Dirty - Jason Derulo ft. 2Chainz
Happy Idiot - TV On the Radio
Happy - Pharrell Williams
Here Lies Love (Curtain Call) - David Byrne & Fatboy Slim

What if I actually ran every other day?

Saturday, January 04, 2025

I'm moving so fast, no time to process.

Thank you for your service.
It didn't feel as though I took a break from running, because I was in a show, one which involved a great many trips up and down four flights of stairs. And the dressing room participated in group push ups before every show. 

But then there was the illness, some kind of virus which first struck my wife, and then me, rendering me weak and woozy the last few days of the year.

Running has been patiently waiting for me. It always does.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 26:06

Did I really run that fast, or did I miscount a lap? Regardless, good to get back on my feet. Happy new year.

How President Jimmy Carter Brought Running to the White House
He caught the bug during the 1970s running boom, and he often ran up to 7 miles at a time.
by Roger Robinson, Runner's World 12/29/2024

Route: Rec Center
Mood: good
Stretches: a little
Water: yes
Weight: 162.5 lbs.

Friends and family, it's that time ... 59 Playlists for 59 Years.

2024 Playlist
Death Valley High - Orville Peck ft. Beck
APT. - Rose ft. Bruno Mars
A Fragile Thing- The Cure
Denial Is a River - Doechii
Starburster - Fontaines D.C.
Survive the Night (from The Warriors) - Company
Oh No! - The Decemberists
Cinderella - Remi Wolf